The Innovating Together Podcast

WeeklyWisdom with Doug Lederman From University Innovation Alliance: The Real Reason College Presidents Don’t Last Long

Higher education is facing a leadership crisis, and this conversation explains why. In this live episode of Weekly Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Donna Lederman break down what makes the college presidency one of the hardest jobs in America, why so many presidents leave after just a few years, and what that instability is doing to colleges, universities, and students. If you work in higher education leadership, student success, university administration, academic affairs, or institutional strategy, this episode will help you better understand the pressures shaping college presidents today. From governing boards and faculty politics to media scrutiny, innovation, public trust, and the future of student-centered leadership, this is an honest conversation about what higher ed leaders are really up against and what must change next. If you care about college leadership, higher education innovation, presidential turnover, student outcomes, and the future of universities, this episode gives you a rare inside look at what’s broken and what gives experienced leaders hope.You’ll Learn:→ Why the average college president’s tenure is shrinking and how constant turnover can set institutions back for years. → What most people misunderstand about presidential power and why many leaders have far less control than the public assumes. → What separates innovative presidents from ineffective ones, including vision, culture, risk tolerance, and the ability to keep students at the center. → Bridget and Donna also discuss nontraditional leadership pipelines, media relationships, public trust, and why this difficult moment may finally push higher education toward real change.Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

Weekly Wisdom with DeAngela Burns-Wallace: Why Being Underestimated Can Become Your Greatest Strength

What does it really take to lead with purpose, rise through multiple sectors, and keep going when people underestimate you? In this inspiring episode of Start the Week With Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Sarah Custer sit down with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace to talk about leadership, service, resilience, career growth, and the journey behind her new book Made for This. From higher education leadership to state government, diplomacy, philanthropy, and national impact, Dr. Burns-Wallace shares the values, lessons, and personal experiences that shaped her path. This conversation is for anyone interested in leadership development, women in leadership, higher education, personal growth, career advancement, overcoming adversity, and building a legacy of service. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded while stepping into bigger opportunities, how to turn being underestimated into fuel, or how to lead people with empathy, intention, and courage, this episode is for you. Packed with wisdom on mentorship, purpose-driven leadership, storytelling, career transitions, and the power of sharing your journey, this is a motivating conversation for leaders at every stage.You’ll Hear:→ Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace share how her early leadership training came from family, church, community, and a deep belief in service.→ How writing Made for This began as a leadership book and evolved into a leadership memoir after she realized that her personal story was just as important as the lessons she wanted to teach. → The conversation explores how Dr. Burns-Wallace navigated roles across higher education, the Foreign Service, state government, and philanthropy while staying rooted in access, opportunity, and economic mobility. → Dr. Burns-Wallace also opens up about what it means to be underestimated, how to keep that from becoming internalized, and how great leaders create policies, cultures, and opportunities that prevent others from being limited in the same way. → You’ll also hear a memorable discussion about the music behind each chapter of her book, how songs can capture seasons of life, and why storytelling matters so much in leadership.Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

Weekly Wisdom with University of Buffalo President Satish Tripathi

What does it take to lead a university for over two decades, and still love the work?In this special farewell episode of Start the Week with Wisdom, hosts Bridget Burns and Sarah Custer sit down with President Satish Tripathi of the University at Buffalo as he reflects on a remarkable 22-year legacy of leadership, innovation, and transformation. With retirement on the horizon, President Tripathi shares candid reflections on what’s changed, what he’s proudest of, and what it really takes to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and change.From moving a medical school to revitalizing a city, to pioneering national research in AI and drug discovery, Tripathi’s tenure is marked by bold vision and patient execution. But beyond the milestones, he shares what shaped his leadership, from growing up in a small Indian village to navigating crises like the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also offers unfiltered advice for aspiring higher ed leaders, and a surprising answer about what he’s looking forward to most after stepping down.Key Takeaways:→ Big change requires long-term vision: Transformational projects like relocating UB’s medical school or launching NSF research centers took years, and a relentless commitment to mission.→ Naivete can be a secret weapon: Not knowing how hard something will be might just be the key to starting it at all.→ Legacy is defined by others: True leadership means focusing on impact, not recognition.→ Leadership evolves: Tripathi now leads with more listening, humility, and trust in his team than when he began.→ Great leadership isn’t about the next job, it’s about doing the current one with excellence.“If you're always thinking about the next job, you're not doing your current job well. Excellence now is what leads you forward.” – President Satish TripathiIf this conversation inspired you, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more wisdom-filled episodes, and take a moment to journal: what long-term impact are you building today?Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

Weekly Wisdom with University of Buffalo President Satish Tripathi

What does it take to lead a university for over two decades, and still love the work?In this special farewell episode of Start the Week with Wisdom, hosts Bridget Burns and Sarah Custer sit down with President Satish Tripathi of the University at Buffalo as he reflects on a remarkable 22-year legacy of leadership, innovation, and transformation. With retirement on the horizon, President Tripathi shares candid reflections on what’s changed, what he’s proudest of, and what it really takes to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and change.From moving a medical school to revitalizing a city, to pioneering national research in AI and drug discovery, Tripathi’s tenure is marked by bold vision and patient execution. But beyond the milestones, he shares what shaped his leadership, from growing up in a small Indian village to navigating crises like the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also offers unfiltered advice for aspiring higher ed leaders, and a surprising answer about what he’s looking forward to most after stepping down.Key Takeaways:Big change requires long-term vision: Transformational projects like relocating UB’s medical school or launching NSF research centers took years, and a relentless commitment to mission.Naivete can be a secret weapon: Not knowing how hard something will be might just be the key to starting it at all.Legacy is defined by others: True leadership means focusing on impact, not recognition.Leadership evolves: Tripathi now leads with more listening, humility, and trust in his team than when he began.Great leadership isn’t about the next job, it’s about doing the current one with excellence.“If you're always thinking about the next job, you're not doing your current job well. Excellence now is what leads you forward.” – President Satish TripathiIf this conversation inspired you, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more wisdom-filled episodes, and take a moment to journal: what long-term impact are you building today?Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

Bold Leadership, Human-Centered Wisdom: Lessons from Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet

What does it take to lead with both strategy and soul?In this moving and powerful episode of Start the Week with Wisdom, host Bridget Burns sits down with Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs for a conversation that redefines leadership in higher education. With a background in business and strategic planning, Jennifer brings a refreshingly different perspective to the chancellorship, one rooted not just in data and efficiency, but in deep compassion and human resilience.This episode dives into Jennifer’s unconventional path to leadership, the profound personal and professional experiences that shaped her approach, and the vital role of executive coaching in navigating the complexities of higher ed. Jennifer shares the unimaginable weight of leading through campus tragedies, and how leaning into both vulnerability and resilience has become her compass for serving students, faculty, and community.In this episode, you'll learn:Why nontraditional paths to leadership can be an asset in higher education.The role executive coaching has played in Jennifer’s 20-year leadership journey.How to lead through crisis with humanity, courage, and compassion.The power of interdisciplinary undergraduate experiences in shaping career success.Why “more curious than convinced” is a leadership mindset for the future."Without courage, the wisdom and experiences we have bear no fruit." Subscribe to Start the Week with Wisdom, share this episode with a colleague, or reflect in your journal: What leadership lessons are you learning right now, and how are you growing through them?Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.