Professional Development for Women and Minorities

Recently, Lango Deen and Rayondon Kennedy sat down with Disney Research Fellow, Lanny Smoot, for an in-depth conversation. Topics range from his background, what lead to winning Most Promising Engineer,  and much more. Stay tuned for USBE & Information Technology magazine’s presentation of “A Conversation with Lanny Smoot,” featuring Lango Deen and Rayondon Kennedy.

The Power of Focus: Tuning In to the Right Priorities

 

Adrienne Somerville - National Industrial Business Operations Director - NAVAIR

Anu Mangaly - Senior Engineer - NetApp Inc.

Liza Raiser - Diversity & Inclusion Manager - Raytheon Company

 

Learning Objective: Increase professional and personal productivity and workplace efficiency

We have access to limitless information in our rapidly changing world as we face competing priorities. There are so many opportunities, options, paths, new developments, and discoveries that fight for our limited attention. With this in mind, clarity and focus are critical skills to ensure that we reach our most important milestones. If you can conquer the art of focus, you will prosper, be more effective, and increase the quality of life and work. This workshop will provide specific focusing strategies to help you make decisive moves, change bad habits, minimize your weaknesses, and maximize your strengths.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Explore specific strategies and habits that support mental clarity.
2. List common distractions and how to manage them.
3. Identify priorities and strategies to create better work-life balance.
4. Examine habits and activities that help and hurt ANY goal.

 

Slideshare Presentation: https://www.slideshare.net/ccgmag/the-power-of-focus-tuning-in-to-the-right-priorities-179350623

Solutions Fireside Chat: Leaky Pipes and the Women of Color Executive Leader Accelerator Program

 

Norma B. Clayton - Trustee - Tuskegee University

Anita Estell - CEO - CELIE

 

The path to the c-suite is an arduous undertaking for women of color. Research concludes, that of any group, women of color, particularly black women receive the least assistance related to executive advancement. New models and disruptive innovations are needed to promote and support the advancement of women of color as senior executives in public, private and nonprofit enterprises.

 

This session addresses barriers precluding the advancement of women of color to the c-suite. Two trailblazing c-suite level presenters will discuss findings associated with “leaky pipes,” including those factors that impede executive advancement and introduce participants to the Women of Color Executive Leader Accelerator (WoCELA) pipeline partner initiative. WoCELA is a prototype college-age recruitment, retention and advancement intervention that will place at least 250 high-potential professionals on the path to the c-suite over the next five years. Session attendees also will be invited to share narratives, insights, lessons learned and offer suggestions to help inform prototype development prior to program launch in 2020. The exchange also will inform solution development of a customized program for mid-managers.

Think, Act, Achieve extraordinary Results: Winning Executive Coaching Strategies for the Leader and the Coach

 

Kenneth Bailey - NOAA

Courtney Powell - Director of Engineering - Assent Delivery - Eli Lilly and Company

 

Learning objective: Improve leadership and coaching skills

Leadership is about moving toward important goals and embracing the potential and growth power of people. Whether you are a top CEO, director, team lead, or beginning your career, you should be asking yourself one critical question: “How can I grow and achieve personal excellence?” Executive coaching is a strategic partnership that maximizes performance and growth potential to drive enhanced business outcomes. This workshop provides a vault of pioneering concepts, tools, and resources that move leaders from innovative thought to strategic action. Get ready to be challenged, take risks, and achieve extraordinary results.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Create a plan and vision that supports business, professional, and life mission.
2. Use leadership techniques and communication strategies that support vision.
3. List tools to overcome resistance, act, and make strategic decisions.
4. Examine coaching competencies to assist the success of future leaders and team members.
5. Use strategies to get out of their comfort zone, generate ideas, and expand vision.

In preparation for the upcoming 34th annual BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, WOLB's own, Larry Young, sits down with Linda Gooden, formerly of Lockheed Martin

The two cover how to get students prepared for the future, getting students involved with machine learning and blockchain, how to provide job opportunities to students who don't attend 4-year universities, and many other things.

The BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference takes place in Washington, D.C. from Thursday, February 13-Saturday, February 15 2020.

