The Walter - Issue 5

THE ROBERT D. WALTER CENTER FOR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

THE WALTER

SPRING 2023 / ISSUE 5

The Wandell Legacy Learn about their passion for developing effective leaders and their inspiration to name the Wandell Leadership Fellows Program. ~pg. 5

THE WALTER MAGAZINE

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In This Issue

Executive Director Jen Traxler recaps the year and shares her vision for 2023/2024

07 Alumni paving the way for current Bobcats through mentorship and experiences

10 The 2nd Annual Raymond A. Lancaster Executive Speaker Series with guest speaker Pilar McDermott, Ph.D., Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

11 Leading through service to others and commitment to bettering our community

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02 03 04 05 07 09 10 11 13 14

Meet The Team Director's Foreward Leadership Development Focus The Wandell Legacy Evolving Through Engagement Networking With Alumni Lancaster Speaker Series Servant Leadership Leading For Good Words to Lead By

Tim Reynolds Former Executive Director

Tammy Reynolds Former Director, Select Leaders

Amy Toth Co-Director, Emerging Leaders Chief Editor, The Walter

Dr. Amy Taylor-Bianco Director, Master of Science in Management

Kim Jordan Director, Strategic Leadership Certificate

Shawnee Meek Director, HR Management Certificate

Tom Marchese Co-Director, Emerging Leaders

Steve Musser Assistant Director, Wandell Fellows

Lauren Bailey Taylor Reigle Mackenzie Phalen

Brady Floyd Kennedy Stana Molly Ryan Ashlyn Ansel Ellie Habel

The Walter Center Team

Dr. Jen Traxler Executive Director

Executive Director, Jen Traxler, D.ODC

What a tremendous honor it has been completing my first year as the Executive Director of the Walter Center.

Transitioning to academia from corporate America after over 30 years was filled with many learnings but solidified my unwavering passion for developing our students into tomorrow's global leaders. Thanks to the Walter Center leadership team, the College of Business administration, faculty and staff, and our students for their assistance in my transition and for welcoming me to the Business Bobcat community!

Thanks to Keith and Deb Wandell, 2022-2023 was a monumental year for the Walter Center. As announced, their generous $2.5 million gift will ensure our prestigious leadership development program will have endless leadership development opportunities for our students. The Select Leaders program has been renamed the Keith and Deborah Wandell Leadership Development Program. More about this significant change is covered in the pages that follow. Still, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude again to the Wandells for their extraordinary gift and sincerely thank all the generous donors, supporters, directors, friends, and alumni of the program that have led us to this significant milestone.

We also welcomed Steve Musser to the Walter Center leadership team as the Assistant Director of the Wandell Leadership Fellows and instructor in our Master of Science in Management program. Steve is a Bobcat alum and returned to his alma mater as an Executive-inResidence and assistant professor in the Management Department in January 2022 after completing his MBA from Harvard Business School and spending over 30 years in industry. Steve’s tremendous experience and education, coupled with his passion for strategically developing our students, is unmatched, and I look forward to his leadership in the Walter Center.

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In addition to the individual programs' curriculum and experiential learning opportunities, students in all the Walter Center programs participated in several leadership development opportunities together. In the fall, our Raymond Lancaster Executive Speaker Series featured Pilar McDermott, Ph.D., Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired), speaking on Why and How to Have Hard Conversations. In the spring, the groups enjoyed participating in an Etiquette Dinner, learning how to navigate conversations (and utensils) during business dinners. Finally, all groups were represented at the COB Society of Alumni and Friends (SAF)/ Joe Burrows Foundation Networking Event and had the opportunity to interact with Bobcat alumni at the Bengals' Paycor stadium. All the undergraduate programs participated in networking opportunities, too, from executive and alumni engagements to actual trips to various cities throughout the country. Servant leadership is at the core of the Walter Center's existence, and students were provided ample opportunities to serve our communities and environment through volunteer and sustainability activities. These experiential opportunities are truly what makes our programs unique and set apart our Business Bobcats from students at other institutions.

We look forward to a great 2023-2024 school year with our terrific students and continuing to forge into the future in all our programs. Thank you for helping us make it happen! Please follow all of our programs on LinkedIn and Instagram to be in the know about all of our activities as they happen.

