The Shah Academy Annual Event 2025 market a distinguishing evening recognizing scholarly achievement, leadership, and academic advancement. The program featured formal remarks from university leadership, presentations by Cohort 1 Scholars, and the official inauguration of Cohort 2. The event concluded with a dinner and networking reception, fostering meaningful engagement among scholars, faculty, alumni, and guests.
The meet and greet sessions from the three business leaders including Ken Wagner, Joe Albanese, and Steve Serabian, highlighted complimentary aspects of effective leadership. Ken Wagner emphasized that a strong company culture is essential for long-term employee retention and that leaders must exemplify the dedication they expect from their teams. Joe Albanese focused on the power of trust and reputation, stating that true leadership inspires voluntary commitment and that strong interpersonal relationships are the bedrock of organizational success. Steve Serabian advised on personal career management, stressing that career paths are often non-linear and that professionals should prioritize their fulfillment and be willing to embrace change when necessary.
On November 13, 2025, students gained insights on leading with Integrity from MedTech Chief Executive Officer, Tom Miller. Students learned how to navigate risk, uncertainty, and difficult news with unwavering integrity. Tom Miller shared real-world leadership lessons from his experience managing global teams of thousands, providing a powerful framework for ethical and effective decision-making in high stake environments.
On October 9, 2025, Shah Academy scholars participated in a workshop featuring guest speaker Lisa A. Brothers. Lisa introduced the concept of Emotional Intelligence and its critical importance for both personal relationships and professional leadership. Within the workshop, students engaged in an activity to assess their personality type. During the session, they discussed their individual results to identify their innate strengths and pinpoint areas for improvement. The goal was to develop practical strategies to enhance their leadership capabilities and emotional intelligence.
On October 6, 2025, students participated in a workshop with guest speaker Kim Meninger, TEDx speaker and Leadership coach, who shared her expertise on building confidence, overcoming imposter syndrome and enhancing professional visibility. Students learned practical strategies to speak up, lead with impact and strengthen their presence in both academic and professional settings.
On September 25, 2025, students participated in a workshop with Kate Shamsuddin, Erin Keany, and Alex Light, who shared their expertise on innovation within both startups and established companies. The panelists discussed the importance of creativity, adaptability, and leadership in driving success as entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, offering students valuable insights into navigating and innovating in today's evolving business world.
On September 11, 2025, students participated in a workshop with guest speaker Sabrina Mansur, Director of the Massachusetts AI Hub, who shared her expertise on the transformative role of AI. During the session she highlighted emerging opportunities, key challenges, and the importance of developing skills necessary to lead in an AI Driven future. The Workshop offered students an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with a leader at the forefront of innovation in the field.
On March 20, 2025, students attended a strategic planning workshop led by Maria Abreu Sepulveda, focused on turning ideas and passions into actionable goals. The session covered the six key steps of strategic planning, explored case studies like KMart and Kodak, and introduced tools such as SWOT, SMART goals, and the Business Model Canvas. Students also engaged in an activity to map out a potential career path and identify the skills needed to reach their goals.
On February 20, 2025, students attended a Leadership Workshop presented by Paul Makris. He shared his personal journey as the son of immigrants, emphasizing how hard work, bravery, and curiosity helped him achieve financial success and leadership. Paul encouraged students to take chances, learn all aspects of a business beyond their core field, and pursue a career they’re passionate about—one that makes them excited to start each day.