Brenau University continued Women’s History Month celebrations with the Women’s Leadership Colloquium on March 20 in the Brenau Downtown Center.
The annual colloquium, now in its 12th year, celebrated the GOLD Experience’s “L-Year” theme with a focus on leadership.
The colloquium was hosted by Shatrela Washington-Hubbard, Ph.D., the Swinton A. Griffith III Dean of the College of Business and Communication.
“I was honored to serve as the chair of the Women’s Leadership Colloquium committee,” Washington-Hubbard said. “It was great working with the committee to re-envision this event. Mrs. Ronda Rich and each of the workshop facilitators provided us with laughter, connection and knowledge. I was especially pleased to have so many students participate in the event in a myriad of ways.”
This year’s Alumni Association Endowed Speaker was Ronda Rich, WC ’83, 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.
Rich shared stories of her journey after graduating from The Women’s College, including her experiences as a sports writer and her transition to becoming a bestselling author. She was a pioneer in many fields, including being one of the first five women to cover NASCAR.
“I have been a pioneer, but I have never seen it as being one,” Rich told the audience. “I just saw it as doing what I loved and going where I wanted to go.”
She also emphasized the importance of being true to who you are, regardless of who you become.
“Go out and become whatever you want to become and sustain that,” Rich said. “You can evolve and do what I did: go from being a sports writer to working in NASCAR to becoming a bestselling author. But don’t ever forget who you are. Because remembering who you are is the most important thing that you can do. Be who you are and become who you want to be.”
This year, the colloquium also hosted four professional development workshops, facilitated by women who have had significant impacts in their fields.
Kim Leverett, Ph.D., associate professor at Brenau’s Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing, and coordinator of the Post-Master’s Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Program, presented the workshop “The Inner Work of Outer Change: Emotional Intelligence as Foundation for Sustainable Leadership.” It provided practical strategies for developing self-awareness and emotional regulation to prevent burnout while leading change. The workshop also presented tools for leveraging emotional intelligence to build authentic connections and foster collaborative environments that support lasting transformation.
Amy Jacques, LPC, BC-DMT, BU ’17, dance/movement therapy program coordinator and assistant professor of psychology at Brenau, presented the workshop “Transforming The Inner Critic.” It focused on how to work with a negative inner critic and on skills to shift internal dialogue. Attendees learned strategies to reduce anxiety through breathwork and mindfulness and gained knowledge about dance/movement therapy.
Vivian Holland, digital marketing sales specialist at the Atlanta and Northeast Georgia Better Business Bureau and founder of Helping Hands of Georgia Metro, presented the workshop “AI, Brand, and the Modern Woman Leader: How to Build Visibility, Credibility, and Opportunity in the Digital Economy.” It explored how women leaders can use artificial intelligence, digital platforms and marketing strategy to build career momentum.
Slma Shelbayah, former award-winning CNN journalist and CEO of Shelbayah Consulting, presented the workshop “Leading Out Loud: Authentic Voice, Vulnerable Power, and Executive Presence for a Sustainable Future.” It engaged participants in a guided reflection to explore how owning one’s voice, lived experience and values builds executive presence and drives sustainable change.
Guests were also treated to performances by the Brenau Vocal Chamber Ensemble and the Department of Dance.
The colloquium is made possible in part by support from the Grace-Gaskins Women’s Studies Endowment Fund and the Brenau Alumni Association Lecture Series.
Next year’s colloquium will take place on March 19, 2027.