Special thanks to Amy Toth, Chief Editor of The Walter, for all the creativity, organization, and leadership she demonstrated in creating this issue.

WALTER CENTER

PROGRAMS Our leadership development programs are designed to instill a growth mindset in our students, empowering them to discover their true purpose and reach their full potential in business and their personal journey.

Effective leadership development is instrumental in shaping the careers of our students, equipping them with invaluable skills and knowledge that enable them to accelerate their impact. We focus on developing the whole person.

Areas Of Focus Communication Difficult Conversations Executive Presence Interviewing/Employer Relations Peer Coaching

Check out our new Podcast

"The Leader Lounge" Personal Growth Emotional Intelligence Well-Being/Mindfulness Self-Reflection Developing a Growth Mind-Set Accountability Servant Leadership

New sessions released the 2nd Monday of each month Presented by The Robert D. Walter Center for Strategic Leadership

Professional Development Implementing Change Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Principle-Centered Leadership Business Etiquette Decision Making Goal-Setting

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Wandell’s commitment to excellence is evident in his successful career.

FORGING FORWARD As announced in the fall, Select Leaders is now the Wandell Leadership Development Program. The program participants are known as Wandell Leadership Fellows thanks to a $2.5m endowment from Keith and Deborah Wandell to the program. This extraordinarily generous gift will accelerate the personal growth, professional development, and leadership identity of high-potential students using the same leadership practices Keith is known for championing throughout his career.

Promoting students’ leadership capabilities led the Wandells to focus their impact on leadership programming in the College of Business for over ten years. Keith stated, “We need effective leaders in the world. Deb and I want to make sure the next generation of leaders understand the importance of trust, listening, and the value of relationships,” he said. “I’m glad we have a part in helping Ohio University develop those aspects of students’ leadership practice.”

“This gift will provide leading-edge enhancements to the program, allowing students to accelerate their development through strategic leadership curriculum, experiential learning, and networking opportunities along with being mentored by successful alumni and business leaders,” stated Jen Traxler, Executive Director of the Robert D. Walter Center for Strategic Leadership and Executive Director of the Wandell Leadership Development Program.

A native of Lima, Ohio, Keith Wandell graduated with a degree in business administration from Ohio University in 1972. Wandell served as CEO of Harley-Davidson from 2009 to 2015. Under Wandell’s leadership, Harley-Davidson developed and implemented a strategy that successfully transformed the 112-year-old company, restored its financial strength, and positioned it for continued growth.

Wandell drove success for the organization through his commitment to strong, principled leadership at all levels. He championed extensive leadership training at HarleyDavidson among management staff and encouraged ongoing leadership education throughout the company.

Wandell is internationally known not only for his ability to create high-performing, values-driven cultures, but also for his willingness to mentor others.

HONORING THE PAST, FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE THE CELEBRATION In April, the Wandell Leadership Fellows celebrated this significant milestone by hosting a special event to recognize Keith and Deb Wandell for their generous gift and legacy to the organization, honor the past of the Select Leaders program, and focus on the future of the Wandell Leadership Development Program.

After a brief introduction by Jen Traxler thanking the Wandells for their generosity, appreciating the attendees for their role in leading us to this point, and encouraging everyone to rejoice in being part of a historical event at Ohio University, Dean Jackie Rees Ulmer provided welcome remarks. In her comments, Dean Ulmer noted that the strong vision, direction, and executive and alumni support have culminated in the first named selective student organization in the College of Business at OHIO. It sets the bar high for other student experiences, and she thanked the Wandells for their generous support and impact on students for generations to come. In closing, Dean Ulmer commented, “As stated on the side of Copeland Hall: Experience(s) Required: The Best Way to Learn Business is to Do Business – The Keith and Deb Wandell Leadership Fellows represent the epitome of this idea.”

HONORING THE PAST TO BUILD THE FUTURE Tim and Tammy Reynolds, previous Co-Directors of Select Leaders and role models of servant leadership for over a decade at OHIO, honored the past by acknowledging all those who founded, directed, and generously supported the program since its inception many years ago, first as Corporate Fellows and Leaders then as Select Leaders. These contributors have been vital to the success of the program.

