The most enduring forms of leadership are measured not only by results, but by the communities they help shape.
On January 7, the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College hosted the inaugural John Lord Lecture Series on Leadership & Societal Impact, launching a new platform dedicated to exploring leadership as a long-term responsibility—to organizations, communities, and future generations.
Hosted by Crummer in partnership with the Edyth Bush Institute and supported by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, the lecture series reflects a shared commitment to advancing leadership grounded not only in performance, but in ethical judgment, governance, and societal impact.
The John Lord Lecture Series was conceived through the leadership and vision of David Odahowski, President of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. His role in originating the series underscores the collaborative spirit at the heart of the partnership between Crummer and the Edyth Bush Institute, and a shared belief in leadership that serves both institutions and communities.
The launch of the series unfolded across two moments. A private reception on January 6 brought together senior executives, board members, nonprofit leaders, alumni, and institutional partners for an intimate exchange on the purpose and vision behind the initiative. The following day, a public lecture at The Alfond Inn welcomed a broader audience, reinforcing the series’ commitment to open dialogue across business, nonprofit, and civic sectors.
The series honors the legacy of John Lord, whose life and career embodied a deeply held belief: that leadership does not end with professional success, but finds its highest expression in service to community. Across decades of civic involvement spanning finance, education, healthcare, and nonprofit governance, John Lord exemplified stewardship through persistence, judgment, and quiet dedication. Establishing a lecture series in his name serves not only as a tribute to that legacy, but as an enduring invitation to reflect on what leadership demands beyond results and recognition.
The inaugural lecture featured Sir George Buckley, former Chairman, President, and CEO of 3M, whose career spans decades of global innovation leadership, board stewardship, and civic engagement. In a reflective dialogue with Anil Menon, Dean of the Crummer Graduate School of Business, Sir George explored leadership as stewardship rather than control—addressing the role of long-term thinking in innovation, the responsibility of governance in complex systems, and the ethical obligations leaders hold to people, institutions, and communities.
Rather than focusing on tactics or trends, the exchange centered on enduring principles: how leaders shape culture, how trust is built through governance, and how business decisions reverberate far beyond quarterly outcomes.
Looking ahead, the John Lord Lecture Series will host up to two lectures annually, serving as a platform for business leaders, nonprofit executives, students, and engaged citizens to participate in thoughtful dialogue at the intersection of leadership and societal impact. Through this series, the Crummer Graduate School of Business reaffirms its commitment to educating leaders equipped not only to succeed in complex environments, but to serve with clarity, integrity, and a long-term view.
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