Developing Quiet Leadership at The Slowdown Summit

We were proud to sponsor the inaugural Slowdown Summit in Columbus, Ohio, a first-of-its-kind one day gathering for introverted, neurodivergent, and quiet leaders.

Built over 13 months by three passionate leaders in Columbus, the Slowdown Summit brought together an amazing lineup of speakers and teachers, including Quiet author and TED speaker Susan Cain, artist and mental health advocate Alyson Stoner, Generalist World founder Milly Tamati, feng shui expert Cliff Tan, and many more. Accessibility was not an afterthought at this event. Instead, every element was designed to accommodate as many learning styles, abilities, and sensory needs as possible. From the beautifully designed companion workbook and inspirational talks to the interactive workshops and beautiful quiet spaces at the Columbus Museum of Art, there truly was something for everyone.

When we first heard about this experiment last year, we were excited to partner with them as an early supporter and sponsor. Giant Shoulders is a team of creative misfits from different backgrounds. We believe leadership isn't a role you perform, but a responsibility you take on. We see this every day in the founders we work with, who prove you don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact. They are thoughtful operators who stepped into leadership because they saw a problem worth solving and refused to look away.

Events like this are important to us because they hold space for the voices that so often are drowned out. Coming together with purpose doesn't just show that we are valuable; it makes visible the value we already create.

Congratulations to Zachary Reizes, Brooke Stanley, and Juliette Paige on turning this dream into a reality and making so many of us misfits feel seen. You can follow The Slowdown Summit on LinkedIn or sign up for their email list to get updates on future events.