Past CFCL Events
Strengthening Compassionate Leadership in 2025: An Informational Webinar December 17, 2024
It’s not easy being a compassionate leader in a combative world, especially when driving change can feel lonely and uncertain. Leading with compassion requires great strength and courage. As we move into 2025, the need for compassionate leadership is greater than ever. Compassionate colleagues from around the world joined us for an hour of community, connection, and exploration hosted by Center for Compassionate Leadership co-founders Laura Berland and Evan Harrel along with Faculty Partner Burrell Poe.
In this one-hour webinar we explored:
How compassion strengthens your ability to lead
Fundamentals of compassion and leadership, and how they fit together
How compassion contributes to high team performance
How compassionate leadership drives creativity and clear action
The evidence for how to create thriving employees and organizations
Four elements that strengthen your organization’s compassion
None of us can do this work alone. We learn and grow in community. More than 600 leaders from 54 countries around the world have taken our evidence-based Compassionate Leadership Certification Training programs, bringing the lessons they learn back into their own organizations and lives. That journey starts with gaining a better understanding of what Compassionate Leadership encompasses and how to put it into action.
The Path to Compassionate Leadership: An Informational Webinar September 25, 2024
It’s not easy being a compassionate leader in a combative world, especially when driving change can feel lonely and uncertain. Leading with compassion requires great strength and courage. Compassionate colleagues around the world joined us for an informational webinar hosted by Center for Compassionate Leadership co-founders Laura Berland and Evan Harrel, and Faculty Partner Burrell Poe.
In this one-hour webinar we explored:
The three core dimensions of compassionate leadership
How to utilize compassion to build high performing teams
How compassion helps you become a stronger leader
The difference between compassion and empathy, and why that matters
What to do if your boss is not compassionate
None of us can do this work alone. We learn and grow in community. Hundreds of leaders from around the world have taken our Compassionate Leadership Certification Training programs over the last few years, bringing the lessons they learn back into their own organizations and lives. That journey starts with gaining a better understanding of what Compassionate Leadership encompasses and how to put it into action.
The Path to Compassionate Leadership: An Informational Webinar May 29. 2024
It’s not easy being a compassionate leader in a combative world, especially when driving change can feel lonely and uncertain. Leading with compassion requires great strength and courage. Compassionate colleagues around the world joined us for an informational webinar hosted by Center for Compassionate Leadership co-founders Laura Berland and Evan Harrel, and Faculty Partner Burrell Poe.
In this one-hour webinar we explored:
The three core dimensions of compassionate leadership
How to utilize compassion to build high performing teams
How compassion helps you become a stronger leader
The difference between compassion and empathy, and why that matters
What to do if your boss is not compassionate
None of us can do this work alone. We learn and grow in community. Hundreds of leaders from around the world have taken our Compassionate Leadership Certification Training programs over the last few years, bringing the lessons they learn back into their own organizations and lives. That journey starts with gaining a better understanding of what Compassionate Leadership encompasses and how to put it into action.
Global Compassion Community Gathering: Awakening Compassion at Work March 6, 2024
Our global community of compassionate colleagues and change-makers gathered on March 6, 2024 from nations around the globe to align, inspire, and ignite our collective hearts and minds to birth a more compassionate world. Together we explored Awakening Compassion at Work: A Framework for Organizational Change.
We were delighted to welcome Monica C. Worline, PhD as our guest presenter. She is one of the leading voices bringing compassionate practices into organizations, having co-authored the foundational book Awakening Compassion at Work: The Quiet Power that Elevates People and Organizations. Monica is the Faculty Director of the Center for Positive Organizations, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. At the Center for Compassionate Leadership, Monica serves as Lead Faculty for the upcoming online course How to Build Compassionate Organizations: Awakening Compassion at Work, as well as our Compassionate Leadership Teacher Training.
Monica shared a “social architecture approach” to building compassion in organizations, combining the wisdom of personal and relational practice with designing elements of an organization that call forth greater compassion. The session helped all of us to understand and change four specific elements that foster the collective organizing of compassion. This approach ensures that awakening compassion is built into the organization’s foundation, extending impact beyond the scope of individual compassion. The practical application of social architecture enables leaders to see and shape compassion as an emergent quality of an organization for the benefit of all.
