Cornell Keynotes

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Cornell Keynotes episodes

September 02Labor Peace at Risk: Why Mediators Matter in Polarized Times
Find out more about the Scheinman Institute: https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/scheinman-institute
When labor peace breaks down, the consequences reach far beyond the bargaining table. As labor conflicts become more visible and negotiations more complex, one of the least‑understood questions in labor relations is also among the most important: Who helps the parties when the stakes are highest?

This Keynote will explore the role and impact of labor mediation and why preserving that capacity matters for workers, employers, the economy, and the public. Drawing on recent developments in conflict and dispute resolution, the session examines the essential role of mediators, the repercussions of downsizing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the urgent need to rebuild what is close to being lost.

Join Cornell ILR School Dean Alex Colvin as he moderates a panel featuring faculty members Ariel Avgar, Dionne Pohler, and Javier Ramirez for a critical conversation on the evolving landscape and actions necessary to build labor peace.
What you'll learn:
Why labor mediation is a specialized craft
Why the loss of experienced labor mediators matters
How a more polarized and conflict-prone environment is changing workplace and labor relations
Why trusted neutrals are essential in high-stakes disputes
How education, training, and collaboration can help preserve mediation capacity
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55 min
August 24From Founder to CEO: Mastering Leadership Transitions in High-Growth Startups
As artificial intelligence transforms the business landscape, the challenges facing startup leaders have intensified. While technology can automate many processes, the human elements of leadership — building trust, navigating ambiguity, and inspiring teams through uncertainty — have become more critical than ever. Today's founders must evolve beyond their technical expertise to become adaptive leaders who can guide organizations through rapid change.
Join Cornell faculty expert Brad Treat as he explores the essential leadership competencies required for founders transitioning to CEO roles. Drawing from his experience as a serial entrepreneur and visiting lecturer at the SC Johnson Graduate School of Management, Brad will examine how emotional intelligence, strategic communication, and adaptive leadership have become fundamental capabilities for startup success.
In this session, Brad will guide participants through the critical founder-to-CEO transition, sharing practical frameworks from his journey building and successfully exiting SightSpeed (acquired by Logitech) and his current work supporting more than 200 early-stage companies. He'll address the common pitfalls that derail promising startups and provide actionable strategies for stepping into effective company leadership.
What You’ll Learn:
A framework for transitioning from technical execution to strategic leadership while maintaining team confidence

Strategies for clear communication that build interpersonal agility and enhance investor relationships

Methods for strengthening professional presence and emotional intelligence to foster stakeholder trust

Techniques for managing team dynamics and scaling leadership capabilities as organizations grow

Approaches for balancing hands-on involvement with delegation through adaptive leadership principles
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49 min
July 23Hospitality Fluency: Service Winners and Whiffs in the Age of AI
Find out more about Bruce Tracey’s General Managers Program: https://ecornell.short.gy/fKKWmj
Howard’s Gift book: https://ecornell.short.gy/1OLdog
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool; it’s starting to resemble an entirely new species. This raises a fundamental question: What remains distinctly human?
In this Keynote, Bruce Tracey, Professor of Management at Cornell’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration, and Eric Sinoway ’96, CEO of Pravi, introduce Hospitality FluencyTM as a universal language of human interaction. When technology takes over more of the work, the differentiator becomes how we listen, respond, and connect.
Professor Tracey and Mr. Sinoway bring this concept to life with vivid examples of when people, processes, and technology succeed or fail. The session challenges leaders to determine what can be delegated to AI and what must remain the province of human judgment.
What You'll Learn
How to leverage AI’s scalable intelligence while ensuring judgment, strategic decisions, and accountability remain human responsibilities

How to apply the Humans Still Matter® operating lens to decide what to delegate to AI, what to monitor, and what must stay under human control

How the loss of critical skills like listening, empathy, and presence in an AI‑enabled world undermines competitive advantage

How Hospitality FluencyTM works as a measurable, teachable “language” of human interaction and why many organizations underinvest in it

