The Center for Positive Leadership

We are extremely excited to introduce another one of our 2026 Research Grant recipients, Milena Gojny-Zbierowska!

Her funded project explores how positive leadership unfolds through small, everyday actions of leaders. Building on positive organizational scholarship and self-determination theory, this study focuses on six concrete micro-behaviors: expressing gratitude, empathic listening, task-focused positive feedback, spotting strengths, inviting voice, and celebrating small wins. By adopting a within-person, day-to-day perspective, the research examines how a leader’s daily fluctuations in behavior influence employees’ vitality and learning at work. The goal is to identify how these brief, relational acts help followers experience a consistent sense of meaning, energy, and connection.

Since 2018, the The Center for Positive Leadership has awarded research grants to Fellows in Positive Leadership—scholars and practitioners dedicated to understanding how positive leadership can transform organizations and communities. We are thrilled to support Milena’s important and timely work.

Congratulations to Dr. Milena! We’re excited to see the impact of this work.

We are overwhelmingly excited to introduce one of our 2026 Research Grant recipients, Brett Neely and Kim (Ramsdell) Rocheville!!

Their funded project investigates the lived experiences of servant leaders, with a particular focus on how leaders navigate the tension between serving others and sustaining their own well-being. While servant leadership is known to benefit followers and organizations, far less is understood about the personal costs leaders may face. Using a rigorous mixed-methods design—including qualitative interviews and a daily diary study tracking leaders over consecutive workdays—this research explores the dynamic conditions that contribute to leader depletion and recovery.

Since 2018, the Center for Positive Leadership has awarded research grants to Fellows in Positive Leadership—scholars and practitioners dedicated to understanding how positive leadership can transform organizations and communities. We are thrilled to support Dr. Neely and Dr. Rocheville’s important and timely work.

Congratulations to Brett and Kim—we’re excited to see the impact of this work!

We're hiring for a department coordinator position at the Center for Positive Leadership. If it's a fit, we'd love to see your application.

https://uofl.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UofLCareerSite/job/Department-Coordinator-IV_R108153

We are excited to announce Ted Smith, Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Louisville. Additionally, he was the CEO of Revon Systems, Inc. for around two years from 2016-2018. He will share his insights on the CEO Panel, speaking on the topic: “Elevate Above the Noise.”

Join us. Together, we'll explore how to rise above distraction, focus on what truly matters, and lead our people toward better futures.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Cara Meyer (MAOP) as she joins our new branch of Remote Affiliated Professional for The Center for Positive Leadership! We are thrilled to collaborate with her and highlight the impactful work she continues to lead.

Cara is a Founder and Sports Performance Consultant at Conscious Teams, where she partners with athletes, coaches, and organizations to cultivate high-performing, values-driven cultures. Her work centers on developing mental skills, strengthening team cohesion, and helping individuals and teams perform at their best under pressure.

In addition to her consulting work, Cara serves as a Trainer with the Positive Coaching Alliance, equipping coaches and leaders with evidence-based tools to foster positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented environments in sport. Her commitment to leadership development extends beyond her professional roles through her service as a Board Member at Portland Ultimate, where she contributes her expertise to support community engagement and instill the spirit of sportsmanship at all levels of play,

Across her roles, Cara brings a powerful blend of applied experience, coaching, and service—bridging performance excellence with purpose, wellbeing, and community impact.

Cara’s dedication to empowering athletes, coaches, and organizations aligns deeply with our mission. We are grateful to welcome leaders like her who elevate performance through positive leadership, invest in people, and strengthen the communities they serve.

Registration is now open: https://lnkd.in/gevyDi7p

We are excited to announce Jesus Martinez, Founder and CEO of the popular local restaurant Con Huevos. With extensive experience in marketing and brand management from his time at Brown-Forman, Jesus brings a unique perspective on building authentic brands that stand out in competitive markets. He will share his insights on the CEO Panel, speaking on the topic: “Elevate Above the Noise.”

