Toro

Toro’s Ken Melrose to discuss ‘leader as servant’ at March 16 breakfast

Ken Melrose, executive chairman of the board of Toro Co., will give the next breakfast talk in a series co-sponsored by St. Olaf Catholic Church and the John A. Ryan Institute for Catholic Social Thought at the University of St. Thomas.

The ecumenical Faith and Work Breakfast will be held from 7 to 9 a.m. Thursday, March 16, in Fleming Hall of St. Olaf Catholic Church, 215 S. Eighth St.

Melrose is retired as Toro’s CEO and is the author of Making the Grass Greener on Your Side: A CEO’s Journey to Leading by Serving. He will speak on “The Leader as Servant: A Path to Spiritual, Personal and Business Growth.”

While serving and leading appear to be opposites in the world of work, Melrose will discuss how servant leadership is key to helping employees grow and contribute in ways that support the company and community. He also will explain how the leader-as-servant concept works in the competitive world of business, just as it does in the areas of health care, education and nonprofits.

Now in their 12th year, the Faith and Work Breakfasts deal with the personal challenges of faith-and-work integration and are designed for professionals from all faiths. The program has received recognition in Excellent Catholic Parishes: The Guide to Best Places and Practices by Paul Wilkes.

The cost of each Faith and Work Breakfast is $18, which includes a continental breakfast. Pre-registration is encouraged. To make a reservation or for more information, call St. Olaf Catholic Church, (612) 767-6204, or e-mail jmiltenberger@saintolaf.org. Information also is available on the Web at https://www.saintolaf.org/events.htm.