Workshops & Panels

2022 Agenda

The Collegiate Women’s Guide to Conscious Careers

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Workshop Presenter: Chelsea Williams

Consciousness is defined as being aware of—and sensitive to—something or someone. Given the heightened consciousness about social justice, sustainability and work-life balance, many students want to make career decisions that align with their values and beliefs. This highly engaging session is designed to empower young women to take charge of their careers by asking probing questions and making intentional decisions about prospective jobs. Learn how to pursue a conscious career by committing to three essentials: self-awareness, life-long learning and accountability.

Community Matters: Cultivating Civic Engagement in the 21st Century

Learning Objective: Activism
Moderator: Robin Lucas
Panelists: Angela Clark-Taylor and Guadalupe González

A strong democracy requires an informed citizenry. In this panel, we will discuss what civic engagement looks like in today’s world—both inside and outside of the classroom. As social and political discourse moves more online, we will hear from a diverse panel of experts on how civic engagement might be reimagined for the 21st century electorate.

Financial Literacy – Smart Budget. Smart Finances. Smart Future.

Learning Objective: Women’s Issues
Moderator: Andrea Martinez
Panelists: Geri Walsh and Katrina Malone

Women are less likely to talk about finances, think strategically about money and invest in the markets. It’s time for that to change! This panel brings together leading voices in the world of wealth creation to break down taboos around money, budgets and financial plans—and to highlight ways to get involved as an investor so you can grow your personal wealth.

2022 Agenda

Empowering Your Personal Brand

Learning Objective: Identity and Diversity
Workshop Presenter: Sarah Barr

This conversation/demonstration will include tips and techniques to help you present your best self, both virtually and in real life. The tools you’ll acquire will be invaluable to anyone who is interviewing for jobs, leading teams or making presentations.

AAUW Start Smart Salary Negotiation Training

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Workshop Presenter: Andrea Martinez

Learn how to research your target salary, highlight your accomplishments and find the right words—and confidence—to negotiate for better benefits and pay. Negotiating increases your potential to earn more and can make the difference for paying off loans, buying what you want and need, and saving for the future.

Mentorship vs. Coaching

Learning Objective: Leadership Development
Moderator: Dr. Sau-Fong Au
Panelists: Darlen Taylor and Tressa Lacy

Sometimes people use the words “mentoring” and “coaching” interchangeably, but they do not describe the same type of working relationship. Both share specific goals (including learning and career development) that lead to peak performance and realizing your full potential. Join our panel in a conversation about the differences between the two, and finding the best fit for you.

Navigating Employment in a Pandemic

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Moderator: Mary Gata
Panelists: Je’Nen Chastain and Michon Pinnix

Are you interested in a job where you can work from home most or at least some of the time? Post-pandemic, more employers are offering options such as a fully remote or a “hybrid” work environment. Learn how companies are setting policies and what employees can expect in terms of potential arrangements. This panel will discuss the evolving job market, trends in 2022 and what you can do to optimize your chance of finding a job environment that works best for you.

2022 Agenda

More Voices, Less Polarity: Beyond Diversity and Inclusion

Learning Objective: Identity and Diversity
Workshop Presenter: Grace Virtue

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) is an increasingly popular framework for examining discrimination, inequities and social exclusion. It focuses on the need to disrupt old paradigms, respect differences and promote more equitable and inclusive spaces. Although intended to address all sorts of structural oppression, D&I often appears as mostly driven by Black people opposing racism and perceived as a racial issue. As a result, the concept can feel polarizing. Furthermore, it pays insufficient attention to other issues of power and powerlessness, which affect people across these divides. The D&I model, developed by Grace Virtue, Ph.D., is intended to decrease the polarization, invite more voices and more effectively reflect a multicultural and multifocal path to social justice.

Women and Confidence

Learning Objective: Women’s Issues
Workshop Presenter: Kimberly Dickman

Is there a confidence gap between men and women? Maybe not! Research shows that women have confidence—but sometimes are hesitant to be self-promotional and often worry that doing so may lead to backlash. This session explores the history of systemic barriers to women’s success—and offers experiential ways we can lift up ourselves—and other women.

