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Leadership Weekend

February 17 & 18, 2023

We are excited to host a weekend of programming for future Full-Time MBA students at UNC Kenan-Flagler. This in-person event will allow you to meet other prospective and incoming students while learning about the UNC Kenan-Flagler culture and community through engaging and interactive small-group sessions, workshops and social events.

Event details

Leadership Weekend is designed for:

  • Students admitted in Round 1, or
  • Those interested in submitting an application to our Full-Time MBA program

Leadership Weekend will be held in-person in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on February 17 & 18, 2023.

Registration for Leadership Weekend is now closed.

2023 Keynote Speaker: Alex Piasecki

Alex Piasecki looks down and to the left, we can see his profile. He has long hair in a ponytail and is in some long grass.Alex Piasecki is a passionate entrepreneur who is committed to creating a sustainable food system that benefits everyone, including farmers, consumers, and businesses. As the co-founder and CEO of Seal the Seasons, he uses local supply chains to support rural communities and help family farming thrive.


2023 Leadership Weekend Agenda

Agenda is subject to change. Please note that this event will be held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Friday, February 17

12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Check-in
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Welcome Luncheon with Faculty and Keynote Address
2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Event attendees will be divided into two teams for a more personalized experience during these interactive workshops on relevant leadership topics.

Each session will be 60 minutes in length with a 15-minute refreshment break.

Solving Complex Business Challenges Through STAR
Facilitators: Professor Karin Cochran, Executive Director of STAR Program and Dr. Julia Kruse, Director of STAR Program
Panelists: Abby Crotteau, MBA '23, Alexander Daniels, MBA '24, and Katie Lockart, MBA '24

Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR) is an experiential learning course for first year MBA students who address real business challenges for real companies. Students develop leadership, problem solving, and teamwork skills while developing recommendations for a corporate partner. Join the STAR leadership in an interactive session as they bring some examples of STAR projects to life.     

Mock Class: Decision Making
Facilitator: David Hofmann, Hugh L. McColl, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Leadership & Organizational Behavior & Senior Associate Dean of UNC Executive Development

In this session, you will have the chance to experience an interactive MBA class for yourself. Professor David Hofmann will facilitate a decision-making exercise and you will engage in a discussion on how to lead others to make decisions.
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Day I Closing Remarks & Happy Hour

Saturday, February 18

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. Day II Breakfast with Vetter Dean's Fellows
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Managing Workplace Diversity
Facilitator: Dr. James Johnson Jr., William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship; Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center at the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise

For leadership to effectively manage diversity in the workplace, they need to understand their backgrounds and how their behavior and beliefs can affect their decision-making within a diverse environment. Dr. Johnson will lead a conversation about how future leaders can survive and thrive in a diverse environment, where people come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives. He will talk about the iceberg model of diversity in which you see 30% of the iceberg and miss everything that is underneath.
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. McColl Building Tour with MBA Student Ambassadors
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch with Current MBA Students
1:00 p.m. –2:15 p.m. MBA Student Leadership Panel
Moderator: Taylor Jackson, MBA '23
Panelists: Paige Smith (MBA ‘23), Bryant Adams (MBA ‘23), Tyler Vonderhaar (MBA ‘24), and Elena Tamayo (MBA ‘23)

Hear from current students about their MBA experience and how they have sharpened their leadership skills throughout the program. Bring your questions- our panelists are ready to discuss why they chose UNC Kenan-Flagler, the Full-Time MBA experience, or anything else on your mind.
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Closing Remarks
2:30 p.m. Depart and explore Chapel Hill on your own