Fuel Your Learning with Executive Education Events

September 30, 2026 | Most workplace challenges don't persist because people lack effort or good ideas. They persist because they're part of a system. In this interactive session, adjunct lecturer Bhasker Natarajan will propose a real-world AI adoption scenario and help you discover why well-intentioned solutions often create unexpected consequences. Rather than teaching systems thinking as a theory, this session lets you experience it firsthand. You'll leave with a practical lens for examining recurring challenges in your own work and a simple habit you can immediately apply when asking: "why does the system keep producing this?" Whether you're leading teams, managing change, implementing new technology, or navigating complex organizational challenges, you'll gain a new way to identify leverage points and make better decisions in an increasingly interconnected world. You'll learn how to spot patterns behind recurring problems, uncover the connections and feedback loops driving them, and identify opportunities to create meaningful change in your work and life.

October 29, 2026 | Most of us believe we're good listeners. Yet when someone brings us a problem, we often jump to judging, advising, quizzing or placating before we've truly understood what they mean. In this interactive session, Associate Professor Helen Meldrum will explore the common listening habits that can unintentionally shut down conversations and instead shirt towards: Active Reflective Listening. Whether you're leading a team, managing clients, collaborating with colleagues, or navigating difficult conversations, stronger listening can improve trust, reduce misunderstandings, and help others feel genuinely heard. You'll learn how to recognize the listening traps we all fall into, practice active reflective listening techniques, and have more productive conversations at work and beyond.

Given the demand for the CWB’s cohort-based leadership development experience, we have expanded Gearing Up program offerings this year to include complimentary webinars, enabling our network to stay engaged with Gearing Up and expand opportunities for more women+ to take the next step in their career journey.

November 12, 2026 | This November, Executive and Professional Education invites EPE alumni to come together for an evening of connection, conversation, and continued learning at The Mighty Squirrel Taproom in Waltham, MA. Reconnect with fellow alumni, meet professionals from across the EPE community, exchange ideas and experiences, and hear what’s ahead at Executive and Professional Education. The evening is designed to strengthen the connections that began in your program — and create new ones across the broader EPE alumni community. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn about upcoming EPE events and opportunities for continued professional and executive education (optional).

November 20, 2026 | Innovation doesn’t start with technology; it starts with people. In this interactive session, Assistant Professor Rahul Divekar will introduce participants to the principles of design thinking and explore how human-centered approaches can help organizations solve complex problems, uncover opportunities, and create more meaningful experiences. Participants will examine how emerging technologies – including responsible use of AI – can amplify creativity, inform decision-making, and accelerate innovation. Whether you're interested in product development, customer experience, consulting, or entrepreneurship, you'll leave with a practical framework for approaching challenges with greater empathy, curiosity, and impact.