School of Business series keynote to inspire authentic leadership

Heidelberg’s School of Business will host an expert on authentic leadership for its upcoming Lessons in Leadership Series. The series is designed to bring outstanding organizational leaders from throughout the U.S. to Heidelberg’s campus to share their insights and experiences in leadership. The series launched in May 2022.

Dan Owolabi, the executive director of Branches Worldwide, a fast-growing non-profit dedicated to investing in high-impact entrepreneurs around the world, will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Lessons in Leadership at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in Wickham Great Hall.

According to Dr. Trish Berg, associate professor of management and the series organizer, Lessons in Leadership is targeted at the university’s MBA students as well as the community and business leaders. The series' vision is to give ‘Berg students, the campus and the community the opportunity to engage with and be inspired by some of the great leaders of today.

Trish and her husband have known Dan since he was in high school. “His journey has been extraordinary. I can’t wait for our students to meet him,” she says.

Dan has nearly 20 years of experience in helping leaders develop genuine, effective influence. A former college athlete, educator and pastor, he has worked with leaders in 18 countries and four continents, helping them clarify their identity and leverage their influence to serve others. 

His latest book, Authentic Leadership, became an Amazon #1 New Release. "My Principles of Management students have been reading Dan’s book one chapter each week, and we are diving deep into all of the powerful lessons on each page,” Trish said.

"My hope is that our students can see their own lives reflected in Dan's journey, and know that they, too, can become resilient, authentic leaders in their own lives and careers."

Dan holds a graduate degree from Ashland University, centering on American Leadership, and is completing a doctorate in Global Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary.