Purdue for Life Foundation
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Sessions

Sessions

We have planned a wide variety of sessions for this year’s conference, all of them presented by engaging and thought-provoking speakers. All sessions will take place at the Purdue Memorial Union unless otherwise noted. All times are Eastern.

Sessions

Sessions

We have planned a wide variety of sessions for this year’s conference, all of them presented by engaging and thought-provoking speakers. All times are Eastern.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

SPECIAL EVENT //

6–8 P.M.

| PRIVATE LOCAL RESIDENCE

SMART RELATIONSHIPS WITH BELA GANDHI

BELA GANDHI AND MARIA WHIPPLE

Gandhi, an elite relationships coach who has been featured on numerous popular shows, will discuss her “smart” approach to all types of relationships. This workshop carries a separate cost of $20 for members of the Purdue Alumni Association, the John Purdue Club, and President’s Council and $25 for nonmembers. It will be hosted at a private local residence, and space is limited. You can sign up for this workshop as an add-on when you register for the conference. You will receive location information at that time.
Gandhi, an elite relationships coach who has been featured on numerous popular shows, will discuss her “smart” approach to all types of relationships. This workshop carries a separate cost of $20 for members of the Purdue Alumni Association, the John Purdue Club, and President’s Council and $25 for nonmembers. It will be hosted at a private local residence, and space is limited. You can sign up for this workshop as an add-on when you register for the conference. You will receive location information at that time.

THURSDAY, June 8

Welcome //

10–10:10 a.m.

| North Ballroom

Welcome REMARKS

Jillian Henry

Opening Session //

10:10–10:45 a.m.

| North Ballroom

Fireside Chat

Sharon Hagle and Jillian Henry

Hagle and her husband, Marc Hagle (ECE’71, MS M’72), flew on Blue Origin’s NS-20, becoming the first married couple on a commercial space flight. Hagle is the CEO and founder of SpaceKids Global and is passionate about inspiring students to excel in STEAM education. She will be joined by Jillian Henry, vice president for engagement at the Purdue for Life Foundation, during this wide-ranging discussion.
Hagle and her husband, Marc Hagle (ECE’71, MS M’72), flew on Blue Origin’s NS-20, becoming the first married couple on a commercial space flight. Hagle is the CEO and founder of SpaceKids Global and is passionate about inspiring students to excel in STEAM education. She will be joined by Jillian Henry, vice president for engagement at the Purdue for Life Foundation, during this wide-ranging discussion.
Keynote //

11 a.m.–Noon

| North Ballroom

Turning a Tragedy Into an Opportunity and Finding Purpose Along the Way

Virginia Jacko

“Do big things for the blind!” That’s what Jacko’s mother said to her when she went blind at the height of her career at Purdue University. This perspective transformed Jacko’s blindness into an opportunity instead of a tragedy. She dedicated her life to helping the blind and found renewed purpose. In her presentation, Jacko will discuss how to find our unique purposes and live life fully—no matter how challenging the obstacles become.
“Do big things for the blind!” That’s what Jacko’s mother said to her when she went blind at the height of her career at Purdue University. This perspective transformed Jacko’s blindness into an opportunity instead of a tragedy. She dedicated her life to helping the blind and found renewed purpose. In her presentation, Jacko will discuss how to find our unique purposes and live life fully—no matter how challenging the obstacles become.
Early Breakout Sessions //
Lunch //

Noon–1:30 p.m.

| South Ballroom

Lunch Buffet

Breakout Sessions // 1:30–2:30 p.m.

| East Faculty Lounge

Playbook for Aging Parents

Jennifer Avila

For the first time in U.S. history, we will have more seniors than children, and an unprecedented number of seniors will need care. The caretaker role often falls on women who are impacted financially and mentally by this responsibility. Avila has more than 25 years of experience in the field of aging, and she will share how careful planning and honest conversations can empower women to take charge of their aging family members’ care—as well as their own.
For the first time in U.S. history, we will have more seniors than children, and an unprecedented number of seniors will need care. The caretaker role often falls on women who are impacted financially and mentally by this responsibility. Avila has more than 25 years of experience in the field of aging, and she will share how careful planning and honest conversations can empower women to take charge of their aging family members’ care—as well as their own.

| Room 118

Philanthropic Opportunities Can Occur at Any Point in Your Life, So Leap In!

