Networking is Your 2025 Career Catalyst

Networking - Creating a Magnifier Effect

How Networking Amplifies All Your Personal Develop Efforts

Are your career and personal growth efforts actionable? There is a massive surge in professionals pursuing MBAs, technical certifications, executive education programs, mentoring, and leveraging large language models (LLMs) to stay ahead. But as skill development accelerates across industries, how do you create meaningful separation and stand out? The real value of learning lies not just in acquiring knowledge and credentials but in making the efforts actionable—and networking is the key to amplifying its impact.

That’s where the Kellogg Leadership Symposium comes in. Open to all and focused on the theme of “Bold Leadership,” this event offers an excellent opportunity to build connections with thought leaders and executives shaping the future of business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Why Attend the Kellogg Leadership Symposium?

1. Access Leadership Diversity of Thought

This symposium brings together industry experts and thought leaders from diverse fields to share innovative perspectives. The focus on cognitive diversity means you’ll engage with leaders who think differently, challenge norms, and inspire new approaches to leadership—critical for both technical and business leaders aiming for the C-suite.

2. Build a Network That Drives Action

Everyone knows the value of networking, but it’s not always easy in fact it can be very hard, especially in a room full of new faces. To help, the Kellogg DFW Alumni group has curated an event designed for connection:

• View Maureen Tarantello's short video on networking tips for the event.
• Kellogg DFW Alumni board members, regional and symposium ambassadors will be available to introduce attendees and facilitate meaningful conversations. Our goal is to bring together the executive and technical leadership community, fostering meaningful interactions that drive success and collaboration.

Symposium Ambassadors:

Sean Lofgren, Nina Tsai, Jack Rubarth, Teri Gordon, MBA, George Trujillo Jr.

Regional Ambassadors:

Region 1: Ft. Worth, Arlington, Southlake, and surrounding:

Deba Sahoo

Region 2: : Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Lewisville, Prosper, and surrounding:

Mo Huda, CMI, Bob Ntuaremba Leyo, MBA

Region 3: Dallas, Downtown, Addison, and surrounding:

Sean Lofgren, Jeff Patton

Kellogg DFW Board of Directors:

Michelle Rider, MBA, Jeff King, Sean Lofgren, Mark Howard, CLTC?, MS, MBA, Cecilia Villa, Sanjay Kumar, Trudy Sullivan Stoudamire (she/her/hers), Poorva Deshmukh Manohar, Jack Rubarth, George Trujillo Jr., Kanishka Chaudhuri, John Parolisi, Laura Bloom Gordon, Mo Huda, CMI, Teri Gordon, MBA, Paul Johnson, Jeff Patton, Nina Tsai, Emily Kyle, Bob Ntuaremba Leyo, MBA, Charles Funai, Vishal Modi, Deba Sahoo, Tarik Rodgers MBA, PMP, Vera Gavrilovich, Karen Adler Ryder, Ryan McKinney, Elsy Ocejo, MBA, Dan Balcauski and Shane Goodwin, PhD.

3. Gain Local Influence in the Thriving DFW Region

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is one of the fastest-growing business hubs in the country. Attending this symposium helps grow your network with key players in the region, creating opportunities to collaborate, share insights, and solve shared challenges in both technical and strategic leadership.

Make 2025 the Year You Take Action

In 2025, learning is only as valuable as the action you take with it. Networking magnifies the impact of your skills and credentials by connecting you to real-world opportunities, increasing your visibility, and positioning you as a thought leader. The Kellogg Leadership Symposium is your chance to combine learning with strategic networking and establish yourself as a driving force for innovation and business success.

Whether you’re a current or future C-suite executive, a technical leader, or a business innovator, this event will help you turn knowledge into impact.

Join us on February 22nd at SMU Cox School of Business. Let’s shape the future of leadership together in DFW.

Sign up here. First round of early bird tickets have sold out. I hope to see you there!