Where Did McAelan Go?
On drifting from the people who matter, mistaking busyness for purpose, and learning that relationships cannot be postponed indefinitely.
Writing
A small, curated selection of writing on leadership, learning, institution-building, and growth. These pieces reflect how I process responsibility, build teams, and make sense of unconventional paths.
The Space That Didn’t Miss Me
On building institutions that can outgrow their founder, and why succession, restraint, and leaving well are part of durable leadership.
I’m Graduating Backward (And I Don’t Regret It… Mostly.)
Why I took an unconventional academic path, what it cost, and how it shaped my perspective on ownership, resilience, and ambition.
When I Stopped Performing, People Finally Saw Me
A reflection on leadership, presence, and the shift from performing competence to building trust through authenticity and consistency.