Join us. Together, we'll explore how to rise above distraction, focus on what truly matters, and lead our people toward better futures.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Arlen Solodkin, MAPP, MSW, as she joins our new branch of Remote Affiliated Professional for The Center for Positive Leadership! We are thrilled to collaborate with her and highlight the impactful work she continues to lead across organizations and regions.

Arlen is an internationally recognized leader in organizational wellbeing and positive psychology and the Founder and CEO of the Instituto de Bienestar Integral IBI. Her work spans academia, professional practice, and global leadership development. She currently serves as President of the Mexican Society of Positive Psychology, Professor of Practice at Centenary University, Professor and Curriculum Developer at Universidad Tecmilenio, and Instructor at the Happiness Studies Academy.

She holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master in Social Work, and brings over 15 years of experience designing and delivering transformational programs that integrate science, strategy, and human-centered leadership.

Her work focuses on translating cutting-edge research into practical, real-world strategies that enhance leadership effectiveness, strengthen organizational resilience, and cultivate cultures where both people and performance thrive. Arlen’s ability to bridge research with application has made her a trusted partner for leaders seeking sustainable, positive change.

Arlen’s depth of expertise and commitment to advancing wellbeing and positive leadership aligns deeply with our mission. We are grateful to welcome leaders like her who elevate organizations, empower individuals, and help create healthier, more resilient workplaces around the world

We are so excited and proud to celebrate the newly published work of Sharon Sheridan, Ph.D., Dejun "Tony" Kong, Dr. Liuba Belkin, maureen ambrose, and William Becker, “More Than Words: A Risk Regulation Model of Supervisor Gratitude Expression, Felt Appreciation, and Subordinate Voice.” The link to access the paper is attached below.

The Center for Positive Leadership supported this research in 2023 and we are proud of these scholars for their accomplishment. Their research finds that when supervisors express gratitude to their direct reports in ways that are congruent with the ways that their direct reports like to receive appreciation, direct reports are more likely to speak up in the workplace. This is important because many employees do not feel safe raising their voices in the workplace, and good managers often ask us how they can create more psychological safety. It is also important because many employees today feel underappreciated. This research gives managers another way to empower their employees to make contributions to the organization that they might not otherwise make.

Supervisors, ask your employees how they like to receive your expressions of gratitude, and look for opportunities to express. Direct reports, let your supervisors know how you like to receive gratitude and, although this research was not about the upward expression of gratitude, it is still a good idea to express gratitude to your supervisor—or to anyone around you!

https://lnkd.in/emx8DMYY

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Vahid Mockon, M.S., a dedicated professional joining our Affiliated Professional Group! We are excited to collaborate with him and share his fantastic work.

Vahid brings a powerful combination of expertise, holding a Bachelor's in Communications and a Master of Science in Business Communication. This background fuels his core mission as the Workforce Connection Lead at Eckerd Connects. Vahid is doing truly vital work in the workforce and economic development space, skillfully connecting job seekers to quality training and employment opportunities across Louisville.

Beyond his professional role, Vahid's commitment to strengthening the community is powerfully demonstrated through his dedicated service on non-profit boards, including the Asia Institute - Crane House and Interfaith Paths To Peace, to name just a few. It is this combination of professional expertise and civic commitment that truly elevates our city.

We are deeply grateful to collaborate with individuals like Vahid, who are passionately committed to both empowering individuals professionally and building stronger communal bonds.

We are excited to announce Phillip Crosby, CEO of Dan-O's Seasoning as well as Crosby Interactive. Phillip's journey offers valuable lessons in strategic brand growth. By effectively utilizing Crosby Interactive, he successfully propelled Dan-O's Seasoning into the mainstream market, a clear example of effective marketing and ex*****on. Phillip will share his insights on the CEO Panel, speaking on the topic: "Elevate Above the Noise."

Join us. Together, we'll explore how to rise above distraction, focus on what truly matters, and lead our people toward better futures.

Register here: https://app.glueup.com/events/159479/dashboard/