51st Annual Breakfast
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Registration required to attend
Click here to register.
This cherished event celebrates members of our University of Miami community and reflects on our collective achievements throughout the year. The event will feature networking opportunities, a keynote address by Shalom Saada Saar, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Practice in Medical Education, and the presentation of the May A. Brunson Award, Louise P. Mills Award, and the Rita Deutsch Award.
Dr. Shalom Saada Saar
Dr. Shalom Saada Saar is a renowned thought leader in executive education, with over thirty years of experience in teaching, directing, and designing programs that transform leaders and organizations. A Harvard University graduate, Dr. Saar has dedicated his career to discovering and applying innovative learning methods that engage and empower adult learners.
Rejecting traditional lecture-based teaching, Dr. Saar centers his approach on the learner, facilitating rigorous and challenging discussions that enable participants to address real-world challenges. His classes are known for their use of meaningful simulations, relevant case studies, engaging scenarios, and role-playing exercises. Through the Socratic method, he fosters an environment of deep inquiry and collaborative problem-solving, helping participants develop strategies and solutions tailored to their unique workplace and personal challenges.
Dr. Saar’s extensive global teaching experience includes prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, SMU, University of Vienna, CEIBS, SAIF in Shanghai, and LUISS University in Rome. He has also served as the Director of Executive Education for major corporations such as Aetna and USFG (St. Paul Insurance Companies). His client roster features global powerhouses like IBM, GE, DB, Bacardi, Heineken, Baidu, LVMH, Alibaba, Marriott, and J&J, among others. Dr. Saar’s expertise covers a wide range of critical topics, including Leading Organizational Change, Strategic Management, Leadership Agility, Critical Thinking, and Conflict Management.
Dr. Saar believes in understanding the specific needs and expectations of his clients, collaborating closely with the client to design relevant curricula, and fostering a joy of learning through peer coaching and teamwork. His commitment to creating and sustaining a high-performance culture has made him a trusted advisor to senior executives and intact teams across various sectors.
Dr. Saar currently teaches Leadership and Organizational Behavior at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and serves as a Visiting Professor of Leadership at Duke Kunshan University. His contributions to the field of leadership are also reflected in his widely acclaimed book, Leading with Conviction, and numerous articles and case studies on organizational change and leadership. Dr Saar published his personal memoir, titled Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest, a story of resilience and redemption.
Dr. Saar holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and psychology from Swarthmore College and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Organizational Behavior and Administration from Harvard University.