He shared many personal insights and feedback he has received throughout the years and has continually referenced throughout his leadership journey. Keith concluded his comments by stating that this is just the beginning of the students' learning and leading and to keep in mind that “the most important thing is to be a servant leader and help others be better!”

Wandell Leadership Fellows' current president, Lauren Bailey, and incoming president, Maddi Raisch, shared what it has meant to them to be in the program and how it has transformed them personally and professionally.

The Wandells presented all current and newly selected Wandell Leadership Fellows with a lapel pin and the seniors with a sash to wear at graduation. The Wandells recognized Ohio University President Hugh Sherman as an honorary Wandell Leadership Fellow for his significant and unwavering leadership and support over many years in the College of Business and the Select Leaders program.

Keith Wandell provided inspirational comments to the group noting that leadership is a passion of the Wandells, and they are extremely humbled to have this prestigious program named after their family. Keith emphasized that they are committed to continuing to build this as a premier leadership program in the country.

Keith urged the students to practice the leadership skills they are learning because it will set them apart in their journey. He encouraged them to "know yourself, demonstrate integrity every day and in every interaction, and be transparent [because] is it the foundation of trust and without trust, you have nothing."

Portions of this article are from a recent article published on Ohio News on September 30, 2022

To have the Wandell family be so impressed by our mission and the impact on our students to generously offer their name and a gift that will transform the program is remarkably inspiring. We are extraordinarily grateful to live their leadership legacy.

Deepest appreciation is extended to so many individuals for their time, talent, and treasure in building what now will be known as the Wandell Leadership Development Program: Frank Zammataro Hala Annabi and Sean McGann Tim and Tammy Reynolds Steve Muck, and the Muck Family Tim Holt Bryan and Laura Buck Tony Marino Greg Moran Lisa George Chris Moberg Jen Murphy Holly Seckinger Laura Reale and Baird Radford Steve Krebs Debra Kurtz Dan Squiller Eric Peterson Robert Walter Cardinal Health President, Hugh Sherman Dean, Jackie Rees Ulmer Amy Toth Amy Taylor-Bianco David Boss Rob Foehl Jess Storm-Steele Ryan O'Connor Jessie Holtz Vautier Communications Vantage Leadership Consulting Executive Mentors Corporate Leaders Alumni Corporate Fellows Alumni Select Leaders Alumni

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Evolving Through Engagement Raymond A. Lancaster Executive Leadership Speaker Series

One of the advantages of being involved with any of the Walter Center Programs is the exposure to a variety of events and experiences. These experiences are not only enjoyable and engaging but also designed to enhance essential skills and provide students with a deeper understanding of their leadership style and professionalism.

These are some of the events our students were able to experience this year.

Diversity In The Workplace Speaker Series

HR Hiring Session

SAF/Joe Burrow Foundation Event

Eco Impact Challenge

Etiquette Dinner

Alumni Day

Fund That Flip Executive Session

Adam Charlson, Focus Search Partners Interviewing & Negotiating Workshop

Greg Robinson, The Hackett Group Executive Session

Frank Straub, CFO, Golub Capital Executive Session

Steve Muck, CEO, Brayman Construction Corporation Networking Trip

Involvement Fair

Culinary Recruitment Project

Elliott Hill, Retired President - Nike Executive Session

NETW TRIPS G TRIPS ORKING NETWORKIN

Company & Alumni Visits: Fiserv - Tony Marino JP Morgan Chase & Co. - Emily Varnis Microsoft - Kyle Weese Christopher Glynn, Team & Labor Finance, National Basketball Association (NBA)

WANDELL FELLOWS - SOPHOMORE TRIP

NEW YORK Company & Alumni Visits: Choozle - Alexis Lowe Marathon Petroleum The Broadmoor - Jack Damioli The North Face - Ryan Shultz

WANDELL FELLOWS - JUNIOR TRIP

Trip Sponsor: Bryan and Laura Buck

DENVER Company & Alumni Visits: Howe Plumbing - Bill & Tina Howe Moss Adams - Carissa Wisniewski Aminox - Aquam Corp - Dan Squiller Steve Jurman, Former U.S. Marshall Jerry Sanders, Former San Diego Mayor

