Real talk on leadership: Kristen Hadeed to headline School of Business series

The School of Business’s 2025 Lessons in Leadership series will feature nationally recognized leadership speaker, author, and entrepreneur Kristen Hadeed. The event is set for Thursday, Nov. 20, from 6:30-8 p.m. in Wickham Great Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Kristen is the founder of Student Maid and author of Permission to Screw Up: How I Learned to Lead by Doing (Almost) Everything Wrong. Drawing on her own experiences of building a company from scratch, she shares how failure became her greatest teacher and how authentic, people-first leadership creates lasting impact.

Her keynote, “Fail Forward & Grow Resilience,” will explore themes of resilience, courage, and adaptability. Attendees will learn how to: turn failure into forward momentum, embrace uncertainty with confidence, use change as a springboard for growth, and foster collaboration and innovation in any setting.

Known for her humor and authenticity, Kristen has inspired audiences at Microsoft, Google, Apple, JetBlue, L’Oréal, and many others. She has been recognized by Inc. as one of the “World’s Top 10 CEOs,” and her TEDx talk has been viewed more than 3 million times.

The Lessons in Leadership series was created by Dr. Trish Berg, Assistant Professor of Management, to give Heidelberg students the opportunity to engage with today’s top leaders and inspire them to grow in their own leadership capabilities.

Hadeed’s dynamic storytelling and relatable perspective will provide an evening of inspiration and actionable insights for students, professionals, and community members alike.