Past Conferences

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2024: Break Through

Featuring Keynote Speakers

Liz Nead
Amy Purdy
Barbara Corcoran

Breakout Sessions:

Yvonne Camus "Practicing Grit: Concrete Strategies for Cultivating Success"
Sylvia Baffour "Dare to Care™: How to Inspire & Influence with Emotional Intelligence''
Wendy Bird "Unstick Your Stuck"
Nyaunu Stevens and Sandra Vonniessen-Applebee of National Conference for Community and Justice "Helping Humans, Human Better, Together: Understanding and Reaching Across Identity"

View Our 2024 Program

2023: Ignite

Featuring Keynote Speakers

Betsy Allen-Manning
Tunde Oyeneyin
Robin Roberts

Breakout Sessions:

Alexandra Samuel "Forging and Managing the Hybrid Workplace"
Nilofer Merchant "Igniting Your Innovation and Understanding Your 'Onlyness''
Pirie Jones Grossman "You've Got the Seat at the Table, Now What?"
Juliet Hall "The Power of Inclusive Leadership"

View Our 2023 Program

2022: REimagine

Featuring Keynote Speakers

Tyra Banks
Patrice Banks
Christine Cashen

Focus Sessions:

Dr. Ramani Durvasula “Staying Sane with Disruptive Personalities in the Workplace”
Laura Huang “The Real Role of Gut Instinct Managing Complexity and Extreme Risk”
Jennifer Romolini “The Misfit’s Guide to Managing, Surviving, and Thriving at Work”
Emily Esfahani Smith “The Power of Meaning—Making your Life, Work, and Relationships Matter”

View Our 2022 Program

2019: Why NOT Me?

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Margot Stern and Dr. Yael Schuster
Mel Robbins
Rita Moreno

Focus Sessions:

Kim Lear “The Future Factors: Top Factors Impacting Relationships in an Age of Empowerment”
Cy Wakeman “Say Why Not to Change”
Kim Meninger “Maximize Your Seat at the Table”
Dr. Kristina Hallett “You Can Make the Impossible POSSIBLE, by Changing Your Thinking”

View Our 2019 Program

2018: Be Curious

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Lena Waithe
Amy Cuddy

Focus Sessions:

Dr. Stephen Brand “Curiosity at the Core: Cultivating Innovation”
Dr. Tasha Eurich “The Power of Insight: How Self-Awareness Helps Leaders Succeed at Work and Life”
Cy Wakeman “Reality-Based Leadership: Ditching the Drama”
Linda Galindo “Accountable Leadership: How to Increase Productivity and Improve Performance”

View Our 2018 Program

2017: The Business of People

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Shiza Shahid
Nely Galán
Nicholas Sparks

Focus Sessions:

Dr. Therese Huston ”Is Intuition a Real Thing? Tools for Making Your Best Decisions Now”
Dr. Annie McKee “Executive Track – Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: The Secret to Leadership Success & Happiness at Work”
Hilary Corna “Empowering Empathy Locally and Abroad”

View Our 2017 Program

2016: Thrive

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Marlee Matlin
Veronika Scott
Arianna Huffington

Focus Sessions:

Henry Mason “Trends to Watch in 2016”
Laurie Cameron “Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI): Developing the useful mental habits for sustainable wellbeing and success”
Lynne Marino “The ‘M’ Word: Money Tips to Help Women Thrive”

View Our 2016 Program

2015: Celebrating Sisterhood

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Angélique Kidjo
Kathy Giusti
Gloria Estefan

Focus Sessions:

Sheila Heen “Thanks for the Feedback”
Wendy Ellin “Unleash Your Productivity Potential”
Christine Mark “Going After Your Next Big Thing”
Dr. Steven M. Schonholz, MD “The Next Advancement in Breast Cancer Surgery – Excision of Cancer in 8 Seconds”
Lynn Ostrowski, Ph.D. “Nutrition Myth Busters & Fast Facts” and “Get Fit While You Work”
Dawn LaPierre “Fight Like a Girl – Getting STRONG to LIVE Well”
Elizabeth Barajas-Román “Celebrating Sisterhood through Inspiring Mentorship”
Janine Fondon “Celebrating Sisterhood through Inspiring Mentorship”

View Our 2015 Program

2014: Own Your Story

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Lara Setrakian
Bruce Feiler
Barbara Walters

Focus Sessions:

