Events
Employer Coalition (POWER Series) - Lead the Shift: Using Authentic Leadership to Transform Workplace Culture and Retain Top Talent
Friday, October 3, 2025 (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM) (CDT)
Description
In today's dynamic workforce, culture is no longer a perk, it's a priority. Organizations that thrive are those led by individuals who inspire trust, model authenticity, and create purpose-driven environments where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to grow. This session explores the powerful intersection of transformational leadership and authentic leadership as key drivers of culture-building and employee retention. Led by Lavar Thomas, this session offers actionable insights on how leaders at every level can shift team dynamics, increase engagement, and foster belonging. Participants will learn how to build cultures that promote psychological safety, align personal values with organizational mission, and develop career pathways that retain high-potential talent. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussion, attendees will walk away with strategies to not just manage people, but to empower them to thrive.
Lavar Thomas Bio
Lavar Thomas is a transformational speaker, leadership strategist, and author of The Other Side of Letting Go: 7 Keys to Transforming Your Mindset and Reclaiming Your Life. As founder of Empower For Greatness and co-founder of Leaders of the Free World—a nonprofit providing global leadership experiences for young Black men—Lavar helps organizations transform workplace culture through authentic leadership, purpose alignment, and mindset shifts that drive engagement and retention.
His perspective is shaped by a global journey—serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Rwanda, being recognized as an Emerging Leader through the Policy Center for the New South in Marrakech, Morocco, and serving as a Teaching Faculty Member with the Global Citizenship Alliance in Salzburg, Austria. Drawing on experience across public policy, executive coaching, and team development, Lavar equips leaders to inspire trust, foster belonging, and create environments where people—and performance—can thrive.
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Employer Coalition
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