12th Annual LEAD WHERE YOU STAND
Leadership, Human Flourishing
& Artificial Intelligence
June 4-5, 2026
Hilton Santa Barbara
Beachfront Resort
Join us at the 12th Annual LEAD Where You Stand conference, designed for visionaries ready to lead transformational change through innovation, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership.
The Human Flourishing Program
Led by Dr. Tyler VanderWeele at Harvard鈥檚 Human Flourishing Program, the Global Flourishing Study represents a historic shift in how we measure the human experience. While society often tracks progress through narrow economic indicators like GDP, this massive initiative argues that true well-being requires a much wider, more holistic lens.
In partnership with Baylor University and Gallup, the project is the largest comprehensive research initiative of its kind, tracking 200,000 participants across 22 countries over five years. It seeks to uncover the universal determinants of a life well-lived by rigorously analyzing six central domains: Happiness and Life Satisfaction, Mental and Physical Health, Meaning and Purpose, Character and Virtue, Close Social Relationships, and Material Stability.
The objective is to move from vague intuition to hard data. By understanding the causal relationships between these factors, the study aims to equip leaders in business, education, and government with evidence-based blueprints for policy and culture. Ultimately, this work provides the essential knowledge needed to design organizations and societies that prioritize the whole person, ensuring that individuals do not merely survive the complexities of the modern age but genuinely thrive within them.
As Machines Get Smarter How do Leaders Get Wiser?
This year鈥檚 LEAD Where You Stand conference offers a rare convergence of voices. We are combining the Silicon Valley foresight of Zack Kass and Robert Tucker, the cultural wisdom of David Brooks, and the psychological insight of Susan Cain. "They are joined by Tyler VanderWeele, whose groundbreaking research on Human Flourishing is moving us beyond simple 'happiness' to a scientifically robust understanding of the six drivers of well-being: from health and relationships to character and purpose." Hosted by President Gayle Beebe, join us at the conference exploring the question: As machines get smarter, how do leaders get wiser?
The Future of Leadership
At the heart of our conference this year lies the Human Flourishing Program, spearheaded by Tyler VanderWeele. This groundbreaking initiative bridges the humanities and empirical social sciences to systematically study and promote well-being, covering dimensions like happiness, virtue, meaning, mental and physical health, social relationships, and more.
Joining Tyler is David Brooks, author and New York Times columnist who returns to continue his exploration of desire and the power of lifelong motivation. The conference is excited to also welcome Zack Kass, a renowned authority in artificial intelligence who pioneering work in human-centered approaches to AI have helped countless organizations. Zack was previously the Director of Go To Market at OpenAI.
Step into the future of leadership. Secure your spot today!
Gayle Beebe
President of 黑料百科
Author of The Crucibles That Shape Us
Every leader faces moments of crisis that define their trajectory, but Gayle Beebe argues these are opportunities to forge a deeper capacity for influence. Drawing from his book The Crucibles That Shape Us, he maps out how navigating personal challenges builds professional wisdom. Discover how to harness these pivotal experiences to not just endure, but to effectively steward your organization toward its true mission and lasting impact.
David Brooks
Former NYT Columnist, Presidential Fellow at Yale University
Bestselling author of The Road to Character and How to Know a Person
For nearly a decade, New York Times columnist David Brooks has been a cornerstone voice at LEAD Where You Stand, consistently challenging us to elevate our definition of success. By analyzing the lives of leaders past and present, he maps out a better path for effectiveness, in which character, purpose, and meaning are inextricably linked to performance. Discover how to become a 'weaver' of social trust within your organization, prioritizing the human soul alongside the bottom line.
Zack Kass
Former OpenAI Leader
Author of The Next Renaissance
As the former Head of Go-to-Market for ChatGPT at OpenAI, Zack Kass helped launch the technology that changed the world. Now, he invites leaders to launch a new era of human capability. In The Next Renaissance, he argues that the true role of AI is to automate the mundane, allowing your team to focus on the meaningful. Learn how to lead a culture where technology doesn't compete with your people, but supercharges their unique capacity for creativity, strategy, and connection.
