Leading with Confidence in an Era of Global Uncertainty

• Room 1020 | Hopkins Bloomberg Center
• Date: January 12-15, 2026
• Duration: 4-Day Program
• Price: $6,000

Course Description

In an increasingly uncertain global landscape marked by rapid technological advancements, political instability, and economic volatility, strong and ethical leadership has never been more critical. This dynamic course is designed to equip participants with the skills and techniques necessary to lead with confidence—whether in times of crisis or opportunity. Drawing on a combination of real-world case studies, simulations, and immersive exercises, the course prepares leaders to navigate crises, communicate with clarity and conviction, and make thoughtful and informed decisions in the face of ambiguity.

Participants will learn how to craft compelling narratives and create visionary strategies that inspire teams, stakeholders, and organizations. Through interactive case studies and real-world applications, the course will provide essential tools for understanding global dynamics and risk factors, delivering high-stakes briefings, performing in-depth analysis, and leading in the context of new global technologies.

Case studies are reviewed for currency and impact and their ability to reinforce the critical foundations of effective leadership. Cases may include:

• The geopolitical impact of AI, including its role in global power dynamics, ethical and social risks, and strategies for managing opportunities and challenges in AI adoption responsibly.

• The challenge of integrating highly technical medical data with forecasted public-health outcomes and economic risks and benefits of healthcare-policy decision-making.

• The economic, political and ethical considerations of the global energy transition, emerging clean energy technologies, policy frameworks, and business strategies to drive sustainable growth in a low-carbon economy.

• The global power dynamics of economic decoupling, government intervention, supply chain resilience, and public and private strategies for navigating deglobalization.

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Learning Outcomes

• Gain critical thinking tools and decision-making frameworks to lead with authority, purpose, and impact in a world of rapid technological and geopolitical change.

• Develop the skills to craft and communicate a compelling vision with confidence, even in the face of global uncertainty.

• Master the art of storytelling and briefing to inspire and lead teams, stakeholders, and organizations effectively.

• Learn strategies for building trust and credibility with diverse teams and stakeholders in complex environments.

Program Schedule

FACULTY COURSE LEAD

Adam J. Szubin joined the Johns Hopkins SAIS faculty as a Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence in May 2017. Previously, he served as the Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Treasury Department. In this role, Mr. Szubin led the policy, enforcement, regulatory, and intelligence functions of the Treasury Department aimed at identifying and disrupting the lines of financial support to international terrorist organizations, proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, narcotics traffickers, and other actors posing a threat to our national security or foreign policy. During the transition in administrations in 2017, Mr. Szubin served as the Acting Secretary of the Treasury.

COURSE FACULTY

Dr. Mara Karlin serves as Professor of Practice, and faculty co-lead for the Security, Strategy, and Statecraft focus area. Additionally, she is a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Karlin served in national security roles for six U.S. secretaries of defense, advising on policies spanning strategic planning, defense budgeting, the future of conflict, and regional affairs involving the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Most recently, she served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, leading the development and implementation of the 2022 National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review, the first time all major strategies were conducted simultaneously. She advised the Secretary of Defense on the forces, plans, posture, emerging capabilities, and security cooperation activities necessary to implement the defense strategy. She oversaw the formation of a new emerging capabilities policy office; a historic modernization of U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific; the implementation of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States partnership (AUKUS); reform of the security cooperation workforce; and the development of numerous national and defense strategic guidance documents.


Dr. Deborah Wituski is the Vice President for Global Intelligence at Google, responsible for a program that informs business decisions with trusted security risk analysis to protect Google's people, property, and ideas. She served in the US Government for 20 years, holding senior positions including Chief of Staff to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Director of CIA; Associate Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Deputy Assistant Director of CIA for Counterterrorism. She spent much of her career as an all-source analyst and leader of intelligence analysis programs across several work units – primarily covering Iraq, the Middle East, and counterterrorism. Dr. Wituski earned a B.A. and an M.A. in Political Science from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from The Ohio State University.

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