The value of your life is not measured by the number of deals you’ve closed, the impressive titles you’ve held or the amount of wealth you’ve accumulated. It’s measured through the quality and depth of your relationships, your willingness and capacity to serve, and the positive impact you’ve made on other people’s lives.

Henry S. Givray

STUDENT QUOTES

The more than 345 students who have completed Henry Givray’s leadership learning programs have noted the powerful impact the experience has had on their professional and personal lives. Below is a sampling of student reflections.

“I wasn’t fully prepared for the impact and sharpened perspective I gained as a student of Leadership’s Calling.  Henry’s teachings and classroom exercises opened my eyes to transformational growth in both my professional and personal life.  I became a better, more self-aware leader, husband and father.  Whether it was unveiled through the thoughtfully selected readings, course lectures or interacting with my classmates, Leadership’s Calling was a profound experience that strengthened my relationship with myself and those I’ve been invited to lead.“

Sam Richardson
President & CEO
Identity Group

“I’ve known Henry for several decades and I expected that his Leadership’s Calling program would be pretty good, but it exceeded my expectations at every level. It’s hard for me to explain to others how I could sit in a class for seven hours and never feel bored for an instant, but Leadership’s Calling is so engaging, the exercises so interesting, and the opportunities for collaborative work with classmates so enjoyably challenging that the time flies by. I found myself wishing that each two-day class would last a bit longer. The timing of the class could not have been more fortunate for me. My team at work is currently going through a challenging transition period, and I’ve found the lessons of Leadership’s Calling to be particularly important and useful right now. I would recommend this class for anyone who is serious about personal growth.”

Kevin McDermott
Chief Technology Officer
Chicago Cook County

“Leadership’s Calling is an exceptional venue to be self-reflective in transformative ways. The unique and compelling frameworks provided have given me clarity of how to better connect my actions to my core values. The opportunity to reflect and grow in a collaborative environment has been a truly meaningful experience with a positive and deep-rooted impact.”

Deidre Stoken McClurg
President
Stoken Asset Management LLC

“Leadership’s Calling has had a profound impact on my life both personally and professionally. The readings and exercises pushed me to look inside myself and define the relationships that are truly important and meaningful. The journey unfolds in a way that does not feel like traditional academic teaching; it is natural, intellectual, and practical. “Leadership is invited and can only be given willingly” is a lesson that has left a lasting impression on the way I approach all the relationships in my life.”

Lisa Goodwin
Director of Medical Staff Services
Kootenai Health
Coeur D Alene, ID

“Leadership’s Calling is an awakening. It is the catalyst for an expedition in all directions. Inward self-discovery. Outward connection with others. Onward drive for continuous personal learning and growth. Its series of intentional challenges unlocks the immense power of new ideas, but also cements core values already revered in our heart of hearts. Through exploration of many diverse facets of leadership, one overriding priority resonates again and again: the vital and singular importance of the human element. I’m honored to have contributed to this defining experience and am humbled to serve in the spirit of its teachings.”


Zack Weber
Chief Financial Officer
Harris Associates

“Leadership’s Calling was the most transformational personal and professional development experience I have had. The content design is impactful and powerful. The intentionality is truly an art. Every deliverable is presented in an application-based format allowing students to use the tools for improved experiences at work and home immediately. This course provides an outline for the most critical actions and outcomes of leadership; all the while, focusing on developing and enhancing the personal attributes necessary to enable those desired results. I am so grateful to have taken this journey. The experience was exceptional.”

Lindsay Miller
co-CEO
d’aprile properties+

“This journey could not have come at a more perfect time in my personal life and career. Leadership’s Calling has provided me with dozens of new approaches and techniques to put myself in the best position possible to be seen as a leader among family, friends, and colleagues. I once felt that the sky was the limit, but now I know it to be true.”

Ben Dietz
Senior Vice President, Corporate & Customer Development
Mintel Group
“Leadership’s Calling is an exceptional program that has made a significant impact on my life both professionally and personally. The framework and fundamentals that we discussed and learned have allowed me to be equipped with practical tools that I can apply directly, resulting in meaningful changes in my behaviors and actions. This ultimately not only improves my impact as a leader, but I am evolving as a better manager, employee and person. I am excited to continue on the journey of lifelong learning and will consistently reflect on what I learned in the program.”
 
Alison Murphy
Managing Director, Middle Market Banking
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
“After attending some of the best business schools in the country, I found they prepared me very well for managing people, but spent little time on leadership. The Leadership Institute was focused only on leadership. After participating, I read more often, I am more optimistic, I am more confident in difficult situations and I communicate better. As I continue on my journey, I am thankful for the experience I had, and my duty now is to share with others.”

