Leadership rooted in action

In a world where divisions seem to grow deeper each day, Maureen Metcalf (’84) stands as a beacon of hope and unity. As the newly appointed board chair, and with a generous donation of $25,000 to the School of Strategic Leadership Studies, Metcalf’s dedication to fostering exceptional leadership is unwavering. “Leadership is not about avoiding difficult conversations,” she often says on her podcast, Innovating Leadership: Co-Creating Our Future. “It’s about embracing them with empathy and openness because true leaders understand that progress is born from dialogue.”

According to Metcalf, the impasses confronting us must — and can — be resolved. As CEO and board chair of the Innovative Leadership Institute (formerly Metcalf & Associates), she is a much sought-after authority on anticipating and applying business trends to transform organizations of all kinds, from the giants of the Fortune 15 to nonprofit trailblazers.

Metcalf’s professional journey began in 1981 when she pursued an Economics degree at James Madison University. After receiving her B.A. in 1984, she enrolled in graduate studies at Virginia Tech, where she earned a master’s degree in Business Administration in 1986 while working full-time as a financial analyst. Metcalf subsequently worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Accenture across several different industries before taking up the study of leadership as her life’s work.

Metcalf has since dedicated herself to contributing to the field of leadership as a course of study. In conjunction with running a leadership institute, the study of leadership allows her to combine her client work and research to evolve the existing leadership tools and methods.

Through her many award-winning books, highly acclaimed podcasts and training materials, she has emerged as an important scholar and practitioner — one recognized by Forbes and the International Leadership Association as an expert on leader development.

When the SSLS created its advisory board, Metcalf was among the first to be seated. In the years that have followed her commitment to the SSLS has continued to grow, and she was recently named the board’s chair. To mark the school’s observance of its 15th anniversary, Metcalf increased her financial support with a gift of $25,000, which will fund student scholarships and expand research opportunities for both students and faculty members.

“Giving to SSLS is a natural extension of our shared values,” Metcalf said. “Its mission coincides perfectly with the arc of my own career and mission. The work the school is doing to expand our understanding of leadership using evidence-based practices is crucial for the future, and I am proud to support its vision; SSLS aspires to foster exceptional, ethical and evidence-based leadership across various spheres of influence and knowledge.”

Another way Metcalf is sharing her knowledge and encouraging positive leadership across the JMU community is through her new course, titled “Leadership Innovation in the Age of AI,” which is now being offered through JMU’s School of Professional & Continuing Education. The course content is based on her award-winning book Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI.