UNC in DC

About the Event

Join leaders from across government for a full day of insight, connection, and practical leadership development. This event brings together practitioners and expert faculty to explore how leaders can strengthen core executive competencies, build more cohesive teams, and enhance organizational performance in a rapidly evolving operating environment.

Attendees will gain strategies for navigating complex missions, collaborating across functions, and translating organizational goals into effective action.

What to Expect

Engage in three interactive workshops and a lunchtime panel designed to strengthen essential public‑sector leadership capabilities:

Dr. Mike Lord — President, The Washington Campus
Explore the foundations of effective government leadership with a deep dive into American governance, public‑sector dynamics, and the leadership competencies that support trust, accountability, and mission alignment. Dr. Lord will help attendees connect high‑level governance principles to real‑world agency challenges.

Dr. Danny Miller — United States Air Force (Ret.), Executive Coach
Drawing on extensive experience in conflict navigation and cross‑functional leadership, Dr. Miller will guide attendees through practical strategies that improve conflict‑handling effectiveness, strengthen collaboration, and enhance team cohesion across diverse operational environments.

Dr. Sreedhari Desai — UNC Kenan‑Flagler Business School
Professor Desai’s session focuses on influence, organizational collaboration, and the ability to transform vision into implementation. Attendees will explore how to partner across teams, foster creative problem solving, and lead long‑term strategic thinking in complex settings.

Lunchtime Panel: Resilience and Innovation — Future‑Focused Learning Leadership
Senior government leaders will discuss how agencies are adapting to shifting missions, evolving structures, and changing workforce expectations. The conversation will emphasize practical approaches to building resilient organizations, strengthening leadership pipelines, and preparing teams for the challenges ahead.

Event Timeline

• 8:30 – 9:00 am: Check-in, coffee, and networking
• 9:00 – 9:30 am: Opening remarks
• 9:30 – 10:45 am: Dr. Mike Lord: American Governance
• 10:45 – 11:00 am: Break
• 11:00 – 12:15 pm: Dr. Danny Miller: From Insight to Action: Managing Conflict and Driving Collaboration
• 12:15 – 12:30 pm: Break
• 12:30 – 1:45: Panel and lunch – Resilience and Innovation: Future Focused Learning Leadership
• 1:45 – 2:00: Break
• 2:00 – 3:15: Dr. Sreedhari Desai: Leadership without Limits, Influencing across the Organization
• 3:15 – 3:00 – Program wrap up & key takeaways

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email Amy Parker at Amy_Parker@kenan-flagler.unc.edu.