360°Leadership
One Purpose, Many Platforms—Expanding Opportunity Across Business, Government, Higher Education, and Global Strategy
- I’ve spent my life answering a single calling: to expand opportunity—for individuals, for institutions, and for the country I love.
- That calling began as a boy picking strawberries in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, and it’s taken me through every corner of American life—from corporate boardrooms to the U.S. Congress, from university presidencies to the frontlines of global strategic policy. At each stage, I’ve been guided not by ideology or ambition, but by mission: stewarding institutions with integrity, lifting those still waiting for their chance, and advancing the common good in divided times.
- This section highlights the principles and practices that have defined my approach to leadership—through crises, controversy, and change. Whether managing a $5 billion university system through the pandemic, charting strategy during a historic corporate restructuring, or casting decisive votes in Congress, I’ve sought to lead with foresight, integrity, and a deep commitment to the people and ideals each institution exists to serve.
- In an era when trust is scarce and complexity is rising, I believe leadership must be rooted in values, scaled by strategy, and measured by the impact it has on those it lifts.
🎤 Related Keynotes — 360° Leadership
Keynotes that draw on a lifetime of cross-sector leadership—offering insights for navigating complexity with clarity, trust, and strategic perspective:
Discover My 360° Leadership
Leadership Across Divides
- 🤝 Aligning Diverse Stakeholders Around Common Goals
- 🏛️ Navigating Shared Governance in Higher Education
- 🌉 Bridging Red & Blue, Global & Local, Campus & Community
Signature Themes
- 🌐 Geoeconomic Statecraft
- 🫱 Trust-Building in Divided Environments
- 🧠 Innovation with Foresight
- ✨ Civic-Purpose-Driven Vision
Proven Across Sectors
- 🎓 Led Two Public Universities, Including an AAU Flagship System
- 🏛️ Directed the Nation’s Top School of Applied Politics
- 🇺🇸 Served in Congress During a Time of Global Realignment
- 💼 Advisor to Fortune 200 Companies and National Security Leaders