UNICON 2021 Team Development Conference
Hosted by Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Executive Education
Bringing together the world’s leading universities in November 2021 to shape the future of executive education.
The executive education industry has experienced accelerated change in the learning and development marketplace. How do we build a flexible, accessible, and sustainable system that promotes lifelong opportunities for learning and professional growth?
It is our pleasure to host the UNICON 2021 Team Development Conference.
UNICON is a global consortium of business‐school‐based executive education organizations. Through participation in UNICON, the leaders, managers, and team members of its member organizations gain new knowledge, inspiration, new perspectives, capabilities for enhancing the effectiveness of their operations, and a global network of colleagues.
The UNICON Team Development Conference is held annually each November and is the largest of its three annual conferences. The event is open to all executive education program staff at all member universities and provides an excellent opportunity for participants to network with colleagues, exchange industry insights and best practices, and discuss recent developments in the industry. This year’s conference focuses on building a sustainable, flexible and adaptable lifelong learning ecosystem fit for the future of work.
This fall, we will embark on a collaborative journey under the charge of our conference theme to understand the executive education space of today, forge what is next for executive education, and delineate clarity of purpose to evolve.
Conference Fees per Organization:
- $150 each for 1-3 attendees
- $495 for 4-5 attendees
- $595 for 6-10 attendees
- $695 for 11-15 attendees
- $795 for 16-20 attendees
Fast Facts
When
November 30, 2021, 08:00 am
Where
Online
Share
Schedule of Events
November 30, 2021
8:00am - 12:15pm
online
Day 1: Accessibility
(All times below are U.S. Eastern Time)
|
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. |
Newcomer Session |
Rob Dietel, Director of Executive Programs, MIT Sloan |
|
9:00 – 9:10 a.m. |
Welcome from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
Alexander J. Triantis, PhD, Dean, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
| 9:10 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction to Conference Theme | Christopher G. Myers, PhD, Associate Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
|
9:15 – 9:45 a.m. |
Conference Opening & Awards |
Markus Frank, PhD, Director of Custom Programs at Executive School of Management, University of St. Gallen |
|
9:45 – 10:20 a.m. |
UNICON’s Membership Benchmarking Survey |
UNICON Benchmarking Committee Serge Lafrance, MSc, Director of Executive Education, HEC Montreal and Associate Professor |
|
10:20 – 10:45 a.m. |
Benchmarking Survey: Debrief in Functional Groups |
Nora Anderson, MBA, Executive Director of Executive Education, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota Mark Lewis, MA, Executive Director of Executive Education, University of Chicago Booth School of Business Serge Lafrance, MSc, Director of Executive Education, HEC Montreal and Associate Professor Cuneyt Evirgen, Executive Development Unit (EDU) Director, Sabanci University Terry Wolfe, Executive Director, Marshall School of Business Rodrigo Amantea, Insper Institute of Education and Research |
|
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
Break |
|
|
11:00 a.m. – Noon |
Sessions |
"Digitalization and Executive Education: Pandemic response and post-pandemic opportunities" with David Lefevre, PhD, Director of the EdTech Lab, Imperial College Business School and Charlotte von Essen PhD, Director of Academic Engagement, Insendi "Using Technology to Make Executive Education More Accessible" with David Wood, MBA, Executive, Board Chair, and Faculty, Ivey Business School at Western University "Vaccine Mandates: Legal Implications for Higher Ed" with Stacey Lee, JD, Associate Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
|
Noon – 12:15 p.m. |
Daily wrap-up |
Christopher G. Myers, PhD, Associate Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
December 01, 2021
9:00am - 12:15pm
online
Day 2: Flexibility
|
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. |
Introduction of Day’s Theme |
Christopher G. Myers, PhD, Associate Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
|
9:15 – 9:30 a.m. |
Day 2 Opening |
Markus Frank, PhD, Director of Custom Programs at Executive School of Management, University of St. Gallen |
|
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. |
Plenary: The Power of Open Source |
Beth Blauer, JD, Associate Vice Provost for Public Sector Innovation at Johns Hopkins University and Associate Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
|
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. |
Optional Team Debriefs |
Coordinate offline with your institutional teams to debrief |
|
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
Break |
|
|
11:00 a.m. – Noon |
Sessions |
"Serving Custom Clients and Supporting Staff" with Bill Joiner, Managing Director, SMU Cox School of Business, Sheri Moore, Director of Business Development, SMU Cox School of Business, and Luigi Pecoraro, EdD, Managing Director, SMU Cox School of Business "You haven’t reached your peak! Using Life Design in Your Life Long Learning Journey" with Alayna Hayes, EdD, Senior Director of Life Design-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Life Design Lab at Johns Hopkins University and Matthew Golden, Executive Director of the Life Design Lab at Johns Hopkins University "Crisis Leadership within a Community Hospital Setting" with M. Shafeeq Ahmed, MD, MBA, FACOG, President, Howard County General Hospital |
