Student Leadership Conference Highlights Global Perspectives on Leadership at Iona University
The day’s programming reinforced key themes of communication, core values, conflict management and social justice.
Students at Iona University explored what it means to lead in an increasingly connected world during the 2026 Student Leadership Conference, held Friday, March 27, on the University’s New Rochelle campus.
Hosted in Romita Auditorium in Ryan Library, the conference introduced students to a global perspective on leadership through a day of engaging and educational programming. The event encouraged participants to reflect on their own leadership journeys while considering how to lead and serve in a more interconnected society.
Keynote addresses centered on the role of self-awareness in leadership and offered practical strategies for leading effectively in a global society. Additional educational sessions gave attendees a more comprehensive view of leadership as it relates to the individual, group dynamics and the wider world.
Barney Carlton, NBA Vice President of Broadcast Strategy
Among the featured sessions were presentations from Barney Carlton, NBA vice president of broadcast strategy and Maria Villon Bustillo, vice president at Goldman Sachs, offering students the opportunity to learn directly from professionals working at the highest levels of their respective industries. In his session, “Building Winning Teams: The Role of Leadership in Creating a Strong Team Culture,” Carolton examined how effective leadership helps shape team dynamics, trust and success. In the same spirit, Bustillo followed with her presentation “Effective Decision-Making with Limited Information,” a session focused on the importance of critical thinking, adaptability and sound judgment in fast-paced professional environments.
“One thing that really stuck out to me was the concept of managers versus leaders,” finance major Dylan Malave ’28 said. “Managers and leaders are not necessarily the same thing, and leadership really comes down to soft skills like motivating others and getting people to work together.”
Together, the day’s programming reinforced key themes of communication, core values, conflict management and social justice, while helping students connect those concepts to real-world leadership challenges and opportunities.
Lucas Quintana ’26 noted "...the importance of listening as a leader."
“For me, the biggest takeaway was the importance of listening as a leader,” said digital media and communications major Lucas Quintana ’26. “Sometimes you have to take a step back and really hear what others have to say, while also knowing when to step up and lead. Balancing both of those things is what really makes you stand out.”
The 2026 installment of Iona’s Student Leadership Conference reflected the University’s continued commitment to preparing students to lead with purpose, integrity and empathy. By creating space for self-reflection, dialogue and learning, the conference helped students strengthen the tools they need to navigate diverse communities and make meaningful contributions both on campus and beyond.
“The idea of expectation versus preparation really stayed with me,” said John Diakakis ’27, a marketing major with a minor in journalism. “To truly lead, you have to be willing to listen and learn from others and stay disciplined and focused on your goals.”
The 2026 Student Leadership Conference was coordinated by the Dean of Students Office, the Gerri Ripp Center for Career Development and the Center for Student Engagement.
The conference reflected the University’s continued commitment to preparing students to lead with purpose, integrity and empathy.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.