New York, New York, January 27, 2025– From January 27th to 29th, 2025, MCW Global hosted the 2025 Young Leaders Conference – North America Edition, via Zoom, bringing together young people aged 22-27 from Canada, and the United States.
Over the course of three days, through carefully selected speakers and training materials, the Conference focused on region-specific discourse, while equipping young professionals with essential skills needed to navigate the modern workplace. With interactive sessions, workshops, and panel discussions, participants gained valuable insights into leadership, professional development, cross-cultural communication, and today’s professional landscape complexities.
Drawing from his experience with MCW Global’s Conferences and the interest of young North Americans, Leon Gojani, Program Associate, Young Leaders Program, shares:
“The Conference was designed in collaboration with young people from the US in 2023 who expressed the need to be part of programs that help them navigate modern workplaces as they start or grow their careers. Therefore, we brought together a program that was a blend of leadership skills development, resilience & wellness, and appreciation for diversity.”
On the first day, MCW Co-founder & Board President, Eddie Bergman welcomed the young leaders by sharing insights into the organization’s work over the decades and highlighting the impact of young leaders in today’s interconnected world. Eddie also engaged with participants, listening to their expectations and hopes for the program.
The day continued with the “Introduction to Leadership” session, led by Dhurata Berisha, MCW Global Fellowship Coordinator, and Adrien Bizimana, Senior Education & Leadership Officer, MC-Rwanda – both of whom are part of the MCW Global Leadership Taskforce. They delved into the essence of leadership, exploring various leadership styles in depth.
The second day of the Conference began with a warm welcome back from Leon Gojani, Program Associate, Young Leaders Program who recapped the inspiring first day and set the stage for deeper exploration into the values of leadership, adaptability, and resilience.
On the second day, young leaders then heard from Richard Magid, Founder of SoundBoard Consulting, who led the “Reflecting on my own Values as a Leader” session, which guided participants through the reflective journey of identifying and understanding the core values of a leader. Engaging breakout rooms allowed participants to share insights and connect on a personal level, fostering a strong sense of community and cooperation.
The afternoon featured Albesa Aliu, a Teaching Assistant at the University of Montreal, and Kriz Cruzado, a Mediator, who led the transformative session on “Adaptability and Resilience.” Participants delved into practical strategies for navigating personal and professional challenges, all while staying true to their values. Through interactive exercises and storytelling, everyone walked away with practical takeaways to empower their leadership journey.
On the third and final day, Dr. Charles Robbins, MCW Board Member and Professor Emeritus at the School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University, led an engaging discussion on the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, highlighting key strategies for fostering an inclusive and empowering environment. Young leaders shared their own valuable insights and engaged in meaningful conversations about creating equitable spaces for all.
The day continued with Samantha ‘Sam’ Luxmikanthan, a Ph.D. student in social work at Rutgers University, who explored the vital themes of work-life balance and mental health. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, Sam equipped the group with tools to manage stress, set boundaries, and practice self-care. The session culminated in the creation of thoughtful action plans, encouraging everyone to prioritize their well-being.
MCW Co-founder and Board President, Eddie Bergman, delivered closing remarks, highlighting MCW Global’s long-standing commitment to fostering a community of young leaders ready to create change. MCW Global Board Members Paul Bergman and Mark Kemper also joined to show their support for young leaders and their commitment to helping communities.
The MCW Global 2025 Young Leaders Conference – North America Edition builds on the Young Leaders Program, leveraging leadership to address region-specific challenges through networking.
The Conference was followed by two optional online webinars, held between February 6th and 27th, 2025, providing participants with the opportunity to expand their skills in effective communication and strategic thinking to become competent leaders, while deepening their understanding of growth in leading teams.
