Work-Life Balance: How to Make It Work

Session Overview
Join UFSC- Richmond and L2L Leadership Institute! Our Monthly Virtual Executive Mastermind Sessions are dynamic, peer-driven experiences designed for senior leaders and decision-makers seeking to sharpen their leadership, expand their perspective, and strengthen their impact. Each session brings together a curated group of executives to engage in candid dialogue, explore timely leadership topics, and exchange real-world insights in a confidential and collaborative environment.

Grounded in practical application, the sessions blend thought-provoking content, guided discussion, and actionable tools that participants can immediately apply within their organizations. Whether navigating change, building high-performing teams, or leading with clarity and influence, participants benefit from the collective wisdom and diverse experiences of the group.

These sessions are more than conversations—they are a strategic space for reflection, accountability, and growth, designed to help leaders rise, adapt, and lead with intention in an ever-evolving landscape.

• April – Roselinde Torres, What It Takes to Be a Great Leader
• May – Derek Sivers, How to Start a Movement
• June – Melinda Epler, 3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace
• July – Susan David, The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage
• August – Drew Dudley, Everyday Leadership
• September – Atul Gawande, Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach
• October – Stanley McChrystal, Listen, Learn… Then Lead
• November – Linda Hill, How to Manage for Collective Creativity
• December – Nigel Marsh, How to Make Work-Life Balance Work

What to Expect

Watch & Learn

Gain insights from a thought-provoking TED Talk exploring modern leadership in a rapidly changing world.

Connect & Discuss

Engage in facilitated conversations with fellow leaders about real-world leadership challenges and opportunities.

Plan & Apply

Identify practical actions you can take to strengthen your ability to lead through change and uncertainty.

Who Should Attend

This session is ideal for leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to strengthen their ability to lead effectively in dynamic and evolving environments.

A mastermind is a facilitated group discussion designed to harness the collective intelligence of participants. The term comes from Napoleon Hill’s classic book Think and Grow Rich, where he described it as “the coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people who work toward a definite purpose in the spirit of harmony.”

Core Purpose

• To help participants gain new perspectives on challenges and opportunities.
• To foster accountability and momentum around leadership or business goals.
• To encourage collaborative problem-solving and idea exchange.
• To build trusted relationships among high-performing peers.

Best Books on Leadership and Accountability

• QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life by John G. Miller, avid L. Levin
• Accountability Leadership: How Great Leaders Build a High Performance Culture of Accountability and Responsibility by Di Worrall
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John C. ...
• Dare to Lead: Brave Work.

L2L Leadership Institute has partnered with the Urban Financial Services Coalition Career Center. Upload your resume for FREE so recruiters seeking ideal senior and mid-level professionals can match you to your next dream career opportunity. The UFSC Career Center has one of the most significant database of diverse candidates in the United States.

Whether you are a jobseeker or a hiring manager, the UFSC Career Center connects our diverse candidates from the information technology, finance, compliance, human resources, financial services, and other professional industries, to those looking for top tier talent throughout the United States.

Our speakers are more than experts—they are storytellers, strategists, and change agents. With backgrounds in executive leadership, organizational development, and community impact, they deliver engaging, actionable insights designed to help leaders grow, adapt, and lead with intention.

Adrienne Whitaker and Ditu Kasuyi bring a powerful combination of executive leadership, coaching expertise, and real-world experience across corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors.

Adrienne is a senior executive specializing in organizational effectiveness and culture, currently serving as Director of Engagement, Impact & Accountability at Virginia Housing. Her previous roles include Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at SunTrust Bank, Vice President of Institutional Advancement & External Affairs at Virginia State University, and Vice President of Philanthropy & Marketing at Virginia Home for Boys and Girls. She is a certified coach and change management professional known for aligning people, strategy, and performance to drive measurable results.

Ditu is the President and CEO of Kasuyi and Associates, LLC, where he helps professionals and organizations achieve high performance and lasting impact. A certified coach, international speaker, and trainer, he has worked with corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits across the U.S. and globally, using proven leadership frameworks to elevate performance and leadership effectiveness.

Together, they deliver engaging, high-impact sessions that equip leaders to think strategically, lead effectively, and achieve meaningful results.

May – Strategic Thinking for Everyday Leaders

Topic: From Vision to Execution

• Connect daily work to organizational goals.
• Strengthen problem-solving and prioritization skills.TED Talk: Derek Sivers – “How to Start a Movement”Toolkit Takeaway: SMART Goals + Strategy Execution Template

June – Emotional Intelligence & Presence

Topic: Leading with Self-Awareness, Confidence, and Authenticity

• Manage emotions and relationships effectively.
• Build executive presence through empathy and balance.TED Talk: Susan David – “The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage”Toolkit Takeaway: EI Self-Reflection Journal + Presence Practice Plan

July – Inclusive and Ethical Leadership

Topic: Leading with Integrity and Equity

• Address bias and build inclusive culture.
• Strengthen ethical decision-making.TED Talk: Melinda Epler – “3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace”Toolkit Takeaway: Inclusive Leadership Commitment Worksheet

August – The Leader’s Legacy

Topic: Purpose, Impact, and the Power of Example

• Define what success and significance look like for you.
• Build a purpose-driven leadership plan.TED Talk: Drew Dudley – “Everyday Leadership”Toolkit Takeaway: Legacy Vision Map + Leadership Impact Statement

September – Coaching and Developing Others

Topic: The Leader as Coach

• Shift from directing to developing talent.
• Practice effective coaching questions and accountability.TED Talk: Atul Gawande – “Want to Get Great at Something? Get a Coach”Toolkit Takeaway: Coaching Conversation Guide + Development Plan

October – Leading Up and Across

Topic: Influence Without Authority

• Learn strategies to manage relationships with senior leaders and peers.
• Drive collaboration beyond your direct control.TED Talk: Stanley McChrystal – “Listen, Learn… Then Lead”Toolkit Takeaway: Stakeholder Mapping Template + Influence Plan

November – Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Topic: The Courage to Challenge the Status Quo

• Foster creativity and innovation within your team.
• Balance risk with results.TED Talk: Linda Hill – “How to Manage for Collective Creativity”Toolkit Takeaway: Innovation Canvas + Improvement Roadmap

December – Reflection, Renewal, and Goal Setting

Topic: Recharging the Leader Within

• Reflect on lessons learned throughout the year.
• Set personal and professional goals for 2027.TED Talk: Nigel Marsh – “How to Make Work-Life Balance Work”Toolkit Takeaway: Year-End Reflection Guide + Leadership Goals Workshop

Event venue & nearby stays

Virtual Zoom Event, Virtual, ZOOM, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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