Brenau University will host its 12th annual Women’s Leadership Colloquium at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 20, in the Brenau Downtown Center. The event brings together students, alumni, and community members.
The Women’s Leadership Colloquium offers opportunities for attendees to network, hear personal stories from prominent speakers, and engage in conversations that inspire personal growth.
“The colloquium provides a space for attendees to engage with accomplished and inspiring speakers on topics that are central to the lived experiences of women in society,” Deirdre Cassell, assistant vice president of the Undergraduate School and The Women’s College, said.
Ronda Rich, WC ’83, is the Alumni Association Endowed Speaker. She is a bestselling author, syndicated columnist, and award-winning sports writer. Rich has published several books, including the bestselling “What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should).” She also writes a weekly column that appears in more than 50 newspapers.
The colloquium will also feature four professional development workshops facilitated by women who have made significant contributions to their fields:
- Slma Shelbayah is a former award-winning CNN journalist and CEO of Shelbayah Consulting. She has more than 20 years of experience in media, public relations, communications, and higher education.
- Vivian Holland is the digital marketing sales specialist at the Atlanta and Northeast Georgia Better Business Bureau. She is also the founder and executive director of Helping Hands of Georgia Metro, a non-profit organization committed to addressing social issues and providing access to chaplaincy services and free educational resources.
- Kim Leverett, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Brenau’s Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing, where she coordinates the Post-Master’s Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Program.
- Amy Jacques, LPC, BC-DMT, BU ’17 is the dance/movement therapy program coordinator and assistant professor of psychology at Brenau. She also teaches classes in the Dance Department. Jacques is a licensed professional counselor and a board-certified dance/movement therapist.
“We’re excited to offer engaging workshops that will empower guests to build their own experience based on the topics that best fit their professional goals,” Cassell said. “Attendees should expect an inspiring and joyful afternoon, and to walk away with actionable tools for leadership development and personal growth regardless of their stage of life.”
This year’s theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” The colloquium supports the university’s GOLD Experience, which this year focuses on “Preparing Dynamic Leaders for Brenau and Beyond.”
“The WLC was planned by a committee of faculty and staff, many of whom are Brenau Women’s College alumnae,” Cassell said. “The committee is chaired by Shatrela Washington-Hubbard, Ph.D., whose own commitment to providing meaningful professional development opportunities for students and amplifying the accomplishments of other women has allowed her to be a strong leader in this pursuit as we usher the colloquium into the next era of serving students and the wider community.”
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register online here.