Jim Harris
President & CEO
Janitronics, Inc.
“The rich, comprehensive learning made the effort 100 percent worthwhile. I can honestly say that I have remembered and applied something I learned every day since Commencement. It is like nothing you have ever experienced.”
 
Claudia Zacharias, MBA, CAE
President & CEO
The Board of Certification/
Accreditation, International

“Leadership’s Calling is not so much a program but more of a journey that has been designed to be equally valuable for those at the beginning of the career all the way up through C-level and beyond. The insights and introspections are just as relevant to your personal life as to your professional life, and the focus is on the entire you, not only who shows up to work. This journey is a gift that I wish I could share with all of the world.”

Jeffrey Illian
Chief Information Officer
Harris Associates

“Life changing. That is not an overstatement in speaking about the impact of Leadership’s Calling. You will raise your self-awareness. You will consider how you respond to change and conflict. You will examine what it takes for others to see you as a leader. You will focus on the words that you use and contemplate how those words truly matter. You will learn techniques for building high-performing teams. You will have the roadmap for handling crucial conversations and reach a positive result. When the program ends, you will use the information that you learned in Leadership’s Calling every day, both in your professional and personal life. The assignments to complete between sessions, including the books and homework, are masterfully chosen to enhance and reinforce your learning. You will devote considerable energy and time to your learning both in class and between sessions. But the rewards are profound and, unquestionably, life changing.”

Karen Litscher Johnson, J.D.
Director, Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois

“I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude for Leadership’s Calling. It was an educational, challenging and thought-provoking seven months. I learned so many essential leadership lessons, and just as importantly I discovered a lot about myself. I am confident the lessons I learned will not be forgotten and I can already see the benefits for me, my team and my family. The program exceeded all of my expectations and is ideal for anyone who wants to build, improve or hone their leadership abilities.”

Robert Coulton
Co-Head, High Net Worth Sales
CIBC Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management

“Leadership’s Calling was more than a classroom; it was a life experience. Having a candid space to learn and grow simultaneously with others is life-changing. Words matter. Leaders are not born, but they answer a calling. From that I’ve learned how to proactively nurture and redefine my true intention, create productive critical conversations and practice humility while understanding courage in resolution. True leaders make life look easy, but tirelessly work behind the scenes to master their craft at hand, all while continuing to learn and grow. Putting this into practice will be a life-journey and one that is truly rewarding.” 

Heather Feaster
Director, Human Resources
Smithbucklin

“What a gift! I didn’t really know how the program would unfold over the 28 plus weeks. Or what I would get out of it. It turned out being better in every way than I imagined. It was organized and progressed with a logical sequence that built upon the last lesson. Before I knew it, my confidence was growing, not just as a leader, but as a person. As my confidence grew, I became both relaxed and excited about my new abilities and how it was enhancing my business and my life. About half way though is when interesting things started to happen – and are still happening now. Business opportunities are presenting themselves and I feel equipped to negotiate and make the out of them. Life seems to be unfolding the way I want it to, towards my goals and purpose in life. I truly feel changed, excited for my future and very thankful.”
 
Steve Arculeo, DC
Founder & Clinic Director
Peak Performance Health Care
“The curriculum was unique, rigorous and tremendously rewarding. No other learning opportunity I have experienced over the past 30 years compares. The practical tools, reading materials and relationships I have gained will allow me to continue to be a lifetime learner, mentor, teacher, role model and outstanding leader.”
 
Deb Ward
CEO
Televergence Solutions, Inc.
“Having completed many leadership training programs over the past 25 years, I must say that there simply is nothing like the Leadership Institute. I was challenged to look beyond conventional ideas and clichés about leadership. Because of the deeply thought-out concepts, group discussions, challenging personal assignments and articulate facilitators, I have been able to achieve positive, tangible results in my personal and professional life.”
 
Michael Donnelly
General Manager
Daniels-Olsen / Metro Hardwoods
“The Smithbucklin Leadership Learning Forum provides a far more introspective opportunity than I could have imagined. Instead of prescriptively telling you “how to be a better leader,” leadership’s invitation becomes clearer over the months of self-discovery and growth. After internalizing the classroom lessons, outside readings, and homework assignments, the lens through which you see things noticeably changes, impacting your goals and your ability to achieve them while bringing others along with you.”
 