|
Noon – 12:15 p.m. |
Daily wrap-up |
Christopher G. Myers, PhD, Associate Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
December 02, 2021
9:00am - 12:30pm
online
Day 3: Sustainability
|
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. |
Introduction of Day’s Theme |
Christopher G. Myers, PhD, Associate Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
|
9:15 – 9:30 a.m. |
Day 3 Opening |
Markus Frank, PhD, Director of Custom Programs at Executive School of Management, University of St. Gallen |
|
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. |
Plenary: Building a Sustainable Exec Ed Business Model in Times of Accelerated Change |
"Building a Sustainable Executive Education Business Model in Times of Accelerated Change" with Susan Cates, MBA, Managing Partner and Mike Malefakis, MA, Senior Advisor, Leeds Illuminate |
|
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. |
Plenary: Debrief in Functional Groups |
|
|
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
Break |
|
|
11:00 a.m. – Noon |
Sessions |
"The Post-Pandemic Workplace: Human Capital Implications for Executive Education" with Richard Smith, PhD, Professor of Practice and Vice Dean for Education and Partnerships, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Josie Kang, PhD, Vice President of Human Capital at Human Capital Leadership Institute "Stackables and Microcredentials in Higher Education - Disruption or symbiosis? " with David Sagen, MBA, Director National Executive Programmes, BI Norwegian Business and Anne Swanberg, PhD, Associate Dean Short Learning Modules, Associate Professor, BI Norwegian Business School |
|
Noon – 12:15 p.m. |
Daily wrap-up |
Christopher G. Myers, PhD, Associate Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
|
12:15 – 12:30 p.m. |
Closing Remarks from Johns Hopkins |
Richard Smith, PhD, Professor of Practice and Vice Dean for Education and Partnerships, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
| 12:30 – 12:45 p.m. | Closing Remarks from UNICON | Markus Frank, PhD, Director of Custom Programs at Executive School of Management, University of St. Gallen |
Speakers
Alayna Hayes, EdD
Alayna Hayes, EdD
Senior Director of Life Design-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Life Design Lab, Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Alayna Hayes is the Senior Director of Life Design-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Life Design Lab at Johns Hopkins University where she currently leads the SOAR Team (Seizing Opportunities, Access, and Relationships), a group of seven Life Design Educators who work in co-curricular spaces on campus focusing on connecting with first-generation and limited income students. Having been at JHU for over 5 years, Alayna previously led employer relations efforts for the then named Homewood Career Center. Prior to transitioning to higher education, Alayna worked in pharmaceutical sales for several companies including Pfizer Animal Health and GlaxoSmithKline. Alayna received her Doctorate of Education from JHU School of Education where her research interests were focused on first-generation college students and their access to social capital for internships and employment opportunities. She also has an MBA and BS from Florida A&M University.
Alexander J. Triantis, PhD
Alexander J. Triantis, PhD
Dean, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Alexander Triantis became the third dean of Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in 2019. Prior to joining Carey Business School, Triantis served as dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland from 2013 to 2019, and chair of the Finance Department from 2006 to 2011. Previously, he was a visiting scholar at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and an assistant and associate professor of finance at the University of Wisconsin. Triantis received his PhD in industrial engineering (with a specialization in finance) from Stanford University and his BASc and MEng degrees from the University of Toronto.
An expert in the areas of corporate financial strategy and valuation, Triantis has published articles in numerous prestigious academic journals, served on several journal editorial boards, and has consulted and led training for many multinational corporations. Businessweek named Triantis an Outstanding Professor at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Maryland, and he is a two-time recipient of Maryland Smith’s top teaching award for faculty.
Triantis is a member of the board of directors for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and served as vice president for global services for the Financial Management Association International.
An expert in the areas of corporate financial strategy and valuation, Triantis has published articles in numerous prestigious academic journals, served on several journal editorial boards, and has consulted and led training for many multinational corporations. Businessweek named Triantis an Outstanding Professor at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Maryland, and he is a two-time recipient of Maryland Smith’s top teaching award for faculty.
Triantis is a member of the board of directors for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and served as vice president for global services for the Financial Management Association International.
