Join the University of Houston–Downtown at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 for a special installment of the President’s Lecture Series. As part of the university's celebration of Black History Month, we welcome Brian E. Francis, a speaker, author, poet, and seasoned public-sector executive who has spent more than three decades working at the intersection of public-sector leadership and creative expression.
Francis previously served as the top executive of the largest occupational licensing agency in the state of Texas, all while winning slam poetry competitions across the nation and earning finalist honors at the National Poetry Slam. Most recently, he has expanded his leadership impact through his work as Acting Executive Director of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.
With 36 years of public service, including 22 years in executive leadership roles, Brian combines real-world wisdom with academic insight. He holds an MBA in Public Finance from St. Edward’s University and brings an international perspective shaped by the Transformative Leadership Program through the University of Adelaide in South Australia and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas.
His address, "When Failure Is the Best Option," will take place in the 11th floor Event Space of OMB, and will challenge the traditional "perfectionist" model of leadership, while inviting participants to explore:
- The Resilience of Risk: How leaning into "productive failure" builds the courage necessary for transformational change.
- Leading Through Fear: Using candid storytelling to dismantle the barriers that prevent inclusive leadership.
- Archival Wisdom: Lessons from his 22 years in executive roles on how to turn missteps into strategic advantages.