June 18, 2019 | Claire Hall

Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference Announces Theme, Impressive Line-Up of Speakers

The 2019 Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference will focus on "Leading in Complex, Uncertain and Ambiguous Times," a reflection of the myriad of ways in which business is changing.

Geno Auriemma greets the crowd at the 2018 conference. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Geno Auriemma greets the crowd at the 2018 conference. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

The 2019 Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference will focus on “Leading in Complex, Uncertain and Ambiguous Times,” a reflection of the myriad of ways in which business is changing.

The conference is the brainchild of Geno Auriemma, the head coach of the UConn Women’s Basketball Team and the most winning coach in college women’s basketball history.

For the first time, this year’s event will be held in Stamford, Conn., where UConn has a thriving campus. The Oct. 2-3 conference offers participants the unique opportunity to learn from seasoned business professionals and academic experts.

This year’s speakers include:

  • Otis Elevator President & CEO Judy Marks
  • iHeart Media Senior Vice President and CFO Jon Pedersen
  • Travelers SVP & Chief Data Analytics Officer Manon Mannoochahr
  • Stanley Black & Decker Hand Tools President Lee McChesney
  • YouTube Global Head Elizabeth James
  • Priceline Chief Marketing Officer Ben Harrell
  • Abercrombie & Fitch COO Joanne Crevoiserat
  • Former Los Angeles Lakers CFO Patrick Harris
  • Washington DC Restaurateur and Entrepreneur Chef Geoff
  • Former FBI Head of CyberSecurity Jim Trainor
  • ESPN’s SVP of Production Tina Thorton
  • Connecticut Girl Scouts CEO Mary Barnaby

“Our speakers are all exceptionally dynamic, have great stories to share, and bring expertise from across a broad spectrum of businesses and industries. We have speakers from technology to finance to the restaurant business, as well as non-profits,” said UConn School of Business Professor Lucy Gilson, the conference academic director.

“Our goal is for participants to leave the conference with powerful new ideas for ways to improve their leadership acumen and examples of how to handle a diverse set of situations, important information that they can use immediately,” she continued. “We also hope they will develop a new professional network of colleagues who they can turn to when facing leadership challenges.”

This year’s conference shifts to the Southwest corner of the state to Stamford. Programs will be held in the Sheraton Hotel and the Chelsea Piers Connecticut Sports Complex. For more information, please see genoleads.com.

The event is the brainchild of Auriemma, who recognized the need for a conference to address the unique professional needs of accomplished managers moving into leadership roles. During one of the conference luncheons he will discuss his award-winning career leading the UConn women to 11 NCAA Division 1 national championships. He will also share his strategies for success and describe how he’s altered his approach to motivate today’s young players.