Act Like a CEO, Think Like a Leader: Top Leaders Get Real About Gender, Leadership, and Perceptions

 

Renata Spinks - Cyber Technology Officer - U.S. Marine Corps Force Cyberspace Command

Cora Richardson - Engineering Project Manager - Apple, Inc.

Tisha Hammond - CEO - Ascent Small Business Promotion, LLC

 

Learning Objective: Examine the challenges and strategies of gender barriers

Be strong in the work place? Wait, not too strong? Be assertive? Wait, that’s aggressive? For every piece of advice a woman leader receives, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This seminar brings leaders together to share perceptions, management challenges, and leadership strategies. Leaders speak up and share candid thoughts for getting results and overcoming stereotypes and barriers. If information is power, this seminar is your source.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Engage in a candid dialogue regarding the perceived challenges of managing/leading women and being managed/led by women.
2. Discuss techniques that help build professional relationships.
3. Explore the impact of gender and perceptions on pay and promotion.

Adapt or Crash: Emerging Technology’s Impact on Today’s Business

 

Arundhati Desai - Business Process Manager - FCA, Quality Vehicle Safety and Compliance

Jeannice Fairrer Samani - Fairrer Samani Group

Prabha Mani - Senior Engineer QA, NetApp

 

Learning Objective: Examine how current technology will affect businesses in the future

It wasn’t that long ago when the technological buzzwords social, cloud, and mobile were being explored by businesses and changing the way we work. With new technology being developed faster than a company can learn and roll out to their employees, the next innovation question is “what’s next?” Artificial intelligence, augmented/virtual realities, and the Internet of Things have been introduced to businesses. New additions to this growing list of technology such as voice capabilities, blockchain, quantum computing, robotics, and flexible screens have jumped into the mix of future technological advancements that will make businesses run smarter and faster. Join us for a look into the future as our panel discusses the challenge for business to determine how to position itself on the leading edge of innovation.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and analyze various emerging technologies in business.
2. Analyze and assess the various factors that affect business strategy with emerging technology.
3. Understand the impact of emerging technology on society.
4. Explore the importance of ethical practices in the usage of emerging technology.

 

Slideshare Presentation: https://www.slideshare.net/ccgmag/adapt-or-crash-emerging-technologys-impact-on-todays-business

In preparation for the upcoming 34th annual BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, WOLB's own, Doni Glover, sits down with Marsha Jews and Stephanie Hill of Lockheed Martin.

The three cover Stephanie's path to engineering, instilling positivity within our students, Lockheed Martin's conference participation, and many other things.

The BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference takes place in Washington, D.C. from Thursday, February 13-Saturday, February 15 2020.

In preparation for the upcoming 34th annual BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, WOLB's own, Larry Young, sits down with Maj. Sean Spence.

The two cover Maj. Spence's background, the STEM profession, how students can develop leadership abilities, and many other things.

The BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference takes place in Washington, D.C. from Thursday, February 13-Saturday, February 15 2020.

High Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation

 

Ann Green-Ramsey - Global Chief, Electrical & Connectivity Quality - Ford Motor Company

Liliana Ramirez - Global Director, Lean Manufacturing - Ford Motor Company

Edith Pickens - HQE, Senior Advisor for Workforce Development & Integration - U.S. Army

Alba Contreras Rodriguez - President - Focus on Solution, LLC

Anne Marie Graham-Hudak - Ford Motor Company

 

Learning Objective: Discuss traits that help develop and expand your leadership repertoire

Are leaders born or made? How do aspiring managers succeed in an ever-changing business environment? How do they lead different groups to action? Throughout this seminar, we will explore how great leaders assess themselves, manage collaborative teams, and effectively manage negotiations and conflict.

At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Discover how leaders communicate through storytelling and employ other communication strategies to influence.
2. Explore and analyze leadership styles.
3. Identify how organizations can develop team charters to optimize their groups and develop a game plan for effective negotiation.

 

Slideshare Presentation: https://www.slideshare.net/ccgmag/high-performance-collaboration-leadership-teamwork-and-negotiation-179350606