Political Strategist Luis Miranda Jr., Warby Parker CEO Neil Blumenthal Speak at Posse Leadership Conference
Last October Posse alumni gathered online for a day full of professional and personal development sessions at the 2024 National Posse Alumni Leadership Conference. Attendees were treated to a special armchair interview with renowned political strategist, philanthropist, and author Luis Miranda Jr. and a keynote address from the CEO of Warby Parker, Neil Blumenthal.
Posse alum Kadia Tubman, a national correspondent at Scripps News and the winner of the 2023 Ainslie Alumni Achievement Award, interviewed Luis, who offered deep insights into his pathway to leadership. Together with his son, the celebrated actor, producer, and director Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis helped conceive and launch the Posse Arts and Puerto Rico Programs. At the conference, he spoke about the importance of programs like Posse.
“By making sure we have diverse students going into college, we are opening the doors for many families for whom that kid is the first to graduate college,” said Luis. “That’s a generational change for that family.”
Neil, who founded the iconic eyewear company Warby Parker in 2010, talked about its philanthropy-inspired beginnings and its ongoing efforts to provide free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to adults and children around the world. In his keynote, he stressed the importance of ethics in business.
“A good leader recognizes and tries proactively to mitigate the first, second and third order effects of their actions,” said Neil. “Successful founders are clear on the problem they are trying to solve and can predict the roadblocks.”
Posse President and Founder Deborah Bial addressed attendees, spotlighting Posse alumni who are leading in the workforce. Debbie introduced one such alum, Marvin Figueroa, the former Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler of California and also a member of Posse’s national board of directors. Marvin spoke to his Posse peers briefly about the importance of voting and highlighted Posse’s voter awareness campaign, PosseVotes.
“In over a decade of work in politics, I’ve learned that those who vote are the people considered in decision making processes,” said Marvin. “If you care about health, gun violence or education, it matters who we put in these elected seats.”
Debbie concluded her remarks by offering a message of hope and resilience.
“Today you number more than 8,000. You are connected through your experience, interests, concerns and values. You want to help facilitate and boost the successes of your peers," said Debbie. "And while you are in different industries and arenas, you each have a powerfully important trait in common: you lead with compassion and empathy. I can’t imagine something more important today. You are what Posse is all about: brilliance and talent and love, all wrapped together.”
Now in its 15th year, the conference offered opportunities for seasoned alumni to share their expertise and facilitate robust dialogue around a variety of topics. Sessions included an insider look at the role of mentorship in professional growth, the impact of women in technology, and effective strategies for creating positive change.
Meet 2024 Ainslie Alumni Achievement Award Winner Anthony Bush.
The event concluded with the announcement of the 2024 Ainslie Alumni Achievement Award winner, Dickinson Posse alum Anthony Bush, the inaugural Chief Equity Officer for the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.
The Ainslie, which comes with a $10,000 no-strings-attached grant, is awarded by a panel of Posse alumni and recognizes graduates who are continuing a legacy of leadership in their communities. Recipients are selected based on their potential to create meaningful, far-reaching contributions to society.
In the tribute video honoring his accomplishment, Anthony said, “If it weren’t for Posse, I don’t know what would have happened or what path I would have walked down. Posse changed my life.”