Anne Swanberg, PhD
Anne Swanberg, PhD
Associate Dean Short Learning Modules, Associate Professor, BI Norwegian Business School
Dr. Anne Swanberg is Associate Professor and Associate Dean for short digital courses at BI Norwegian Business School. Swanberg is the former Dean Teaching and Learning at BI and the former Director of EOCCS - EFMD Global Network Online Course Certification System. From 2010 until 2019 she was the Director of BI LearningLab - a support and innovation center for teaching, learning and ICT. Swanberg has been an important player in building the FOME Alliance Group which is a global alliance of business schools aiming at developing cutting edge online learning experiences for management and business students. She has several roles in the Norwegian education sector focusing on digitalization, active learning and quality in higher education. Her research interest is within the field of educational psychology.
Beth Blauer, JD
Beth Blauer, JD
Associate Vice Provost for Public Sector Innovation at Johns Hopkins University and Associate Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Beth Blauer is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Centers for Civic Impact at Johns Hopkins University (Civic Impact). As a dedicated public servant and international expert on government performance programs for more than fifteen years, Beth Blauer spent her career working to improve people’s lives by bringing data into governments’ decision-making processes. Blauer founded Civic Impact, originally as the Center for Government Excellence, in 2015 and since then, has successfully worked with over 140 mayors from around the globe to advance the use of data and evidence. She has built the organization to be a leader in data-driven insights for city leaders and public sector practitioners across the country and around the world.
Prior to leading the Centers for Civic Impact, Blauer designed and launched Socrata’s GovStat platform for federal, state, and local governments.
Having entered public service as a juvenile probation officer in Maryland, Blauer was quickly promoted within the department, quickly becoming the Chief of Staff. It was in this capacity she began working on the creation and implementation of “StateStat.” In 2008, then Governor Martin O’Malley asked Blauer to lead his nationally recognized StateStat program.
Blauer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland and holds a JD from New York Law School. She is a recipient of the 2012 CAP award for her work on Maryland’s StateStat.
Prior to leading the Centers for Civic Impact, Blauer designed and launched Socrata’s GovStat platform for federal, state, and local governments.
Having entered public service as a juvenile probation officer in Maryland, Blauer was quickly promoted within the department, quickly becoming the Chief of Staff. It was in this capacity she began working on the creation and implementation of “StateStat.” In 2008, then Governor Martin O’Malley asked Blauer to lead his nationally recognized StateStat program.
Blauer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland and holds a JD from New York Law School. She is a recipient of the 2012 CAP award for her work on Maryland’s StateStat.
Bill Joiner
Bill Joiner
Managing Director, SMU Cox Executive Education
For the past 15 years at SMU Cox Executive Education, Bill has collaborated with companies in diverse industries to create custom executive education experiences that inspire and develop individuals to make a positive difference in their organizations.
Prior to SMU, Bill was actively involved in distance learning and adult education throughout his career having served in executive roles with international and domestic training groups.
Prior to SMU, Bill was actively involved in distance learning and adult education throughout his career having served in executive roles with international and domestic training groups.
Charlotte von Essen, PhD
Charlotte von Essen, PhD
Director of Academic Engagement, Insendi
Dr Charlotte von Essen is Director of Academic Engagement at insendi. She previously worked at Imperial Business School’s Edtech Lab and has a background in university teaching and learning design. She has designed and delivered numerous online and blended programs and helped faculty across the world develop hundreds of courses for a range of audiences - undergraduates, postgraduates, executive education clients, and corporate learners.
At Insendi, Charlotte leads the Academic Engagement team, which is devoted to supporting and nurturing the company’s relationships with current partners. She also supports insendi’s user communities, including the award-winning FOME alliance. Charlotte is fascinated by the ever-evolving models and practices of Edtech. The innovations and insights of this rich and dynamic sector excite her work. She loves learning about new projects and initiatives insendi partners are planning, all of which offer fresh, exciting ways to enrich and deepen learning.
At Insendi, Charlotte leads the Academic Engagement team, which is devoted to supporting and nurturing the company’s relationships with current partners. She also supports insendi’s user communities, including the award-winning FOME alliance. Charlotte is fascinated by the ever-evolving models and practices of Edtech. The innovations and insights of this rich and dynamic sector excite her work. She loves learning about new projects and initiatives insendi partners are planning, all of which offer fresh, exciting ways to enrich and deepen learning.
Christopher G. Myers, PhD
Christopher G. Myers, PhD
Associate Professor and Academic Director of Executive Education, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Christopher G. Myers, PhD (Management & Organizations, University of Michigan) is an Associate Professor of Management, Academic Director of Executive Education and the founding Faculty Director of the Center for Innovative Leadership at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, and holds a joint faculty appointment in the School of Medicine (Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine). His research explores questions of learning, leadership development, and innovation in organizations, specifically examining how people learn vicariously from others’ knowledge and experience at work. He focuses in particular on studying health care organizations and other knowledge-intensive work settings. Prior to joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins University, he was an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Harvard Business School. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisGMyers.
