Dr. Neha Sangwan, physician, communication expert, and author sits down with BPL President David Leonard to talk about how to adapt work in the pandemic and leverage stress energy to make positive change.
As the institutions, norms and rules that once held the fabric of our society together dissolve, the businesses that will thrive now are the ones that adjust most quickly to our new reality. One of the biggest predictors of success will be the quality of leadership in your organization.
Dr. Sangwan addresses building trust within and across teams, learning to navigate and override strong emotions within the team, and how to help them pivot and innovate to meet the needs of our ever-changing world. Think of it as upgrading your human software to not only meet the challenges of a complex world, but also excel under pressure!
The Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center (KBLIC) invites media creators, innovators, job seekers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, coders, and makers to our new space. Business-minded individuals can enjoy an inviting and modern space with over 5,000 square feet of printed resources, flexible seating, innovative technology to conduct business research, and dedicated areas for collaborating on projects with colleagues or developing a new career skill.
The Repairing America Initiative is the Boston Public Library’s pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face.
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BIO: David Leonard
David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library, leads the 170-year old institution, one of Boston’s great educational, cultural and civic treasures. David began working at the BPL in 2009, bringing a wealth of experience from the technology, management and consulting fields. Appointed president by the Library’s Board of Trustees and Mayor Martin J. Walsh in June 2016, David’s focus is on developing the BPL as a twenty first century institution providing dynamic library experiences to the residents of Boston, of Massachusetts and beyond.
Prior to his appointment as President, David served as Interim President for one year. During that time he focused on the completion of the $78 million renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square, which opened in July 2016, as well as a significant number of branch and collections management improvement projects, enhancing access and the customer experience; collaborating with city departments and with local cultural institutions; and supporting Mayor Walsh’s arts and culture vision. During his time at the Boston Public Library David has also served as Director of Administration & Technology, acting Director of Administration & Finance, acting Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Technology Officer. He led the Library’s capital improvement project for the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, worked to modernize the library’s technology infrastructure - including the migration to the new Integrated Library System, and deployment of new Pay-for-Print Systems system wide - and oversaw master planning and design for the renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square.
David initially pursued an academic career, transitioned to the non-profit sector, and then spent ten years in the private IT consulting world in roles that spanned business development, management, and technology consulting, working on both strategic and tactical projects and services. David is currently enrolled in a PhD program in Library Information Science at Simmons College. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the University College Dublin. Photo Credit: Boston Public Library
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BIO: Dr. Neha Sangwan
Dr. Sangwan works with innovative companies such as Apple, Google and American Express and also
partners with healthcare institutions and universities such as Kaiser Permanente, Harvard’s Brigham &
Women’s Hospital, Stanford University, and University of Michigan.
She has pioneered programs that improve metrics related to culture transformation, employee engagement, productivity, providerpatient communication and client satisfaction. She has shared her learnings on multiple TEDx stages and also as the author of Talk Rx: Five Steps to Honest Conversations that Create Connection, Health and Happiness.
