‘Theme of resilience will have a lasting impact’: Mary Washington hosts women’s leadership event

Humans spend their lives in pursuit of happiness.

Author Michelle Gielan, a former CBS Morning News anchor, is the keynote speaker of University of Mary Washington’s 29^th annual Women’s Leadership Colloquium next week. She will bring the feel-good emotion to the event, as well as speak on resilient optimism.

The event includes breakout sessions with area experts and networking on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UMW’s Stafford Campus.

Gielan has conducted research in the relationship between happiness and success. She will kick off the event with her presentation, “Resilient Optimism: Strengthening a Mindset that Fuels Well-Being and Success,” in which she will explore how optimists face challenges, the science of cultivating a positive and optimistic mindset and practical habits for enhancing resilience and happiness.

“In these challenging times, I’m looking forward to sharing the science of resilient optimism and how it can transform our well-being and success,” Gielan, an executive producer of The Happiness Advantage on PBS, said. “I hope that each attendee will leave with practical tools and a renewed sense of optimism, ready to face life’s challenges with a positive mindset.”

Breakout sessions include:

• Susan Shin, CEO and co-founder of Lighterfly, will empower attendees through “Reinventing You,” using the power of imagery and offering actionable insights for personal transformation.
• Susan Spears, president and CEO of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, will guide attendees in “Leaning Into Your Leadership Style,” enabling participants to discover and enhance their unique leadership approaches.
• Rose Heyward, talent and organizational development manager at Mary Washington Healthcare, will offer insights in a session called “Compassionate and Radical Accountability,” emphasizing effective communication strategies that foster accountability while maintaining positive relationships.
• Devin Fedor, senior director of Organizational Design and Effectiveness at Great Minds, will close the day with “I Am Remarkable.” She’ll use discussion and group exercises to explore the global movement “#IAmRemarkable,” developed at Google in 2016 to celebrate workplace achievements and challenge stereotypes around self-promotion.

“The annual Women’s Leadership Colloquium at UMW is a transformative experience that continues to empower women in their personal and professional lives in the greater Fredericksburg region,” UMW Associate Provost of Career and Workforce Kimberly Young said. “This year’s theme of resilience will have a lasting impact on all attendees.”

UMW’s Stafford Campus is at 125 University Blvd, Fredericksburg. Registration is available online and open through October 31.