David Lefevre, PhD
David Lefevre, PhD
Director of the EdTech Lab, Imperial College Business School
I am director of the Edtech Lab at the Imperial College Business School. I joined Imperial College in 2001 as an MSc student in the Department of Computing and then completed a PhD in the Imperial College Business School. I have a long standing interest in the use of technology in education and started teaching my classes online in 2003. My role evolved to encourage others to teach using technology.
In 2005 I joined Business School and formed the Edtech Lab. Our team has overseen a substantial increase in the use of educational technology at the School. We launched Imperial College's first online degree programme, the Global Online MBA, in 2015 and currently deliver more than 200 online modules each academic year. We have received awards along the way including a Gold award at the IMS Learning Impact awards in 2010, an Effective Practice Award at the Sloan-C Blended Learning Conference in 2011 and a silver award for Business Education at the 2018 QS Reimagine Education conference. I was co-founder and president of the Imperial College spin-out Epigeum (now a successful part of the Oxford University Press) which publishes high quality online courseware used by 250 universities globally. In 2018 I co-founded Insend, also a spin-out firm from the Edtech Lab focused on online learning platforms.
In 2005 I joined Business School and formed the Edtech Lab. Our team has overseen a substantial increase in the use of educational technology at the School. We launched Imperial College's first online degree programme, the Global Online MBA, in 2015 and currently deliver more than 200 online modules each academic year. We have received awards along the way including a Gold award at the IMS Learning Impact awards in 2010, an Effective Practice Award at the Sloan-C Blended Learning Conference in 2011 and a silver award for Business Education at the 2018 QS Reimagine Education conference. I was co-founder and president of the Imperial College spin-out Epigeum (now a successful part of the Oxford University Press) which publishes high quality online courseware used by 250 universities globally. In 2018 I co-founded Insend, also a spin-out firm from the Edtech Lab focused on online learning platforms.
David Sagen, MBA
David Sagen, MBA
Director National Executive Programmes, BI Norwegian Business
Mr. David Sagen is director of National Executive Programmes at BI Norwegian Business School. He bears the commercial responsibility for the national product portfolio, comprising around 200 courses in different shapes and sizes both non-credit and credit. Mr. Sagen is a former Management Consultant specializing in innovation, strategy and digital transformation. He plays an important role in challenging and supporting BI faculty when developing new course concepts that apply different technologies to enhance learning processes and the student experience.
David Wood, MBA
David Wood, MBA
Executive, Board Chair, and Faculty, Ivey Business School at Western University
David is currently a faculty member at the Ivey Business School where he also graduated in 1997. At Ivey David teaches Operations and Operations Strategy. He has been the Faculty Director of the MBA, led the creation of the Accelerated MBA, Ivey’s first blended learning program, and is currently the Executive Director of Ivey Publishing. In addition to teaching he has written several internationally published cases and articles on operational improvements and corporate restructuring. David has also won a number of teaching awards, including the Case Centre’s Outstanding Case Teacher and the David G. Burgoyne Award. Prior to joining the faculty at Ivey, David spent twelve years in industry. In addition to his duties at Ivey David sits on three corporate boards, including as the chairman for Danby Products and a member of the board at Hammond Power Solutions.
Josie Kang, PhD
Josie Kang, PhD
Vice President, Human Capital Leadership Institute in Singapore
Josie is the Vice President of Human Capital at Human Capital Leadership Institute. She is concurrently the Head of HR, as well as Programme Director for HCLI’s HR Leaders Programme and HCLI-INSEAD HR Business Acumen Programmes.
She was previously a Senior Principal Consultant with Accenture, and has accumulated over 20 years of leadership development, HR strategy, talent management, change management and facilitation experience. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Singapore Management University, National University of Singapore and Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Josie has held regional Talent Management Director roles at Diageo, Heineken and Sentosa Development Corporation. At Accenture, Josie led the Leadership and Culture Transformation Community of Practice for ASEAN. She was also a leadership coach for internal and external clients using Accenture’s leadership assessment tools.
Josie graduated with a BSc (Hons) Business degree from Manchester Metropolitan University 1998, and a MA (Distinction) Organization Studies from Warwick University 2005. Her Master's thesis focused on trust repair in organisations. She earned a PhD at Singapore Management University in 2020 with her thesis on transformational leadership and risk-taking in Asia.
