Drawing on his experience, Westmont President Gayle D. Beebe will share the power of life’s crucibles (those pivotal moments of trial and triumph) that have defined his personal and professional life and leadership in a free talk titled The Crucibles That Shape Us: Navigating the Defining Challenges of Leadership.

Part of the Westmont Downtown Lecture series, Beebe’s address will be 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10 at the Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden St., Santa Barbara.

The first 100 guests will receive free copies of his latest book,“The Crucibles that Shape Us.”

Entering his 18th year as president at Westmont, Beebe has responded to several local natural disasters: The Tea Fire, Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flow.

“Though every leader faces enormous challenges that require response, it’s still difficult to anticipate the severity of unfolding events and the length of time it will take to resolve them,” Beebe said. “Each situation demands a vision that exceeds inconvenience and a commitment to strategies and tactics that help us persevere.”

Beebe identifies seven crucibles — powerful catalysts for transformation — that profoundly shape us when we embrace them. Each chapter of the book delves into a challenge that Beebe has personally faced and intimately understands.

“Life is a perpetual gauntlet with challenge on one side and opportunity on the other,” he said. “We often overlook so many experiences of our everyday life that offer us an opportunity to identify deeper understanding and a better response as we navigate the defining challenges [of life] and leadership.

“Crucibles have the power to shape us by refining our character, calling forth our best effort, and teaching us to rely on God,” Beebe said. “Rarely, if ever anticipated, crucibles test our capacity to adapt and change. We often see setbacks and disasters as events that keep us from our best life. They’re really opportunities to grow in leadership.”

Beebe has overseen a period of unprecedented growth and development at Westmont, raising more than $450 million in three major campaigns and adding more than 400,000 square feet of new and renovated building space.

The Westmont Foundation sponsors Westmont Downtown: Conversations about Things that Matter, a free lecture series, as well as the annual Westmont President’s Breakfast.

Headlining this year’s President’s Breakfast will be former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Feb. 28 at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. Tickets on sale at westmont.edu/breakfast.

For more about Beebe’s talk, call 805-565-6051.