On November 9, 2025, one hundred people attended our conference “The Future is Now: Leadership in a Critical Time” in the conference center’s magnificent setting overlooking the lake and cliffs at Mohonk Mountain House.
A moving keynote addressed set the tone for the day, which included three diverse panels, two roundtable sessions and plenty of opportunity for networking. Speakers discussed real world experiences, providing us with insight and inspiration about how true leadership supports those within their organization and the community it serves.
Twenty-six college students from Bard and SUNY New Paltz attended, fulfilling a conference goal of including the younger generation, exploring how to recognize and support leadership potential in others and yourself.
Students were inspired by the experience of interacting with ‘older folks’ who shared real world experiences, while the ‘older folks’ appreciated the presence and perspective of a younger generation of potential leaders.
Roundtables were described as ‘community conversations’ providing productive opportunities to interact and network, while attendees also processed their own inner response to the material presented by the speakers.
Feedback from attendees was extremely positive and included some concrete suggestions for MC to consider.
Here are some of the more poignant points made by our speakers:
- All have of us have leadership potential.
- Leaders can guide us to enhance a symbiosis between an individual and the community, while embracing a “participatory we” perspective.
- The best leaders already live in the future.
- How can we support women in a world that works for everybody?
- Leaders must truly know themselves and use criticism constructively.
The conference program, including speaker bios, can be downloaded here. Video recordings are available below.
Part One: Welcomes and Introductions
| Mohonk Consultations Welcome – Louisa Finn, Mohonk Consultations |
| Mohonk Mountain House Welcome – Eric Gullickson, Mohonk Mountain House |
| Introduction – Brad Berg, Mohonk Consultations |
Part Two: Keynote Address
| Keynote: “Leadership at a Crossroads” – Deirdre d’Albertis, Bard College |
Part Three: “Will the Real New Leaders Please Stand Up?”
| Panel Discussion/Q&A: “Will the Real New Leaders Please Stand Up?” – Limina Grace Harmon, New Connexions United Methodist Church/Ulster County Legislature (Moderator) – Esi Lewis, Margaret Wade Lewis Center – Sarah Urech, Omega Institute |
Part Four: “What Gets in the Way of Leaders?”
| Panel Discussion/Q&A: “What Gets in the Way of Leaders?” – Abe Uchitelle, Ulster County Legislature, Moderator – Andrew O’Grady, Mental Health America of Dutchess County – Dave Toman, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater |
Part Five: “How Can We Support You, Emerging Leaders?”
| Panel Discussion/Q&A: “How Can We Support You, Emerging Leaders?” – Jana Mader, Bard College/Hannah Arendt Center, Moderator – Kalha•kú McLester, Oneida Nation – Aleksander Vitanov, Bard College |
Part Six: Wrap-up and Conclusions
| Wrap-up and Conclusions – Limina Grace Harmon, New Connexions United Methodist Church/Ulster County Legislature – Abe Uchitelle, Ulster County Legislature – Jana Mader, Bard College/Hannah Arendt Center – Deirdre d’Albertis, Bard College |
Conference Program
Including speaker bios.