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Like many of my peers, I’ve been known to love a mapped-out process and a clearly articulated task list. Checking off a box brings me joy and getting into a routine of completing my recurring responsibilities is especially satisfying (exhilarating, I know!).

After leading and facilitating dozens of executive alignment sessions over the years, I've noticed a pattern:

In my last article, I wrote about how the most memorable experiences often come down to something simple: making people feel seen.

For a long time, a goal of mine has been to get my private pilot license. Not for any one particular reason other than I think flying is interesting, I enjoy learning about airplanes, and I thought it sounded like a challenge that I’d enjoy figuring out.

The goal was clear. The production was bigger than ever. The keynote speaker fit the objectives perfectly. And at the center of it all was a theme crafted to inspire. The kind that was well researched, pressure tested and really means something.

In an industry driven by logistics, timelines, and production schedules, it’s easy to believe event strategy is about execution alone.

Growth is often celebrated as a clear marker of success. New customers. New offerings. New markets. New hires. New leaders.

Recently, I was invited to attend the Modern Elder Academy in Baja, California. A few years ago, this is something I probably wouldn’t have said yes to. But after conversations with my colleagues, Dawna MacLean and George Rafferty, I decided to commit and I’m very glad I did.

I’ve seen AI’s presence in the workplace discussed more times than I can count. This topic is wildly popular, and for good reason. It’s applicable to virtually every role and industry. We seek efficiency, an unbiased “peer” to bounce ideas off of, and a tool to enrich language and identify insights.

As a designer, I’m admittedly biased toward the importance of what I consider the bedrock of good visual communication: thoughtful typography, purposeful color choices, and layouts that guide rather than confuse.