Expanding Consciousness, Connectedness, & Inclusive Business Practices

Information for potential participants.

What is this study about?

Dr. Rachelle Sampson and Dr. Bennet Zelner, faculty at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, seek participants for the Connected Leadership Study, a research project examining whether and how consciousness-expanding experiences in supportive environments influence business leaders’ perceptions and decision-making. Two cohorts for this study are planned for 2024 in conjunction with the Connected Leadership Program. These cohorts have the following starting dates:

  • 20 June 2024

  • 10 October 2024

Participants cover the costs of their participation in the Connected Leadership Program and travel to the retreat that forms part of this program. There is no cost for participation in the research study itself. In addition to scheduled program activities, research study participants are expected to:

  • Complete pre- and post-retreat online surveys;

  • Participate in one 25-minute, individual online interview with researchers prior to the retreat;

  • Participate in one 25-minute, individual interview with researchers during the retreat; and

  • Participate in three 25-minute, individual online interviews with researchers following the retreat.

Strict confidentiality will be maintained for all applicants and participants.

 Ideal Participants

Ideal participants are business leaders - those who currently hold a leadership position within a professional organization. For the purposes of the study, a leadership position is one that conveys decision-making authority over an organizational domain. Examples include but are not restricted to:

 

Allocating capital for specific organizational goals, such as new plant and equipment, market expansion, brand development, R&D and new product or process development, creation of supply chains, redesign of organizational practices, and other goals;

Overseeing individuals or teams working toward specific organizational goals;

Developing or executing organizational strategy, targets, mission, or aims.

 

 Principal Investigators

 

Rachelle C. Sampson, Ph.D.

Rachelle C. Sampson, Ph.D. is a social scientist, educator, and consultant with training in the neuroscience of change, transformational coaching, law, and business economics. She is Associate Professor of Business and Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Senior Research Fellow at the Wharton School’s ESG Institute, Senior Policy Scholar at Georgetown University’s Center for Business and Public Policy, and the founder of Blue Prism, a coaching practice focused on aligning action with values and purpose. Rachelle serves on the board of directors of Usona Institute and sits on corporate advisory boards seeking to integrate environmental and social performance into business strategy. Rachelle’s research, consulting, and teaching focus on harnessing capital markets to encourage significant environmental and social change. Rachelle holds a PhD in business economics from the University of Michigan, and law and accounting degrees from Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Prior to her academic and coaching career, Rachelle practiced as a consultant for Ernst & Young and as a corporate attorney in Australia. For more information on her formal background, research publications, and teaching, see Rachelle’s profile at the University of Maryland.

 

Bennet A. Zelner, Ph.D.

Bennet A. Zelner, Ph.D. researches, teaches, and advises on regenerative economics, psychedelics, and leadership. Current projects include ongoing work on the Pollination Approach–a regenerative economic approach to delivering mental health treatment–and the Connected Leadership Project. Bennet serves as Associate Professor of Business and Public Policy at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park. He also serves as a director or advisory board member for Usona Institute, Brooklyn Psychedelic Society, Gather Well Psychedelics, the Intercollegiate Psychedelic Network, and Global Psychedelic Society. Bennet received his PhD in Business and Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a frequent keynote speaker, conference panelist, and podcast guest. Links to his talks and writings can be found on his LinkedIn page.

 

Questions & Enrollment Information

Thank you for your interest in the Connected Leadership Study. Please provide the information requested below if you would like to participate in this research study or have questions.

There is no cost to participate in this research. However, note that participation in the study is for those who have signed up for the Connected Leadership Program with Kiyumi Retreats.