Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing | Annual Convening

Purpose and Flourishing in the 5-Generation Workplace 

The annual convening of the Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing is aimed at elevating key insights from both academia and best practices within organizations on topics related to building a workplace of greater meaning and wellbeing. Aligning with a core value of the Initiative to bridge theory and practice, academics and researchers will meet business leaders and practitioners to explore questions related to a shared goal of creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. Each year at the convening, a different inquiry will be selected as a theme to explore these questions. 

This year, in partnership with the Stanford Life Design Lab, our 2025 convening will be centered around building a multigenerational workplace by design. What does it look like to center purpose and wellbeing in the context of a 5-generation workplace? Bringing together career professionals, scholars, business leaders, and Gen Z voices, this event will delve into innovative approaches to purpose-driven engagement across generations, offering actionable strategies for fostering a thriving workplace. 

Through expert panel discussions, interactive workshops and opportunities to connect with diverse stakeholders engaged in different fields, we look forward to collaborating on shared questions and commitments. 

Date: Thursday March 27th, 2025 

Location: NYU Stern School of Business

• 8:30 - 9 AM | Registration & Check-In
• 9:00 - 9:40 AM | Opening Remarks
  • Professor Suzy Welch, Professor of Management Practice & Director of the Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing 
  • Professor J.P. Eggers, Interim Dean at NYU Stern School of Business 
  • Dustin Liu, Senior Associate Director, Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing 
  • Professor Mike North, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at NYU Stern
• 9:50 - 10:50 AM | Spark Talks
  • Dr. Tessa West, Professor of Psychology at NYU 
  • Dr. Christopher Wong Michaelson, Professor, Barbara & David A. Koch Endowed Chair in Business Ethics at University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business 
  • Dr. Noémie Le Pertel, Partner & Global Consulting Leader - Health, Resilience & Human Flourishing at Mercer 
  • Dr. Vijay Pendakur, Leadership and Team Culture Advisor 
  • Dr. Jennifer Tosti-Kharas, Camilla Latino Spinelli Endowed Term Chair and Professor of Management at Babson College 
  • Dr. Zach Mercurio, Senior Honorary Fellow, Center for Meaning and Purpose at Colorado State University
• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Collaboration & Bridging
• 12:00 - 12:10 PM | Remarks from Professor Jonathan Haidt
• 12:15 - 1:00 PM | Lunch
• 1:00 - 1:50 PM | Perspectives on the Multigenerational Workplace Today
  • Chip Cutter, Wall Street Journal
  • Dr. Angela Jackson, Director at Future Forward Institute 
  • Sandee Buchanan, Chief HR Officer at GCM Grosvenor 
  • Lindsey Pollak, NYU IPF Fellow & Multigenerational Expert 
  • Kevin Grubb, Vice President, Work-Based Learning at Strada Foundation
• 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Case Study
• 3:10 - 4:15 PM | Fireside Chat with Jerry Colonna: A Case for Purpose
• 4:15 - 4:30 PM | Closing