She was previously a Senior Principal Consultant with Accenture, and has accumulated over 20 years of leadership development, HR strategy, talent management, change management and facilitation experience. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Singapore Management University, National University of Singapore and Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Josie has held regional Talent Management Director roles at Diageo, Heineken and Sentosa Development Corporation. At Accenture, Josie led the Leadership and Culture Transformation Community of Practice for ASEAN. She was also a leadership coach for internal and external clients using Accenture’s leadership assessment tools.
Josie graduated with a BSc (Hons) Business degree from Manchester Metropolitan University 1998, and a MA (Distinction) Organization Studies from Warwick University 2005. Her Master's thesis focused on trust repair in organisations. She earned a PhD at Singapore Management University in 2020 with her thesis on transformational leadership and risk-taking in Asia.
Luigi Pecoraro, EdD
Luigi Pecoraro, EdD
Managing Director, SMU Cox School of Business
Luigi is leading collaborative efforts for SMU Cox School of Business Executive Education with diverse organizations and talent development practice leaders to develop highly tailored solutions that focus on leadership development.
He is recognized as an expert in the design, development, and delivery of executive development programs with professional, managerial, and executive level clients, and has consulted with a variety of local, national, and international companies over the past 20 years.
He is recognized as an expert in the design, development, and delivery of executive development programs with professional, managerial, and executive level clients, and has consulted with a variety of local, national, and international companies over the past 20 years.
Mark Lewis, MA
Mark Lewis, MA
UNICON Benchmarking Committee and Executive Director of Executive Education, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Mark Lewis has served a key role in the development of Executive Education programs for Fortune 100 and 500 corporations. Mark currently serves as the Executive Director of Executive Education at the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business, leading business administration and development.
In this role through business development, his charge is to increase enrollment in programs that strengthen executive skills in accounting, economics, finance, leadership, general management, wealth management, and strategy. Mark offers more than 30 years of experience, and has created extraordinary contributions to the growth and continued success of the Executive Education department. He is credited with building a strong network of relationships with alumni, professional associations, and other referral resources globally.
Mark is also a member of the National Black MBA Association National Advisory Council Board, serves as Co-chairman of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Staff Diversity and Inclusion committee, research committee member UNICON, and the THRIVE Diversity Board for the Investment Wealth Institute. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Continuing Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Morehouse College. Mark is very active in his community, working in various volunteer, civic, and philanthropic organizations. He resides with his wife of 31 years in Flossmoor, Illinois, and has two grown daughters.
In this role through business development, his charge is to increase enrollment in programs that strengthen executive skills in accounting, economics, finance, leadership, general management, wealth management, and strategy. Mark offers more than 30 years of experience, and has created extraordinary contributions to the growth and continued success of the Executive Education department. He is credited with building a strong network of relationships with alumni, professional associations, and other referral resources globally.
Mark is also a member of the National Black MBA Association National Advisory Council Board, serves as Co-chairman of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Staff Diversity and Inclusion committee, research committee member UNICON, and the THRIVE Diversity Board for the Investment Wealth Institute. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Continuing Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Morehouse College. Mark is very active in his community, working in various volunteer, civic, and philanthropic organizations. He resides with his wife of 31 years in Flossmoor, Illinois, and has two grown daughters.
Markus Frank, PhD
Markus Frank, PhD
Director of Custom Programs at Executive School of Management, University of St. Gallen
Markus Frank is Director of the Executive School of Management, Technology and Law at the University of St. Gallen. He has headed the Custom division since 2006. Markus Frank holds a PhD in Labor Economics from the University of St. Gallen. His professional career led him as Economist in the Federal Administration and Senior Consultant in a renowned management consulting firm back in 1999 to the University of St. Gallen as Administrative Director. In 2006, he was co-founder and Executive Director of the Executive School, which is responsible for a comprehensive portfolio of degree and non-degree executive education programs.
Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden
Executive Director, Life Design Lab, Johns Hopkins University
Matthew is the Executive Director of the Life Design Lab at the Homewood Campus at Johns Hopkins University. He oversees a team of 26 consisting of Life Design Educators and Operations staff. The Life Design Lab at Homewood engages students and alumni in life design, experiential learning, professional development, and connections with alumni and employers.
Prior to arriving at Johns Hopkins University, Matthew served as the Executive Director of Communications for the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University where he cultivated teams that focused on university program development and implementation, multimedia content creation, institutional branding and scalable engagement with students, faculty, staff and alumni.
In addition to his tenure in higher education Matthew worked for the NFL Players Association where he helped individuals navigate through major life transitions and develop their skills through dedicated programming in order to ultimately pursue their own personal passions. He has built and launched systems and databases to improve efficiency, led award winning programs, and executed large scale public campaigns which raised the profile and prominence of his organizations. Matthew earned bachelor’s degrees in both Mathematics and English before acquiring his master’s in Communications and Marketing, all from Georgetown University.
