McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character (MCLC)

This March, I had the honor of attending the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character (MCLC) at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Over the course of four transformative days, I engaged with a remarkable group of Senior Fellows, Keynote Speakers, and fellow students from around the world, each bringing diverse expertise and unique perspectives to the table. The theme of this year’s conference, leading change within organizations and communities, provided a profound framework for our discussions, shaped by insights from former and current CEOs, military officers, and student leaders.

One of the most impactful experiences came from the small group discussions led by the CEO of UTI International, Praveen Jagwani. We explored how young leaders can inspire meaningful change in our work. He guided us in breaking down our personal experiences with leadership and offered invaluable insights on how to harness our strengths effectively. Another notable example of leadership came from the cadets at West Point. Witnessing their rigorous daily schedule firsthand—such as participating in 5 AM team-building fitness activities—offered a glimpse into their unwavering commitment to their values, their reliance on teamwork, and their trust in each other and their leaders. Through these moments, I gained a deeper understanding of unity and resilience in the face of challenges.

This experience has fundamentally transformed the way I view change—not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to drive innovation, build trust, and inspire transformation. A recurring theme throughout the conference was the idea of embracing challenges and turning them into opportunities. Jane Nielsen, in her inspiring keynote speech, emphasized that “skinned knees” are necessary to persevere through change—a sentiment that truly resonated with me.

I return from the McDonald Conference with a deeper understanding of leadership, a clearer sense of purpose, and a profound appreciation for the relationships and lessons that will continue to guide me forward.

A true leader spends 50% of their day practicing gratitude.” “There is no such thing as culture shock, just unclear culture.” “Above all else, build your credibility.” We hear a lot of words each day and we listen to so few of them. If the measure of the meaning of one’s words were to be the evidence of one’s character and one’s ability to lead, then I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had to listen at the United States Military Academy.

This past March, I had the privilege to attend the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character (MCLC) at West Point, NY. During my three nights, I learned from many accomplished Senior Fellows, Keynote Speakers, and other Students alike. Together, we are comprised of former and current CEOs of large companies, veteran Deputy Managers of governmental industries, high-ranking Military Officers, and Student Leaders from prestigious Universities both inside and outside of the Country. Aside from the pedigree at play, this Conference was made even more special for directing collaboration with many accomplished and current cadets of West Point. My brief window into their life of duty and honor exposed me to a truer understanding of unity and camaraderie. We ate together, debated and discussed the words we had listened to in spirit, and collaborated in morning exercises at the top of Fort Putnam. It is the memories I crafted with these cadets that made me the proudest to represent the University of Florida.

As I reflect on my time at West Point, I feel like I have come to several conclusions. Firstly, I am a product of the people I put my trust in. The best leaders are closest to the ones they disagree with the most because they recognize that we can only grow and challenge others to do so as well when we place our faith in our Team. Second, the buck still stops at ourselves when it comes to dialing in a moral compass or calibrating our skill sets. We will continue to fail as leaders, but each of those failures must be a lesson that keeps us from falling the same way. Finally, the best clarity comes from vision. Beginning with the end in mind and building the steps to get there will ensure optimism, drive, and momentum. There are more, so many more lessons that I’m still digesting and slowly understanding, though their revelations will come. What matters is I now listen more than I ever have before.

I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to attend the McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character. This has been a truly transformative experience for me and a moment of immense learning and growth. It is not the beautiful setting, exciting activities, or impeccable organization that makes the conference so valuable; it is the people. As a student fellow, I had the privilege of working with some of the brightest students and top business leaders from around the world to explore the topic of Influence Without Authority. The diverse group led to the richest discussions about leadership I have ever experienced, and I will certainly carry the knowledge I gained with me for the rest of my life. During the event, we heard inspiring keynotes from Ms. Seema Hingorani and Mr. Mark Shapiro, who spoke about partnering with great people and championing others. In addition, there were three panels on Followership, Strength of Character, and Leading Peers. The panelists included Mr. Jeffrey Peterson, Mr. Patrick Swygert, Mr. Mike Haynie, Mr. Bob McDonald, MG Vares-Lum, Mrs. Leslie Fenwick, and Mr. Peter Wuffli. At the conclusion of each panel, we had the opportunity to discuss thoughts and share ideas in a small group. Ours was led by business expert and philanthropist Mr. Peter Wuffli. In addition to all the leadership discussions, we experienced life with West Point cadets by partaking in obstacle courses, problem-solving challenges, and musical performances. This was a fantastic opportunity, and I know that I will be able to apply all that I learned about Influence Without Authority as I move into the next chapter of my life