TheSircle Dinners - 2025 Calendar
TheSircle Dinner - Thursday, May 29, 2025
Dinner Venue: Enventys Partners - 520 Elliot St., Charlotte, NC 28202 (2nd Floor)
Arrival/Wine Glass 6:30 PM - Buffet Dinner: 7:00 PM till 9:00 PM
Guest Speaker: Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk
CEO, World Affairs Council of Charlotte
Theme: “Cultivating Global Citizens: Reflections on a Life Between Cultures”
“Cultivating Global Citizens: Reflections on a Life Between Cultures” is a conversation that invites executives to reflect on the power of international experience, multicultural understanding, and lifelong curiosity. Drawing on Ljubomir Stambuk’s unique journey from a diplomat’s son to a global leader shaping international dialogue in Charlotte, this dinner provides a blueprint for how leaders can foster empathy, global awareness, and purposeful action in a time when the world feels increasingly divided. As borders become more symbolic than real in business, politics, and culture, the role of the globally minded citizen-leader becomes essential—not only to navigate complexity, but to inspire meaningful connection.
Some of the topics are:
The Global Mindset: What It Is and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
Explore how cross-cultural experiences shape decision-making, communication, and innovation in leadership.Living Between Worlds: Lessons from a Childhood Spanning Continents
Reflect on formative life experiences in radically different societies—and how they influenced values, adaptability, and perspective.Creating Connection Across Difference
How storytelling, listening, and diplomacy can bridge divides in corporate culture and global dialogue.Education as a Path to Global Citizenship
Why investing in international education programs and youth engagement creates future-ready citizens and inclusive communities.The Executive’s Role in Building Global Bridges
Strategies for leveraging influence, partnerships, and platforms to promote understanding and cooperation beyond borders.
About Our Guest Speaker:
Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk joined the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as Executive Director in 2006. Through his dynamic leadership and systematic approach to development and asset building, Stambuk rebuilt the Council’s branding and standing in the community through strategic community partnerships, quality programming, and fundraising initiatives. He is also credited for leading the Council to its best financial performance from 2008-2024 and promoting Charlotte as a hub for international business in the Carolinas in partnership with corporate and community organizations in the greater Charlotte region. Ljubomir Stambuk was promoted to President in 2009 and CEO in 2011.
Stambuk is well-traveled and has extensive experience and knowledge in leading travel programs. Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, he spent his childhood in Burma and Holland with his diplomat family. His early career led him to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Council (WFC), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the UN Development Program (UNDP), which included extensive travel around the world. Stambuk has been to over 80 countries, most recently Chile, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Peru, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. He has had the fortune to travel to Europe, Asia, Central and Latin America, and parts of Africa.
As part of his long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City, the Council regularly engages the greater Charlotte community through dialogue on world affairs by recruiting speakers of exceptional caliber to this region to discuss foreign policy, international business and politics and Charlotte’s role in an increasingly global world as part of Stambuk’s long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City.
Among the numerous awards he has received are the 2024 Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award and Charlotte Business Journal’s 2024 Most Admired CEO; 2021 WACA Chairman’s Individual Award by the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA); 2018 Global Service Award from the Charlotte International Rotary and 2017 International Leader Award from the Charlotte Business Journal.
Register to Attend with PayPal
DINNER REGISTRATION is $95.00 per person - Buffet Dinner by Chef Todd Villani
No refunds or replacements for cancellation or absence - Free Parking On-Site
LJ Stambuk
SAVE THE DATES - Upcoming Dinners 2025
Monday, June 16 - Dr. Russ Greenfield, MD - Integrative Medicine and Whole Health Expert
Tuesday, September 9 - David Fisk - President & CEO, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
About TheSircle Dinners
Goal and Objectives
GOAL
To provide Leaders with a framework for creative dialogue and meaningful connections
OBJECTIVES
To make meaning by facilitating connections among leaders
To discover what makes us transformational leaders who excel
To understand what motivates engaged leaders to go beyond personal best
THESE ARE THE ONLY RULES:
Be yourself. Let us understand Who You Are, What You Do and Why It Matters
Don't sell. You will be able to do business after the event, in private
Turn off your phone - Don't text during dinner. You can use the phone away from the table
Focus
The Focus is LEADERSHIP and its many facets and expressions.
