Building Confidence and Resilience in an Uncertain Workplace
Cliff Sobel '84
Presented on: Tuesday, September 29th 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT
.
See the video on the Alumni Association's YouTube channel.
In this conversation, Cliff Sobel shares his personal journey of overcoming professional setbacks and rebuilding confidence, along with practical strategies for navigating uncertainty, managing stress, and developing resilience. Drawing from his experience as both an entrepreneur and therapist, he discusses how our mindset shapes our response to adversity, why acceptance and focusing on what we can control are essential, and how change — even when unexpected — can become an opportunity for growth. The conversation includes practical tools listeners can apply in their own careers and lives, as well as a discussion of how AI is reshaping the workplace and how individuals can adapt to change while recognizing the uniquely human qualities that technology cannot replace.
Sobel was moved to pursue a career in mental health after an extensive professional life in business. His decades-long experience as CEO of an e-learning company led him to launch several startups and helped him hone his strength in developing strong relationships with people from all walks of life. His skill and passion for learning about others and gaining their trust inspired him to seek a second career in mental health. His studies, career and life experience inform his unconditional empathy for those experiencing emotional and personal challenges and give him a deep and personal perspective on the difficulties of others.
Sobel works with people of all ages struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, as well as those looking to practice healthier ways of coping with life’s stressors. He has a particular interest in helping people navigate workplace and relationship challenges and works with many corporate executives and other high achievers on the issues that accompany their aspirations and lifestyle. As a therapist, his style is eclectic, drawing from psychodynamic, existential, and cognitive-behavioral approaches.
As an executive coach, Sobel works with individuals seeking to boost their careers, identify and overcome professional obstacles, and improve their work-life balance. His clients range from entry-level professionals to CEOs, entrepreneurs, and creatives looking to sharpen their personal insight and reach their potential.
Sobel earned his master's degree in mental health counseling from Pace University. In addition to his clinical practice and executive coaching, he serves as a consultant to Project Healthy Minds, where he works with organizations and universities to promote mental health in the workplace through presentations and workshops on stress, anxiety, burnout, resilience, leadership, and creating psychologically healthy workplace cultures. He also serves on the Corporate Advisory Council at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Interactive Technologies and on the Board of Directors of the Harry Chapin Foundation.
The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Binghamton University.