Strickland Global Leadership Institute Convenes Inaugural Summit, United by Core Belief: "Environments Shape Behaviors"
- hy-deia
- Nov 14
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strickland Global Leadership Institute
Strickland Global Leadership Institute Convenes Inaugural Summit,
United by Core Belief: "Environments Shape Behaviors"
PITTSBURGH, PA – November 13, 2025 – The Strickland Global Leadership Institute (SGLI), led by Founder Bill Strickland and President Anthony Cascione, successfully convened its inaugural Strickland Global Summit, gathering leaders from its growing international network of arts and technology centers (modeled after Strickland’s pioneering work with Manchester Bidwell). The two-day conference took place last Thursday and Friday, November 6th and 7th, 2025, in Washington, D.C., across the Kellogg Conference Hotel and Howard University’s Interdisciplinary Research Building.
The summit's primary purpose was to strengthen the global movement, which operates under the core philosophy: "environments shape behaviors." The Institute aims to institutionalize Strickland's vision, distill the collective wisdom of its network, and develop strategies for rapid expansion, with the goal of creating centers for arts and technology all across the globe.
Despite significant airport issues impacting travel, the commitment to the mission was clear: center leaders from across the United States, Canada, and Israel flew in or called in from across the world to participate.
The summit was launched by a stirring call to action from President Anthony Cascione of the Strickland Global Leadership Institute, emphasizing the power of working together to face complex challenges, like the rise of Artificial Intelligence:
“What I am asking you today is to think with each other, to hope with each other, and to begin to imagine with each other what we can accomplish together. We can distill the collective wisdom in this room to help the next generation of leaders in your communities and in communities around the world, growing this network in the process.”
Keynote speaker, renowned psychologist and fellow MacArthur Genius Dr. Angela Duckworth, powerfully emphasized the mission, stating: "We have a duty to create environments that shape healthy outcomes." Dr. Duckworth provided insights on the power of "grit" (passion and perseverance), a common quality contributing to the success of Strickland’s students.
A Movement, Not a Program: Pursuing Light
The event officially began on Thursday evening with the special premiere screening of the new documentary: “Pursuing Light: The Bill Strickland Story” produced by Karen Somers.
The documentary will be screened around the country for an impact tour to aid the network's expansion efforts. The film documents Strickland's journey, which he views as a global movement, not just a program.
The Institute’s mission to expand was summarized by Bill Strickland himself:
"You’re not running a program anymore... you’re running a movement... If I build a SGLI, SGLI could build a thousand centers, and that’s the math, I think is more likely to occur."
For more updates and to stay tuned on future expansions and opportunities within the network, contact info@stricklandgli.org, visit www.stricklandgli.org and follow Strickland Global Leadership Institute on LinkedIn.
(Photo Credits: Elizabeth Ashley Photography & Blanc Photographie)
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About Strickland Global Leadership Institute (SGLI): The Strickland Global Leadership Institute (SGLI) was founded by Bill Strickland in 2023 to provide resources, training, education, and mentorship programs to develop the next generation of social innovators, facilitate the creation of nonprofit arts education & vocational training centers around the world, and support the growing global network of centers guided by Bill’s vision.
For more info contact: info@stricklandgli.org
Written by: Hy-Deia Elwadi, PowerHAUS PR
PowerHAUS PR is a forward-thinking PR and Creativity firm designed to amplify the impact of brands, individuals, and organizations. We champion unconventional talent and foster environments where creativity thrives outside traditional corporate boundaries. For more information visit www.powerhauspr.com
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