Steven Schonholz, MD, FACS “What Do You Mean “I Have a Genetic Mutation for Breast Cancer?”
Shelly Pirroni and Kerrie Bodendorf “MELT: How to Live an Active, Pain Free, Healthy Life!”
Marylynn Ostrowski “Work Fit!” and “Understanding Your Biometrics & Goal Setting”
Sandy Foster “Would You Recognize a Cancer Symptom?”
Sarah Nathan “Own Your Legacy: The Philanthropic Autobiography”
Jason Chateauneuf, SPHR, MBA “Writer’s Block Isn’t an Option for Your Career”
Kimberly Robinson Williams, MBA, SPHR “You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover...or Can You?”
Christine Mark “Five Tips for Your Next Critical Career Move”
IIene Fischer “Disrupting Mentorship and Accelerating Results with a Many to One Personal Advisory BoardTM”
Dr. Valerie Young “How to Feel as Bright and Capable as You Really Are: Why Smart People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive In Spite of It”
Lisa Kogan “This Is Your Life: Learning To Tell Your Story With Humor”Jim Kelleher “Bringing Moments of Joy to Courageous Kids”
Springfield Deputy Chief John Berbieri and Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Cutone “Counterinsurgency Cops”

View Our 2014 Program

2013: Be Bold

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Susan Cain
Jenn Lim
Queen Latifah

Focus Sessions:

Bonnie Marcus “Your Value Proposition: The Key to Marketing Yourself Successfully”
Porter Gale “The Art of Mentoring”
Shereen Eltobgy and Sunny Grosso “Making Happy Work”
King Peggielene Bartels “An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and How She Changed An African Village”
Carlo Centeno and Amy Santarelli “The Emotional Intelligence Quotient: Ingredients for Excellence at Work”
Jason Chateauneuf “Use Your Voice, Lead Your Career”
Kim Kenney-Rockwal “Take a Tour of Integrity Island: What Does It Look Like to Stay True to Your Values?”
Janice Mazallo “Deciding What Is Most Important in Life: Aligning Your Core Values with Your Career”
Adam LaField “Use Bold Communication in the Workplace to Avoid Problems & Stay on the Path of Productivity”
Anita Eliason and Jennifer Roberge “Watch Out World: Five Ways to Ignite Your Personal Presentation”

View Our 2013 Program

2012: Lead with Compassion

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Sister Helen Prejean
Majora Carter
Ashley Tyler Judd

Focus Sessions:

Lisa Merlo-Booth “How to Create a Compassionate, Powerful Workplace”
Dr. Frederic Luskin “Forgive for Good”
Manisha Thakor “Get Financially Naked: How to Talk Money to Your Honey”
Deb Gabinelle “Small Business Loan In Sight! What Banks Really Want to See.”
Debbie Wright “Enhance Your Image, Advance Your Career”
Mary-Anne DiBlasio “Feeling Comfortable in your own Skin” and “Be Well, Be Wise, Just Be: Learn to Live in Harmony with Life's Stress”
Kathy McAfee “Networking Tune-up”
Linda Waters “Reinventing You”
Andrea Carey & Rose Marie Manarite “Women & Heart Disease”
Dr. Katherine White “Women’s Sexual Health” and “Sexual Health Jeopardy”
Cynthia Hinckley “The Healing Power of the Human-Canine Bond”
Christine Martin “Tune into Your Body, Naturally”
Sandra Hubbard “Breast Cancer”
Susan Kozlik “Healthy Aging through Disease Prevention”

View Our 2012 Program

2011: The Power of Choice

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Victoria Kennedy
Alison Levine
Wes Moore

Focus Sessions:

Holly Atkinson "Women, Stress & Fatigue: Best Solutions"
Angela L. Duckworth "True Grit, Can Perseverance Be Taught?"
Deborah Owens "The Seven Wealthy Habits of Successful Women"
Catherine Tweedie "Meaning: How Remarkable Women Lead"

2010: Community Matters

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Soledad O’Brien
Leigh Anne & Collins Tuohy
Nicholas Kristof & Somaly Mam

Focus Sessions:

Alexandra Levit "They Don't Teach Corporate in College/Millennial Tweet"
Sarah Perez-McAdoo, MD, Christine Henriques Mark, Anne Caruso ’05, Jessica Fraga '05 G'08, Martha S. LaCroix "Work, Education, and Family Balance"
Bobby Rodriguez "Creating an Inclusive Work Community"
Diane Holman "Political Savvy at Work"

2009: Soaring

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

C. Vivian Stringer
Jill Bolte Taylor
Anita Renfroe

Focus Sessions:

Nanette K. Gartrell, MD "My Answer is NO...If That's Okay With You"
Carol Frohlinger, Esq. "Her Place at the Table: Using Negotiation Skills to Get What You Want"
Dee Lee, CFP "Formulating Your Financial Plan"
Prill Boyle, Author "Defying Gravity" Finding Passion & Purpose at Any Age"

2008: Authenticity

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Luma Mufleh
Shelly Lazarus
Jane Fonda

Focus Sessions:

Sue Hodgkinson "Creating Your Personal Brand"
Barbara Pachter "The Power of Positive Confrontation: A Better Way to Handle Conflict:
Katie Goodman "Improvisation for the Spirit"
David Yelle "Personality and Your Potential"

2007: Resillience

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Maya Angelou
Mia Farrow
Lynn Donohue

Focus Sessions:

Helaine Fischer "It's All About Me: The Power of Us for Better Life and Health"
Mary Lou Andre "Ready to Wear"
Suzanne Bates, "Speak Like a CEO"
Mimi Donaldson "Bless Your Stress"

2006: Humor Incorporated

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Nora Ephron
Emily Levine
Lynne Truss

Focus Sessions:

Laura Corio, MD "The Change Before the Change"
Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, PhD "Reading Between the Lines"
Rosamund Stone Zander "The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life
Julianne Malveaux and Deborah Perry "Unfinished Business: A Democrat and a Republican Take on The 10 Most Important Issues Women’s Face" Panel

2005: Breaking Down Barriers

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Madeleine Albright
Catherine Crier
Erin Gruwell

Focus Sessions:

Barbara Lee, Rosemarie Boyd, Laura Liswood "Breaking the Ultimate Barrier" Panel
Phoebe Eng "Creating Dialogues that Lead to Change"
Anne Crittenden "What Gap? Home and Work"
Katherine Switzer "Running Down Roadblocks"

2004: Courage

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Jerri Nielsen
Sherron Watkins
Carol Mosely Braun

Focus Sessions:

Robin Gerber "Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage"
Michele Gravelle "Difficult Conversations: What Everyone Should Know"
Judy Reeves, LCDR Melissa J. Schuermann, Mildred Robbins Leet, Kerry J. Kulhman "Courageous Paths" Panel
Peggy Klaus "Brag! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn"

2003: Creating Your Spark

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Lisa Ling
Kay Koplovitz
Anna Deavere Smith

Focus Sessions:

Dorothy Leonard "Navigating the Innovation Process"
Ginger Hardage "Still Nuts After All These Years"
Nan Crawford "Leap and a Net Will Appear"
Kay Koplovitz "Entrepreneurship - Creating Your Own Path"

2002: Embracing Change

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Andrea Mitchell
Jane Bryant Quinn
Judy Carter

Focus Sessions:

Julie Morgenstern "Organizing from the Inside Out"
Ronna Lichtenberg "Embracing Change in the Workplace"
Amber Chand, Naomi Tutu, and Francesca Gray "Changing Our Global Perspective" Panel
Pat Heim "In the Company of Women"

2001: Ages/Stages: A Professional and Personal Journey

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Rita Moreno
Ann Fudge
Ellen Goodman & Patricia O’Brien

Focus Sessions:

Mimi Donaldson "Power Up: How to Negotiate for Results in Your Life"
Barbara Sher "How to Create Your Second Life at Any Stage"
Gail Rae and David Gebler "Are Your Values Working" Panel
Joline Godfrey "The DollarDiva: Stage of Economic Development"

2000: Developing Dialogues: Communications for the 21st Century

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Elaine Chao
Anna Quindlen
Linda Ellerbee

Focus Sessions:

Nancy Weiss and Karen Ferroni "Partnering with Your Health Care Professionals"
Sylvia Rimm "Promoting Family Dialogue"
Barbara Stanny "Prince Charming Isn't Coming: How Women Get Smart About Money"
Lorraine Monroe "Nothing's Impossible: Leadership Lessons from the Field"

1999: Taking The Path of Greater Risk

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Loretta LaRoche
Susan L. Taylor
Ann Richards

Focus Sessions:

Gina Smith "Trends in Technology"
Laura Pederson "Women and Investing"
Jerilyn P. Asher, Judy Fearing, and Christy Haubegger "Women Who Have Taken the Path of Greater Risk" Panel
Judith Viorst "For Peace of Mind, Resign as General Manager of the Universe"

1998: Pathways for Leadership

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Faith Popcorn
Evelyn Lauder

Focus Sessions:

Miriam E. Nelson "Strong Women Stay Young"
Laura Pederson "Women and Entrepreneurship"
Patricia Heim "Empowering Your Team"
Bernadette Grey, Deborah Wilburn, and Monique Greenwood "Beyond the Wonder Women Myth" Panel

1997: World Class Ways of Doing Business

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Cokie Roberts

Focus Sessions:

Pat Heim "Productive Conflict Skills"
Brenda Garton "Listening to America"
Margery Morehardt, B. Smith, and Anna Williams "World Class Ways of Doing Business" Panel

1996: New Ways of Doing Business: Conversations with Women of Influence

Featuring Keynote Speakers:

Elizabeth Dole
Patricia Aburdene

Focus Sessions:

Pat Heim "Invisible Rules - Communicating in the Work Place"
Susanna Opper "The Power of Technology: Pathways to Success"
Brenda Garton-Sjoberg , Moderator, Nancy Johnson, Mary Rogeness, Linda Melonian, Gloria Larson, and Kathy Whitmire "Wome in Polictics" Panel
Carolyn Robbins, Moderator, Eva Thomson, Mary Louise Hatten, Karen Wilson "New Ways of Doing Business" Panel

Contact Info

Women's Leadership Conference

588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106 wlc@baypath.edu

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