Prior to arriving at Johns Hopkins University, Matthew served as the Executive Director of Communications for the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University where he cultivated teams that focused on university program development and implementation, multimedia content creation, institutional branding and scalable engagement with students, faculty, staff and alumni.
In addition to his tenure in higher education Matthew worked for the NFL Players Association where he helped individuals navigate through major life transitions and develop their skills through dedicated programming in order to ultimately pursue their own personal passions. He has built and launched systems and databases to improve efficiency, led award winning programs, and executed large scale public campaigns which raised the profile and prominence of his organizations. Matthew earned bachelor’s degrees in both Mathematics and English before acquiring his master’s in Communications and Marketing, all from Georgetown University.
Mike Malefakis, MA
Mike Malefakis, MA
Senior Advisor, Leeds Illuminate
Mike Malefakis is a dedicated lifelong learner who has more than 25 years of experience in Executive Education with five UNICON member schools. Mike recently left executive education to continue to promote innovation in learning and workforce access as a Senior Advisor for Leeds Illuminate, a women-led growth equity team investing in Education and Workforce Development. Prior to Leeds Illuminate, Mike was CEO & Associate Vice Dean, of Wharton Executive Education, where he worked closely with faculty and staff to strategically pivot to live online learning delivering over 5,000 hours of programming to reach over 10,800 participants last academic year.
Prior to Wharton, Mike served as the Associate Dean of Executive Education at Columbia Business School, where the team grew revenue more than 50% over five years by introducing online programming and renewing the program portfolio. Before joining Columbia, Mike served as Director of Executive Education at the University of Chicago Booth School of business. At Booth, he was responsible for overall strategy, P&L, and marketing of both open and custom programs. He also launched programs in Barcelona, Singapore, and London as part of Booth’s global outreach.
Earlier in his career, Mike worked as the Director of the Executive Education Center at the Institutio Centroamericano de Administración de Empreses in San Jose, Costa Rica and an Assistant Director at Michigan Ross Executive Education. Mike was on the UNICON board and served as board chair.
Mike holds a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia and a BA in Social Science from the University of Michigan.
Prior to Wharton, Mike served as the Associate Dean of Executive Education at Columbia Business School, where the team grew revenue more than 50% over five years by introducing online programming and renewing the program portfolio. Before joining Columbia, Mike served as Director of Executive Education at the University of Chicago Booth School of business. At Booth, he was responsible for overall strategy, P&L, and marketing of both open and custom programs. He also launched programs in Barcelona, Singapore, and London as part of Booth’s global outreach.
Earlier in his career, Mike worked as the Director of the Executive Education Center at the Institutio Centroamericano de Administración de Empreses in San Jose, Costa Rica and an Assistant Director at Michigan Ross Executive Education. Mike was on the UNICON board and served as board chair.
Mike holds a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia and a BA in Social Science from the University of Michigan.
M. Shafeeq Ahmed, MD, MBA, FACOG
M. Shafeeq Ahmed, MD, MBA, FACOG
President of Howard County General Hospital, Director, Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute at Howard County General Hospital, Assistant Professor, Department of GYN/OB, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Dr. Ahmed is a physician executive with demonstrated experience in multi-specialty medical practice operations, hospital operations, medical staff affairs, and healthcare quality leadership within the context of a complex health system with a matrix environment. Proven operational, strategic, analytical, financial, and change leadership skills. Action-driven transformational leadership style with a focus on effective communication and team building. Recognized by Becker’s Healthcare Review as one of the “100 Hospital and Health System CMO’s to Know” from 2014-2020.
Dr. Ahmed has been a member of the HCGH leadership team since 2016, responsible for building on the high standards for patient safety and service, working in partnership with physician leaders to deliver excellent care to the community and for the Johns Hopkins health system. Designated as the chief medical safety and quality officer, working to integrate services and quality care standards with those of Johns Hopkins Medicine. Provides administrative oversight and service support for professional staff activities, physician relations, and all contract based physician services (hospitalists, ED physicians, intensive care, neonatology, psychiatry, Ob/Gyn hospitalists, pathology, and anesthesiology).
Serves as head of all quality related activities, which also includes risk management, regulatory affairs, patient relations, and patient experience. Oversight for research and educational activities (medical student, residents). Serves as the local director for the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality at Howard County. Assistant Professor in the department of GYN/OB- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Dr. Ahmed has been a member of the HCGH leadership team since 2016, responsible for building on the high standards for patient safety and service, working in partnership with physician leaders to deliver excellent care to the community and for the Johns Hopkins health system. Designated as the chief medical safety and quality officer, working to integrate services and quality care standards with those of Johns Hopkins Medicine. Provides administrative oversight and service support for professional staff activities, physician relations, and all contract based physician services (hospitalists, ED physicians, intensive care, neonatology, psychiatry, Ob/Gyn hospitalists, pathology, and anesthesiology).