Nadine Martello-Shepard

Life is a gift, so give back! We often underestimate how much a small act can touch someone, but we have various opportunities throughout each stage of life to give back to people. Even sharing ideas with fellow women can be impactful. As Purdue women, we have repertoires of intellectual and cultural knowledge, and Martello-Shepard will encourage us to use our experiences to fuel philanthropic lives.
Life is a gift, so give back! We often underestimate how much a small act can touch someone, but we have various opportunities throughout each stage of life to give back to people. Even sharing ideas with fellow women can be impactful. As Purdue women, we have repertoires of intellectual and cultural knowledge, and Martello-Shepard will encourage us to use our experiences to fuel philanthropic lives.

| Anniversary Drawing Room

The Yes Queen: Turning Your Setback Into a Comeback

Rachael Stainko

Life is like a roller coaster—we go through seasons of ups and downs. Before we buckle up for a wild ride, we plan, prepare, envision, and hold on tight. But what happens when that ride suddenly has a sharp turn or drop we didn’t see coming? Whether we are career women, retirees, or stay-at-home moms, we have all faced setbacks in life. In her presentation, Stainko will incorporate Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people to help us discover the confidence to embrace our setbacks. We will walk away with practical applications we can incorporate into our daily lives to turn their no into our yes.
Life is like a roller coaster—we go through seasons of ups and downs. Before we buckle up for a wild ride, we plan, prepare, envision, and hold on tight. But what happens when that ride suddenly has a sharp turn or drop we didn’t see coming? Whether we are career women, retirees, or stay-at-home moms, we have all faced setbacks in life. In her presentation, Stainko will incorporate Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people to help us discover the confidence to embrace our setbacks. We will walk away with practical applications we can incorporate into our daily lives to turn their no into our yes.

| Room 263 AB

Recognizing Resilience and Purpose as Superpowers

Angela Threlkeld Dodd

Our traumatic and tragic experiences create pressure that leads to resilience, and this unearths personal gifts and yearnings that propel us toward purpose. Resilience and purpose are our superpowers, and these superpowers are magnified when we use them in service of others. Threlkeld Dodd will challenge us to move beyond the comfort of our families and places of worship and find creative ways to make a difference every day.
Our traumatic and tragic experiences create pressure that leads to resilience, and this unearths personal gifts and yearnings that propel us toward purpose. Resilience and purpose are our superpowers, and these superpowers are magnified when we use them in service of others. Threlkeld Dodd will challenge us to move beyond the comfort of our families and places of worship and find creative ways to make a difference every day.

| West Faculty Lounge

Health Numbers That Matter

Jen Weida

Have you ever thought, My doctor said my labs are normal, but I feel exhausted or This must be part of getting old? What if we could order and read our labs to see why we aren’t feeling well? Symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, weight gain, indigestion, and stomach discomfort are common, but they are not normal. Weida will explain how to look at our labs in a different light so we can become advocates for our own health.
Have you ever thought, My doctor said my labs are normal, but I feel exhausted or This must be part of getting old? What if we could order and read our labs to see why we aren’t feeling well? Symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, weight gain, indigestion, and stomach discomfort are common, but they are not normal. Weida will explain how to look at our labs in a different light so we can become advocates for our own health.
Breakout Sessions // 2:45–3:45 p.m.

| Anniversary Drawing Room

Fight to Live

Kristy Dotson

Women tend to associate the word diet with a regimented plan. Dotson will shift the focus from losing weight to analyzing foods and the diseases they may cause. She will encourage us to fight for our health by understanding the root causes of diseases, counting the costs, and adopting offensive strategies for nutrition.
Women tend to associate the word diet with a regimented plan. Dotson will shift the focus from losing weight to analyzing foods and the diseases they may cause. She will encourage us to fight for our health by understanding the root causes of diseases, counting the costs, and adopting offensive strategies for nutrition.

| East Faculty Lounge

What Is Your Ikigai?

Neelakshi Majumdar

Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning something that gives us a sense of purpose or reason for living. Majumdar discovered that her ikigai is to share knowledge, and she developed her skills while teaching at Purdue and at a nonprofit in India. She will share her experiences and guide us to find our ikigai.
Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning something that gives us a sense of purpose or reason for living. Majumdar discovered that her ikigai is to share knowledge, and she developed her skills while teaching at Purdue and at a nonprofit in India. She will share her experiences and guide us to find our ikigai.

| Room 118

From Coal Miner’s Daughter to Board Director

Edwina Payne

Payne’s father was a coal miner, and neither of her parents graduated from high school. However, they understood the value of education. After her father urged her to learn more about computers, she decided to major in computer technology at Purdue. Payne’s Purdue foundation helped her advance her career, and she’ll discuss how we can identify and take advantage of our own opportunities.
Payne’s father was a coal miner, and neither of her parents graduated from high school. However, they understood the value of education. After her father urged her to learn more about computers, she decided to major in computer technology at Purdue. Payne’s Purdue foundation helped her advance her career, and she’ll discuss how we can identify and take advantage of our own opportunities.

