Established in April 2002, Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project carries out the vision of its founders to develop awareness of Vincent-inspired leadership concepts and practices within the DePaul University community and Vincentian communities worldwide.
Vincent de Paul had a profound impact during his lifetime. His compatriots respected him so much they called him the Father of his country. He did this as a man of strategy and action, as leader and manager. His vision exists today in organizations he inspired, sponsored by his followers—members of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and others.
Providing research and leadership development in the manner of St. Vincent de Paul, Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project ensures the continuance of the legacy of de Paul’s organizational genius and leadership skills in the service of others.
Our Founding Purpose
To Conduct Research that makes Vincentian values and principles explicit and useful for managers and leaders. By studying, analyzing and disseminating Vincentian principles of action, the Project enables leaders to develop strategies for reinventing existing organizations, creating new ones, and for continuing the Vincentian heritage with refreshed leadership.
To Offer Vincentian Leadership Development Services and Tools that heighten awareness of Vincentian leadership orientations and strengthen competencies and skill-sets aligned with value-based leadership.
Our Mission
Like a great fire, Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project awakens and advances the vision, values and leadership practices of St. Vincent de Paul in people and organizations worldwide. Providing research, training, education, and collaboration in the manner of St. Vincent, the Project ensures the continuance of the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul’s organizational genius and leadership skills in the service of others.
We call it Vincent on Leadership after St. Vincent de Paul, whose legacy lives on nearly 400 years after his death in the members of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), the founders of DePaul University where we are housed.
We call it The Hay Project in recognition of William and Mary Pat Gannon Hay, whose generosity and deep admiration for Vincent de Paul gave birth to this endeavor. We call it Project to imply practicality and action. We have a sense of urgency, thus the notion of Vincent’s idea that we should do what we do with zeal—“like a great fire.”
Our Goal and Objectives
The goal of Vincent on Leadership: The Hay Project is to support today’s Vincentian leaders in our integration of St. Vincent de Paul’s leadership vision and values, his organizational methods, and his managerial practices. Our goal is accomplished by a focus on four main areas of endeavor:
- Research and Publications
- Training and Development
- Education and Sustainability
- Networks and Collaboration