In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, The Rev. Dr. Stuart Gulley joins Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy for a wide-ranging conversation on what it takes to lead a campus with clarity, consistency and conviction. Drawing from three decades as a chief executive and his leadership at LaGrange College, Woodward Academy and Emory University, Stuart shares a simple but powerful discipline: Cast the vision constantly, in every setting, and pair it with stories that make the mission real. He describes how repeating core language and reinforcing it through lived examples helps faculty, staff, parents, alumni and students not only understand the mission but truly own it.

Stuart also unpacks the ingredients of a high-functioning CEO and board relationship. These include longer-serving board chairs, leaders who understand governance and a clear system for addressing “rogue” behavior before it derails momentum. He explains how Woodward built succession strength through intentional development, including identifying future leaders early and launching “Leadership Woodward” to grow talent across the organization. The episode closes with timely reflections on moral leadership in a fraught climate, using mission as the North Star when pressure collides with values and a practical decision filter every leader can use: Can I live with this if it becomes public?

About our guest

The Rev. Dr. Stuart Gulley is a respected higher education and independent school leader with more than three decades of experience as a president, head of school and national voice in faith-based education. He is president emeritus of LaGrange College and served for many years as president of Woodward Academy in Atlanta, the largest independent school in the continental United States. Throughout his career, he has been known for his steady leadership, deep commitment to mission and ability to unite diverse communities around shared purpose.

Stuart serves as of counsel with Lighthouse Counsel, where he advises boards and senior leaders on  leadership, governance, planning and philanthropic support. He is also executive director of the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities, supporting institutions rooted in the United Methodist tradition during a period of significant change. His counsel reflects a rare combination of practical experience, moral clarity and long-term perspective on what it takes to lead institutions with integrity and resilience.