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 your classmates while learning about the UNC Kenan-Flagler culture and community through engaging and interactive small-group sessions, workshops and social events.
Event details
Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend is designed for:
- Enrolled students admitted in Round 1, or
- Those who submitted an application in Round 2
Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend will be held in-person in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on February 25 & 26, 2022.
Registration for Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend is now closed.
COVID-19 considerations
We are committed to ensuring the well-being of the UNC Kenan-Flagler community and guests. All attendees – regardless of vaccination status – will be required to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces during the event and follow our community standards. Individuals that are not fully vaccinated are required to take a COVID-19 test at most 72 hours prior to attending Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend. Further details on safety precautions and visitor expectations are available.
Keynote Speaker: D. Keith Pigues, MBA ’93
D. Keith Pigues is CEO and Founder of Luminas. A Memphis, TN native, Keith has experience as a C-suite executive leading global marketing, strategy and sales at Fortune 100 and mid-market private equity backed firms in a range of industries, including information technology, healthcare, agriculture biotechnology, automotive, commercial printing and building products.
Keith’s accomplishments and contributions as a business executive, speaker, thought leader and author have been recognized by numerous outlets including Best Seller TV, the C-Suite Book Club, Inc. Magazine, Frost & Sullivan, Canadian Marketing Association, Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, CNBC, and others. Black Enterprise Magazine named Keith as one of its top executives in marketing and advertising for 2011, and he was recognized by B2B Magazine as a leading senior marketing practitioner and a member of “Who’s Who in B-to-B” in 2007 and 2010.
2022 Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend Agenda
Friday, February 25
The Carolina Inn – 211 Pittsboro Street| 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Registration Location: The Carolina Inn, Gallery |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Welcome Luncheon with Faculty Location: The Carolina Inn, Old Well Room Welcome Danielle Richie, Director of MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment Sarah Perez, Managing Director of MBA programs Keynote Address D. Keith Pigues (MBA '93), Founder and CEO of Luminas Strategy |
| 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Break |
| 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.
Each session will be 60 minutes in length with a 15-minute refreshment break from 3:45 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. in the Colonnade. Applied Improv Workshop Facilitator: Greg Hohn, Clinical Assistant Professor of Management & Corporate Communication At its basic level, applied improv is taking concepts, ideas, and techniques from the world of improvisation and applying them to business and beyond. You'll have the chance to learn key skills from one of the most popular MBA elective courses, including communication, collaboration, innovation, problem-solving, and leadership. Leveraging real-world experience through STAR Facilitator: Julia Kruse, Director of STAR program STAR – Student Teams Achieving Results – is designed to give students real-world experience that can be applied to any career path or industry. In this session, you'll learn more about the STAR experience and how this popular program can set you up for career success. Director Julia Kruse will facilitate relationship-building activities and learn about effective project management skills. Group A Location: The Carolina Inn, Hill Ballroom South First Session: Applied Improv Workshop Second Session: Leveraging Real-World Experience Through STAR Group B Location: The Carolina Inn, Hill Ballroom North First Session: Leveraging Real-World Experience Through STAR Second Session: Applied Improv Workshop |
| 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Day I Closing Remarks & Happy Hour To-Go Location: The Carolina Inn, Hill Ballroom Central Join MBA admissions and fellow Leadership Weekend attendees for a day one closing remarks. Boxes of hors d’oeuvres will be provided to enjoy yourself outside, in your hotel room, or on the go. |
Saturday, February 26
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School – 300 Kenan Center Drive| 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Day II Welcome and Light Breakfast Location: McColl Building, Tillman Lobby Breakfast provided by Brandwein’s Bagels, founded by Alex Brandwein (MBA '20). |
| 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Managing Workplace Diversity Facilitator: Dr. James Johnson Jr., William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of strategy and entrepreneurship; Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center at the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise Location: McColl Building, Classroom 2250 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’s underneath. |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Break Refreshments provided outside of classroom 2250 |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | McColl Building Tour with MBA Student Ambassadors Meet in classroom 2250 |
| 12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Break |
| 12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch with Current MBA Students Location: Kenan Center, Dining Room |
| 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Break |
| 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | MBA Student Leadership Panel Location: Kenan Center, Dining Room Panelists Kelsie Carter (MBA '22) Gabriella Ferrari (MBA '22) Brady Powell (MBA '22) Paige Smith (MBA '23) Jill Toner (MBA '23) Emily White (MBA '22) Hear from current students about their MBA experience and how they've 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. |
| 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Day II Closing Remarks Location: Kenan Center, Dining Room Speaker: Danielle Richie, Director of MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment |
| 3:15 p.m. | Depart and explore Chapel Hill on your own |
| 6:00 p.m. | Optional: Happy hour hosted by MBA Student Association |
Staying in Chapel Hill
Discounted lodging is available for Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend attendees. To secure these discounted rates, you must reserve your room by the deadlines listed below. There are a limited number of rooms available at each hotel, please make your reservations as soon as possible.
Courtyard Chapel Hill
$124.00 per night
Reserve a room
Hyatt Place Chapel Hill/Southern Village
Discounted room rates for attendees:
- 15% off on weekends (Friday/Saturday)
- $109/night mid-week (Sunday-Thursday)
Full, hot breakfast included for attendees who use rate code UNCAR.
Reserve a room or make a reservation by phone at 800-233-1234 with rate code 96233
AC Hotel Chapel Hill Downtown
$199 – $209 per night
Book by February 14, 2022
Reserve a room online
Aloft Chapel Hill
$169 per night
Reserve a room or make a reservation by phone at 888-236-2427.
COVID-19 safety expectations
Enhanced cleaning of high-traffic areas will occur during the day, and the entire UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School will receive a deep cleaning each night after hours.
Further information about UNC’s safety and COVID-19 prevention efforts are available on the Carolina Together Community Standards website.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are required — regardless of vaccination status — in all indoor spaces on and off campus. You are expected to bring a face covering with you.
Personal Health & Safety
- If you are sick, stay home.
- Wear a face covering in all indoor spaces.
- Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the campus.
Health Screening
Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend attendees will be required to complete a health screening each day of the event. If you can not confirm any answer on the questionnaire, you must refrain from attending the event as per CDC guidance.
Vaccination and Testing
Individuals that are not fully vaccinated are required to take a COVID-19 test at most 72 hours prior to attending Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend.
If you receive a positive result or are unable to test prior to arrival, we ask that you do not attend Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend.
Attendee’s agreement
By registering for Inclusive Blue Leadership Weekend, you are agreeing to follow the Carolina Together Community Standards and details outlined above.
