Step Inside the room where leadership takes shape.
The USS Constitution Museum Leadership Forum offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with leaders whose stories inspire action. These limited-attendance events are more than just talks – they are experiences where ideas are exchanged, questions are welcomed, and connections are made.
Be part of the conversation. Each Forum is a chance to join us:
5:30 pm Cocktail Reception with the Featured Guests
6:30 Program
Upcoming Forums:
A CONVERSATION WITH ADMIRAL JAMES G. STAVRIDIS, USN (RET.), Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Bestselling Author, and Vice Chair, Carlyle, and Ben Simmoneau, WCVB NewsCenter 5 Anchor/Reporter
December 3, 2026
Retired four-star U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis has spent his career leading through some of the world’s most complex challenges. During four years as Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, he oversaw operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and the Balkans, as well as counter-piracy efforts off the coast of Africa. He also led U.S. Southern Command, directing military operations across Latin America. Today, Stavridis is Partner and Vice Chairman of Carlyle, Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Rockefeller Foundation, and Senior Military Analyst for CNN. A former dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, he holds a PhD in international relations and is the New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books on leadership, character, risk, maritime affairs, and global affairs. Drawing on decades of command, diplomacy, scholarship, and public service, Stavridis offers an extraordinary perspective on building trust, making consequential decisions, and navigating a world defined by uncertainty and change.
In partnership with
Conversations that Inspire – Listen Now.
Recent Forums:
Chris Cassidy, Navy SEAL, former NASA astronaut, and national civic leader with Ben Simmoneau, WCVB NewsCenter 5 Anchor and Reporter
October 8, 2026
From Navy SEAL missions to spaceflight and command of the International Space Station, Chris Cassidy has spent much of his career in environments where preparation matters, circumstances can change in an instant, and no one succeeds alone. In conversation with WCVB NewsCenter 5 Anchor and Reporter Ben Simmoneau, Cassidy reflected on the discipline behind those extraordinary experiences — building trust before it is needed, knowing when to rely on the expertise of others, staying adaptable when the plan changes, and taking responsibility when the outcome rests with you. The evening offered a compelling reminder that leadership is rarely about having every answer. It is about preparing well, surrounding yourself with people you trust, and creating the kind of team that is ready to meet the moment together.
Charlie Baker, NCAA President and former Massachusetts Governor in conversation with Martha Sheridan, the President & CEO of Meet Boston.
February 5, 2026
NCAA President and former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker joined Meet Boston President and CEO Martha J. Sheridan for a candid Leadership Forum conversation about leading through the most challenging moments of the pandemic. They reflected on fundamentals that are easy to overlook when pressure is high: deep listening, staying grounded in purpose, and remembering that every decision lands on real people with real lives and livelihoods affected by the outcome. Guests left with a clear reminder that durable leadership is not measured by avoiding disagreement, but by building trust, finding common ground, and moving forward together when it matters most.
New York Times bestselling Author, Historian, National Book Award Winner, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Nathaniel Philbrick in conversation with Jeff Draeger, President and CEO of the USS Constitution Museum.
November 13, 2025
Award-winning author and historian Nathaniel Philbrick joined USS Constitution Museum President & CEO Jeff Draeger for an engaging look at how iconic Americans met defining leadership moments. Philbrick reminded us that history only makes sense in hindsight. Leaders like George Washington and Joseph Warren faced uncertainty and had to stay grounded while creating enough clarity to act. Guests left with a timely reminder that history is not just something we remember, but a guide for how to think and choose when our own paths are unclear.
Astronaut and Retired U.S. Navy Captain Sunita L. Williams in conversation with Meghna Chakrabarti, WBUR Award-Winning Journalist and Host of NPR’s On Point
September 2, 2025
NASA astronaut and Needham native Sunita “Suni” Williams and award-winning WBUR journalist Meghna Chakrabarti led an insightful conversation on preparedness, resilience, and leading when plans change. Drawing on spaceflight and test-pilot experiences, Williams emphasized rigorous training, checklists, and trust in the team, reminding us that “no matter what spacesuit you wear,” leadership begins with character, competence, and care for others. Their insights offered clear takeaways on staying calm under pressure, learning fast, and keeping mission and people at the center.
See the Forum Highlighted in Boston News.
Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base, in conversation with Colonel (Ret.) Eric DiNoto
April 8, 2025
Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond and Colonel Eric DiNoto shared a candid and compelling discussion on leading through crisis and transformation. From battlefield decision-making to building Home Base’s national model for veteran care, their insights underscored the importance of resilience, growth, and staying mission-driven.
Commander Crystal L. Schaefer, 78th Commanding Officer of USS Constitution in conversation with Ann Lagasse, Co-Principal of Ocean Havens
February 6, 2025
In a powerful opening session, Commander Crystal Schaefer, the current Commanding Officer of USS Constitution, joined Ann Lagasse, Co-Principal of Ocean Havens, to reflect on leadership organizations and communities that honor history. Their conversation explored courage, mentorship, and the responsibility of paving the way for others.
