Rooted in the CHRO Community.
Designed for Enterprise Impact
The Institute for Leadership & Work is a university-based convening and learning community dedicated to fostering world-class leadership of people and work.
Part of the Boston University Questrom School of Business, the Institute brings together chief people officers, innovative researchers, and senior business leaders to explore the forces reshaping organizations — and to translate insight into practice. Grounded in a learning-first philosophy, the Institute creates a trusted peer environment where leaders can step back from day-to-day demands to think deeply, learn together, and design better work practices.
Our Philosophy
✓ Confidentiality through Chatham House Rules
✓ Intellectual rigor grounded in research
✓ Peer candor over performative discussion
✓ Long-term thinking over short-term tactics
✓ A learning community — not a marketplace
A Distinctive Value Proposition
The Institute offers a differentiated model built on five guiding principles:
A Multidisciplinary View Beyond HR
We deliberately bring voices outside the HR function — business unit leaders, C-suite executives, board members, technologists, legal scholars, and strategy leaders — to broaden perspective and elevate the strategic impact of people leadership.
A Forward-Looking Perspective on Work and Leadership
We focus on the forces defining the next decade of enterprise leadership — particularly technology’s impact on digital and human workers — not merely today’s best practices.
Leadership Development at the Highest Level
Senior leaders learn from one another in a confidential, trust-based environment by sharing experience, challenging assumptions, and collectively raising the bar for the profession.
Research-Driven, Practice-Relevant Insight
Members gain access to leading Boston University research and global scholarship, complemented by practitioner perspectives from complex, global organizations.
Non-Commercial, University-Based Credibility
As part of Boston University Questrom School of Business, the Institute is not a vendor or consultancy. This independence allows for unbiased exploration of ideas and evidence-based debate .
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Contact the Institute for Leadership & Work
Interesting in learning more? We can answer any questions you may have and help explore membership opportunities. Complete the form or contact our Director of Operations Sandy Keldsen at zarotney@bu.edu.