- Date published
Join us Nov. 5 at efactory.
What happens when a leader steps out of the spotlight — free from the pressure of title, politics, and position — and reflects honestly on what they’ve learned? You get Untethered.
Join us for a rare, unfiltered conversation with Dr. Carol Taylor at efactory on November 5, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., as part of the Untethered series — where retired leaders tell the truth about leadership, legacy, and what they wish they had said (or done) while still in their position.
About Untethered
Untethered is about creating space for seasoned leaders to speak with fresh clarity and honesty. No longer bound by organizational expectations, they’re free to share hard-earned wisdom and personal insights that don’t usually make it into press releases or annual reports.
It’s candid. It’s reflective. And it’s full of the kind of perspective you can only get when you’ve walked through decades of leadership and lived to tell the story.
Featuring Dr. Carol Taylor: A Lifetime of Leading with Courage and Conviction
With over 45 years of service in public and private education, Taylor has been a powerful force in shaping institutions, communities, and the lives of thousands of students and professionals across the country.
From her early days in public education to leading Vanguard University in California and ultimately returning home to Springfield to serve as president of Evangel University, Taylor’s career has been marked by innovation, resilience, and compassion.
She’s served as:
- Vice Provost at Biola University
- Executive at Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton
- Board member, consultant, mentor, and community leader
- Recipient of numerous regional and national awards, including Vanguard’s Diamond Award and Convoy of Hope’s President’s Award
Taylor has been a turnaround leader, a student advocate, a mentor to emerging talent, and a champion for women in leadership. She’s known for her humility, clarity of thought, and boldness in action. Now, in retirement, she’s more open than ever to sharing what really matters.
What to Expect at Untethered
Expect to laugh, reflect, and maybe even rethink your own approach to leadership.
In this session, Taylor will explore:
- What she wished she had known earlier in her leadership journey
- The truths that were hard to say while in the role — and why she’s saying them now
- Reflections on legacy, failure, courage, and calling
- Advice for those just beginning or mid-way through their own leadership path
Whether you’re a young professional, a mid-career leader, or someone simply curious about the human side of leadership, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Event Details
Untethered with Dr. Carol Taylor
📅 Nov. 5
🕞 3:30 p.m.
📍 efactory, 405 N. Jefferson Ave.
🎟 Free and open to the public. RSVP requested
Because real leadership wisdom isn’t always found in textbooks or TED Talks. Sometimes, it’s sitting across from someone who’s lived it, like Dr. Carol Taylor.