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Reciprocity and Heart: �A Path to Collaborative and Inclusive LeadershipValerie A. Luzadis, Founder�Heart Forward Science�SUNY ESF��

NYSAR 36th Annual Conference & Trade Show

Opening Plenary

November 13, 2025

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INTRODUCING MYSELF

I am a mother, sister, daughter, partner, friend, and citizen of the Earth and I come from a long line of master soup makers, natural gardeners, and wise women.

I am a first-gen college graduate, now a scientist and policy practitioner with experience working in higher education senior administration and leading NGOs.

I founded Heart Forward Science to support the development of holistic knowledge through a balance of intellect, imagination, and intuition to advance equitable, sustainable scientific outcomes.

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OPENING

  • Gratitude
  • Setting intent
  • Joining together in heart and mind

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THE POWER OF �HEART IN SCIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY

  • Relationship as foundation: self, others, nature
  • Intertwining imagination, intuition, and intellect for greater and more sustained impact
  • Collaborative creating for more inclusive and effective scientific practice
  • Beautiful and rewarding

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  • Relationship between two or more�
  • Communication in both directions
  • Empathetic listening

RECIPROCITY

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ENGAGING WITH RECIPROCITY AND HEART IN COLLABORATIONS

  • Self-confidence with humility and humanity

Thinking with the heart and

feeling with the mind

  • Impactful, compassionate, humble, respectful

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�IMAGINATION, INTUITION, AND INTELLECT

  • Imagine a world where…

  • Intuition – direct knowledge, not derived analytically

  • Intertwining the three

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  • Science and sustainability with greater innovation and collaborative possibilities
  • A clear path forward toward impact and fulfillment
  • Empowerment and recognition
  • Alignment with personal values

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THANK YOU

Valerie A. Luzadis, Founder�Heart Forward Science�SUNY ESF

https://heartforwardscience.com

vluzadis@esf.edu