Hilary Bruggen Fordwich, an expert on business relationships and development, will offer women leaders and managers advice about how to shape their future during the 15th annual Leadership Colloquium for Professional Women on Thursday, November 6 at the University of Mary Washington’s Stafford campus.
The Colloquium, sponsored by the University of Mary Washington (UMW), GEICO, NSWC Federal Credit Union and MediCorp Health System, will include seminars about coaching, negotiating, stress management, mentoring, professional development, leadership in a multi-generational workplace and other topics.
The program will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UMW College of Graduate and Professional Studies on U.S. 17 in Stafford County. The registration deadline is Thursday, October 23.
Fordwich, president and founder of Strelmark, LLC, a business development consulting firm, has more than 25 years of experience helping companies cultivate clients and grow their organizations. She has worked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Press Foundation, and other organizations teaching professionals how to tap the power of relationships. A Mary Washington graduate, she will give a keynote address titled “Crystallize Your Future with Five Cs—Communication, Candor, Concern, Competence, and Connection” beginning at 9:15 a.m.
In addition, 10 seminars on a wide range of topics will be offered, giving participants the opportunity to attend two sessions of their choice:
• “Bloom Where You are Planted: Be a Leader in Your Current Role” will show professionals in any position or level how to use practical leadership skills and influence others. The presenter will be Kathy Wall, executive vice president of human resources and organizational development with MediCorp Health System.
• “Coaching for Maximum Team Performance” will cover guidelines for effectively coaching superior performers, employees with performance problems and those who fall somewhere in between. The information will be offered by Twana Miller, a training and development specialist experienced in facilitating management and leadership seminars.
• “Do I Have To Be An Acrobat?” will help participants create tools for improving in their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being while juggling heavy schedules and demands. The presenter will be Rosemary Burke, director of associate wellness and occupational health for MediCorp Health System.
• “Dynamics of Generations in the Workplace” will explore why and how the four generations currently in the workplace manifest different expectations, traits, values and work habits, and how to bridge generational gaps. Roz Jeffries, senior partner with the Performance Enhancement Group, is the speaker for this session.
• “Everybody Wins: The Fine Art of Negotiating” will show participants how to develop and communicate their positions, solicit information from other parties and reach a conclusion acceptable to all involved. The presenter will be Linda Worrell, vice president of business development and government relations for Silver Companies and president of Worrell Management Group.
• “Mentoring 101” will cover how to make a positive difference in the lives of others and how to learn the basic tools for becoming a successful mentor. The speaker, Tracey Anbiya, is the command sergeant major at Fort Belvoir, Va., and a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army.
• “Overcoming Opposition: Tools for a Positive Attitude” will help participants harness tools to build a foundation for positive change and maintain high levels of satisfaction on the job and in life. The session will be presented by Deidre Bryant, a deployment project analyst for the Department of Homeland Security with experience working with a range of human health services.
• “Reframing Your Perspective to Manage Stress” will explore negative reactions to stress and new ways to promote more positive responses. Bonnie Piper, director of the ASSIST Employee Assistance Program for MediCorp Health System, is the speaker.
• “Successful Shift from Peer to Boss” will provide easy-to-implement tips helpful to anyone eager to become the boss everyone wants to work for. The presenter will be Emily Castillo-Schroeder, performance coach at GEICO’s Macon, Ga., regional office.
• “Young Women: Preparing the Next Generation” will cover how to help young women develop into extraordinary leaders. Beth Fellenstein, director of adult development for the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia, will present.
The Colloquium will begin with the networking opportunity “Get Connected” facilitated by Janel S. Donohue, director of resource development for the Rappahannock United Way. A highlight scheduled after lunch is a mentoring forum featuring formal and informal mentoring connections to promote an open question-and-answer discussion of mentoring relationships. The session will be moderated by Jane-Alyse VonOhlen of MediCorp Health System.
The Colloquium will include a presentation of the Patricia Lacey Metzger Distinguished Achievement Award. Named in memory of a Colloquium founder and UMW professor of business administration, the award is given annually to recognize a past Colloquium participant for attaining a major career goal while upholding exemplary personal and professional standards.
The fee of $99 includes continental breakfast, buffet luncheon, afternoon tea, all seminars, sessions and materials. To learn more and to register, visit www.umw.edu/lcpw, send an email to cgps@umw.edu, or call (540) 286-8000 or toll-free (888) 692-4968.
The 2008 theme – “Facets of Leadership: Crystallize Your Future” – was chosen in recognition of the Colloquium’s 15th anniversary and the traditional anniversary gift of crystal. Local organizations have donated an extensive array of door prizes.
The Colloquium prepares women to advance in leadership roles at various stages of their careers. The program attracts managers, administrators, educators, business owners and leaders of public, private and nonprofit organizations.