Fireside Chat: Inclusive and Intercultural Leadership in a Global Society

Grounded in both present realities and future possibilities, this session invites graduate students to see leadership not as a title, but as a daily practice—one that shapes research environments, learning communities, and professional futures. By investing in inclusive and intercultural leadership development now, graduate students position themselves to thrive—and help others thrive—in a deeply interconnected and global society. Participants will explore how inclusive and intercultural leadership skills equip graduates to thrive in graduate school, including in campus leadership experiences such as mentoring, research collaboration, and student governance, where inclusive practices shape community and collective success. You will also hear examples of how these skills are applied by leaders across various industries and fields, where employers increasingly value leaders who can collaborate across cultures and lead diverse teams in a global environment.

Confirmed Speakers:

Ruth Gotian, Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor of Education in Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, award-winning author of Success Factor and The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring, and a globally recognized expert in mentorship and leadership development

Susan MacKenty Brady, CEO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership 

This session of Inclusive and Intercultural Leadership is a part of the 2026 GradFUTURES Forum, an annual professional development conference, that is open to the entire Princeton graduate community (including Ph.D. and master’s students and alumni) as well as to graduate students and staff from graduate institutions across the country and around the world. Offering a full week of engaging keynote speakers, skill-building workshops, alumni panels, and networking sessions, the GradFUTURES Forum features dozens of online and in-person sessions with real-time relevance to success in graduate school and a glimpse into a world of possibilities beyond. As we celebrate The Graduate School's 125th anniversary, this year's GradFUTURES Forum theme is "Preparing Graduate Students for Transformational Impact.

* Hosting of panelists and speakers does not constitute institutional endorsement of external speakers or views presented.
 

Series Overview:
Offering 10 unique sessions, the Inclusive & Intercultural Leadership learning cohort's primary goal is to prepare graduate students with inclusive leadership skills they can apply now and in the future. Leaders with this skillset apply intercultural awareness to build and sustain inclusive cultures at every level within our institutions, organizations, and communities. Understanding and applying inclusive and intercultural leadership principles is critical for individual leadership development, effective team-building, collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution. In addition to expert facilitator-led sessions, prominent guest speakers and leaders from across industry and academia will share personal stories, practical strategies, and how they promote intercultural awareness and empower inclusive teams.


You will receive an invitation to join the Canvas course for the syllabus, session modules, readings, and reflection assignments.