Hartford Business Journal

20 Hartford Business Journal • September 16, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com October 2 & 3, 2019 / Stamford, CT Presenting Sponsor: Keynote Speaker: Dawn Hudson Former President, Pepsi North America & Chief Marketing Officer, National Football League Featured Speaker: George Barrios Co-President, WWE register now at genoleads.com Leading in Complex, Uncertain, and Ambiguous Times As I write this, the United States is embroiled in a trade war with China that could impact everything from the cost of mobile phones and sneakers to the future of the giant pandas at the National Zoo. Great Britain is embroiled in turmoil over how—or even if—to leave the European Union, and talk of Brexit dominates most conversations in Europe. In Connecticut, our grocery stores and fast-food chains are selling plant-based burgers, consumers are demanding local produce, and the plastic bag is being replaced by its reusable, and often-forgotten, fabric sidekick. Meanwhile, high-end retailer Lord & Taylor is about to be sold to a company famous for renting clothing— something virtually unheard of just a few years ago. Whether subtle or drastic, leaders in almost every industry are being asked to make decisions in a world where tomorrow might look nothing like today, and even less like yesterday. Given everything that is going on, it is only appropriate that the 2019 Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference will focus on "Leading in Complex, Uncertain, and Ambiguous Times.'' How do we ride this rollercoaster, survive, and thrive? For this year's conference, we have compiled panels of experts, from diverse business backgrounds, who have successfully met these challenges head-on and will share the wisdom and perspective they have acquired. UConn Women's Head Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma, who recognizes the need for continuing leadership education, will also share his winning strategy when it comes to dealing with uncertainty. Having led the UConn team to 11 NCAA Division I national championships, he and his assistants must rebuild their team each year, after seniors graduate and a new group of freshmen arrive. Like in any business, he must change his tactics when recruiting a new generation of players who view the world differently than the players who came before them. You'll be surprised how readily his ideas transfer from the basketball court to the workplace. Our conference goal is to inspire, challenge, and refresh. Whether you are a seasoned executive or a rising manager these two days will be filled with new insights and tools that can be employed immediately after the conference to strengthen your team, organization, and career. We hope you will join us for this opportunity. By Lucy Gilson Associate Dean, UConn School of Business Academic Director, Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference Thought Leaders in Business Today is a series produced by the UConn School of Business.

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