An open dialogue for Q&A followed Monica’s overview. The event was a wonderful forum for those in attendance to have their questions answered and to share in the wisdom of the community.
The Global Compassion Community Gathering was co-hosted by Laura Berland and Evan Harrel, co-founders of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for bringing your voice, vision, and passion to this community. And thank you for doing your part to weave the world anew.
Our collective intention to spark a compassion revolution is already in motion!
You can read about the event and watch a video of the gathering here.
Global Compassion Community Gathering September 26, 2023
Our global community gathered on September 26, 2023 from nations around the globe to align, inspire, and ignite our collective hearts and minds to birth a more compassionate world.
We were delighted to welcome Jennifer Nadel as our guest presenter and practice leader. Jennifer, the Director of Compassionate Politics at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, is a pioneer in the emerging field of compassionate politics. She speaks globally about the transformative power of compassion as a catalyst to accelerate social change and reduce avoidable suffering. She co-founded the think tank, Compassion in Politics, in 2018. In 2022 she helped establish the Global Compassion Coalition which now has a global reach of millions.
In discussion and practice with Jennifer, we explored how compassion is a catalyst for systemic and social change.
Following our time with Jennifer, we headed into small breakout rooms for connection, reflection, and inspiration from peers. This intimate time with like-minded compassion advocates from around the world is cited as our community’s favorite aspect of these events.
The event was co-hosted by Laura Berland, founder of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership, and Monica Worline, PhD, co-author of Awakening Compassion at Work and Research Scientist with Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for bringing your voice, vision, and passion to this community. And thank you for doing your part to weave the world anew.
Our collective intention to spark a compassion revolution is already in motion!
You can read more about the event and watch a video of the gathering here.
Global Compassion Community Gathering December 6, 2022
Our global community gathered on December 6, 2022 from nations around the globe to align, inspire, and ignite our collective hearts and minds to birth a more compassionate world.
Due to an unexpected COVID health issue, our guest presenter and practice leader, Sará King, MA, PhD, was unable to join us. We are grateful to co-host Dr. Monica Worline, who led us into a closely related conversation around definitions of pain, suffering, and trauma in the workplace, and how to awaken compassionate leadership in the face of such challenges.
We then headed into small breakout rooms for connection, reflection, and inspiration from peers. This intimate time with like-minded compassion advocates from around the world is cited as our community’s favorite aspect of these events.
The event was co-hosted by Laura Berland, founder of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership, and Monica Worline, PhD, co-author of Awakening Compassion at Work and Research Scientist with Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for bringing your voice, vision, and passion to this community. And thank you for doing your part to weave the world anew.
You can watch a video of the gathering here.
Global Compassion Community Gathering September 29, 2022
Our global community gathered on September 29, 2022 from nations around the globe to align, inspire, and ignite our collective hearts and minds to birth a more compassionate world.
We were delighted to welcome Sará King, MA, PhD, as our guest presenter and practice leader. Dr. King is a mother, a neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, education philosopher, social-entrepreneur, public speaker, and certified yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She is currently a post-doctoral fellow in Neurology at Oregon Health Science University, a Garrison Institute Fellow, and a core member of Google’s well-being think tank “Vitality Lab.” She is also the founder of MindHeart Consulting, leading the field that intersects neuroscience, social justice, and art to heal intergenerational trauma. Dr. King is also the Co-Director of the Embodied Social Justice Certificate Program alongside Rev. angel Kyodo williams and Dr. Rae Johnson.
Dr. King introduced us to The Science of Social Justice (SSJ) framework for research and facilitation, which explores how well-being and social justice are one and the same – especially when we re-define "justice" as "loving-awareness-in-action." Together, we explored why utilizing science, contemplative practices, art, and music can support a return to holistic health for individuals and communities, and help us redefine how we understand embodied leadership.
