Information about the Women's Development Conference event

A delicious start to the conference, while connecting with fellow attendees. 

Welcome
Hear from Jessica K. Roberts '02, Senior Executive Director, University of Maryland Alumni Association. 

Opening Session: The Power of Giving (Back) and Paying it Forward
Explore the transformative impact of generosity.
Speaker: Sharon L. Akers ’78, Executive Director, Special Projects | President, Edward St. John Foundation

Choose 1 to attend. Sessions will be first come first served for conference attendees. 

Celebrate Your Wins: Self-Promotion Without the Ick
Self-promotion is a strategic move that can profoundly influence your career. Plus: Reflecting on your achievements– big or small– improves your physical and mental well-being, accelerates your career advancement, and builds your self-confidence. Yet, most of us don’t celebrate ourselves nearly enough because of the 'ICK' factor when it comes to sharing our achievements. Break down these biases and learn how to self-promote without the ICK!
Speaker: Amy Yip ’04, Founder, Mental Fitness Executive Coach and Consultant

Crafting Your Personal Brand: Success Through Strategic Follow-Up
So you’ve just had a great sales meeting, nailed an interview, or left a networking event having made some great connections - now what? The common belief is that 99% of life is about showing up, but in reality, success - in any way you define it - is in the follow-up and follow through. What’s more, building a strong personal brand through strategic and authentic follow-up will always set you apart from the competition. This session dives into the art of effective follow-up from the perspective of a PR pro and professional nudge - from getting into the right mindset to avoiding common mistakes, creating your own personal brand toolkit, utilizing proven strategies and more. Learn how to stay top-of mind without being overbearing while establishing trust and credibility within your network, company or customer base.
Speaker: Lauren Banyar Reich ’02, CEO & Founder LBR/PR

Guide to the Enneagram for Healthier Relationship to Self & Others
The Enneagram is a great life learning laboratory. We will review the history of these nine personality types. You will take a free short assessment that will highlight 3 of your top identifiers from the Enneagram. Together, we will explore and understand each type and how they relate to your own lives. By understanding your own personality type, you'll gain a clearer perspective on how you show up for yourself, your loved ones and colleagues. This powerful self-discovery tool will empower you to make meaningful changes in both personal and professional relationships, fostering greater intention and purpose in your daily life.
Speaker: Julie Beth Wright Halbert, Esq.’ 90, Transformational Life Coach and National Education Advocate, Rising Phoenix Coaching, LLC

Choose 1 to attend. Sessions will be first come first served for conference attendees.

Hacking the Business World: Practical Advice from a Cybersecurity Entrepreneur
Are you ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship but unsure where to start? In this interactive session, Yasmin Abdi (Ex, Snap, Google, Meta), a cybersecurity consultant and successful entrepreneur, will equip you with essential tools and strategies to launch your own business. Skip the fluff and dive straight into actionable advice on topics like identifying your niche, creating a business plan, securing funding, and navigating common startup challenges. With a focus on practical steps and real-world examples, this session is designed to empower you to turn your ideas into a thriving enterprise. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to refine your startup approach, this session will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to build a strong foundation for your business success.
Speaker: Yasmin Abdi ’20, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, noHack LLC

"Deliberate Networking": Boost yourself and your career
70-80% of jobs are filled through connections. Today, networking isn't just about collecting business cards. Networking is not just “what can you do for me?” And don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your job is “safe”, and you don’t need to network. Even if you’re happy in your current company, networking within your organization is essential to your career growth and success. Building your community is about deliberately supporting your connections. Networking is creating relationships and laying the groundwork for opportunities. This session will equip you with the tools and techniques to build skills and actions to leverage networking in a comfortable and strategic way, to take control of your professional destiny and achieve your career goals.
Speaker: Michelle Hsiao ’96, CEO/Founder, Revenue Growth Advisors

Emotional Intelligence & Stress Management in the Workplace
This engaging and interactive session will explore the transformative power of emotional intelligence (EI) in the workplace. Discover how EI influences key outcomes such as productivity, communication, and stress management. Through insightful discussions, attendees will delve into the science of stress, including how we appraise and respond to challenging situations. Attendees will also gain practical tools and strategies to identify stress triggers, adopt healthier coping mechanisms, and foster resilience. Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional relationships, navigate workplace pressures, or create a more supportive environment, this session will provide actionable insights to help you thrive.
Speaker: Ambika Mathur ’12, Health Psychology and Neuroscience Researcher, Educator, and Writer

Refuel and connect with fellow attendees.

Choose 1 to attend. Sessions will be first come first served for conference attendees.

Pen to Published: A Guide for Aspiring Authors
So you've written a novel (or want to)... what comes next? Bestselling author Sara Goodman Confino talks about the ins and outs of self versus traditional publishing, how to get an agent, and what comes next. Perfect for all stages of the writing process.
Speaker: Sara Goodman Confino ’02, Bestselling author

Thriving with a Growth Mindset
The presentation will examine how a growth mindset can activate positive life changes. The attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions that will explore adapting a growth mindset in the midst of adverse circumstances. The ultimate goal is to implement life changing strategies that will transform your life.
Speaker: Lauren Williams ’98, CEO/Founder/Therapist, MSB Counseling Services LLC

The Future is Female: Financial Planning for Women
Achieving financial success is a journey unique to every woman, influenced by career paths, life transitions, and personal goals. Take charge of your financial future with this empowering session designed for women at every life stage. Led by a seasoned financial expert, this session will provide practical strategies and actionable insights to help you build confidence in managing your money and securing your future.
Speaker: Claire Volke ’12, Financial Advisor, The Meakem Group

The closing plenary features a distinguished panel of some of the University of Maryland's top leaders, who will share their journeys, offering insights on overcoming barriers and advancing women in higher education. This session provides an inspiring opportunity to learn from dynamic leaders making a lasting impact on our university.
Panelists: Anne Buckley, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Georgina Dodge, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Patricia (Patty) A. Perillo, Ph.D. ’02, Vice President for Student Affairs
Moderator: Marlene K. Feldman ’75, Member, Feldman LLC

Connect with fellow Terps, expand your network and meet the presenters at the closing networking reception.