Tuesday, February 24, 2026
10-11:30am Pacific

In an era where instability has become the new normal, exceptional leadership is no longer a luxury but a necessity. This workshop addresses the critical shift required for leaders, to move beyond effective leadership and embrace the traits and mindset that define exceptional leadership. It emphasizes the need to develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, vision, and accountability to not only navigate but thrive in times of uncertainty. By providing actionable tools and insights, this keynote will inspire leaders to drive meaningful change within their organizations, empowering them to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose in the face of continuous instability.

Takeaways:

• Embracing the New Normal of Instability: Understanding the ongoing instability in the world and how exceptional leadership is critical to success in this new environment.
• From Effective to Exceptional: How to transition from merely managing to truly inspiring and leading your team through times of uncertainty.
• Building Leadership Traits for Today’s Challenges: The essential traits, including emotional intelligence, accountability, and vision, that exceptional leaders need to develop.
• Driving Meaningful Change: Practical tools and strategies that help leaders create impact within their organizations, regardless of external instability, and drive transformation for long-term success.

Meet your Lab Facilitator:

Joel Pérez is owner of Apoyo Coaching and Consulting, LLC. and an Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He specializes in career transitions, career coaching, identity-conscious leadership coaching, solution-based coaching, and professionals that want to develop their cultural humility. He has a certification in the MBTI, Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Gallup Strengths Certified Coach, and is a certified coach through the Academy of Creative Coaching. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education, serving in various key leadership roles.

His book Dear White Leader: How to Achieve Organizational Excellence through Cultural Humility, a thought-provoking book that equips leaders to drive meaningful change on personal, organizational, and community levels. The book was recently awarded the Silver Medal for Best New Voice – Nonfiction by the Independent Book Publishers Association, a recognition that underscores its powerful message and timely relevance in today’s leadership landscape.

Joel earned his doctorate in higher education administration at Claremont Graduate University. He has been married for over 27 years and has four children, and he enjoys cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers and watching films.