Apr 24, 2025 Board of Trade

TD Bank Morning Star Speaker Series: Strategic Leadership & Emotional Intelligence Workshop

The Board of Trade kicked off its 2025 TD Bank Morning Star Speaker Series with an energizing workshop centered on “Strategic Leadership & Emotional Intelligence,” held April 23 at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C. The interactive event set the tone for the year’s programming with a deep dive into emotional intelligence as a cornerstone of effective leadership.

The featured speaker, Dr. Irvine Nugent, an internationally recognized expert on emotional intelligence and nonverbal communication, brought his decades of experience to life with an engaging, hands-on session that encouraged participants to reflect on how they show up as leaders. Drawing from real-world scenarios and guided exercises, attendees explored how empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation can elevate not only individual performance but also team cohesion and organizational outcomes.

“Leadership is not just about strategy; it’s about connection,” Dr. Nugent emphasized. “And connection starts with understanding yourself and others.”

Attendees were invited to explore emotional triggers, practice mindfulness techniques, and engage in peer-based activities that fostered vulnerability and trus, which an approach that mirrors the “Unexpectedly Human” ethos that TD Bank weaves into its community partnerships.

The overarching takeaways from this immersive workshop with Dr. Nugent helped leaders:

  • Assess and enhance self-awareness, adaptability, and decision-making
  • Foster trust and collaboration to lead high-performing teams
  • Engage in peer-driven exercise to refine leadership presence

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The Morning Star Speaker Series is designed to go beyond traditional lectures. Each session offers immersive, skills-based experiences tailored to empower regional leaders. This year’s lineup reflects a commitment to holistic leadership development, combining personal growth with practical tools that attendees can immediately apply in their organizations.

These programs aim to equip business leaders with the self-awareness and agility needed to thrive in today’s evolving regional economy.

Stay connected with the Board of Trade to register for future sessions and learn how the Morning Star Speaker Series continues to inspire and elevate leadership in Greater Washington.

Upcoming sessions in the 2025 series include:

  • June 2025 – Leadership Decision-Making Through Culinary Teamwork: An interactive kitchen experience that simulates high-pressure decision-making and team dynamics.

  • Fall 2025 – NextGen Leadership Storytelling: A workshop exploring the art of authentic storytelling to strengthen executive presence and professional influence.

​​Thank you to TD Bank for sponsoring this vital speaker series that engages our members and partners in the Greater Washington region.