Lauren Lawson
Manager, Education & Learning Services
Smithbucklin
“I came to the Smithbucklin Leadership Institute feeling quite competent in my leadership role. The program pushed me to question what I thought I knew about leadership, as well as what I thought I knew about myself. I have emerged with a foundation on which I can grow as a leader to improve the lives of those around me. Thank you for preparing me to continue this wonderful leadership journey.”
 
Tom Kruse
Senior Vice President of M&A
Marsden Holding, LLC
“Henry’s leadership program is an experience, not merely a classroom. I now understand that words matter; letting go of mistakes is critical to moving forward; high-functioning teams have specific qualities that are proactively nurtured and refined; critical conversations are crafted, not left to chance; change does not happen by accident; and difficult decisions require humility, understanding and courage. But this is only the beginning, as what I learned about myself is equally substantial and significant. Now I must put these concepts into action and continue to learn and grow. Leadership is not easy, but it is rewarding.”
 
Denise Roosendaal
Director, Business & Trade Industry Practice
SmithBucklin
“It was the most impactful, emotional and self-altering program I’ve ever participated in. The amount of candid introspection during the six-plus months empowered me to interact with my team, my clients and my association at a level that I never thought possible – and in the process strengthened every relationship I have.”
 
Keith Wewe
Vice President, Strategy and Solutions
Content Pilot LLC
“Though I have attended other leadership courses, I have never experienced the depth or impact afforded by this experience. There is no superficial or osmosis learning. It is intense discovery through immersion and examination. This program engages the student and a diverse group of peers with questions that confront one’s own assumptions about the power of words and behaviors, the value of self-discovery and what comprises effective leadership.”
 

Mickey Haryanto, RN-BC, MBA, ONC
Program Manager, Joint Replacement Program
Medical University of South Carolina

“As a seasoned executive, I wasn’t expecting this experience would have such a powerful daily impact on my business. I am applying the training and insights gained from this program directly to my team, my clients and every other relationship in my life. Despite my years of experience, I now realize that I am at the beginning of my journey, and I have been given a special gift that I will carry forward the rest of my life.”

Dan O’Brien
President
Tech Image

“Through my words and actions, I have the opportunity to inspire and enable others. The Smithbucklin Leadership Learning Forum provided me with enhanced knowledge and skills to make these interactions more impactful for both the individuals and the organization. Through self-reflection, I have become even more self-aware and better understand how to develop my strengths through the lifelong journey in leadership. It has become clearer to me why I love to come to work each day.”
 
Stacy Miller
President
The France Foundation

“Henry Givray’s Leadership’s Calling program has so much to offer. For some it’s an awaking, for others it might provide a second wind; for me, with 20 years of work experience and coming out of the Covid years it was both. Throughout the almost seven months, Henry’s passion to grow leaders shines bright and his enthusiasm for the material is contagious. The class allows the students to develop friendships, intimately getting to know one another, and genuinely debate the merits of real-life business and leadership topics; an environment that’s priceless and very difficult to truly achieve. The information learned is immediately applicable and will age even better throughout the second half of my career.”

Jeff Wrobel
Managing Director
CIBC Private Wealth, CIBC Bank USA

“Leadership’s Calling was at once the most profound, challenging, timely, and ultimately valuable development experience I’ve had in my career. The program guided me inward into a deeper understanding and consciousness of who I am and how to live my values. Every reading, writing, and discussion seemed to unfold exactly when I needed it, and left me with a feeling of renewed energy and confidence in my skills and my self-awareness. I learned a great deal from the facilitators as well my classmates, and felt we were all on the journey together. It was a truly special experience that I would highly recommend to anyone seeking to learn and improve as a person and as a leader.”

Danny Hest
Chief Executive Officer
Roadpass Digital (during program)
Strongpoint Partners (today)

“Leadership’s Calling was one of the best learning experiences of my life. It taught me a discipline about the never-ending cycle of self-reflection and growth that gives meaning to life. During the six-month program, you are taken on several trips outside your comfort zone where the best growth happens. The self-reflection on how my innate attributes impact everything around me was the biggest aha moment. Come prepared and stay focused because every session ties back to the previous session’s experience. In addition, I’ve created enduring relationships with my classmates which will last a lifetime.”

