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Keynote CEO Thomas Quinlan: Trust & Empathy Matter in Leadership

New Center developed in collaboration with Harvard’s Dr. Arthur Brooks helps 17�Թ��� students lead with purpose

Emotional intelligence and teamwork are non-negotiable skills for effective leadership and success, according to an executive who runs a global company focusing on marketing, communications, and creative services.

In speaking with a large group of students, alumni, and business leaders at 17�Թ���'s New York City campus earlier this week, , a 17�Թ��� alumnus, told attendees that in addition to technical know-how, trust, empathy, and self-awareness are defining characteristics of great leadership in today’s workplace.

“You can’t lead alone -- and you can’t lead without emotional intelligence,” Quinlan said during a keynote at the closing session of the inaugural Center for Leadership and Emotional Intelligence (EI), a new initiative from the Lubin School of Business. “What makes teams work is not just skill—it’s trust, empathy, and the way you show up. AI is transforming the world, but people still want to work with people who care. That is what lasts.”

The six-week fall pilot brought together students, alumni, and faculty for a research-based leadership experience grounded in emotional intelligence. Participants earned digital credentials and engaged with themes like resilience, empathy, and purpose-driven growth.

“This program changed how I think about leadership,” said Muskan Kumari ’26, a graduate student majoring in Business Analytics from Karachi, Pakistan. “It gave me real tools to manage stress, lead with empathy, and grow with purpose. I walked away more confident—not just in my career path, but in who I want to be.”

Developed in collaboration with , bestselling author and professor at and , the program draws on research from his book , coauthored by Brooks and .

Ipshita Ray, associate professor of marketing, serves as the academic lead for the program. Inspired by her personal journey through stage three cancer, she created the Center to help students develop not just professional skills, but the emotional resilience to thrive.

“This program empowers our students with the mindset and tools to thrive—not just as leaders in their fields but as people committed to building lives of meaning and joy,” said Ray. “The support we’ve seen across 17�Թ���—from faculty, alumni, and students—proves how deeply needed and valued this kind of work is in higher education.”

Built on Brooks’ research and classroom work at Harvard, the curriculum helps students master the “micro-nutrients” of happiness—enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose—while also introducing practical strategies for resilience, self-awareness, and emotional agility.

“This is a leadership movement grounded in emotional intelligence,” said who helped lead the initiative. “Our students are learning how to lead by example—with compassion, clarity, and the ability to turn challenge into opportunity.”

Ajay Khorana, dean of Lubin School of Business, emphasized how the program prepares students to lead with empathy and adaptability in a rapidly evolving workforce.

“Even as the workplace transforms, emotional intelligence endures as a defining strength,” said Khorana. “Your capacity to lead, adapt, and build meaningful connections will set you apart.”

17�Թ��� President Marvin Krislov also spoke about the program’s long-term impact on students’ personal and professional development.

"This program is more than curriculum—it’s a head start,” said Krislov. “Emotional intelligence is the skill that sets great leaders apart, and what students gained here will give them an edge when it matters most.”

Following the success of the pilot, the Center for Leadership and Emotional Intelligence (EI) will expand to 17�Թ���’s Pleasantville campus in Spring 2026.

About the Lubin School of Business at 17�Թ���

Globally recognized and prestigiously accredited, the Lubin School of Business integrates New York City’s business world into the experienced-based education of its students at 17�Թ���’s suburban and downtown campuses, implemented by one of the region’s largest co-op programs, team-based learning, and customized career guidance. Its programs are designed to launch success-oriented graduates toward upwardly mobile careers.

About 17�Թ���

Since 1906, 17�Թ��� has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, 17�Թ��� offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.