Winning strategies: Leadership lessons from business, sports and government

Kellogg’s Miami Campus, home to our top-ranked programs for executives, recently gathered leading speakers to share powerful insights on strategy and success with our close-knit alumni community.
Written by:
LeeAnn Shelton
7 minute read

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A woman in a blue jacket speaks passionately on stage, using expressive hand gestures to emphasize her points. She wears a microphone and sits against a visually striking backdrop with geometric designs and dramatic lighting. In the background, a man in a white hat and blue blazer listens attentively, contributing to the engaged and thoughtful atmosphere of the panel discussion.
Recent conferences at the Kellogg Miami Campus sparked conversations among leaders from many industries.

What makes Miami one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs? The same qualities that make it the perfect home for Kellogg’s Executive MBA Program: fearless ambition, an appetite for innovation and a global network of connections.

This year’s Kellogg Business Leaders Forum and Global Leaders Symposium, hosted at our Miami Campus, showcased the city’s growing influence in global business and highlighted why our Executive MBA students and alumni thrive in this vibrant environment. 

Bringing together high-caliber executives, government leaders, industry pioneers and thought leaders, the event provided a platform for exploring today’s most pressing business challenges. Attendees engaged in deep discussions on leadership, innovation and the shifting global economy — demonstrating why Kellogg’s Miami Campus continues to attract ambitious professionals at the top of their fields, eager to make a lasting impact.

Miami: A Strategic Hub for Business Education

The events were like a homecoming for the many alumni attendees who studied at the campus. Kellogg’s decision to establish a Miami-based Executive MBA program nearly 20 years ago proved visionary. Today, Miami serves not only as a gateway to Latin America but also as a hub for fintech innovation and an incubator for entrepreneurship and family business. It provides an ideal learning environment for seasoned executives seeking a global perspective and practical insights into emerging trends.

With a significant portion of Kellogg’s Miami EMBA students hailing from Latin America, the program fosters unparalleled cross-cultural exchange. Students and faculty collaborate with peers from diverse industries, backgrounds and global markets, ensuring that learning extends beyond the classroom and translates into real-world impact.

The campus is also home to a growing number of non-degree Executive Education courses for business professionals who want to keep learning and expanding their skills. This year, Kellogg has tripled the number of Executive Education programs offered in Miami, with courses covering marketing, leadership, family enterprises, business growth and more.

A man in a blue checkered suit jacket with a name badge is smiling broadly while engaged in conversation with a woman seen from behind. She has dark hair and is wearing a black and white patterned blouse or jacket. They are attending a conference at the Kellogg Miami Campus. The image captures a moment of genuine connection and positive interaction between the two individuals.
Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations around emerging trends shaping the business landscape.

Key Insights from Our Speakers

The conference featured an impressive lineup of C-suite leaders, industry disruptors and academic experts, all sharing actionable insights into the future of business. Here are just a few of the many highlights.

‘Leaders Answer Three Great Questions’

Former Marriott executive Leland Pillsbury ’82 MBA was an Executive MBA student when he encountered the concept of segmentation analysis in his Kellogg marketing classes — then a cutting-edge idea. Applying this concept at Marriott led to the creation of Courtyard by Marriott, reshaping the hotel industry.

As the youngest-ever executive at Marriott at the time, Pillsbury later launched highly successful real estate and hospitality ventures across the U.S. and China. In a fireside chat, he emphasized the essence of leadership.

“Great leaders answer three questions: Where are we going? How are we going to get there? What's my role?” he said. “They answer them over and over in a way that enrolls and enlists people in the answers.”

Considering ‘Return on Time’

In a conversation with Dean Francesca Cornelli, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago discussed the region’s rapid growth.

“I always say we’re a 15-year overnight success story,” Suarez noted. “It started when we realized that the world was shifting from an industrial economy to a digital one and we needed to be at the forefront of that transformation.”

He introduced a novel metric for measuring success: return on time. Understanding how people maximize their time, he explained, helps shape policies that enhance Miami’s broader business ecosystem and human capital.

A Decade-Long Turnaround Came Down to ‘A Binary Moment’

South Florida’s NHL team, the Florida Panthers, won their first Stanley Cup in 2024 after a dramatic playoff series and a decade-long turnaround. CEO Matthew Caldwell ’10 JD, MBA, shared insights into the organization’s transformation — both on the ice and in the front office — applying the business fundamentals he gained at Kellogg. It all hinged on a single championship game, “this binary moment” that would make it all worth it.

Caldwell and Chief Strategy Officer Mark Zarthar ’14 MBA discussed the critical role of culture change and community engagement in revitalizing the franchise. One key focus moving forward, they agreed, is fostering youth hockey in Miami by making practice time on the ice more accessible to young athletes — perhaps nurturing future stars, or at least future fans.

“Also important are the non-quantifiable results,” Zarthar added. “When I first arrived here three years ago, you didn’t see Panthers gear around town. Now, I drive home and see bumper stickers and flags in people’s front yards.”

Three women standing and talking at an outdoor reception and networking event at the Kellogg Miami Campus. In the background is a decorative fountain, string lights overhead, and other attendees seated at tables.
The conferences fostered new connections, fresh insights and a renewed sense of purpose for driving impact.

Expert Perspectives from Our Faculty

The conferences also featured insightful presentations and panels led by Kellogg faculty on today’s most pressing topics:

  • Navigating the Economy in 2025 and Beyond – Professor Jan Eberly, former assistant secretary for economic policy at the U.S. Treasury.
  • Cybersecurity Implications for Business Leaders – Senior fellow and adjunct professor Michael Rogers, a four-star U.S. Navy admiral, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command, and former director of the National Security Agency.
  • Advancing and Supporting Innovations in Healthcare – A panel led by Professor Craig Garthwaite, featuring Kellogg alumni in biosciences and life sciences investment.
  • The Transformation of Banking and Markets through FinTech – A panel led by Professor Gregor Matvos, joined by industry leaders in finance.

Why the Kellogg Executive MBA?

Beyond the conference, our Miami Campus remains a premier destination for executive education. Our students benefit from:

Join Us at the Miami Campus

The Business Leaders Forum was just one example of the powerful conversations happening at Kellogg’s Miami Campus. Whether you’re looking to expand your leadership potential, connect with global executives, or drive meaningful change, our Executive MBA program is designed to accelerate your growth.

Are you ready for a transformative learning experience? Explore our Executive MBA Program, learn about upcoming application deadlines, attend an upcoming admissions event or email our admissions team to learn more.