Centre WLC 2025
Common Ground: Using Nonviolent Communication Principles
Led by Joel Klepac, Centre Counseling Center
Learn some tools from Nonviolent Communications for navigating sticky conversations in a way that you have fewer regrets, hold onto your dignity, maintain the humanity of the other person and maintain the possibility for future cooperation. You will engage in exercises to deepen, broaden and focus your empathy, as well as learn a map for navigating difficult conversations.
Join President and Mrs. Moreland for a welcome reception designed to kick the 2025 WLC weekend off with an opportunity for all attendees to network and meet each other and members of the campus community.
Presenter: Maureen Zappala, former Facility Manager at NASA Propulsion Systems Laboratory
Former NASA Propulsion Engineer, Maureen Zappala, will use her experiences as a successful woman in a male-dominated field to lead a highly interactive session on overcoming Imposter Syndrome. We've all heard the little voice in our head say we aren't good enough. Attendees will walk away from this session with a new skill set to build confidence and stop self-sabotaging inner dialogues.
Keynote presenter: Eileen Collins, retired NASA Space Shuttle Commander
History-making NASA astronaut and the extraordinary subject of a forthcoming feature documentary, Spacewoman, Eileen Collins will share encouraging perspective and insight on the leadership skills needed to break barriers and become a successful pioneer in your field.
One of America’s most admired women, Col. Collins became the first female to pilot a U.S. spacecraft with the Discovery shuttle flight in 1995, and the first female commander on the 1999 Columbia shuttle flight. In 2005, NASA tapped Col. Collins to command the space shuttle Discovery’s historic “Return to Flight” mission, NASA’s first manned flight following the loss of space shuttle Columbia in 2003.
Drawing from her career experiences, Collins will provide valuable insights learned from both her successes and her failures.
Casual lunch to network with other attendees.
Presenter: Mary Quinn Ramer `98, President - VisitLEX
Women typically undersell themselves when interviewing for a job, asking for a raise or just advocating for their place in the world. Mary Quinn Ramer will use her vast professional experience in communications and public relations to provide attendees with actionable skills and methods for comfortable self-promotion.
***Please select ONE session only from Breakout #1***
Presenter: Amanda Grimes `87, Centre College VP and CFO
This session will focus on building financial literacy and preparing for the future. Topics will include:
- Credit: What is credit (FICO), how do you build it and how can your credit score impact your everyday life?
- Saving $$: All financial institutions are not the same! We'll review the differences between the various types.
- Retirement Planning: What are these things called 401(k), 403(b), or Roth plans? How does pre-tax savings help me?
At the end of this session, attendees will have a better understanding of how to build/improve credit scores, different options for saving/investing money and how to plan for retirement.
***Please select ONE session only from Breakout #1***
Moderator: Dr. Lori Hartmann
Panelists: Auditor Allison Ball, Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman'04, Iris Glick, Former Lt. Governor Crit Luallen '74 and Sara Osborne '05
A panel discussion of the importance of female voices in the public sector. Whether elected office, non-profit or civic organizations, the representative presence of female leaders is more important now than ever.
Moderator: Kathy Lashbrook Miles `71
Panelists: Stephanie Blevins, Briana Lathon Bluford `15, Elizabeth Ramsey
A panel discussion on the importance of volunteering and leading with local organizations. So much attention is paid to leading in the boardroom or halls of government, but directing the organizations shaping your local community can provide opportunities to gain experience and have a large impact on daily life.
***Please select ONE session only from Breakout #2***
Presenter: Morgan Cope, Assistant Professor of Psychology
This session will explore the importance of dignified leader-led relationships by reframing "soft skills" usually understood as feminine or weak as crucial to the productivity and health of hierarchical social systems and groups.
***Please select ONE session only from Breakout #2***
Presenter: Wayne Kreis, Director of Student Life and Greek Activities
Attendees will explore leadership through practical exercises, storytelling and peer collaboration. The goal is for attendees to leave the session feeling empowered to not only lead but also advocate for women in leadership roles across spheres.
***Please select ONE session only from Breakout #2***
Moderator: Jennifer Gander, Director of CentreWorks
Panelists: Pam Baughman `93, Rebecca Chatham, Mei Li Inouye, LaKeysha Singleton
A key to diversity at the table is for those who already have a seat to create seats for others. Join this engaging panel discussion and Q&A session to discuss how we empower others and create space for other diverse representatives while protecting our own place at the table.
***Please select ONE session only from Breakout #2***
Join us for a last chance to connect with other attendees and members of the Centre Community. Food available for purchase onsite from Sunwatch Farms.
A portion of your registration fee will support the Centre Women's Empowerment Fund.
A full list of area accommodations is available here.