LeadX: Unplugged
Real leaders. Real conversations. Real lessons.
Step away from the classroom and into the conversation. Fisher College of Business invites students to a relaxed dialogue with industry leaders eager to share the stories behind their successes — and the failures, lessons and challenges that shaped them along the way.
These candid conversations between executives and students, student organizations and members of the leadership community at Fisher transcend textbooks to explore real-world insights: how industries are evolving, what opportunities lie ahead and the leadership lessons and tactics you can’t Google. Students will have the chance to ask questions, spark meaningful discussions and connect directly with the leaders and organizations seeking their next generation of talent.
Why attend?
Hear unfiltered stories of failure — and the wisdom gained from it.
Dive deep into industries’ biggest challenges and brightest opportunities.
Meet leaders you may not know (yet) and expand your professional network.
Build connections with organizations eager to connect with emerging talent.
Relaxed. Candid. Inspiring.
LeadX: Unplugged is your opportunity to reflect, grow and connect.
Upcoming Events
From Buckeye to the Boardroom
Leadership lessons from IBM’s evolution
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
6–8 p.m.
375 Gerlach Hall
2108 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
Agenda:
6–7:15 p.m.: Presentation and Student Q&A
375 Gerlach Hall (3rd Floor)
7:15–8 p.m.: Post-Event Reception
Complimentary Food & Beverages
236 Gerlach Hall (2nd Floor)
Dress code: Business/business casual
Due to overwhelming interest, registration has closed as we’ve reached capacity.
James J. Kavanaugh (MBA ’92)
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, IBM
James J. Kavanaugh is senior vice president and chief financial officer at IBM, responsible for aligning financial strategy with the company’s shift into an AI-powered, hybrid cloud leader. Since becoming CFO in 2018, he has played a pivotal role in IBM’s transformation, leveraging innovation across AI, automation, data and services.
Previously, James served as chief transformation officer, spearheading efforts to reinvent IBM’s portfolio and operating model. He joined IBM in 1996 from AT&T and has held senior finance roles across the globe. James holds an MBA from The Ohio State University and a BS from the University of Dayton. He serves on the T-Mobile U.S. Board of Directors.
Charting the path forward: From mapping to learning
Inside perspective on the tech that’s transforming how we navigate the world and learn in new ways
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
4-6 p.m.
Blackwell Hotel, 2nd Floor Ballroom
2110 Tuttle Park Place, Columbus, OH 43210
Agenda:
4–4:30 p.m.: Student arrival with complimentary food, beverages and networking
Outside Ballroom
4:30-6 p.m.: Presentation and Student Q&A
Inside Ballroom
Dress code: Business/business casual
Chris Phillips (BSBA ’97)
Vice President and General Manager of Geo and Education at Google
Chris is currently vice president and general manager of Geo and Education at Google. He leads Google's global Geo portfolio of geospatial and mapping products, including Google Maps, Waze, Google Earth, Street View and Google Maps Platform. In addition, Chris also leads Education at Google, overseeing the product and go-to-market strategy for Google’s full suite of education products offered to students, educators and institutions worldwide, including Google Classroom.
Before joining Google, he was chief product and technology officer and executive vice president at SiriusXM and Pandora. Chris has also held leadership roles at Amazon, Intuit, Workspeed and Accenture. Chris holds a bachelor of science in business administration degree from Fisher.
Leading through change: Manufacturing in a disrupted world
How people-powered leadership and emerging technology are writing the next industrial chapter
Thursday, April 16, 2026
5-6:30 p.m.
140 Pfahl Hall
280 W. Woodruff Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
Agenda:
5- 5:30 p.m.: Pre-Event Reception
Complimentary food, beverages and networking
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Fireside Chat and Student Q&A
Dress code: Business/business casual
Registration Forthcoming
Geoff Gilmore
President and CEO, Worthington Steel
Geoff Gilmore is president and chief executive officer of Worthington Steel, which became a standalone public company in December 2023 following its separation from Worthington Industries. With nearly 30 years of experience in the metals industry, he leads Worthington Steel’s operations and long-term strategic growth, including expansion in electrical steel, value-added processing capabilities and the Company’s recently announced intent to acquire Kloeckner & Co., a global steel service center and metal processing leader.
Geoff joined Worthington Industries in 1998 as an inside sales representative in the Steel Processing division, the business that would later become Worthington Steel, and advanced through roles of increasing responsibility across sales, operations and purchasing. Over the course of his career, he served as general manager of a manufacturing facility, vice president of purchasing, president of the Steel Processing division and later president of the Pressure Cylinders division. He was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Worthington Industries before leading the launch of Worthington Steel as an independent public company.
A strong advocate for workforce development, Geoff supports partnerships across high schools, trade schools and higher education, along with internal leadership initiatives that invest in talent at every stage of the career journey. He serves on the boards of Worthington Steel, the American Iron and Steel Institute and Valparaiso University.
Geoff earned his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and his MBA from the University of Michigan. He lives in Columbus, with his wife, Erika, and their three children.
Previous Events and Coverage
Navigating Uncertainty
Leadership and growth when the path ahead isn't clear
Becky Griffin
Head of Servicing and Support Operations for Home Lending
JPMorganChase
Columbus, OH
Becky Griffin has been an integral part of JPMorganChase and its predecessor, Bank One, for over two decades, beginning her career as a rotational analyst. Currently, she serves as the head of servicing and support operations for home lending, supporting more than 3.6 million mortgage customers along their homeownership journey – from origination to payoff and all the moments in between.
Becky has extensive experience managing risk across various facets of the consumer bank, including deposit risk, Chase wealth management, digital risk and fraud risk management for all the consumer businesses. In her most recent role as chief administrative officer for consumer banking, she was responsible for overseeing Chase’s expansive branch network, which includes approximately 4,800 branches and over 15,000 ATMs. Her leadership was pivotal in driving the modernization and expansion of Chase’s branch network.
In addition to her focus on our customers, Becky is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive culture. She serves as the Columbus Location Leader, focused on the career growth of more than 16,000 employees across eight buildings in the Columbus market. She also serves as a board member of One Columbus, a regional and top-ranked economic development partnership.
Becky resides in Columbus, with her husband, Ryan, and three children. She enjoys playing piano, cooking for her family and is an avid podcast listener.
Designing success: Leadership, vision and the art of imagination
How one of fashion’s most innovative minds blends creativity, strategy and interdisciplinary insights to build lasting success
Stuart Weitzman
Founder, CEO and Creative Director, Stuart Weitzman
Stuart Weitzman’s passion for design has been a lifelong pursuit, leading to the internationally renowned company that bears his name. He has been honored extensively for his unique approach to entrepreneurship and for his uncompromising commitment to prioritizing function as an integral element of fashion.
His shoes have dominated red carpet events for many years and are worn by celebrity fans around the world. Beyoncé, Kate Middleton, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez are just a few who are regularly seen in his designs, along with millions of other women in over 70 countries.
Weitzman approaches his extensive charitable endeavors with equal commitment. Among these are his ongoing support for a wide range of hospitals and medical research centers, youth and sports organizations, cultural institutions and museums. He regularly mentors students on their entrepreneurial and design aspirations at several universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Yale, Cal-Tech, Rice, Stanford, University of Chicago and the London Business School. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at Penn, where the university has honored him by renaming their design and architecture school the Stuart Weitzman School of Design.
During his free time you may find him on the tennis court or at the ping-pong table. If you’ve got a racket, he’ll welcome the challenge.