The event was co-hosted by Laura Berland, founder of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership, and Monica Worline, PhD, co-author of Awakening Compassion at Work and Research Scientist with Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. You can read more about the event here and watch a video of the gathering.
Global Compassion Community Gathering
May 19, 2022
Our global community gathered on May 19, 2022 from 31 nations to align, inspire, and ignite our collective hearts and minds to birth a more compassionate world.
We were delighted to welcome Stephen Trzeciak, MD, MPH, co-author of the influential Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference. His new book is Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself. Dr. Trzeciak talked about the “Live to Give” mindset, and the science behind the impact of serving others. His hard science approach to serving invites skeptics to embrace the power of leading with compassion and service.
The event was co-hosted by Laura Berland, Founder of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership, and Monica Worline, co-author of Awakening Compassion at Work and Stanford University researcher with the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). You can read more about the event here and watch a video of the gathering.
Global Compassion Community Gathering
December 9, 2021
On December 9, participants from 28 countries came together to create a safe space to connect, reflect, and tap into their innate compassionate nature.
Our guest presenter and practice leader was Shelly Tygielski, author of Sit Down to Rise Up: How Radical Self-Care Can Change the World. She is the founder of Pandemic of Love, a global, grassroots, volunteer-led mutual aid community that has directly matched nearly two million people since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for over $60 million in direct transactions. Pandemic of Love is a brilliant example of how one person’s courageous compassion can activate systemic change. The event was co-hosted by Laura Berland, Founder of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership, and Monica Worline, co-author of Awakening Compassion at Work and Stanford University researcher with the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). You can read more about the event here and watch a video of the gathering.
Global Compassion Community Gathering
September 10, 2021
On September 10, participants from 60 countries came together to create a safe space to connect, reflect, and tap into their innate compassionate nature.
Our guest presenter and practice leader was Kristin Neff, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Kristin is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion nearly twenty years ago. She is the author of the bestselling book Self-Compassion. Her newest book is Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive. The event was co-hosted by Laura Berland, Founder of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership, and Monica Worline, co-author of Awakening Compassion at Work and Stanford University researcher with the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE).
Global Compassion Community Gathering
July 15, 2021
On July 15, participants from 38 countries came together to create a safe space to connect, reflect, and tap into their innate compassionate nature.We gathered to practice, inspire, and ignite our collective hearts and minds to birth a more compassionate world.
Our guest presenter and practice leader was Scott Shute, Head of Mindfulness and Compassion at LinkedIn and author of the wonderful new book, The Full Body Yes. The event was co-hosted by Laura Berland, our Founder, and Monica Worline, co-author of Awakening Compassion at Work, from the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University School of Medicine. You can read more about the event here and watch a video of the gathering.
Women’s Global Compassion Gathering
March 28, 2021
In celebration of Women’s History Month, women gathered from all over the globe to celebrate and be led in practice by Kenya Casey, Liz Grant, and Monica Worline. Hosted by Laura Berland of the Center for Compassionate Leadership, you can read more about the event here and watch a video of the gathering.
Global Health Compassion Rounds
March 11, 2021
Sponsored by the Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics at the Task Force for Global Health and the World Health Organization, Laura Berland and Evan Harrel presented to this global audience of global health professionals seeking to bring more compassion into the field. Read the full report or watch the video of the event.
National Association of Women Business Owners Conference
February 4, 2021
CFCL Executive Director Laura Berland addressed the NAWBO Winter 2021 Leadership Academy with her keynote address, Empathy and Compassion at Work: Leading from the Inside Out for Sustainable Success. In her presentation, Laura addressed how cultures of compassion create safety, connection and belonging for business leaders, employees, clients, and communities.
Epidemiology of Compassion and Love
January 8-10, 2020
Laura Berland and Evan Harrel participated in this invitation-only symposium of seventy global leaders in compassion and love to explore two fundamental questions:
1. To what extent can epidemiology contribute to our understanding of compassion and love?
2. To what extent can epidemiology support and guide efforts to realize a “loving world,” in which compassion is a key driver of quality health services?
Read the executive summary of the symposium.