Each year Saint Mary’s University welcomes an internationally recognized speaker as it engages the public in important, thought-provoking conversation and discussion during its Hendrickson Forum. This year’s keynote Arthur C. Brooks, Ph.D., New York Times best-selling author, Harvard professor, and columnist at The Atlantic, will speak on the timely topic of “Healing Our Social Divide: Finding Happiness in Our Culture of Contempt” Friday, April 4, at Saint Mary’s Minneapolis Campus.
Also at the forum, a local leader is honored with the Hendrickson Institute Medal for Ethical Leadership.This year’s recipient is Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy Co., Inc.
Arthur C. Brooks, Ph.D.
New York Times bestselling author — and renowned expert on human happiness — Arthur C. Brooks, Ph.D., is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular “How to Build a Life” column. Additionally, Brooks is the author of 13 books, including the 2023 No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” with co-author Oprah Winfrey, and the 2022 No. 1 New York Times bestseller “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.” He speaks to audiences all around the world about human happiness and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations.
Focusing on his best-selling book, “Love Your Enemies,” Brooks explains that America is afflicted with a “culture of contempt.” It is increasingly common for people to view those who disagree with them as worthless, instead of just misguided or incorrect. This is fomented by an “outrage industrial complex” in media and politics. Through ancient wisdom and cutting-edge behavioral science, Brooks provides a roadmap to the prosperity that comes when we choose to love one another — gaining strength from our differences.
Corie Barry
In addition to overseeing Best Buy Co., Inc., the world’s largest specialty consumer electronics retailer, with over 85,000 employees in North America and more than $43 billion in annual revenue in fiscal year 2024, Barry also serves on the company’s board of directors. Prior to becoming CEO in June 2019, she served in several other executive positions, playing a critical role in developing and executing the company’s Building the New Blue growth strategy and related transformation.
Barry joined Best Buy in 1999 and has held a variety of financial and operational roles across the organization, both in the field and at the corporate office. Before joining Best Buy, Barry started her career as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche.
Prior to becoming CEO, Barry spent time working in retail, which provided her both a deep understanding of all areas of operations as well as an understanding of what it’s like to walk in the shoes of her employees.
One of only 52 women running Fortune 500 companies in the U.S., Barry has demonstrated an uncanny ability to think outside the box and adapt quickly to an ever-changing retail environment. At the same time she always makes time to listen to her employees, stating that it’s important to listen to multiple points of view to inform her decision making.
Recipients of the Hendrickson Medal for Ethical Leadership have made significant contributions to the Twin Cities community and exhibit ethical leadership that is globally oriented, innovative, and creative. Further, recipients advocate for engaged citizenship that significantly improves the lives of others’ appreciation for diverse ideas and perspectives.
Event details
This year’s event will be held Friday, April 4, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with check-in and networking beginning at 11 a.m. at the Saint Mary’s University Center at 2540 Park Ave. in Minneapolis. The event is open to the public and general admission tickets are $75 per person, which includes lunch. Advance registration is required. More information and online registration are available, starting Feb. 14, at smumn.edu/hendricksonforum.