Serves as head of all quality related activities, which also includes risk management, regulatory affairs, patient relations, and patient experience. Oversight for research and educational activities (medical student, residents). Serves as the local director for the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality at Howard County. Assistant Professor in the department of GYN/OB- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Nora Anderson, MBA
Nora Anderson, MBA
UNICON Benchmarking Committee and Executive Director of Executive Education, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
Nora Anderson is passionate about creating a positive impact for organizations and individuals through transformational learning experiences. Her professional experience spans across three continents and for over 15 years she has partnered with global organizations to align business strategies with leadership and talent development solutions. Nora has a proven track record of working closely with C-Suite and senior executives to address pressing business challenges and design scalable solutions to develop future-ready leaders.
Nora is currently Executive Director of Executive Education at the Carlson School of Management (University of Minnesota) and is also serving as Co-Chair of the Dean’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee. She speaks regularly at business events on the topics of leadership, DE&I, team performance, and trends in learning and development and she is a member of the Board of Directors of UNICON, the global consortium of university based Executive Education. Nora has lived and worked in Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Chile and Brazil. She holds an MBA degree with honors from IE Business School, a B.A. degree from Macalester College.
Nora is currently Executive Director of Executive Education at the Carlson School of Management (University of Minnesota) and is also serving as Co-Chair of the Dean’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee. She speaks regularly at business events on the topics of leadership, DE&I, team performance, and trends in learning and development and she is a member of the Board of Directors of UNICON, the global consortium of university based Executive Education. Nora has lived and worked in Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Chile and Brazil. She holds an MBA degree with honors from IE Business School, a B.A. degree from Macalester College.
Richard Smith, PhD
Richard Smith, PhD
Professor of Practice and Vice Dean for Education and Partnerships, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Rick Smith is the vice dean for education and partnerships as well as a professor of practice. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins University, he served as the deputy dean of education programs at Singapore Management University, where he was also a professor of strategic management.
Prior to joining academia on a full-time basis, Rick spent more than 30 years in business, primarily in the consulting industry as a senior partner with Accenture, where he held a variety of leadership roles across industries, geographies, and services. During his business career, Rick has had the opportunity to live and work in Asia, Europe, and America with more than 15 years in the growth markets of China, Singapore, India, and Indonesia. In addition to his work with global firms, he also served as the CEO of a start-up in China and has supported several entrepreneurial ventures.
Underpinning Rick’s research and teaching interests is the focus on human capital as a strategic resource for competitive advantage. He teaches graduate courses on Strategic Management and Human Capital Leadership. As a frequent guest speaker and executive education instructor Rick is the proud recipient of numerous teaching awards. Rick’s work on cross-border leadership provided significant media attention in Asia where he was featured as a guest on CNBC’s ‘Squawk box’ and ‘Talk Asia.’ Recently, he turned his attention to management education and co-authored the book, Rethinking the Business Models of Business Schools.
Prior to joining academia on a full-time basis, Rick spent more than 30 years in business, primarily in the consulting industry as a senior partner with Accenture, where he held a variety of leadership roles across industries, geographies, and services. During his business career, Rick has had the opportunity to live and work in Asia, Europe, and America with more than 15 years in the growth markets of China, Singapore, India, and Indonesia. In addition to his work with global firms, he also served as the CEO of a start-up in China and has supported several entrepreneurial ventures.
Underpinning Rick’s research and teaching interests is the focus on human capital as a strategic resource for competitive advantage. He teaches graduate courses on Strategic Management and Human Capital Leadership. As a frequent guest speaker and executive education instructor Rick is the proud recipient of numerous teaching awards. Rick’s work on cross-border leadership provided significant media attention in Asia where he was featured as a guest on CNBC’s ‘Squawk box’ and ‘Talk Asia.’ Recently, he turned his attention to management education and co-authored the book, Rethinking the Business Models of Business Schools.
Robert S. Dietel
Robert S. Dietel
Director of Executive Programs MIT, Sloan
Rob Dietel joined MIT Sloan Executive Education after spending four years as vice consul at the British Consulate General (Boston) UK Trade and Investment. Rob also served on the British Embassy's US network board of management in 2012-2013.