You are the real conversation catalyst, along with the Guest Presenter and everyone else in the room (I believe the collective talent and expertise are the source of our Breakthrough)
The aim is to engage in Creative Dialogue:
to understand how our experiences converge
to enrich perspectives, approaches and strategies that help us lead better.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING DINNER
I choose specific topics for us to explore with a profound perspective.
I craft Provocative Questions to guide the conversation towards "what works best."
We use Games to discover new insights and ideas.
You collect Practical Approaches and Tools which you can use in your professional life.
You receive everyone's e-mail to connect privately.
Past Dinners
2025
Tuesday, April 22 , 2025
“The Evolving Self: Embracing Open-ended Life Possibilities”
Guest Presenter: Mark Peres, Founder of The Charlotte Center for Humanities and Civic Imagination
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
“The Heart of Leadership: Stories of Growth, Purpose, and Change”
Guest Presenter: Elizabeth McKee, President of Leadership Charlotte
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
“The Seven Weapons to Silence the Imposter”
Guest Presenter: Gary Frey, author of “Silence the Imposter”
2024
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
“The Path from Entrepreneurial Passion to International Resonance”
Guest Presenter: Manuel “Manolo” Betancur, Owner - Manolo’s Bakery, Artisen Gelato - World Bread Hero 2021
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
“Leadership and the Power of Disciplined Listening”
Guest Presenter: Michael Reddington, Executive Resource, Certified Interviewer and Author
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
“Leading with Your Kinder, Higher Self”
Guest Presenter: Angela Gala, Entrepreneur, Founder and Non-Profit Executive
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
“Innovation is a Leadership Strategy”
Guest Presenter: Louis Foreman, CEO and Founder, Enventys Partners
2019
Thursday, November 14, 2019
“Finding Inspiration to Lead”
Guest Presenter: Stephanie Ansaldo, President, The Echo Foundation
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
“Find Your Voice and Lead”
Guest Presenter: Katie Oates, Folk Music Artist
Thursday, August 29, 2019
“Stories to Lead By”
Guest Presenter: Jack Grossman, Entrepreneur, Author and Philanthropist
Tuesday, May 23, 2019
“Cowboy Up: Recover from Defeat and Succeed”
Guest Presenter: Chaz Seale, CEO of Billie Jean King EyeCoach
Monday, January 14, 2019
“Transforming Through Collaborative Leadership”
Guest Presenter: Candice Langston, Managing Director, The Lee Institute
2018
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
“Building a Legacy of World Class Service”
Guest Presenter: Timothy Miron, Catering Manager, The Ritz Carlton Charlotte
Monday, August 27, 2018
“Leading through Mastery and Meaning”
Guest Presenter: Peter Reinhart, International Bread Expert
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
“The Magic of Networking”
Guest Presenter: Cindy Sisson, Marketing/Sales & Networking Expert
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
“Living Creatively”
Guest Presenter: Matt Olin, writer, host of Creative Mornings Charlotte
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
“The 7 Keys of Extraordinary Leadership”
Guest Presenter: Lou Gayoso, International Business Leader
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
“The Magic Within”
Guest Presenter: Hannibal, world-renowned Magician
2017
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
“Using Big Data Analytics for Social Good”
Guest Presenter: Rishi Bhatnaghar, CEO of Syntelli Solutions
Thursday, September 7, 2017
“Swiss Leadership Wisdom for Entrepreneurs”
Guest Presenter: Prof. Dr. Andres Pfister, ZHAW Switzerland
Thursday, July 6, 2017
“Passionate Entrepreneurship”
Guest Presenter: Mac Lackey
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
“Leading with Significance”
Guest Presenter: Laura Meyer Wellman
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
“Influence: The Power of Great Ideas”
Guest Presenter: Mark Moore, CEO of Mana Nutrition
2014 - 2016
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
“Deep Friendships”
Guest Presenter: Roger Baumgarte
Thursday, June 9, 2016
“Making Meaning”
Saturday, April 30, 2016
VIP Event - TheSircle Olympic Gold Event
U.S. Olympic Swimmers Time Trials and Dinner
