McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character Hosted by the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character Hosted by the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership Breadcrumb academics departments behavioral sciences and leadership mcdonald conference Behavioral Sciences & Leadership (left) MENU Behavioral Sciences & Leadership Home Majors & Minors Internships Research Faculty & Staff About the McDonald Conference The McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character (MCLC) is an elite leadership experience that brings together top undergraduate student leaders from around the world and pairs them with distinguished senior leaders who serve as mentors. This dynamic, team-based event is designed to strengthen leadership skills, sharpen critical thinking, and foster collaboration while tackling real-world global challenges.Hosted annually by West Point’s Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership (BSL) and the West Point Leadership Center (WPLC), MCLC offers participants an immersive, short-duration program that emphasizes experiential learning and strategic problem-solving.Founded in 2012, MCLC was envisioned as the premier transformative leadership experience for emerging global leaders. Thanks to the generosity of its founding benefactors - the Honorable and Mrs. Robert McDonald - and support from the Garrison and Sharman families, the conference has grown into a hallmark event. Since its inception, more than 700 students and senior leaders have engaged in meaningful dialogue and collaboration on timely, relevant themes that impact the world today. Conference Benefactors Bob McDonald MCLC Founding Benefactor, 8th Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs Retired Chairman, President, and CEO, Procter & Gamble Robert A. “Bob” McDonald was nominated by then-President Barack Obama as the eighth Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and was confirmed unanimously by the Senate on July 29, 2014. Secretary McDonald led VA in its ambitious transformational journey to a world-class service provider and the No. 1 customer-service agency in the federal government to give veterans consistent, high-quality experiences.Before joining VA, McDonald was chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Procter & Gamble Co.(P&G).He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1975. Diane McDonald MCLC Founding Benefactor Diane (pronounced Dee-Ann) was born in Pittsburgh, PA. Upon graduation from Chatham College, she taught elementary school and coached high school sports, where her passion was working with children.After her husband left the military and joined P&G, they had the opportunity to live abroad - in Canada, the Philippines, Japan, and Belgium. At each location, Diane played a leadership role in the P&G community, in her children’s schools, and in their activities. When they returned stateside, Diane co-chaired the Procter & Gamble Transferees, Inc., a non-profit support group for spouses, partners, employees, and families. "You can only live honorably and lead honorably if you're a leader 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Someone is always watching, so you always need to work hard to make a positive difference in the lives of others." Notable Past Speakers Jane Nielsen Reynold Hoover Leslie T. Fenwick, Ph.D.(Distinguished Senior Fellow) Holly Ridings (Distinguished Senior Fellow) BG Everett Spain H. Patrick “Pat” Swygert (Distinguished Senior Fellow) Dave. A. Chokshi, M.D. James “Jim” Keyes Frequently Asked Questions Who is eligible to attend the conference? Student Fellows are undergraduate sophomores or juniors who have demonstrated leadership potential and are in good academic standing. Participants are nominated by a faculty member or academic advisor from their college or university and selected to represent a variety of academic disciplines and institutions. Can international students participate? Yes. International Student Fellows are welcome to participate. Because international travel requires additional coordination, conference staff work directly with accepted international participants to arrange travel before any flights are booked. Where are conference activities held? Conference activities are typically held at several locations across West Point, including Jefferson Hall, The Thayer Hotel, and other nearby campus venues. What is the West Point Band's immersive experience? Core of the CorpsThe West Point Band’s “Core of the Corps” is an immersive experience that explores leadership through the lens of music. This interactive event places attendees directly within the band, allowing them to witness the dynamics of the organization firsthand as they learn about purpose, direction, and motivation. By exploring the fluid and varied roles of both the conductor and the musicians, “Core of the Corps” offers a powerful metaphor for leader development, effective teamwork, and human connection, all while focusing on inspiration as its core. This unique event invites participants to actively engage, making it a memorable, hands-on way to experience leadership in action. Contact Us The McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character is sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership. Contact MCLC Getting to West Point Identification requirements to enter West PointDirections to West Point Accommodations and Attractions Dining options on-postLocal attractionsHudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce (Peekskill area)