Global Compassion Community Gathering:
Building Compassion in Financial Services Organizations

Free Community Event

September 30, 2026 | 11:00am–12:00pm ET / 3:00–4:00pm UTC

Please join our global community of compassionate leaders and change-makers for a conversation on building compassion into the culture of financial services. The Center for Compassionate Leadership and the Compassion in Financial Services Hub at Edinburgh Futures Institute, University of Edinburgh are delighted to host this special gathering, that will open with a panel discussion followed by ample time for audience Q&A.

Our panel includes:

● Bill Mansfield, Lloyds Bank North America

● Omar Shaikh, Global Ethical Finance Initiative

● Liz Grant, Edinburgh Futures Institute, University of Edinburgh

● Monica Worline, Center for Positive Organizations, University of Michigan

● Laura Berland, Center for Compassionate Leadership

● Evan Harrel, Center for Compassionate Leadership

Why This Conversation Matters Now

Financial services organizations work under exceptional performance pressure, rapid change, and rising expectations from employees, clients, and society. Compassionate leadership gives this sector a proven way to build cultures where performance and human flourishing reinforce each other — leaders don't have to choose between exceptional results and compassion.

We'll look at the evidence for the business value of compassionate leadership, then hear directly from financial services leaders putting it into practice. Participants will leave with practical, research-based actions they can put to use right away.

Guest Speakers

William (Bill) Mansfield is CEO and Country Head – North America for Lloyds Bank, where he has led the bank's North American operations since joining in May 2024. With decades of leadership experience in global financial markets—including as CEO of MUFG Securities Americas and Regional Head of Global Markets for MUFG—Bill has become a thoughtful voice on the relationship between compassionate leadership, organizational culture, and business performance. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at several financial institutions in New York, serving corporate and institutional clients. Bill is a graduate of the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Omar Shaikh is the Managing Director, Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) and serves on the board of the UK Islamic Finance Council. A chartered accountant, he has extensive experience in financial services and has advised governments and regulators around the world on building sustainable finance systems. At GEFI he launched Path to COP, the SDG Financial Products platform with UNDP, and the Edinburgh Finance Declaration. Prior to joining GEFI, he was with EY London. Omar holds a BAcc and PhD from the University of Glasgow and an honorary doctorate from Heriot-Watt University for his work in ethical finance.

Co-Hosts

This Global Compassion Community Gathering is co-hosted by Liz Grant of the Compassion in Financial Services Hub at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, University of Edinburgh; Monica Worline, one of the preeminent voices bringing compassionate practices into organizations, co-author of the foundational book Awakening Compassion at Work: The Quiet Power that Elevates People and Organizations and Faculty Director of the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan; and Evan Harrel and Laura Berland, co-founders of the nonprofit Center for Compassionate Leadership.

Join This Free Community Event

Register now. Can't make it live? Register anyway and we'll send you the recording. We look forward to being in community together September 30.