| West Faculty Lounge

The Future of Education: Pioneers of Learn‐By‐Doing

Mary Beth Ricks

As the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light, educational methods need to shift. We must adopt a hands-on, innovative approach to teaching students. Ricks will draw from her research and experiences to give advice on educating the next generation of world changers.
As the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light, educational methods need to shift. We must adopt a hands-on, innovative approach to teaching students. Ricks will draw from her research and experiences to give advice on educating the next generation of world changers.
KEYNOTE //

4–5 p.m.

| North Ballroom

The Power of a Moment

Wendy Baker and Karen Korellis Reuther

Our world is missing out on the true impact of women because barriers block them from reaching their full potential and initiating much-needed change. Baker and Korellis Reuther are collecting stories from women for a book that will explain why disrupting the status quo is needed to build lasting change. During this keynote, they will explore how successes have emerged for women and how women have unlocked their true potential.
Our world is missing out on the true impact of women because barriers block them from reaching their full potential and initiating much-needed change. Baker and Korellis Reuther are collecting stories from women for a book that will explain why disrupting the status quo is needed to build lasting change. During this keynote, they will explore how successes have emerged for women and how women have unlocked their true potential.
Keynote //

4:20–5:20 p.m.

| TBD

Legacy: Leaving on a High Note

Rose Marie Burke

We spend most of our career climbing the ladder, but when the time comes to leave—whether it’s to move to another job or retire—do we prepare for it as carefully as the other steps in our career? Burke wants Purdue women to adopt a positive view of leaving a job or retiring. During her presentation, she will discuss how to plot our final days, months, and years by creating meaning and ultimately developing a legacy.
We spend most of our career climbing the ladder, but when the time comes to leave—whether it’s to move to another job or retire—do we prepare for it as carefully as the other steps in our career? Burke wants Purdue women to adopt a positive view of leaving a job or retiring. During her presentation, she will discuss how to plot our final days, months, and years by creating meaning and ultimately developing a legacy.
Cocktail Reception //

5:30 p.m.

| YUE-KONG PAO HALL PATIO

Garden Party

Friday, June 9

Early Session //

7–7:30 a.m.

| Purdue Memorial Union Courtyard

Yoga on the Lawn

Himani Shah

Shah, a certified yoga instructor, focuses on making yoga accessible. Start your morning by moving your body during her yoga session. If you’re interested, please bring your own yoga mat!
Shah, a certified yoga instructor, focuses on making yoga accessible. Start your morning by moving your body during her yoga session. If you’re interested, please bring your own yoga mat!
Breakfast //

7:30–9 a.m.

| South Ballroom

Breakfast

Breakout Sessions // 9:15–10:15 a.m.

| Anniversary Drawing Room

The Power of Saying Yes

Tiffany M. Harris

Have you ever shied away from saying yes to an exciting opportunity? Most of us have, but Harris sees yes as a superpower that can aid women in uncovering a life of joy and purpose. She will help us build connections with other women in the room as we identify upcoming opportunities in our personal and professional lives.
Have you ever shied away from saying yes to an exciting opportunity? Most of us have, but Harris sees yes as a superpower that can aid women in uncovering a life of joy and purpose. She will help us build connections with other women in the room as we identify upcoming opportunities in our personal and professional lives.

| West Faculty Lounge

The Formula for Successful Leadership: 90% Is Just Showing Up—the Other Half Is Communication

Amy Hess

We all move through tough seasons at work, but simply showing up can make a huge difference in our workplace morale. Communication is also a key to success—it can save time and energy for supervisors and employees. Hess will highlight personal experiences in which visibility and communication contributed to her successes and failures.
We all move through tough seasons at work, but simply showing up can make a huge difference in our workplace morale. Communication is also a key to success—it can save time and energy for supervisors and employees. Hess will highlight personal experiences in which visibility and communication contributed to her successes and failures.

| Room 118

Enterprise Engage

Jamie Krakover

The pros of remote work can be closely followed by challenges, especially for leaders. In virtual workplaces, it’s easier for employees to not be engaged—quietly quitting behind their screens. Krakover will discuss how leaders can set goals and build trust, ultimately creating an engaging environment for remote employees.
The pros of remote work can be closely followed by challenges, especially for leaders. In virtual workplaces, it’s easier for employees to not be engaged—quietly quitting behind their screens. Krakover will discuss how leaders can set goals and build trust, ultimately creating an engaging environment for remote employees.

| East Faculty Lounge

Identify Your Values to Design Your Life

Cathy Mazan Murata

When we align ourselves with our values, it becomes easier for us to navigate opportunities and challenges in our lives. Mazan Murata will encourage us to reflect on what is most important through a value-sort activity. She will guide us as we prioritize values and engage in conversations about how they influence us.
When we align ourselves with our values, it becomes easier for us to navigate opportunities and challenges in our lives. Mazan Murata will encourage us to reflect on what is most important through a value-sort activity. She will guide us as we prioritize values and engage in conversations about how they influence us.
Keynote //