College Student Women Leaders and Campus Activism (Student Panel)

Learning Objective: Activism
Moderator: John Lester
Panelists: Tyler Hampton, Teresa Lebowitz and Adrianna Lora

Student leadership and activism are crucial parts of campus life—and we need to recognize how powerful they can be. If you are tired of being sick and tired and ready to make some changes, now it the moment to get involved. Learn how students across the nation bring positive change to their campus.

The Future of Work: Artificial Intelligence, Jobs and Skills

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Moderator: Shehla Yamani
Panelists: Chasity Crawley

The future of work is being shaped by two powerful forces: The growing adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the expansion of the workforce to include contractors and freelancers. Hear what’s in store for the workplace, the workforce and the nature of work itself in the 21st century at this panel.

2022 Agenda

Claim Your Power: Empowerment Self-Defense

Learning Objective: Leadership Development
Workshop Presenter: Lauren Taylor

Feel your power! Empowerment Self-Defense is an effective approach to preventing, stopping and healing from all levels of assault and violence—from macroaggressions to full-on attacks. Whether you’re being harassed at work, school or on the street; want to set limits with family members or friends; or need to stop someone who’s violating your physical boundaries, you will learn valuable skills to make that happen. Empowerment Self-Defense places violence in a social context, shifts responsibility from the victims to the perpetrator, empowers survivors and offers a comprehensive toolbox of verbal and physical strategies that anyone can master. You don’t have to be physically strong to claim your power, and people of all abilities are welcome. This intensive workshop is highly interactive and engaging, featuring movement, discussion, small-group exercises and role playing.

Voice Activation: Speak Truth to Power

Learning Objective: Leadership Development
Workshop Presenter: Jaemi Serene

SheLeadsHer is hosting a workshop on Voice Activation: Speaking Truth to Power. In this session, you will learn about various types of power dynamics in the workplace, while unearthing your personal power for dealing with them. This workshop is designed for young women in the early stages of their career. It will help you discover how to become powerful in your own right—in a way that is authentic and meaningful to you. Find out how to set boundaries, identify your own strengths and use your voice to assert your power!

The Road to Graduate School: Before, During and After

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Moderator: Sandra Hampton
Panelists: Emily Liverman and Caitlyn Cardetti

Are you curious about graduate studies? Join us as we explore the pathways of post-secondary education through the lens of folks you are certain to encounter along your educational journey. Panelists will explore all aspects of the graduate school experience—from deciding if graduate school is right for you to making the most of an advanced degree—and everything in between.

Entrepreneurship: Social Media Influencers… Big Business

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Moderator: Nicole Lewis
Panelists: Dasha Kenndy and Débora Silva

We all know the earning power of influencers and entrepreneurs! One pitches a product to social media followers and the other pitches a product or a service to potential customers. So here is something to consider: Are influencers entrepreneurs? Are entrepreneurs influencers? Join our panel to learn the similarities and differences and to hear how both groups can know their value and get paid what they’re worth.

2022 Agenda

Put Your Big Girl Pants On – and Other Power Moves to Increase Influence

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Workshop Presenter: Meg Bucaro Wojtas

We spend most of our days communicating with others. This program examines everyday situations and empowers women to show up with purpose and power through influential communication behavior.

Elect Her

Learning Objective: Leadership Development
Workshop Presenter: Sara Blanco

Running for elected office is a great way to make a difference! This session will help you explore the possibilities of seeking a role in student government—and beyond. (Even if you’re not sure if this is for you, you’ll learn useful skills and practices for any leadership opportunity.) Student government is the perfect place to get started: More than 50% of women in state legislators and in Congress started out as student leaders. Or you can run for public office immediately, like Howard University alum Allyson Carpenter, who is the youngest-ever elected official in Washington, DC. In this workshop, you’ll discover all you have to contribute, and you’ll learn such skills as strategic planning, powerful presentation, effective messaging and more. You will connect with other civic-minded peers and get a head start on your path to becoming a public official!

Finding the Right Career for You

Learning Objective: Professional Development
Moderator: Patricia Sais
Panelist: Kim Bohince and Nechari Riley

Choosing the right career path can be daunting. How do you identify the best job opportunities? How do you know if you’d prefer a career in civil service, the nonprofit arena, academia or the corporate world? There’s no easy answer: About 75% of Americans have changed careers at least once, and 33% are currently thinking about it. But rest assured that discovering a satisfying career path is possible! Join the discussion and get inspired!