Belonging is no longer optional — it is the defining imperative for today’s leaders! In a time when retention, engagement, and culture are under strain, leaders must intentionally design environments where people feel seen, supported, and connected. This session, led by Dr. Keith W. McIntosh, a nationally recognized higher education CIO, award-winning leader, scholar, practitioner, and thought partner on inclusive leadership and belonging, positions leaders as architects of belonging, responsible for shaping the systems, spaces, and practices that determine whether employees thrive or disengage. We’ll discuss the science of belonging and its connection to well-being, performance, and retention, while also highlighting real-world examples of leaders who embody these values. Research consistently shows that employees who feel a strong sense of belonging are more engaged, more loyal, and more productive. We’ll explore why belonging must sit alongside strategy and innovation on every leader’s agenda, and how it creates legacies that outlast titles or tenures. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding and practical strategies to embed belonging into daily leadership practices, building communities where people want to stay, grow, and contribute.
