We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Brené Brown, internationally acclaimed researcher, author and speaker, will join us as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Sage Leadership Festival.
Each year, our Leadership Festival brings Sage leaders from across the country together for a week of connection, learning and celebration. In February 2026, we’ll gather at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, under the theme Lead Boldly.
Inspired by Dr. Brown’s newest book, Strong Ground, this year’s theme invites us to lead with clarity, resilience and courage, even when the path forward feels uncertain. Throughout the week, we’ll explore what it means to lead with values, build trust and foster a culture of belonging where both people and performance thrive.
“Dr. Brené Brown’s work has inspired millions to lead with greater authenticity, courage and heart,” said Daniel del Olmo, president and co-CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. “Her voice will challenge and energize our leaders in all the right ways and ultimately help us live out our purpose of enriching lives, one experience at a time.”
Dr. Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and a professor of practice in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. She was recently named executive chair of the Center for Daring Leadership at BetterUp, and her TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, remains one of the most viewed in history.
“At Sage, we believe the best leaders are also the most authentic,” said Walter Isenberg, co-founder and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. “That’s why our annual Leadership Festival is so meaningful. It’s our opportunity to invest in the people who shape our culture and carry our vision forward.”
At Sage, we’re redefining how the world experiences hospitality. We create places people go to, not through, crafting hotels, restaurants and entertainment spaces that reflect and elevate the communities they serve.
In addition to Dr. Brown’s keynote, the 2026 program will include main stage conversations, hands-on learning sessions, a community service event and special moments of recognition that celebrate leadership across Sage.
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