Member-only

Empathy Is Not a Weakness

Name: Empathy Is Not a Weakness
Start: 2026-05-20T18:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-05-20T21:00:00-05:00
Location: Hugo Frog Bar & Fish House

A Blend Masterclass with Loren Sanders

Hugo Frog Bar & Fish House

May 20, 2026

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

About this event

At the highest levels of leadership, strength often gets defined by decisiveness, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Empathy rarely appears in that list. Yet in today’s organisations, the leaders who build the most trust, inspire the strongest teams, and sustain high performance are often those who understand the power of empathy.

In this Blend Masterclass, we’re joined by Loren Sanders for a thoughtful conversation on why empathy is not a weakness and why it matters more than ever in modern leadership. Drawing on the ideas from her book Empathy Is Not a Weakness and her work with senior leaders, Loren will challenge outdated assumptions about “hard” leadership and explore how empathy strengthens clarity, accountability, and decision-making.

Together, we’ll examine what it means to lead with both conviction and care, especially in complex organisations where leaders must balance performance, pressure, and people. The session will explore how empathy shapes culture, builds trust across teams, and strengthens leadership impact at the executive level.

This conversation is designed for senior leaders who want to rethink traditional leadership models and understand how empathy supports stronger organisations, better decisions, and more resilient teams.

Join us for an evening of honest dialogue, practical insight, and meaningful connection with peers across the Blend community.

Our speakers

Loren Sanders

Keynote Speaker | ICF Certified Coach | VP | Fortune 4 Learning Expert

Loren Sanders is the team whisperer who can transform a group of strangers into a dream team. With two decades of leadership experience in the HR and Talent Management space and more than half in the Fortune 4 – she is the guru of taking individuals and teams to the next level. Loren uncovers hidden talents, spots areas for growth and helps you create a personalized roadmap to your own success.

She has vast experience coaching in the corporate and non profit space and as an ICF Certified Coach who is part of a first responder family she understands the pressures of that lifestyle as well.

Her leadership coaching focuses on empathy and tapping into your own inner wisdom. Trust Loren to help you find your footing and shine like the superstar you are.

Steve Gee

CEO & Co-Founder | Blend

As Co-founder and CEO, Steve brings a wealth of experience in both entrepreneurship and executive leadership, fueling Blend’s mission to foster growth, collaboration, and innovation among its members helping them to break down silos and unlock the power of cognitive diversity.

With a background rooted in business strategy, events and technology, Steve is deeply passionate about harnessing the power of community to elevate individual and organizational success. His strategic insights, coupled with a relentless dedication to fostering meaningful connections, have helped propel Blend as the premier destination for executives from enterprise seeking to expand their networks and amplify their impact.

Steve’s leadership philosophy is centered on the belief that true success is achieved through collective empowerment and shared knowledge. Under his guidance, Blend has evolved into a vibrant membership ecosystem where executives from diverse industries come together to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Prior to co-founding Blend, Steve held key leadership roles in the events and technology sector, where he honed his skills in building high-performing teams and driving transformative change.

Blend is poised to redefine the future of executive networking and development, providing a membership platform where leaders can thrive, connect, and shape the future of business together.

Key themes & discussion topics

Why empathy and strength are not opposing forces in modern leadership

How empathetic leaders build trust, accountability, and high performance

The role of empathy in navigating organisational complexity and change

Redefining what strong leadership looks like in today’s enterprise environment

Event agenda

Registration & networking

6:00 – 6:45 PM

Masterclass & discussion

6:45 – 7:30 PM

Dinner

7:30 – 8:45 PM

Event wrap-up, reflection & networking

8:45 – 9:00 PM

Why should you attend?

Hear practical insights from Loren Sanders on leading with empathy at the executive level

Gain perspective on building high-trust cultures without lowering standards

Challenge outdated assumptions about “hard” leadership

Connect with other senior leaders exploring a more human approach to leadership

Event Organizer

Emily Osgood

emily@joinblend.com

Venue

Hugo Frog Bar & Fish House

1024 N Rush St.
Chicago
IL
IL 60611
United States

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