McGlothlin Leadership Forum connects students with alumni business leaders
Dan Draper ’91 and AnnaMaria DeSalva ’90 shared advice with W&M law and business students for leading through change
October 7, 2025
By
Jacob A. Miller ’18
William & Mary welcomed two distinguished alumni back to campus this September for the annual McGlothlin Leadership Forum, an event that connects students with global leaders in business, law and public service. This year’s forum featured Dan Draper ’91, chief executive officer of S&P Dow Jones Indices and member of the Raymond A. Mason School of Business Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance Advisory Board, and AnnaMaria DeSalva ’90, former global chair of Burson and member of the William & Mary Board of Visitors.
Over the course of two days, both leaders engaged directly with graduate students from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business and the William & Mary Law School. For students, the Forum provides unparalleled access to individuals whose decisions shape markets, policies and communities worldwide.
This year’s event had a notable absence: Forum founder James W. McGlothlin ’62, J.D. ’64, LL.D. ’00, P ’89, G ’29 passed away on August 6, 2025. He and his wife, Frances “Fran” Gibson McGlothlin ’66, L.H.D. ’18, G ’29, are among the university’s most generous supporters. Martin Kent, president and CEO of the United Company and a board member of the Jim & Fran McGlothlin Foundation, attended the forum as a representative of the family and gave a heartfelt reflection on the legacy of this remarkable leader.
The Forum began on Sept. 8 with master classes led by each fellow. Draper offered perspectives on capital markets, the role of indices in today’s financial world and the qualities that have helped him in his career path. DeSalva shared her insights into the evolving landscape of corporate communications, reputation management and the increasing importance of trust in the digital age. Both sessions provided energizing opportunities for students to ask questions and learn in a more intimate setting from executives operating at the highest levels of their fields.
At a keynote dinner that evening, Draper emphasized the importance of lifelong networking, which he started as a student at William & Mary by sending out roughly 75 letters to alumni for career connections. He spoke highly of the holistic education he received at the university, which taught him to “think critically and empathetically.” He described his leadership framework in this age of disruption as incorporating diverse perspectives and curating thoughtful partnerships.
“I encourage you to embrace the lessons learned during your time here at William & Mary, reflect on the skills gained and the relationships you’ve built,” Draper said. “Remember that every challenge you face is an opportunity for growth. As you step into your future roles, carry the values of integrity, empathy and resilience — think of Jim McGlothlin, think of William & Mary.”
The following day, before a standing-room-only audience, Draper and DeSalva came together for a panel discussion on pressing global issues, from the acceleration of artificial intelligence and data-driven decision making to the responsibilities of corporations in addressing shifting geopolitical dynamics. The panel was moderated by W&M Law School professor Tom McSweeney, a winner of this year’s McGlothin Award for Exceptional Teaching (Alex Woods, KPMG Peat Marwick Professor of Accounting at the business school, also received the award). The fellows emphasized being open to unexpected career opportunities, unlocking the potential of the people around you, following your moral center and building trust through your decision-making.
The Forum concluded with a luncheon featuring a keynote from DeSalva. An English major at William & Mary, DeSalva emphasized the power of storytelling: that the story you tell isn’t about the business, it is how business itself gets done. She told students that the foundations they lay now as leaders will be the basis of the next quarter-century of progress, and that the guardrails they establish will guide responsible innovation in our rapidly changing world. She charged students to embrace “crucible moments,” trust their instincts and follow their inner wisdom.
“Follow what fits your domain and a deeper path will emerge,” DeSalva said. “As you weigh the drivers of trust and durable change, which are the technical skills — confidence, integrity, authenticity, benevolence, humility and repair — please remember this: William & Mary has formed those habits for centuries. That character is an advantage and is why I believe, truly, we are made for this moment.”
President Katherine A. Rowe then underscored the significance of the event in preparing students for lives of principled leadership. She noted how the McGlothlin Leadership Forum exemplifies the McGlothlins’ entrepreneurial commitment to bringing together future leaders, a “community of future innovators,” to engage with inspiring individuals already excelling in their fields.
“If there is anything I want you to take away from this, is that we have been given by Jim and Fran McGlothlin, through this Forum, a sustained 24 hours of self-reflection on how and why we do what we do,” Rowe said. “Because that is what anchors healthy, strong, enduring leadership.”