Former presidential advisor visits W&M to talk about values-based leadership

Former senior advisor to former President Barack Obama Valerie Jarrett visited William & Mary this week to talk about values-based leadership as well as her lengthy career.

In a discussion with journalist and broadcaster Barbara Hamm Lee on Tuesday, Jarrett recounted her journey, which started with an unfulfilling corporate position before she entered a life in politics and public service.

Jarrett served as Obama’s senior advisor from 2009 until 2017, becoming the longest-serving senior advisor to a U.S. president in history. She’s now the chief executive officer of the Barack Obama Foundation, a nonprofit started by Obama and his wife, Michelle, in 2014. Jarrett also serves on a number of boards, including as chair of Civic Nation and co-chair of The United State of Women.

Jarrett specifically addressed “the young people in the audience.”. When asked how one maintains optimism in the face of difficult realities throughout the world, Jarrett cited her engagement with students as giving her hope.

“The good thing about this chapter is spending time with young people who still want to make a difference,” she said, adding that the Barack Obama Foundation wants to inspire young people and connect them with each other.

The event, which was hosted by William & Mary’s Department of Community Values and Restorative Practices, is part of Values Week, celebrating students’ commitment to their personal and community values.

Throughout the week, the school’s Undergraduate Honor Council, Student Conduct Council and the Conduct & Honor Advisor Program hosted a series of programs highlighting values like integrity, respect and belonging.

While some things in life allow for shades of gray, when it comes to ethics, everything is black and white, Jarrett said when asked how she sticks to her values.

Jarrett also spoke about how she navigated being a woman in a leadership position and what advice she’d give women seeking a similar career. Jarrett’s previous positions spanned both the public and private sectors, including as a practicing lawyer for 10 years, chief executive officer of The Habitat Company and the commissioner of planning and development for the city of Chicago.

“Do the job that you have well,” she said.

Another topic Jarrett spoke at length about was the importance of having empathy and a willingness to listen to everyone, even those with opposing or differing points of view.

Campus is where one is supposed to learn how to listen to people one disagrees with, she said, adding that it’s difficult to achieve growth when surrounded by an echo chamber. This is especially prevalent now with social media and technology, which allows users to curate everything they see and listen to, she continued.

When asked what she views as the biggest issue plaguing society today, Jarrett said that the most prevalent issue is widespread lack of engagement and civic responsibility.

“All of our issues are solvable,” she said. “We know the solutions. But do we have the will to change?”

Change, she continued, only happens when the people begin to demand it.

“Every major movement for change in this country was led by young people,” she said.

Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com, 757-342-6616