Anthony D’Andrea
Director of Development
Wheaton College

“I am extremely fortunate to have accepted the Leadership’s Calling invitation; a powerful and life-changing experience!  From looking within to better understand me and my search for on-going meaning to appreciating and acknowledging the impact and difference I have made and can make with those I serve, manage and lead, the program impelled me to garner my skills personally and professionally.  Henry (and program co-facilitator Doug) pushed my fellow cohorts and me to go beyond comfort zones to discover, develop, and grow beyond my expectations. I truly cherish the enduring relationships I have created with my fellow cohorts as well as the good fortune to collaborate and learn from them. The journey is on-going and I am forever grateful to Henry for the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Leadership’s Calling. If one has the chance and call to join the Leadership’s Calling journey, do it!” 

Kurt M. Wells
CEO
The Center for Great Work Performance
2020-2022 Executive Council Chairman, Chi Psi Fraternity

“Leadership’s Calling came into my life at the perfect time. It is a well-rounded program that has helped me challenge my way of thinking and being in my life. The progression from who I am to what I can enable is a profound journey. Through the entire thought-provoking experience, I developed into a stronger, more flexible and graceful founder in which I can facilitate unlocking potential in myself and others. My business is on track to double both in volume and in staff this year.”

Michele A. Kehrer, PT, DPT
Founder and CEO
Balance Chicago
“Leadership’s Calling was the most challenging and rewarding leadership training that I have ever participated in. As promised, the content was truly unique, thought provoking and immediately applicable. The 6½ month program has a high-paced cadence, but is purposely designed to effectively provide just enough focused time for deep and lasting learning on all the critical aspects of each session. Henry’s progressive course structure was masterfully facilitated creating an emotionally engaging learning experience like no other that I have been part of. I was also blessed to participate with a wonderfully bright and diverse class which added immensely to the dialogue and perspective of each discussion! A life and learning experience I will never forget!”
 
Ronald Hahn
President/COO
Scot Forge

“I have attended many classes, courses, conferences in my life, but one stands out: Leadership’s Calling. The experience has had a profound impact in my life and it is by far the deepest body of work I have been exposed to regarding this topic. There is not a day that I don’t think and apply the concepts that I have learned.”

Jackie Camacho-Ruiz
CEO, Author, International Speaker, Pilot
JJR Marketing

“Thank you for this amazing gift of Leadership’s Calling. From a personal growth perspective, this exceeded my very high expectations. The ability to share the Leadership’s Calling experience with my senior team was invaluable! The significant investment you made in me and my leadership team was abundantly evident. The impact already seems profound; however, I know it has just begun to germinate.”

Derek Maunus
President & CEO
GILLIG

“The Smithbucklin Leadership Institute challenged my fundamental understanding of leadership. It provided a deep introspective look into my current leadership acumen versus my leadership competency. I encourage others to absolve themselves of their management facades and permit the ability to unlearn.”
 
Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
Association Forum of Chicagoland

“Leadership’s Calling grabs you from the very start, demands considerable patience and focus throughout the program, but ultimately gives back much more during the sessions and intervening periods. The program pacing and cadence afforded the opportunity to absorb the nucleus of a particular session and provided ample time to apply the lessons in real-time in various work and personal settings. The open yet confidential nature of the sessions unlocked genuine candidness among our class, and the friendships forged were as deep as I have been able to build in 3 or 4x the amount of time. I would highly recommend Leadership’s Calling to those interested in challenging their closely held views, continuing the quest of lifelong learning, and making interpersonal connections that will endure well beyond the time spent in-session. I have grown professionally, while flourishing personally, and for that, I will be eternally grateful to Leadership’s Calling.”

Jake Goldstein
Managing Director, Corporate Banking
CIBC Bank USA

“It was an honor to be able to participate in Leadership’s Calling. Through various learning techniques and exercises the program pushed me outside my comfort zone. As I became more self-aware, my confidence grew. These lessons have inspired me to be a better person who is excited to enable great things through others. I am looking forward to my lifelong journey and all that there is to learn along the way. I will be forever grateful for this experience; it has truly changed my life for the better, professionally and personally.”

Tracy Olson
Account Manager
Geneva Advisors, LLC
“As a 30-year veteran of leadership who is committed to life-long learning, I have attended dozens of leadership seminars and classes. Of those, the Smithbucklin Leadership Institute was by far the most comprehensive, inspirational and impactful on me, both personally and professionally.”
 
John Matelski, CGCIO
Chief Information Officer
DeKalb County Government

“Leadership’s Calling provided me with a new inner perspective. I see my daily interactions and strategies impacted, and I feel personally changed by the experience for the positive. The philosophies and mindfulness that I learned are contagious. They have already become part of the culture, and I see that positive effect cascading throughout my organization.”