How to spot Service Winners and WhiffsTM in real time and what they reveal about breakdowns among people, process, and technology
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53 min
July 06Executive Presence, Demystified: A Framework for Authentic Leadership and Lasting Influence
Learn more about executive presence in Mark’s Media Strategy for Policy and PR Cornell Certificate Program: https://ecornell.short.gy/4SNezG
Check out the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program at the Brooks School https://publicpolicy.cornell.edu/masters/mpa/empa/
Mark’s Newsletter “One for the Week” https://onefortheweek.com/
Is executive presence something you can learn or do you have to be born with it? And how can you build your personal brand and gain attention as a leader? In this Keynote, you will explore how to surface and strengthen your leadership traits so you can secure buy‑in for your ideas, attract funding to grow your business, or motivate your team — all without sacrificing your values or straying from your authentic self.
Join us for a conversation between Tom O’Toole, Executive Director of Public Affairs Programming in the MPA Program at Cornell University’s Brooks School of Public Policy, and Mark Bayer, Visiting Lecturer at the Brooks School and former U.S. Senate chief of staff. Together, they bring deep, real-world expertise in leadership, influence, and navigating high‑stakes environments.
You’ll discover powerful, proven, and practical ways to elevate your personal brand, expand your influence, and amplify your impact by transforming your executive presence.
What You'll Learn
How executive presence is not an innate gift but a set of specific, teachable skills that can be developed through intentional practice

A proven framework that helps you strengthen your natural leadership abilities while staying true to your values and authentic self

Specific strategies to leverage your enhanced executive presence to secure funding, gain buy-in for ideas, or motivate your team effectively
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43 min
June 29Burnout to Balance: Rebuilding Engagement at Work
Servant Leadership Certificate program ecornell.short.gy/Eyh8A5
Communication Planning for Change course ecornell.short.gy/Eh9m8A
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If you feel emotional or physical exhaustion, catch yourself disengaging from your job or coworkers, or notice a decrease in your productivity or creativity, you are not alone. A recent survey found 48% of employees in eight countries struggle with burnout. Or you may be experiencing boreout — underchallenged and lacking purpose, saddled with repetitive tasks.
Join Amy Newman from Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business and Chris Wofford from eCornell to learn strategies for managing burnout by pinpointing what you can and can’t control. We’ll describe ways to re-engage in the work and with your coworkers, approach your situation with compassion, and communicate with courage.
For people managers, we’ll explore ways to improve working conditions, lead with humility, and communicate more in some ways and less in others to support your team, despite work demands.
What You'll Learn
A framework for analyzing the causes of burnout and identifying what you can and can’t control

Practical communication strategies to advocate for yourself and others

The value of re-engaging and connecting with others despite a difficult work situation
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28 min
June 22Solving the Hospitality Staffing Crisis: Tech and No-Tech Solutions for a 50-80% Turnover Industry
Check out eCornell’s AI in Hospitality Certificate Program
Starwood Hotels - starwoodhotels.com
Tao Group Hospitality - taogroup.com
With approximately 17.1 million employees, the hospitality and leisure industry remains one of the largest and, unfortunately, most volatile employment sectors. Front-line turnover rates continue to hover around 50% to 80%, and there are an estimated 986,000 current job openings in restaurants and hotels alone. The combined impact of turnover and vacancies threatens both operational stability and industry growth.
This Keynote will examine current labor market conditions and explore innovative solutions reshaping hospitality workplaces. From leveraging new technologies to reimagining traditional workforce management approaches, our panel will analyze strategies to address these challenges. The discussion will highlight both immediate solutions and long-term initiatives that are creating more stable, adaptable work environments.
What You'll Learn
Easy-tech options for responding to the current dynamics, including demand forecasting, AI-enabled hiring, and auto-scheduling

Proven no-tech initiatives, such as predictable scheduling, multi-skilling, shared labor pools, and educational pipelines

Policies and practices that promote workplace flexibility and responsiveness
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45 min
May 21Women in Healthcare Leadership: Navigating Power With Purpose
Find out more about Cornell’s Women in Healthcare Leadership Program: https://ecornell.short.gy/iruMud
Dr. Sah’s new book, Defy, available everywhere. For more information: https://www.sunitasah.com/defy
Women are taking on leadership roles across healthcare at unprecedented rates — yet the path is rarely straightforward. In this Keynotes conversation, Professor Elizabeth Mannix, an expert on leadership and networks, and Professor Sunita Sah, an expert on leadership and negotiations and national bestselling author of “DEFY: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes,” will share what it takes for women to lead effectively in one of today’s most complex and high‑stakes industries.
Drawing on both research and real‑world experience, Professors Sah and Mannix will explore the capabilities that help women navigate uncertainty, build influence, and drive meaningful change within healthcare organizations.