His specialty areas included financial Services, energy, and the US/UK legal industry. Prior to his work for the British Government, Rob worked in a variety of roles at Invesco Funds Group, Fidelity Investments, BISYS, Charles Schwab, and New York Life Investment Management.
Rob's role at MIT Sloan Executive Education focuses on designing and implementing custom executive education programs that enable transformational change.
His specialty areas included financial Services, energy, and the US/UK legal industry. Prior to his work for the British Government, Rob worked in a variety of roles at Invesco Funds Group, Fidelity Investments, BISYS, Charles Schwab, and New York Life Investment Management.
Rob's role at MIT Sloan Executive Education focuses on designing and implementing custom executive education programs that enable transformational change.
Serge Lafrance, MSc
Serge Lafrance, MSc
UNICON Benchmarking Committee, Director, Executive Education, HEC Montreal and Associate Professor
Serge Lafrance is the Director of Executive Education, HEC Montreal and Associate Professor. In addition to his academic career, he has 15 years of experience as a marketing consultant and management executive in Canada and the U.S. He has advised numerous companies on matters of growth strategy and business development. He previously served as the regional director for the Americas for the WIN-Gallup International Association. An expert in marketing and market development, he has several honours to his credit, including a prize for best paper by the Canadian Journal of Marketing Research.
Sheri Moore
Sheri Moore
Director of Business Development, SMU Cox School of Business
Sheri has been with SMU Cox School of Business for over 10 years, coming from a background in financial services and private banking. Currently Sheri is Director of Business Development where she is committed to creating leadership development solutions for organizations and individuals. She has a singular goal of creating impactful learning experiences with SMU COX as an academic partner.
Stacey B. Lee, JD
Stacey B. Lee, JD
Associate Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Stacey Lee, JD, joined the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in 2008. She is an Associate Professor in the practice track with expertise in business law, health law, and negotiations. She is Academic Program Director for the Full-time MBA program and the Faculty Director of the Teaching Excellence Initiative. She also holds a joint appointment at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Stacey’s research interests have focused on pharmaceutical manufacturers’ international and domestic influence on access to medicines and transformative healthcare negotiations. Before entering academia, Stacey practiced law for over ten years. She began as a securities litigator and later became in-house counsel for two of the country’s largest healthcare corporations. Stacey also served as the senior regulatory specialist for America’s Health Insurance Plans – the United States’ largest national healthcare trade association.
Stacey is a Fulbright Specialist for her expertise in negotiations and healthcare law and has received numerous research grants and fellowships for innovation in teaching. She has received several awards for Faculty Excellence, including the Excellence in Teaching Award, year after year, at both Bloomberg and Carey. In addition, Stacey was a featured TEDx speaker on the topic of “Patient Voices.” Her interviews, quotes, and writings have appeared in Baltimore Sun, CBS, CNN, Bloomberg Radio, USA Today, NPR, TODAY.com, among other media outlets, as well as in prominent law reviews and peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Business Ethics, Yale Journal of Health Policy and Ethics, Annals of Health Law, Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Health and Human Rights International Journal, to name a few.
Stacey is a Fulbright Specialist for her expertise in negotiations and healthcare law and has received numerous research grants and fellowships for innovation in teaching. She has received several awards for Faculty Excellence, including the Excellence in Teaching Award, year after year, at both Bloomberg and Carey. In addition, Stacey was a featured TEDx speaker on the topic of “Patient Voices.” Her interviews, quotes, and writings have appeared in Baltimore Sun, CBS, CNN, Bloomberg Radio, USA Today, NPR, TODAY.com, among other media outlets, as well as in prominent law reviews and peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Business Ethics, Yale Journal of Health Policy and Ethics, Annals of Health Law, Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Health and Human Rights International Journal, to name a few.
Susan Cates, MBA
Susan Cates, MBA
Managing Partner, Leeds Illuminate
Susan Cates is Managing Partner and co-founder of Leeds Illuminate, a growth equity firm investing in the education and workforce development sectors. Susan has over 25 years of experience in private equity, investment banking, and education leadership. Prior to joining Leeds, Susan was Chief Operating Officer at 2U, Inc., where she oversaw all product and service delivery operations. She was a founding team member of ThinkEquity Partners, where she led the education banking vertical, and a partner at Best Associates, where she led investments in education platforms across the U.S. and Latin America.
Susan served as President of Executive Development at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, and led the creation and growth of the school's ground-breaking online MBA program, MBA@UNC. Susan began her career as an investment banker at Wachovia Bank and Merrill Lynch.
Susan served as President of Executive Development at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, and led the creation and growth of the school's ground-breaking online MBA program, MBA@UNC. Susan began her career as an investment banker at Wachovia Bank and Merrill Lynch.
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