Helping Organizations Lead with Dignity
Chris Cowan, MDiv '05, learned at HDS that diverse perspectives can be respected without sacrificing difference. Now, he helps diverse organizations lead with dignity and effectiveness across their many collaborations.
Chris Cowan, MDiv '05
Independent Coach and Consultant, Self Employed (Philadelphia, PA)
View more stories on HDS alumni and their career paths.
Describe the work you do today:
I help organizations bring more dignity and effectiveness to their collaborations through the use of clear, explicit agreements and expectations. That involves some one-on-one coaching, but also facilitating meetings and delivering trainings.
How has your HDS degree influenced your career journey?
It has been critical in how I approach all of my work. I learned that we can integrate diversity—not just of identity, but also across deep divides in belief or conviction—without resorting to a sort of flat or floppy relativism. We can invite everyone and have standards.
What career advice would you offer to current HDS students?
The real value of your time at HDS is contained in the experiences and relationships you have while you're there. Also, take advantage of the opportunities afforded to students that may be harder to come by later (e.g., volunteering somewhere that doesn't normally accept volunteers).