Former advisor to Barack Obama to host leadership conversation at SFU Surrey

By Ray Sharma

A former senior advisor to U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Betsy Myers is set to make an appearance at SFU in early November. A renowned leadership expert, author and advocate, she will discuss six emerging leadership trends for the 21st century.

Myers, who was most recently the chief operating officer of the Obama presidential campaign and chair of Women for Obama, is visiting SFU’s Surrey campus on Nov. 6. She will speak on the radical transformation of leadership in the 21st century as a result of unprecedented changes in technology, demographics and the global economy.

“I have a simple belief about leadership," says Myers. "When leaders are committed to bringing out their people’s most productive feelings, it makes for happier people and more productive work environments. This should not be cutting-edge leadership but it is!”

SFU's Beedie School of Business and the Surrey campus, in partnership with BMO Financial Group, invite all community members to attend this free event.

“Leadership takes many different forms,” says Stephen Dooley, executive director of SFU Surrey. “Whether it’s in our family, workplace or community, to some extent everybody takes on leadership roles, and I think everybody could learn a great deal from Betsy.”

Dooley hopes that students will leave asking questions and thinking about who they can be as a leader.

The conversation is the first event to take place in the campus’ new lecture hall, a 400 seat, state-of-the-art facility, and serves as an opportunity to celebrate the expansion of the campus and its community.

“Betsy Myers is a renowned and inspirational leadership expert who shares many values with SFU Beedie, and I am excited to welcome her to speak at our campus,” says Ali Dastmalchian, dean of SFU’s Beedie School of Business. “Inclusion and purposeful engagement are at the centre of our school’s calling, and this event is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the wider community to connect with Ms. Myers’ ideas.”

Event Details

SFU's Beedie School of Business and  Surrey campus invite you to a “Conversation with Betsy Myers,” who will discuss emerging leadership trends for the 21st century.

The event will take place in SFU Surrey’s new Sustainable Energy Building on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Registration: Attendance is free, but registration is required. Please reserve your spot by registering here.