Todd Sears took Tony Brown’s class at Duke in 1998. After graduation, Todd turned his attention to building community and belonging wherever he was. At Merrill Lynch he was the first openly gay financial advisor, and he created a team focused on serving the LGBTQ+ community – a first in the nation. Today, Todd is the founder and CEO of Out Leadership. Todd has found success helping companies see the importance of fostering connections among employees. “It’s about getting the right people, the right mix, and making them feel like they’re part of a community,” he says, that’s how you get the best out of people. Tony Brown agrees, saying genuine human relationships power both our professional and personal lives. “Pay attention to these things, reflect on them and act on them,” he says.

At the Table with Tony is a series of conversations with Tony Brown, professor emeritus at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. Tony is facing significant health challenges, and he is clear about his 2025 priorities. In addition to prioritizing his wife, Teddie, and his family, nurturing a generative, “grow together” friendship community that creates benefits for others is an important 2025 aspiration. At the Table with Tony helps him do that. As always, Tony is joined at the table by Duke senior, Penelope North.