Feature
Benjamin Franklin Leadership Symposium
On October 19, 2005, the School of Social Policy & Practice hosted the first annual Benjamin Franklin Leadership Symposium. Held at the Annenberg Center at the University of Pennsylvania, the Symposium brought together presidents, CEOs, and leaders of non-profits to discuss issues of leadership in these organizations.
Morning and afternoon panels explored the “challenges of leadership in uncertain times” and “educating the leaders of tomorrow,” moderated by Donald Deutsch, W’79, Chairman of Deutsch Inc., and SP² Dean Richard Gelles, respectively. Ronald Marks, Ph.D., Dean of Tulane School of Social Work, gave a first-hand account of the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans during the luncheon address.
The Benjamin Franklin Leadership Award was presented by President Amy Gutmann to Cynthia F. Figueroa, Executive Director of Women Against Abuse, Inc. In addition to this position, Ms. Figueroa’s leadership extends to her current roles as the Second Vice Chair of the Board for Planned Parenthood of South Eastern Pennsylvania, as the Secretary of the Board for Congreso de Latinos Unidos, and her recent service as the lead in a collaborative process to develop the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline.
The day culminated with a keynote address by Michael J. Fox, the Founder and Chairman of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. During the question and answer session that followed his address, members of the standing-room-only audience engaged in a dialogue with Mr. Fox about both the challenges and benefits facing non-profit organizations and their leaders.
The following article, written by The Pennsylvania Gazette's senior editor, Sam Hughes, appeared in the Jan/Feb issue of that magazine, and captures the energy and success of the School’s First Annual Leadership Symposium: [read article]