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Leadership Initiative
The Leadership Initiative at the University of Saint Joseph creates opportunities for people across industries, professions, and communities to learn from one another and strengthen their capacity to lead.
Founded in 2016 as the Women’s Leadership Center, today the Leadership Initiative brings a broader focus to that work. With a mission to nurture and promote ethical and compassionate leadership, we build upon USJ’s strong history of education, research, and community engagement.
The Leadership Initiative is proudly sponsored by BeaconBank
Events
Attend our free programs to strengthen your skills and accomplish your career goals!
Upcoming Event
Leading Through Change: A Conversation with Val Ackerman
- Moderated by Jeané Coakley
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- 5-7 p.m.
- Hoffman Auditorium
- Register Here
Join the Leadership Initiative at the University of Saint Joseph for a fireside conversation with Val Ackerman, one of the most influential executives in sports, moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Jeane Coakley.
From helping launch the WNBA as its founding president to leading USA Basketball and guiding the BIG EAST through a defining era of change, Ackerman has spent her career building organizations, navigating transformation, and helping shape the future of a rapidly evolving industry.
In a candid discussion, Ackerman will reflect on the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership, the decisions and challenges that defined her career, and what she has learned about leading through change. The talk will explore resilience, taking risks, building credibility, navigating spaces where few have gone before, and creating opportunities for those who follow.
More than a conversation about sports, the evening will offer lessons in leadership, growth, and finding the confidence to take on what comes next.
