Matthew Brooks
Founder, Second Echelon Capital; LSI Fellow ’25; Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel
By Invitation Only
Leadership & Society
Initiative Symposium
Date: May 21-22, 2026
Location: David Rubenstein Forum, Chicago, IL
About the Event
The Leadership and Society Initiative Symposium offers accomplished leaders an immersive opportunity to begin envisioning a purposeful next chapter beyond their longstanding careers. This intimate gathering provides you with the rare opportunity to step back, reflect on your life, and begin to explore what’s next alongside world-class faculty, leading thinkers, and a peer community of accomplished leaders. The symposium’s curated seminars, expert panels, and facilitated dialogue are a glimpse into LSI’s distinctive three-part learning journey: know oneself, understand the world, envision the future.
Accomplished leaders seeking to join the Symposium are encouraged to request an invitation. Symposium participation is free for those selected for invitation.
In addition to the day-long Symposium, invited guests are encouraged to join us the evening prior, on May 21st, for a special conversation with David M. Rubenstein as part of the Bowe-Stewart Lecture Series.
Speaker Highlights
Lee Clifford
Executive Editor, Fortune Magazine
Mary Dillon
Incoming Board Chair, Save the Children US; Former CEO, Foot Locker and Ulta Beauty
Paul Finnegan
Chairman, Madison Dearborn Partners
Ayelet Fishbach
Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing, Booth School of Business
Gordan E. Gee
President Emeritus, West Virginia University
Seth Green
Dean, Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
Michael Greenstone
The Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, the College, and the Harris School; Director of the Energy Policy Institute at Chicago; Director of The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth
Kym Hubbard
Corporate Board Member, PIMCO Funds & State Auto Financial Corporation
Eric Oliver
Professor of Political Science
Sheila Penrose
Executive Advisor, BCG & President, S.A. Penrose Advisors
Jeffery S. Perry
Founder & CEO, Lead Mandates; Board Director; Retired EY Global Client Service Partner
Diana Petty
Executive Director, Leadership & Society Initiative
Raghuram Rajan
Distinguished Service Professor of Finance & Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
Jason Saul
Executive Director, Center for Impact Sciences, Harris School of Public Policy
Barbara Stewart
Former Chief Executive Officer, AmeriCorps
Diane C. Swonk
Chief Economist, KPMG Economics
William Towns
National Market President, Gorman and Company
Jason Tyler
President, Wealth Management Northern Trust
David Wray
Associate Professor in the Department of Classics, the Department of Comparative Literature, and the College
Before the Symposium: Join Us for a Special Conversation
Bowe-Stewart Lecture Series
A Conversation with David M. Rubenstein
Thursday May 21, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
The Bowe-Stewart Lecture Series explores historical and contemporary issues related to the development and sustenance of civic values. This conversation will feature a conversation with David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder & Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group and Chair of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees.
Seating is limited. Invitees have the opportunity to register for this gathering, which takes place the night prior to the Symposium.
Lodging & Transportation
Lodging and transportation expenses are the responsibility of attendees.
Airport Information
Midway (MDW) and O’Hare (ORD) airports provide two options for travelers visiting Chicago. Midway (MDW) is in closer proximity to the Hyde Park campus. Both airports offer rental cars, public transportation, and taxi/ride share services for your transportation to campus.
Parking Information
Free street parking is an option in both the blocks around the Rubenstein Forum and along the Midway. There is a free parking lot several blocks east at the corner of E. 60th Street and S. Stony Island. There are also University-operated lots with paid visitor parking.
Lodging Information
For overnight lodging, we recommend the Study Hotel which is conveniently located next to the David Rubenstein Forum at 1227 E 60th Street.
About the Leadership and Society Initiative
The Leadership and Society Initiative (LSI) supports accomplished leaders in discerning purposeful next chapters, for themselves and society, through a yearlong fellowship in University of Chicago’s distinct environment of open inquiry and field-defining research. Learn more about the Leadership and Society Initiative Fellowship.