Leadership Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth

The Wisdom of Walt: Leadership Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth
What can one man’s dream of an impossible theme park teach us about leadership, perseverance, and achieving extraordinary goals?
On September 2, the Rotary Club of San Dimas welcomes Dr. Jeffrey A. Barnes—bestselling author, leadership coach, and one of the foremost authorities on Walt Disney—for an inspiring and practical presentation on turning vision into reality.
A former Rotarian and current Dean at California Baptist University, Dr. Barnes is the creator of the wildly popular college course The Life and Lessons of Walt Disney and author of two bestselling books on Disney’s philosophy of success. Through years of research and storytelling, he has uncovered not just what Walt Disney accomplished—but why he succeeded when others doubted him.
In this engaging program, Dr. Barnes blends the nostalgia and magic of Disneyland with powerful, real-world leadership principles. Rotarians will discover how Walt Disney overcame adversity, challenged conventional thinking, and built something the world had never seen—lessons that remain just as relevant for today’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders.
Participants will walk away with actionable insights, including how to:
• Turn bold ideas into achievable goals
• Build meaningful, memorable experiences for others
• Lead with vision, creativity, and resilience
• Move from being a dreamer to becoming a doer
Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or simply looking to elevate your leadership and impact, this presentation will leave you inspired to think bigger, lead better, and create your own “E-ticket” experiences in life and service.
Join us for a program that proves the magic isn’t just in the park—it’s in the way we lead, serve, and pursue our dreams.
Email SanDimasRotary@gmail.com for Zoom link.