When stakes are high, empathy delivers

When a plane skids off a runway or when a global supply chain collapses overnight, empathy isn’t optional — it’s imperative. And when algorithms distort reality, empathy isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline. The Kabiller Science of Empathy Prize, established by David Kabiller ’85, ’87 MBA, is awarded biennially to a Kellogg alum and a faculty member who are advancing the understanding of empathy in business. Kabiller calls empathy the “secret ingredient” in building trust and respect. 

Abdol Moabery ’23 MBA, this year’s alumni Kabiller Prize winner, credits his time in the U.S. Navy with instilling a strong sense of empathetic leadership. “Many people don’t associate the military with empathy, seeing it as rigid and binary. In reality, it’s deeply empathetic,” shared Moabery. “High standards are clearly defined, so expectations are understood — making it easier to succeed because every soldier knows what it takes.” 

Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations William Brady, the 2025 Kabiller Prize faculty recipient, researches how new technologies including social media, algorithms and artificial intelligence impact psychology. “Over the past decade, my research has shown how artificial intelligence and algorithms can disrupt empathy, but it has also revealed ways to promote it,” shared Brady. “I’m deeply grateful to the Kellogg alumni community for supporting my research, allowing me to turn big ideas into real-world impact.” 

The Kabiller Prize recipients were celebrated during an intimate dinner that featured thoughtful conversations on dedicated topics, guided by Dean Francesca Cornelli and Kabiller. Among the distinguished industry and business leaders were Michael George ’83, ’85 MBA, the 2021 Kabiller Prize winner; Anant Goenka ’07 MBA, the 2023 Kabiller Prize winner; Eli Finkel ’97, professor of management and organization; and Nicole Stephens, the 2021 faculty recipient. 

Here are some of the key insights from this year’s awardees. 

Empathy — more than a soft skill

Far from being a “soft skill,” empathy is a well-researched concept in social psychology, grounded in decades of evidence. “Empathy is a very well-studied construct in my field of social psychology. It’s comprised of three components: feeling, cognitive and compassion,” said Brady. “When we see a colleague who’s sad, it can change our own mood. Empathy drives us to understand what they’re feeling — and compassion asks whether we’re motivated to help.” 

Empathy is a critical skill from day one. By understanding the other side’s interests and priorities, you build trust and uncover common ground — the foundation for innovative solutions. 

Kindness is good for business

In the first nine months of business, GA Telesis, Moabery’s company, reached $8 million in revenue. The following years saw rapid growth, and today, the company generates about $1.3 billion in revenue and employs roughly 1,300 people worldwide. Yet behind these numbers is a leadership approach that prioritizes people, ensuring that growth never comes at the expense of trust and dignity. 

“I treat my employees with dignity and empower them to serve our customers — that's trust. If I trust them, they'll trust me, knowing I have their back no matter what,” said Moabery. “When they understand the mission, they can turn that into action through our customer-first philosophy. Even if mistakes happen, it’s okay, as long as they operate within the standards we’ve set together.” 

Empathy strengthens accountability 

In high-pressure settings, empathy can empower leaders to set clear guidelines, allowing teams to thrive with confidence and trust. “Empathetic leadership means giving people the tools to succeed — not managing or directing them,” said Moabery. “You set the standards, and they operate within them. Ultimately, your success is directly tied to how well you do that.” 

(Re)designing systems to foster empathy   

Social media platforms weren’t built with empathy in mind — and the consequences are showing. According to Brady’s research, algorithms are distorting reality and amplifying moral outrage,  fueling division and disengagement and creating barriers to understanding.  

Brady’s research calls for rethinking digital platforms and aims to amplify what he calls “the silent majority” — the people who may have less extreme political views and aren't always voicing their opinions. “By optimizing to increase connectedness on these platforms, instead of constant political conflict, we create space for understanding. And even when we disagree, we can still maintain mutual respect,” shared Brady. 

Bridging divides through empathy

Whether leading teams through high-pressure decisions or researching how digital platforms shape our capacity for connection, this year’s Kabiller Prize recipients reinforce that empathy matters most when stakes are highest.  

Moabery shows how it builds trust that scales with a company. Brady reveals how its absence — or presence — in our algorithms and social media systems affects our ability to understand one another. The Kabiller Science of Empathy Prize recognizes leaders and researchers advancing empathy where it’s needed most: in boardrooms and algorithms, in business strategy and social connection.