Suzie Mitchell
Senior Director, Client Delivery
TalentRISE

“Leadership is not a passive activity, and neither is this program. Leadership’s Calling provided an excellent structure, and more importantly a wonderfully supportive learning environment, to explore what leadership meant to me, what I want to become, and how I can create a more powerful future. I am forever grateful for the experience as it helped me address some daunting challenges and jumpstart the next stage of my leadership journey with clarity and confidence.”

Kirk D. Fleming, D. Ed.
Assistant Vice President, Global Talent Development
ReSource Pro

“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to go through the Leadership’s Calling program. The principles and skills that I learned throughout have had, and will continue to have a lasting impact on not only my professional life, but my personal life as well. Every exercise and reading assignment is carefully and well-thought. I was able to implement the lessons learned in real-time throughout the program, and will continue to practice and grow these skills throughout my career. Additionally, a deep bond was developed with all of the students, making the class even more meaningful. While I have always had a passion for learning, Leadership’s Calling is easily the most provoking and influential program I have ever taken.”

Tracy Dempsey
Vice President, Account Management & Client Service
Mintel Comperemedia

“It was a life-altering experience that transformed my personal and professional leadership capabilities by creating a unique learning experience and lifelong friendships. Without a doubt, this experience was the most important learning experience of my life.”
 
Andre Williams
Director, Healthcare + Scientific Industry Practice
Smithbucklin

“I have attended many leadership seminars in my 30-year history. There is nothing that even begins to compare to the rich experience of the Smithbucklin Leadership Institute. The self-exploration was so deep and meaningful. The growth begins while taking the class, the journey continues well after.”

Catherine Pallozzi, CHAM
Director, Patient Access
Albany Medical Center

“When I was considering Leadership’s Calling, I questioned if I could make the investment and devote the time the program required. It was the best investment I could have made in myself. The value I derived was due to a combination of the comprehensiveness of the curriculum; the impressive and thoughtful contributions of my fellow students and the resulting relationships forged; and, the extra effort I chose to make in my contributions to the program so that I developed the specific areas of growth important to me.”

Don Souhrada
President
Ter Molen Watkins & Brandt

“Leadership’s Calling challenged me in all the right ways. The sessions, and more so the time in between, offered me the opportunity to reexamine how I spend my energy and pay attention to the leader I am. While at times I doubted myself and my efforts, it was that doubt that allowed me to break down barriers and preconceived notions of what I’m supposed to be and focus on who I want to be. I look forward to continually challenging myself and actively looking for ways that I can implement my growth and celebrate the accomplishments of those around me. I also immensely appreciated the setting of Leadership’s Calling, interacting with people from many different industries and in various parts of their careers – these connections are something that can only be created through a program like Leadership’s Calling.”  

Kim Wiatr
Manager, Technology Industry Practice
Smithbucklin

“Leadership’s Calling is one of the most worthwhile professional development programs that I’ve ever attended. The program offered me valuable opportunities to deeply explore my own leadership capacity and grow with a diverse professional group. Because of this experience, I feel empowered and ready to lead my organization into the future.”
 
Geoffrey Brown, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

“After hosting Henry Givray’s internal Smithbucklin version of Leadership’s Calling for many years, I jumped at the chance to join the inaugural class of this incredible program. The rigor and commitment required were well worth it. I gained personal and professional knowledge from the program, the people and the overall experience. It has already impacted how I lead and manage my company. My only regret is that I did not have an opportunity to take this course years ago!”

Louise Silberman
Managing Director and Chief Experience Officer
Summit Executive Centre

“It’s not just a series of lectures where you sit, listen and go back home. You are stimulated to write, to reflect, to provide feedback, to listen, and to accept feedback. I can now see how being a leader requires a specific set of skills. This has offered me a broader view and a systematic way of looking at leadership.”
 
Roberto Civitelli, MD
Chief, Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases & Director
Metabolic Skeletal Disorders Training Program
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
“What I gained was not just leadership skills but exponential personal growth. I am a better person and a better leader, and the journey has only just begun. The gift of participating in the Leadership Institute is simply priceless.”
 
Michelle Day, MSN, RN, CGRN
Team Leader, Comprehensive Liver Center
Hartford Hospital
“The Leadership’s Calling experience exceeded all my expectations. From the self-reflection and self-discovery to the meaningful exercises and the forever friendships. My personal and professional growth has forever been impacted.”
 
Lark F. Stone, MPM
Global Account Manager, Global Project Management Organization
BCD Travel