LWL Conference
Registration for the 2025 Leadership and the Good Life Conference is FREE! Register today to secure your place at this exciting conference!
Conference Goals: Leadership and the Good Life
This year's conference will focus on the intersection of leadership and the "good life." Our goal is to examine how leadership can enhance human flourishing and contribute to a life worth living. We will explore:
- The role of leadership in personal and community well-being
- Ethical leadership in various professional sectors
- The integration of values and leadership practices in a diverse and changing world"
General Conference Schedule
June 2025 "Leadership and the Good Life"
Day 1: Thursday Evening Welcome Dinner
- 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Guest Arrival and Registration
- 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
- 7:45 PM - 8:15 PM: Introductory Session
- 8:15 PM - 9:00 PM: Mingle or head back to the hotel for personal time
Day 2: Main Conference Day
- 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM: Registration and Breakfast
- 8:45 AM: Opening Remarks
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Keynote Speaker
- 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM: Morning Breakout Session
- 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM: Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Afternoon Breakout Sessions
- 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks & Networking
About our Keynote Speaker
Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell is an author, speaker, and consultant. Dr. Angela taught Life Worth Living at Yale University and leads Life Worth Living journeys for all types of leaders. She also writes about finding joy, meaning, and purpose. Dr. Angela's new book is Braving Difficult Decisions: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do. She hosts the "More Human with Dr. Angela" podcast which has episodes on YouTube and Spotify. You can subscribe to her newsletter on her website for inspirational content and info about Life Worth Living retreats.
For more information about Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell check out her instagram @angelagorrell or her website.
Conference FAQs
Can I participate Virtually?
Unfortunately, the conference cannot be joined virtually. However, we will be hosting several webinars via zoom, which will be shared with our mailing list. You are welcome to participate in the webinars.
Can I attend different papers within the same session?
Absolutely! Two papers will be presented in each room during each session. You are welcome to move freely between rooms if you'd like to attend different papers within the same time block.
What meals are provided?
We will provide a light breakfast and a lunch during Friday's conference. Thursday night will be a wine and mingle welcoming event. Please indicate which meals you will be present for on your conference registration.
Local Accommodations
- Hotel Indigo Downtown West Chester - (5 min. drive, 15 min. walk to WCU)
- Hotel Warner Downtown West Chester - (5 min. drive, 15 min. walk to WCU) Historic Hotel in Downtown West Chester
- Holiday Inn Express - (6 min. drive)
- Best Western Plus Concordville (13 min. Drive)
West Chester Coffee Shops
- Gryphon Cafe
- Turks Head Cafe
- Dia Doce - Coffee + Cupcakes (Vegan + Gluten Free Cupcakes available)
- Twin Valley Coffee
- Mayday Coffee + Shop
- La Baguette Magique - French Pastries and coffee
- Lacava Coffee Company
- Saxby's (On campus coffee shop)
Where to Eat?
Local Dining:
- 65+ Restaurants in Downtown West Chester.
- Restaurant Directory
- Fine Dining:
- Andiario
- 9 Prime Steakhouse
- Pietro's Prime
- Mercato Ristorante & Bar
- Limoncello Ristorante & Caterers
- Casual Dining:
- Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant
- Sedona Taphouse
- The Tomato Shack
- Buddy's Burgers
- Jaco Taco
- Más Mexicali Cantina - Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
- Vegetarian friendly:
- Love Again Local - 100% Vegan Deli
- Roots Cafe - Vegetarian menu options
West Chester First Fridays: Summer Concert Series
Head to Downtown West Chester for First Friday! To celebrate, we are hosting a Summer Concert Series, sponsored by M&T Bank, on the First Friday of June, July, August, and September! Different bands will perform at multiple locations across Downtown West Chester from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.
This month:
- The West Chester Swing Kings are performing at the Chester County Historic Courthouse.
- Dub C Swing is performing at the Jack Loew Plaza at 44 West.
Fun Things to do Near West Chester
Check out @downtownwestchester on instagram for great local recommendations and events!
- Downtown West Chester
- Bier and Loathing - Arcade Bar experience
- Turks Head Wines - Wines bottled in Northern California and brought to The Tasting Room and the Wine Lounge in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
- Local book stores:
- Baldwin's Book Barn located at 865 Lenape Rd, West Chester, PA 19382, is five stories of books and charm. Built in 1822, Baldwin's Book Barn is a unique destination to visit while in West Chester.
- Second Reading Book Store - 32 N Church St, West Chester, PA
- Bookmarks - 100 E Gay St, West Chester, PA
- Bookstore Bakery - 145 E Gay St, West Chester, PA
- Local Parks
- Everhart Park - Downtown West Chester
- Natural Lands' Stroud Preserve - 454 N Creek Rd, West Chester, PA 19382
- Brandywine Park - 680 N Creek Rd, West Chester, PA 19380
- Longwood Gardens (20 minutes away)
- The Summer season at award-winning Longwood Gardens is called the "Festival of Fountains". Discover beautiful fountain displays among blooming gardens and greenhouses. Check out their website for timed tickets and weekend events.
- Valley Forge National Historical Park (17 minutes away)
- 45 minute drive from Center City, Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Liberty Bell and the Independence National Historical Park
- Philadelphia Magic Gardens
- The Franklin Institute
- Reading Terminal Market
- Philadelphia Zoo