WANDELL FELLOWS - SENIOR TRIP

SAN DIEGO

Trip Sponsor: Tim Holt Trip Organizer: Dan Squiller

Company & Alumni Visits:

EMERGING LEADERS

CHICAGO

Google - Bryan Hackett Golub Capital - Frank Straub US Bank - Johnathan York Publicis Sapient - Ellis Johnson Loop Capital Financial - Steve Sherman Goldman Sachs - Audrey Bull Deloitte - Ashleigh Kremer

Trip Sponsor: Chris Bellamy

Company & Alumni Visits:

HR MANAGEMENT/SHRM

COLUMBUS THE WALTER | 09

Trip Sponsor: Tony Marino, Fiserv

Bread Financial - Amy Greene Zipline Logistics - Emily Magill Cover My Meds - Chrissy Neubauer Hand Columbus Blue Jackets Cardinal Health - Adam Zeller Hart Agency - Leslie Bloom

Raymond A. Lancaster Executive Leadership Speaker Series Written By: Mackenzie Phalen On November 30, 2022, the Second Annual Raymond A. Lancaster Executive Leadership Speaker Series took place. This event is in memory of Raymond Lancaster, an Ohio University graduate who had a successful career in finance. Raymond and his wife Betsy, also an OHIO alum, shared a passion for empowering students and providing them with opportunities for mentoring and leadership success. Following Raymond's passing in 2015, Betsy was committed to making their shared dream a reality to keep his legacy alive. In 2021, the Lancaster Family gave a generous gift to the Walter Center to create the speaker series in honor of Raymond.

We are grateful for these experiences as they bring differentiation and valuable lessons from various perspectives and leadership styles. Although we could not meet Raymond Lancaster in person, we hope that we are honoring his legacy. As the endowment gift from the Lancaster family grows, so will its outreach and impact.

This year, Pilar McDermott, Ph.D., retired U.S. Army Colonel, joined us in Athens to share invaluable insights about her three decades in uniform and why she thinks hard conversations are a crucial skill in becoming a leader of character and influence. McDermott's keynote focused on how hard conversations are required to build trust and alignment among peers, create connections of support and accountability, and are best done from a place of respect and inclusion. She said, "Good leaders changed my life. Everything I tell you that is useful I was taught by leaders in my life."

McDermott's genuine confidence impressed all those in attendance, which sparked inspirational notes, takeaways, and future goals.

Raymond A. Lancaster

"The Lancaster Speaker Series was such an amazing event! Pilar was Pilar with students from the Multicultural Business Caucus very inspiring, and I took many pieces of advice from her talk. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend this event, as well as for the Lancaster Family for creating it!"

Gabrielle Bradley Wandell Leadership Fellow

Lancaster The Raymond A.

Executive Leadership Speaker Series

Pilar McDermott, Ph.D.

"Dr. McDermott was able to connect with everyone in the audience through her stories of humility, leadership, courage, and diversity of thought. She said that having hard conversations shows people you value and respect them. Since the event, I've already implemented this wisdom with a student saying, "I am providing this feedback because I care about you, and I care about your personal and professional development."

Shawnee Meek Director, HR Management Certificate

SERVANT LEADERSHIP A crucial part of Walter Center's leadership development is service to others. We believe that authentic leadership is about more than just achieving personal success - it's about using your talents and skills to serve others and make a positive difference in the world.

This year, we had the privilege of collaborating with several outstanding organizations that share our commitment to making the world a better place. Through these partnerships, we were able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals and communities.

City Clean Up

Tenderfoot Learning Labs' mission is to cultivate action and empathy for people and the planet. The Walter Center programs joined forces to volunteer their time to Tenderfoot to help cultivate crops for fall. The students repaired all the plant beds and cleaned up the property. This event allowed students to engage with various individuals through giving.

Students greatly valued this experience; Isaiah Mclntyre, former Co-VP of Philanthropy, now President of Emerging Leaders, said, "For me, I think the group benefitted from being able to shift our focus away from office work for an afternoon and learn about ways to be more sustainable. It was also fun to bond as leaders and get our hands dirty too!"

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Tenderfoot this fall and contributing to sustainability education in Appalachian Ohio.

