WiLD Conversation

Between Courtrooms and Campuses: A President Emeritus on Trust, Tenure, and the Space Between Idealism and Reality with Alec Hill

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In this deeply personal and profoundly insightful episode of The WiLD Conversation podcast, Dr. Rob McKenna sits down with Alec Hill—President Emeritus of InterVarsity, legal scholar, mentor, and cancer survivor—to explore the paradoxes of leadership across decades of both adversity and grace. From the dark corners of a broken legal system to the life-giving mission of global relief and development, Alec shares how life, leadership, and trust have evolved through personal failure, painful seasons, and ultimately, profound purpose.

This conversation is as raw as it is hopeful. Alec reflects on the power of convictional leadership in a polarized world, the loneliness of executive roles, and the anchoring influence of trusted relationships. He opens up about how surviving bone marrow cancer reframed everything—from how he listens, to how he mentors, to what really matters in leadership.

Leadership Takeaways:

  • The Jungle of Trust: Why your 30s and 40s might be the most disorienting time in your leadership—and what to do about it.

  • From Idealism to Wisdom: Navigating the shift from “I can fix everything” to “I can’t fix everyone”—and the cost of waiting too long.

  • The Decisive Edge: Why unresolved personnel decisions undermine trust, and how decisive action (with compassion) strengthens culture.

  • Resetting the Clock: How facing mortality sharpens your intuition, deepens your empathy, and clarifies what legacy you’re building.

  • Leading with Conviction in a Divided World: Why leaders must hold to their core values without abandoning curiosity or compassion across divides.

    • If you’re leading in a high-pressure environment, struggling with middle-season restlessness, or walking through the unknown—this conversation will resonate deeply.

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