Journeys in Leadership
Established in 2020 by the College of Liberal Arts “Forward” task force, Journeys in Leadership (JIL) is a nonpartisan, non-political speaker series generously supported by the Becker Endowment fund. The aim of the series is to highlight the successes (and challenges) of an eclectic mix of local, state, national and international leaders from across a range of professional and academic experiences.
Stressing the importance of a liberal arts education, the common thread of the JIL speakers is their commitment to community discourse and living active, healthy lives. Whether considering the life skills of a renowned poet, the musical and business acumen of a symphony CEO, or the dedication to international service of an aid worker, each of these carefully selected speakers has been invited to Benedictine University to share their life’s journey, with the primary goal of teaching and inspiring our students.
Journeys in Leadership events are held in person and, in some cases, via Zoom, and all are free and open to the public.
JOHN GILES
MAYOR OF MESA
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18, 2024 | 5:30 P.M.
AT MESA CAMPUS
John Giles is the 40th mayor of Mesa, Arizona, first elected in 2014
and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. He oversees a growing economy that
has added tens of thousands of new jobs, billions of dollars in capital
investment, and employers like Apple, Amazon, Google and Meta.
Under his leadership, Mesa has adopted a nondiscrimination ordinance,
implemented a Climate Action Plan, and established the Mesa College
Promise, connecting qualified high school graduates and adult learners
with free community college education.
Giles is Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Immigration Task
Force, Co-Chair of Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, and
is the only elected official appointed to the national Electric Vehicle
Working Group.
He earned degrees from Brigham Young University and Arizona State
University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law where he is an
adjunct professor. He is also the creator and host of the It’s Always
Cool in Mesa podcast, which shares the city’s most beloved history,
people and stories. Mayor Giles and wife Dawn have been married for
over 40 years and have five children and eight grandchildren.
Additional Upcoming Speakers
BISHOP RONALD A. HICKS
JOLIET DIOCESE
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22, 2025 | 6 P.M.
WARRINGTON PARKER (‘62)
FIRST BLACK ALUM OF BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY
ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST (RET.),
ROCKWELL CORP.
AUTHOR, STRENGTH OF WILL (2023)
FEBRUARY 2025 AT MESA CAMPUS*
GREG MILLER
CEO & CO-FOUNDER
KINDA FUNNY ENTERTAINMENT
“KINDA FUNNY & THIS IS AWESOME”
APRIL 2025*
*Date and time will be announced
SPONSORED BY:
Richard C. Becker Family Endowment
Phil Hardy, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
Department of Society, Justice and Politics
College of Liberal Arts
[email protected]
(630) 829-6292