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LEADING FOR GOOD Bobcats Making a Difference in Corporate America Kegan Wise, a former Select Leader and Wandell Fellow was working at Whirlpool Corporation in Findlay, Ohio, when he noticed a concerning lack of mental health support available to employees. In response, he took the initiative to create a comprehensive strategy and provide in-house training resources to address this pressing need.

Wise's efforts were met with great enthusiasm from Kristin Day, the Plant Lead in Findlay, and Senior EH&S Manager Jeff Linstedt, who recognized the importance of mental health support in the workplace. They were so impressed with Wise's work that they decided to pilot his program in Findlay. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training provided to Findlay's team demonstrated the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace, and they fully embraced the initiative, successfully training their emergency responders, salaried superintendents, and onsite clinics by the end of 2022.

Whirlpool recognized this training as a success, and senior leadership, including Monica Brown, Director of HR, and Dale Laws, Vice President of Manufacturing, promoted the expansion to all other Whirlpool sites in the United States.

Liza (Doyle) Fahner, another former Select Leader, and Wandell Fellow, was instrumental in helping to accomplish this goal.

The initiative was brought to the corporate benefits team, led by Liz, Corporate Benefits Senior Manager. The team partnered with leaders across the company to adopt MHFA training under the Be*well program umbrella and coordinated training at all other sites across the United States. This comprehensive approach to mental health support is a testament to Whirlpool's commitment to the well-being of its employees and the broader community.

"The idea for needing MHFA training in the workplace was fostered by my belief in Servant Leadership that Select Leaders instilled in me at Ohio University. When I heard that Liz would be leading the expansion of the program, I was relieved because I knew we shared a passion for leadership, and that meant she would prioritize the well-being of all the employees in our US facilities. Thank you, Liz and Select Leaders, for all the support and inspiration."

Kegan Wise

Recently profiled by Whirlpool Corporation

How Are You Making A Difference?

Please share with us how the Walter Center leadership development program you were a part of has been impactful in your life.

Liz Fahner' 15

Kegan Wise ' 17

HR Senior Manager

Operations Manager

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WORDS TO LEAD BY KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM SOME OF OUR VISITING ALUMNI AND SPECIAL GUESTS

“Seek out, listen, and digest the things you don't want to hear. Learn to embrace criticism; feedback is the breakfast of champions."

Dan Squiller CEO, Amionx, Aquam Corp.

"When you set your vision, allow yourself to be BOLD. DREAM BIG. and ask yourself, "Why Not"."

Elliott Hill Retired President - Consumer & Marketplace, Nike

"Having hard conversations shows people that you value and respect them."

Pilar McDermott, Ph.D. Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

"Doing the extra 1% is the easiest thing to do, and it is what differentiates you.

So, take it. Do it."

Greg Robinson Region Leader, The Hackett Group THE WALTER | 14

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEN TRAXLER, D.ODC E: traxlerj@ohio.edu

CHIEF EDITOR AMY TOTH, M. Ed. E: totha@ohio.edu

Thank you to our alumni and supporters who have been instrumental throughout the 2022/2023 academic year.

Your generosity and commitment to current students and the Walter Center have been crucial in our growth as a center. Our mission is to become a valuable resource for leadership development within the College of Business and beyond. We would love for you to stay connected with us through executive engagements, class visits, or on your next trip to Athens.

WAYS TO GET

INVOLVED

VISIT US ON CAMPUS

HOST STUDENTS IN YOUR CITY

Coming to Athens for homecoming or dropping your kids off at school? Let us know when you are on campus, and we can identify opportunities to connect with current leadership students.

Every year our groups visit cities across the country to network with alumni and businesses in the area.

These trips are vital to networking and potential job opportunities.

EXECUTIVE ENGAGEMENTS

INTERNSHIPS & JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Use your industry knowledge to share your experiences and help develop our leaders.

Share a job or internship opportunity with us so we can send more Business Bobcats your way!

CONNECT

GIVE BACK

@OUwaltercenter

If you are interested in giving back to any of the Walter Center programs, scan the code to make a difference and live your leadership legacy.

The Robert D. Walter Center For Strategic Leadership 1 Ohio University | 401 Copeland Hall | Athens, Ohio 45701