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Author, broadcaster, and former First Lady of California Maria Shriver, travel writer and radio host Rick Steves, and New York Times best-selling author Isabel Allende will headline the spring 2025 Leadership Lecture Series at ����ֱ�� University of California. Maria Shriver will be joined in conversation by author Anne Lamott. 

The popular series is presented by ����ֱ��’s Institute of Leadership Studies (ILS) in partnership with Book Passage. For the past 20 years, ILS has engaged the community on topics related to individual, organizational and/or social change inspired by effective leadership from the domains of arts and sciences, business, entertainment, literature, pop culture, politics, and government. 

The spring series kicked off on February 4 when author Geraldine Brooks, joined in conversation by author Michael Lewis, discussed her memoir Memorial Days. Brooks is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Horse.

On March 15, Rick Steves will discuss memoir, On the Hippie Trail. In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek, and like a travel writer in training, he documented everything along the way. The experience ignited his love of travel and forever broadened his perspective on the world. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Angelico Concert Hall. .

On April 15, Maria Shriver will discuss her new collection of poetry, I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on Heartbreak, Healing, and Finding Your Way Home. Maria Shriver will be in conversation with Anne Lamott. Maria Shriver is a mother and grandmother, a Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer. She is the author of seven New York Times bestselling books, the former First Lady of California, an NBC News Special Anchor, founder of Shriver Media, The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, the brain health brand MOSH, and the publisher of The Open Field. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Angelico Concert Hall. .

On May 10, Isabel Allende presents her latest novel, My Name is Emilia del Valle. Considered the world’s most-read Spanish language author, Isabel Allende’s books have been translated into more than 42 languages and have sold more than 74 million copies worldwide. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Angelico Concert Hall. .