On October 31, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hosted the inaugural Collaborative Leadership Summit, focused on the theme “Bridging Silos, Building Futures.” Co-hosted by the Haslam College of Business, Tickle College of Engineering, College of Communication and Information, College of Architecture and Design and Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, the conference offered insight, inspiration and connection.

Held at the university’s Student Union, the gathering included several breakout sessions devoted to exploring the transformative potential of relationship-oriented leadership, an awards luncheon and a closing keynote fireside chat. The chat was moderated by UT’s chancellor, Donde Plowman, and featured UT softball head coach, Karen Weekly, and new UT baseball head coach, Josh Elander. Bank of America was the summit’s signature sponsor.

Breakout Sessions Offer Participants Ideas for Collaborative Leadership

The summit was an opportunity for UT faculty, staff and students to connect with each other, as well as community and business leaders. Through its workshops and panels, the summit also afforded attendees the chance to gain perspective on collaborative leadership in different contexts.

“Conflict as a Catalyst: Harnessing Tension and Uncertainty to Spur Innovation” delved into how fraught situations, when managed constructively, can spark creativity and lead to stronger, more resilient organizations and more collaborative workplace relationships.

In “Collaboration without Burnout: Wellness in Shared Spaces,” participants learned how teams can collaborate and thrive without sacrificing individual wellness.

“Engaged Scholarship in Action: Bridging Academia, Industry and Community through Collaborative Leadership,” offered two sessions with separate panels of academic leaders — several with strong business backgrounds — discussing how engaged scholarship and collaborative leadership intersect across corporate, community and academic settings.

Lina Evans, market executive with Bank of America, Knoxville, said her organization was excited to serve as signature sponsor of the event because UT is a critical community component, and Bank of America is committed to investing in its community.

“We’re proud to sponsor this inaugural summit, a vital space for academic and business communities to share knowledge and collaborate on common goals. Collaboration drives progress — whether in education, research or finance — and we’re committed to investing in partnerships that empower the community and drive long-term impact.”

Awards Luncheon Honors Leaders in Collaboration

During the lunch break, the inaugural recipient of the Collaborative Leadership Award was announced. The award was sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP (EY), and the company’s managing director, Edward Mancuso, had the pleasure of presenting the honor. Mike Berry, manager of the UT Downtown Gallery, and Corri Hammontree, senior office manager in Haslam’s Department of Supply Chain Management, were recognized as finalists, while Phillip Rack, engineering professor, Leonard G. Penland Chair and director of the Center for Materials Processing, was selected to receive the first Collaborative Leadership Award.

In acknowledging the finalists and award winner, Mancuso said EY was proud to sponsor the award and excited about its continued partnership with UT because the university’s investment in collaboration and leadership development reflects the same values that EY honors.

“The recipients and finalist for this award exemplify what it means to lead in their relationships while building bridges across disciplines, inspiring teamwork and cultivating spaces where people can thrive and succeed together,” Mancuso said.

Fireside Chat Provides Broadly Applicable Sports Management Insights

Attention then turned to the fireside chat, Leading Through Relationships: Insights from the Field and the Sidelines. Plowman noted it was Elander’s first major public address, making the moment historic, with Elander joking that it was a true case of “the vets and the rookie.”

Weekly, who has led her team to nine Women’s College World Series appearances, dived into lessons drawn from her parents, who demonstrated leadership by example rather than authority derived from titles. Erlander served as his team’s associate head coach for the last three seasons and noted how much he absorbed from his predecessor, Tony Vitello, and how inspired he was to see his mentor stay true to his authenticity as his profile rose.

The trio’s discussion ranged from ways to stay motivated, how to maintain a high level of intensity while retaining an equal amount of consistency and being intentional, including a question from Plowman on how the coaches manage their staffs.

Weekly recalled that her husband, Ralph — who co-led the team with her until five years ago — often says, “They don’t care how much you know, unless they know how much you care,” which Weekly affirms. “You have to invest more of you as a person into your people as people,” she said.

Erlander echoed Weekly’s sentiment. Acknowledging that he had to empower his staff to do their job and let them do it, he recognizes he must show he is always there for them. “I have to say, ‘Hey, we’re in this thing together, not only today, but tomorrow, and for all the days to come,’” he said.

Summit’s Success Heralds Future Focus on Collaboration

According to Clarence Vaughn, event organizer and director of Haslam’s Office of Access and Community Connection, the summit’s activities showed how authentic connection and shared learning strengthen the university and broader community.

“I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our co-hosting academic units for their shared vision and leadership,” Vaughn said. “We’re especially grateful to our signature sponsor, Bank of America, and Lina Kornmeyer Evans for their belief in collaboration, as well as to our award sponsor, EY, and Edward Mancuso for presenting our inaugural Collaborative Leadership Award to Dr. Phillip Rack. The summit reminded us that when we lead through relationships and bridge our differences, we strengthen our university and build a brighter, more connected future. I look forward to seeing you all at next year’s summit!”

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CONTACT:

Scott McNutt, senior business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu