Olafson Ethics Symposium
Leading with values, learning with purpose.
The Nistler College strongly focuses on teaching ethics because it believes ethical learning is important for developing responsible and principled leaders. Through the Olafson Ethics Symposium, students examine real-world ethical challenges and learn how to make decisions with honesty, integrity, and accountability.
2026 Olafson Ethics Symposium
Barry Auditorium/Nistler Hall + Virtual
2026 symposium date and time are to be determined.
2025 Keynote Presentation
Melissa Fors Shackelford, Author, Marketing Strategist & Startup Advisor
Marketing With a Conscience: Purpose, Ethics, and the Power to Do Good
This keynote invites a critical look at the real stakes of marketing when ethics are ignored versus when purpose guides the work. Drawing on cases of deceptive and predatory advertising, the talk challenges audiences to consider how influence can either exploit or protect people and how values like transparency, fairness, and responsibility can turn marketing into a true force for good.
About Melissa Fors Shackelford
Melissa Fors Shackelford is a trusted adviser, author, and nationally recognized voice in purpose-driven marketing and healthcare innovation. With more than 20 years of experience leading high-impact brand and growth initiatives, she helps organizations navigate complex markets while staying grounded in clarity, integrity, and human connection.
As founder of Shackelford Strategies, Melissa works closely with C-suite leaders, startups, and mission-driven healthcare brands to shape market strategy, refine messaging, and scale impact. Her background includes executive roles at Optum, Hazelden Betty Ford, Cigna’s Evernorth, and LetsGetChecked, where she led transformative marketing efforts that balanced performance with purpose.
Melissa is also a sought-after speaker, known for delivering thoughtful, insight-rich keynotes that resonate with
Topics and Past Speaker
| Year | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
Melissa Shackelford - Marketing With a Conscience: Purpose, Ethics, and the Power to Do Good |
| 2024 |
Erika Cheung - Ethics in Entrepreneurship |
| 2023 |
Kelly Caruso - The Harmony of Ethics, Values, and Happiness |
| 2022 |
Juliette Powell - Ethics of Technology |
| 2020 |
Chris Hilger - Ethics in Times of Crisis |
| 2019 |
Lisa Ellman - Ethical Perspectives within the UAS Industry |
| 2018 |
Mark Chipman - Ethics of Sports |
| 2017 |
Mara Liasson - National Political Correspondent for NPR |
| 2016 |
Greg Page - Retired Chairman and CEO, Cargill |
| 2015 |
Lenora Billings-Harris - consultant, speaker, and author of The Diversity Advantage: A Guide to making Diversity Work |
| 2014 |
Jordan Kassalow - Social entrepreneur, doctor of optometry |
| 2013 |
Christopher Bauer - Ethics expert, consultant |
| 2012 |
Ross Bernstein - Author, business speaker |
| 2011 |
Patrick Kuhse - Former stockbroker, convicted felon |
| 2010 | Barbara Ley Toffler - Former Harvard business professor, author of Final Accounting: Ambition, Greed, and the Fall of Arthur Andersen |
| 2009 |
Bill George - Former CEO, Medtronic; professor of management, Harvard; author |
| 2008 |
Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D. - "The Ethics Guy", journalist, author Dr. Steven Light and Dr. Kathryn Rand - UND faculty |
| 2007 | Bethany McLean - Journalist, co-author of The Smartest Guys in the Room: the Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall OF Enron |
| 2006 |
Ron James - President and CEO, Center for Ethical Business Cultures |
| 2005 |
Lynn Brewer - Author of Confessions of an Enron Executive, founder of Integrity Institute Tim Dordell - Associate general counsel, Ecolab |