Queens University Levine Wellness Center
Thursday, February 18, 2016
"The Most: Living in Joy"
Thursday, January 21, 2016
"Lead with a Story"
Thursday, December 3, 2015
"Purpose Your Big Why"
Thursday, October 29, 2015
"Real Connections"
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
"Captivate Your Audience and Get Buy-In"
Guest Presenter: Dianne Chase, partner at C4CS
Thursday, May 21, 2015
"Reinvent Yourself and Lead"
Guest Presenter: Michael Solender - Writer
Thursday, March 19, 2015
"The Sartorial Factor: Dress Your Purpose"
Guest Presenter: William Wilson, CEO, William Wilson Clothing
Thursday, February 19, 2015
"From $0 to $100 Million"
Guest Presenter: Ben Dominitz, Vistage Chair, CEOGuru LLC
Thursday, January 15, 2015
"In Leadership as in Art"
Guest Presenter: Jerald Melberg - The Jerald Melberg Gallery
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
"Leading through Simplicity"
Guest Presenter: Deborah Bosley - The Plain Language Group
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
"Leading through Creativity"
Guest Presenter: Sheila Mullen - McColl Innovation Institute
Thursday, August 21, 2014
"Awakening Your Professional Soul"
Guest Presenter: David Pinkley - The Career Sage
Thursday, July 24, 2014
"Communicating Your Essence"
Guest Presenter: Marcia Merrill - Red Rover Communications
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
"Leadership WISDOM"
Facilitated by Carlos Salum
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
"Charlotte and the Media"
Guest Presenter: Allison Latos - News Anchor WSOCTV-ABC
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
"Fully Engaged Leadership in Action"
Guest Presenter: John Paul Galles, publisher Great Charlotte Biz
2011 - 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
"Radical Connectivity: People, Ideas, Action"
Guest Presenter: Mike Watson, Emcee TEDxCharlotte, AIC
Thrusday, October 3, 2013
"Leading through a Theory of H.O.P.E."
Guest Presenter: Jay Jaboneta - Social Entrepreneur
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
"Leadership in North Carolina, then and now"
Guest Presenter: Mary C. Curtis - award-winning journalist
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
"The Power of Entrepreneurial Innovation"
Guest Presenter: Louis Foreman, Founder & CEO of Enventys
Wednesday, June 20, 2013
"Cultural Breakthrough"
Guest Presenter: Astrid Chirinos, President LACC
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
"The Entrepreneur's Search for Meaning"
Guest Presenter: Fabi Preslar, President of SPARK Publications
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
"Beyond Winning: Life Lessons from Sports"
Guest Presenter: Trudi Lacey, WNBA/Executive Coach
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
"Leadership and Community Engagement"
Guest Presenter: Elizabeth Nisbet Miller, Connector
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
"How I lead: Manifest Your Leadership Style"
Facilitated by Carlos Salum
Thursday, October 8, 2012
"Going Deep Quickly Authentic Trust"
Guest Presenter: Mark Peres, Prof. Johnson & Wales
Thursday, September 27, 2012
"The John Love Experience" (what is it?)
Guest Presenter: John W. Love, Jr. - Interdisciplinary Artist
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
On Leadership: "The Resetting of America"
Guest Presenter: Bruce Fritch, Principal - Fritch Consulting
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
"Fulfilling Your Compelling Vision"
Guest Presenter: Manny Ohonme - Founder, Samaritan's Feet
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - TheGrandSircle
"A Brave New You" Evolving Brands - Global Impact
Presenters: Tom Morgan - Melanie Buchanan - Carlos Salum
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
"Spring Up: Evolving through Challenges"
Guest Presenter: Dr. Sam Santander, MD, MPH
Thursday, February 16, 2012
"Developing Your Philanthropic Vision"
Guest Presenter: Chris McLeod, Philanthropy Advisor
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
"Personal Branding"
Guest Presenter: Melanie Guinn, President of ZGM Brand
Thursday, September 8, 2011
"Inspiring Stories of Personal Achievement"
Guest Presenter: Kenneth Kahn, President, Black Label Advisory
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Inaugural Dinner
"Enduring Value Creation"
Presenters: Jim Alexander and Carlos Salum
2010 - ReNEW Interactive Series (5 dinners) - Hodges Taylor Gallery
2009 - Interact Live Series on Leadership (6 dinners) - Interact Studio