Shattering the Ceiling: How Lifelong Learning Unlocks Leadership Opportunities

Leadership isn’t just earned through tenure—it’s achieved through intentional growth. In a world where the pace of change is constant, those who rise are the ones who never stop learning.

Join The Corporate Governance Institute CEO David Duffy and Nancy Spears, CEO of genconnectU, for a powerful conversation about how continued learning—especially through digital, expert-led platforms—is transforming the pathway to leadership for professionals around the world.

Drawing from their experience leading two of the most dynamic eLearning platforms for professional growth, David and Nancy will share how targeted, credentialed programs are creating new opportunities
for career advancement.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why lifelong learning is the ultimate edge in today’s competitive workplace
• How upskilling creates access to new roles, responsibilities, and recognition
• The connection between learning agility, executive presence, and career acceleration
• How companies are using eLearning to build more inclusive, future-ready leadership pipelines
• The impact of the Women in Leadership: International Diploma—a globally recognized program

This session is for aspiring and current leaders who are ready to break barriers, build influence, and rise with purpose.

Nancy Spears, entrepreneur, author and speaker is connecting experts and their wisdom through on demand learning. CEO and founder of genconnectU, the global eLearning platform is focused on advancing careers across generations.

With over 3,000 experts and 20,000 video lessons, genconnectU is at the frontier of delivering certified learning at scale. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland gcU received seed funding from Enterprise Ireland in 2020. With offices in NYC and Dublin, the company distributes its courses throughout the US and EMEA.

Founded in 2018, genconnectU delivers high quality courses which include learning tools and assessments for CPD certification. In 2023 genconnectU formed the Leadership Skills Institute which provides university approved credit-rated programming in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.

Nancy has a personal network of over 17,000+ best-in-class experts, celebrities and national personalities in life relevant categories. As a production expert herself, she creates trusted video content and eLearning courses to scale genconnectU’s audience and brand engagement.

Nancy has also filmed and spoken at a variety of media industry conferences including: DIS in Berlin, (Digital Innovation Summit), the Cannes Lions Marketing Conference, the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW and the All Island Women In Business conference, Ireland. An expert in marketing and media, Nancy was the Founder and CEO of a marketing agency with offices in 7 US cities coast-to coast, which she sold to IPG, (The Interpublic Group). Her wide-ranging experience includes marketing, strategic planning, branding, and promotions for numerous Fortune 500 Clients including Nike, Eli Lilly and Company, Coca Cola, Master Card, Johnson & Johnson, Turner/Time Warner, BMG, and Xerox. Ms. Spears is also an accomplished author of Buddha: 9 to 5: The Eightfold Path to Enlightening Your Workplace and Improving Your Bottom Line.