Dr. Christine O'Connell on Kindness in Leadership

The key takeaway: Kindness isn’t just a feel-good trait—it’s a powerful leadership skill. At Riley’s Way Foundation, Dr. Christine O’Connell and her team help young people become compassionate leaders by giving them the tools, community, and purpose to create lasting change.

What she’s saying: Riley’s Way works with high school and college students who have ideas to improve their communities and build kinder places. The foundation provides them with funding, skills, and—most importantly—a community of peers who share their passion for making a difference.

How it works: Riley’s Way builds leadership through three key pillars:

  • Purpose: Everyone needs a ‘why.’ Riley’s Way helps young people find theirs by asking, What breaks your heart? What do you want to change? The foundation then gives them the agency to act through funding, skills, and connections.
  • Empathy: Leadership starts with listening—being curious and open to others’ perspectives. That’s how you build trust and create change.
  • Action: Riley’s Way teaches students how to partner with experts, do research, and engage with their communities to turn their ideas into reality.

Why kindness matters: By supporting young leaders who already value kindness, Riley’s Way ensures they carry those ideals into whatever fields they choose—STEM, policy, industry, or community leadership.

The bottom line: Kindness in leadership isn’t weakness; it’s strength. It builds trust, fosters inclusion, and creates lasting impact. In today’s polarized world, we need leaders who care about people and communities, not just power.

Dr. Christine O’Connell is a scientist, educator, and strategist with a distinguished career dedicated to empowering voices and teaching empathy-based leadership. She is a highly sought-after speaker and curriculum designer, and she served as the founding Associate Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, where she played a key role in creating and developing the Center’s internationally acclaimed curriculum focused on empathy-based communication. Currently, at Riley’s Way, she leads initiatives aimed at inspiring and supporting the next generation of compassionate leaders.