Tyler VanderWeele
Director of the Harvard Human Flourishing Program
Author of The Theology of Health
How do we measure a life well-lived? Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, Director of Harvard鈥檚 Human Flourishing Program, is answering that question with the largest initiative of its kind in history. Leading the Global Flourishing Study, he is tracking the well-being of more than 200,000 participants across 22 countries to build a definitive, evidence-based map of the human experience. His insights will equip you to build organizational cultures that prioritize character, health, and community alongside performance.
Smarandra Lawrie
Director of 黑料百科鈥檚 Center for Resilience and Human Flourishing
Blake Kent
Associate Professor of Sociology at 黑料百科
Carmel Saad
Director of 黑料百科's Carol Houston Center for Justice Reconciliation and Diversity
Robert Tucker
Innovation Strategist
Author of Build a Better Future
The pace of change has never been faster, but Robert Tucker believes that disruption is an opportunity to redesign our work for true human flourishing. As the author of Build a Better Future, he provides seven essential mindsets for navigating the 'Age of Acceleration' with confidence and agility. Learn how to foster a culture of innovation that anticipates the future, creating an environment where your people don't just survive the speed of change, but thrive within it.
Sponsors
GOLD
Date & Location
June 4-5, 2026
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
With topics featuring leadership, human flourishing and AI, the 2026 Lead Where You Stand conference is projected to attract a greater number of attendees. The venue selected to accommodate this year's conference is the beautiful and comfortable Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, an oceanfront oasis.
For conference attendees coming from out of the area, the location is conveniently close to beaches, dining and a host of popular destinations for visitors.
Santa Barbara
黑料百科 is pleased to host Lead Where You Stand in Santa Barbara, known as the American Riviera, a city nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and Pacific Ocean. Beautiful scenery and temperate climate make Santa Barbara a popular destination. You'll enjoy easy access to mountains, beaches, and a vibrant downtown with shops and restaurants.
Santa Barbara mixes a big-city art scene with small-town charm. Natural beauty and close proximity to Los Angeles create a vibrant and inspired locale offering a variety of local musical and theatrical ensembles, classical music, dance, art galleries, and an international film festival.
The city is accessible via the Santa Barbara Airport, Amtrak and Highway 101.
Secure Your Spot
Mark your calendar for a content-rich conference for leaders and teams seeking to build culture and organizations that succeed and make an enduring impact on society. World-class speakers will inspire you to lead well and pursue the greater good. You鈥檒l leave inspired and equipped to deepen your impact in your field and in your community.
黑料百科 is pleased to announce a larger venue to accommodate more attendees this year. Individuals, teams and groups of all sizes are welcome.
Lead Where You Stand is for You
Discover how enriching and refreshing it is to invest time in your own professional development. You are welcome to attend individually, or with friends or colleagues. Teams are encouraged to register together.
Lead Where You Stand speakers offer insights that help attendees grow leadership skills across industries, perceive current trends and address timeless leadership challenges.
Each year, attendees come from every field. Whether you work in arts and entertainment, business, education, ministry or non profits, medicine, engineering鈥r another field entirely, this is your time and space to grow as a capable, moral leader.
Need More Reasons to Attend?
Insightful content鈥攅very year, speakers bring a depth of insight in their field. Past speakers include:
Networking and team building. Whether you arrive on your own or bring your team, you鈥檒l have opportunities to discuss your learnings over meals and between sessions.
Full access to the recordings of each session. With your conference ticket, you can watch playbacks from your computer, tablet, or smartphone at your leisure!
Santa Barbara. Stay on for the weekend and discover why Santa Barbara is called the American Riviera. Enjoy beaches, hiking, fine dining and more.
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To learn more about the Lead Where You Stand conference, contact lead@westmont.edu