On Tuesday, September 24, a record-breaking 120 students attended the annual Ethical Leadership Retreat on the Upper School campus—an initiative of the Philip McNeal Leadership Program (PMLP). Organized by the Dean of Student Life and Tri-Campus Chair of Ethics, Kerry Verrone, in partnership with the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIA), and Athletics, the theme of this year's retreat was Building Belonging: Creating a Culture of Inclusive Leadership, which brought together young leaders to explore practical ways of fostering belonging across classrooms, student organizations, and athletic teams.

The event kicked off with an inspiring keynote address by Aaron Golub, the first legally blind Division I athlete to play in a game during his time as a football player at Tulane University. Golub, who was named team captain and later became an NFL free agent, shared his journey and resonated deeply with students, offering valuable lessons on resilience and how students could apply them to their own leadership journeys. Merritt Goldman, class of 2026, reflected on the retreat saying,

One of my main takeaways from the night was how my co-leaders and I can help to create a safe space in our club moving forward, as we are new to this position. In particular, we were able to hear and take away some details of how people make efforts to connect with others outside of their organization and how this leads to a more inviting space for conversations to be had.

The retreat featured a series of interactive workshops focusing on a range of key topics, including defining the qualities of a successful leader, empowering others, utilizing storytelling for connection, as well as incorporating design elements into leadership planning to foster belonging. Students learned about building cohesive and supportive team environments, cultivating group engagement, and harnessing the energy of their peers for greater impact.

As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, MKA is committed to instilling in students the principles of belonging, empathy, and social responsibility. Upper School Dean of Student Life and Tri-Campus Chair of Ethics, Kerry Verrone stated,

Ethical Leadership at MKA is more than a philosophy; it's something we've built together, with empathy, integrity, and service at its core–values that our students themselves helped shape. Tonight’s retreat is about more than inspiration; it's about equipping each student with tools to practice leadership daily and create inclusive and brave spaces for everyone in our community.

This year’s retreat set a powerful precedent. By involving programs like the Office of DEIA and Athletics, the retreat demonstrated that ethical leadership is not confined to one area but rather is a shared responsibility across the school community. MKA is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and mindsets necessary to lead effectively and inclusively, which will help them not only create a positive impact in their student organizations, classrooms, and teams but also beyond their journeys here. These experiences will shape them into empathetic and resilient leaders who are well-prepared to navigate complex social and professional environments, successfully collaborate, and make ethical decisions that benefit their communities and the world.

This event was made possible by the Philip McNeal Leadership Program, which provides students with robust curricular and co-curricular activities that deepen the conversation on the topic of Ethical Leadership and help students identify their own unique leadership style to best prepare for college and the world beyond.