Whether you are an emerging leader or an experienced professional looking to expand your impact, this session offers practical insights from the upcoming Women in Healthcare Leadership certificate program.
What You'll Learn
Why healthcare needs more women leaders in both clinical and non-clinical roles, and the unique strengths they bring

How authenticity helps leaders build trust, credibility, and influence

Practical strategies for negotiating effectively for resources, roles, and opportunities

Why strong professional networks and relationships are essential for leadership success

How to stand up and speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations

What it means to lead with courage and build resilience in complex and rapidly changing healthcare environments
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41 min
May 01Urban Congestion Pricing and Its Impact on Public Health
Link to Paper
The Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health (CTECH)
In January 2025, New York City launched the first congestion pricing program in the United States, offering a rare real-world test of how traffic policy affects air quality. This Keynote brings together researchers from environmental science, economics, and political science, who used high-frequency monitoring data to conduct the first zone-specific causal evaluation of the policy's PM2.5 impacts.

The study found substantial pollution reductions within Manhattan's congestion zone, with spillover benefits across the city and region. The discussion will unpack methods, results, and implications for urban policy, public health, and environmental justice. As other U.S. cities consider similar programs, these findings offer crucial insights into congestion pricing's potential as a tool for improving air quality and addressing environmental inequities in urban areas.
What You'll Learn:
How NYC’s congestion pricing policy was evaluated using quasi-experimental methods

Key findings on PM2.5 reductions inside and beyond the toll zone

Evidence of behavioral adaptation and growing effects over time

Implications for public health and environmental justice

What other U.S. cities can learn when considering similar policies

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36 min
April 20Paths to a Clean Energy Future: From Innovation to Implementation
Cornell Atkinson Center: https://www.atkinson.cornell.edu/
Clean Air Task Force: https://www.catf.us/
energy@cornell: https://ecornell.short.gy/KFArWw
The clean energy transition is reshaping how the world powers economies, builds infrastructure, and plans for a resilient future. This Keynote from the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability brings together three leading experts to break down the core technologies, systems, and societal shifts defining this transformative moment.
Designed for professionals across sectors, the conversation will offer a clear, accessible overview of renewable energy, grid modernization, carbon management, sustainable materials, and the complex policy and market forces driving global progress. It will also highlight how Cornell researchers, alongside key partners like the Clean Air Task Force, are advancing effective, science-based solutions for a sustainable future.
What You'll Learn:
How renewable energy systems can scale alongside existing infrastructure while reducing fossil fuel dependence

Why grid modernization and energy storage are crucial for reliability in a renewable-powered future

The essential role of carbon capture and removal technologies in achieving true net-zero emissions

How sustainable materials, circular systems, and mineral supply chains strengthen long-term energy security

Key societal, economic, and policy shifts needed to ensure an equitable energy transition

How the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability is partnering with industry and communities to drive meaningful impact
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47 min
April 07Advocacy and the Rule of Law: Democracy’s Next Chapter
Check out the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program at the Brooks School https://publicpolicy.cornell.edu/masters/mpa/empa/
Policy Advocacy Cornell Certificate Program https://tinyurl.com/22cnm5w3
The foundations of American democracy are facing unprecedented threats, with our social, legal, and political institutions being undermined by their sworn defenders. As challenges mount to voting rights and judicial independence, and political polarization deepens, our civil society stands at a critical crossroads. And yet, through informed advocacy and civic engagement, we can chart a path forward.
Join Jared Carter and Thomas O'Toole from the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy for a timely conversation examining America's political institutions, constitutional framework, and civil society. They’ll reflect on the historical context of our current situation, assess today's most pressing issues, and explore how this moment of upheaval presents an opportunity to reshape our legal, political, and cultural landscape.
What You'll Learn
How to identify and understand current threats to American democratic institutions

Key historical lessons that can guide our response to today's constitutional challenges

Strategies for effective civic advocacy

Why a period of political crisis may present opportunities for democratic renewal
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43 min

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Join Cornell University's most celebrated scholars and industry experts for candid conversations that enlighten and challenge. From finance and tech to arts and culture, the Cornell Keynotes podcast…