Aligning Passion and Excellence at Homeward Bound, Inc.
February 26, 2026
At Homeward Bound, Inc., leadership is not defined by titles — it’s defined by presence, purpose, and the courage to dream bigger for the people we serve.
Our 2026 Leadership Academy Conference (LAC) brought together HBI leaders, partners, and inspiring voices under this year’s theme: Aligning Passion and Excellence. The day was filled with powerful keynotes, hands-on breakout sessions, meaningful connection, and deep reflection on what it truly means to lead with heart and intention.
LAC is made possible through the combined strength of committed partners and inspiring voices in leadership. It was energizing to witness the hard work of our HBI staff who coordinated such an impactful day for our organization.
A Dream Bigger Than Antarctica
Will Steger shared extraordinary stories of leading a diverse team across Antarctica. His keynote captivated the room — not just because of the physical magnitude of his expeditions, but because of the leadership principles behind them.
While crossing Antarctica may not be within the realm of possibility for our residents, the message behind his journey resonated deeply:
In order to accomplish a goal, you have to dream big.
At HBI, that mindset drives initiatives like our Recreation Reboot. The question is never “Is this possible?” — it’s “What is possible, and what do we need to do to make it happen?”
That kind of creative, innovative, and compassionate planning is how our programming and operations teams build individualized recreational opportunities for each of our 89 residents. Every meaningful outcome begins with imagination — and leaders willing to pursue it.
Will also shared a reflection that stayed with many attendees:
“A quiet mind brings you to the present.”
For those in demanding, service-centered roles, the reminder to pause and be fully present is powerful. Leadership is not just about action — it’s about awareness.
“We See You” — The Power of Presence
We were honored to welcome Dr. Leah Gordon of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota as a keynote speaker.
Her message spoke directly to the leaders in the room — especially our Operations Administrators, who often wear many hats behind the scenes.
Two of our OAs, Nicole and Kaila, shared:
“Listening to Dr. Gordon felt like she was talking directly to each OA that sat in the room. When she said ‘we see you,’ that key message stuck with our OA leaders because their role has many responsibilities. Their efforts and impact at the behind-the-scenes level is never about recognition, but we see that leadership cohort as silent superheroes.”
Dr. Gordon emphasized that one skill will always outshine resumes and credentials:
The presence you bring every single day.
Leadership at HBI is not transactional — it is relational. You have to want to be here to succeed, to grow, and to create meaningful relationships. That intentional presence is what fuels excellence in our homes, our programs, and our teams.
Data-Driven Leadership in Action
The conference kicked off with a session on Recreation and Program Outcomes led by Operations Specialist Harley Hentges. The focus: measurable, meaningful, data-driven outcomes.
This hands-on session guided leaders through developing clear goals and tracking outcomes in programming for people with a variety of abilities. When passion is aligned with measurable impact, excellence becomes sustainable.
Vice President of Operations Grant Haley furthered this conversation in a powerful discussion on passion and excellence, grounding the room in a shared responsibility:
“If it impacts safety, we own it.”
Those five words define a culture of accountability at HBI. Safety, quality, dignity, and opportunity are not departmental responsibilities — they belong to all of us.
Nursing Leadership: Balance and Humanity
Our nursing team participated in a dedicated breakout session with Dr. Nkeiru Adoga, engaging in thoughtful dialogue around leadership in healthcare settings.
Nurse Case Manager Maureen reflected:
“Will’s keynote was so inspiring. ‘A quiet mind brings you to the present’ was the anecdote that stayed with me.”
The nursing role in this industry can be both heavy and deeply meaningful. It requires constant balance — caring for others while remembering that we are only human.
When nurses take time to care for themselves, they are better positioned to show up fully present and energized for their teams and residents. That alignment of passion and sustainability is essential to excellence.
Partnership in Leadership
We were also grateful to connect with onsite partners from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Empowered, who joined us to engage with leaders guiding staff and serving residents with a variety of abilities every day.
LAC is more than a conference — it is a gathering of people who believe in the power of leadership to transform lives. It is strengthened by partners who understand that excellence in service begins with excellence in leadership.
Aligning Passion and Excellence
The 2026 Leadership Academy Conference reinforced something we already know at Homeward Bound, Inc.:
Excellence is not accidental.
Passion is not passive.
Leadership is not performative.
It is intentional. It is accountable. It is relational.
From dreaming big like an Antarctic explorer, to showing up fully present for residents, to owning safety and measurable outcomes — our leaders continue to align passion with excellence in every aspect of their work.
And when leaders are aligned, residents thrive.
We are proud of every HBI team member who made this conference impactful — and even more proud of the leadership they demonstrate every single day.
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