Leadership Luncheon-A Blueprint for 21st-Century Leadership: Lessons from Lincoln and the 250th Anniversary of America

What does Abraham Lincoln have to teach today's business and community leaders?

More than you might expect. Join Erin Carlson Mast, CEO of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, in conversation with Stephen Daday, Partner at Lavelle Law Firm and member of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation Board, for an interactive discussion about leadership, civic responsibility, and what it means to build something that lasts.

Lincoln referred back to the ideals in the Declaration of Independence often. It offered a fixed point he could return to when the way forward was uncertain. As July 4, 2026 approaches and America marks 250 years since that document was signed, Lincoln’s example offers a surprisingly practical blueprint for anyone leading an organization today: How do you bring people with you through change? How do you lead through profound uncertainty with a clear sense of purpose? And how do you build something that outlasts you?

Erin Carlson Mast has over 20 years of experience in cultural nonprofit leadership, transformational change, and organizational excellence. She joined the Lincoln Presidential Foundation as President & CEO in 2021, where she has led the organization’s revisioning, rebranding, and relaunch and established new partnerships and award-winning programs. Mast serves on numerous regional and national nonprofit boards and has written and spoken widely on topics of historic and contemporary importance, including Abraham Lincoln. Her professional background includes leading President Lincoln’s Cottage, a National Monument in Washington, DC, and roles with the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Building Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Expect a candid conversation, concrete takeaways, and plenty of room for your questions.