2026
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday Mon
Li Ka Shing Center, Berg Hall
2026 Pediatrics Staff Retreat - Resilience in Motion
Reflecting, adapting, and rising together
Agenda
8:00 - 8:30 AM Event Check-In & Breakfast Networking (LKSC 2nd Floor)
8:30 - 8:40 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:40 - 10:10 AM Keynote Presentation
- Matt Abrahams - Professor, Podcast Host, Author, Speaker, and Martial Artist
10:10 - 10:20 AM Movement & Reflection Break
10:20 - 10:40 AM Patient Story
10:40 - 11:40 AM Pediatrics Staff Recognition & Service Awards
11:40 - 12:00 PM Networking Activity
12:00 - 12:50 PM Fireside Chat
- Mary Leonard, MD, MSCE, Chair and Physician-in-Chief
- Michael Propst, MBA, Associate Chair and Director of Finance and Administration
- Jessica Olson, Senior Director, Academic Affairs and HR Strategies
12:50 - 1:00 PM Closing Reflections & Lunch
Keynote Speaker: Matt Abrahams
Professor, Podcast Host, Author, Speaker, and Martial Artist
Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He received Stanford GSB’s Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world. Outside of the classroom, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. He has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as Nobel Prize, TED, and World Economic Forum presentations. He also consults for the United Nations’ Secretary General’s Strategic Planning and Communication Office. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. His new book Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously, such as navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others. His previous book Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting has helped thousands of people manage speaking anxiety and present more confidently and authentically.
Matt recently received a nomination for the prestigious Thinkers50 Radar Award for his global work to help improve managerial communication and leadership skills.