Tom Underwood, assistant dean of academic outreach at Washburn University, will be speaking to the public about the role of leadership, 7 p.m. on April 13 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

In this position, Underwood also serves as the director of the Center for Organizational Excellence and as director of the Leadership Washburn program.

Using the book, “Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation”, Underwood plans to explore leadership in an environment in which innovation can occur.