10:30–11:30 a.m.

| North Ballroom

Communicate With Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges

Michelle Gladieux

We can make a difference by upping our communication game, but we often have obstacles standing in our way. We need self-knowledge, practice, and a desire to improve. Gladieux has identified four obstacles to communication, and she will share tested practices for combatting these obstacles, urging us to find more joy in communicating.
We can make a difference by upping our communication game, but we often have obstacles standing in our way. We need self-knowledge, practice, and a desire to improve. Gladieux has identified four obstacles to communication, and she will share tested practices for combatting these obstacles, urging us to find more joy in communicating.
Lunch //

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

| South Ballroom

Lunch Buffet

Breakout Sessions // 1:15–2:15 p.m.

| Room 263 AB

The Art of Renaissance Women

Desiré Hunter

Live your life out loud! As women, we may play many roles in our personal and professional lives, and the renaissance women concept encourages us to embrace all of our abilities as a tool for success. In her presentation, Hunter will encourage us to find happiness and fulfillment by using our voices, following our aspirations, and supporting each other.
Live your life out loud! As women, we may play many roles in our personal and professional lives, and the renaissance women concept encourages us to embrace all of our abilities as a tool for success. In her presentation, Hunter will encourage us to find happiness and fulfillment by using our voices, following our aspirations, and supporting each other.

| East Faculty Lounge

The Golden Rule: Addressing Workplace Bullying

Kristin Jamison

Jamison endured many instances of workplace bullying on her journey to becoming a nurse practitioner. Instead of accepting bullying as inevitable, she decided to become a resource and advocate for others in the medical field. She will provide us with tools to become leaders in addressing workplace bullying in our own fields.
Jamison endured many instances of workplace bullying on her journey to becoming a nurse practitioner. Instead of accepting bullying as inevitable, she decided to become a resource and advocate for others in the medical field. She will provide us with tools to become leaders in addressing workplace bullying in our own fields.

| West Faculty Lounge

A Lifelong Dream Transformed

Melissa Shapiro

As a veterinarian, Shapiro enjoys sharing knowledge with children at school visits. When she adopted Piglet—a deaf and blind puppy—she planned to use his inspirational story to educate, advocate, and fundraise for rescue organizations. A third-grade teacher recognized Piglet as an extraordinary teaching model, leading Shapiro to develop the Piglet Mindset, a unique educational curriculum for children. By integrating her veterinary background and passion for educating, she discovered a new and rewarding career path. In her presentation, Shapiro will encourage us to challenge our preexisting career notions and utilize our unique passions to define fulfilling journeys.
As a veterinarian, Shapiro enjoys sharing knowledge with children at school visits. When she adopted Piglet—a deaf and blind puppy—she planned to use his inspirational story to educate, advocate, and fundraise for rescue organizations. A third-grade teacher recognized Piglet as an extraordinary teaching model, leading Shapiro to develop the Piglet Mindset, a unique educational curriculum for children. By integrating her veterinary background and passion for educating, she discovered a new and rewarding career path. In her presentation, Shapiro will encourage us to challenge our preexisting career notions and utilize our unique passions to define fulfilling journeys.

| Anniversary Drawing Room

Know Your Worth

Amy Tiemann

As women, we often give more than we should. But sometimes, we need to stand firm, know our worth, and not accept less. Knowing our worth is essential to motivating ourselves as leaders and progressing in our careers. Tiemann spent years in male-dominated industries before figuring out how to not sit back and watch as men outgained her. In her presentation, she will share tools to help us fight our tendencies to take the backseat and motivate us to succeed to a greater extent than we think we can.
As women, we often give more than we should. But sometimes, we need to stand firm, know our worth, and not accept less. Knowing our worth is essential to motivating ourselves as leaders and progressing in our careers. Tiemann spent years in male-dominated industries before figuring out how to not sit back and watch as men outgained her. In her presentation, she will share tools to help us fight our tendencies to take the backseat and motivate us to succeed to a greater extent than we think we can.

| Room 118

Making the Purdue Brand Come to Life

Kate Young with Kelly Hiller, Kati Pratt, Emily Richwine, and Julie Rosa

The Purdue University Marketing and Communications team manages Purdue’s institutional brand and reputation by capturing and sharing the extraordinary stories of Purdue, championing the university’s mission, and amplifying Purdue in the minds of every audience. Go behind the scenes with some of the incredible women leading the team as they share stories about working for Purdue, seeking career advancement, and achieving work-life balance.
The Purdue University Marketing and Communications team manages Purdue’s institutional brand and reputation by capturing and sharing the extraordinary stories of Purdue, championing the university’s mission, and amplifying Purdue in the minds of every audience. Go behind the scenes with some of the incredible women leading the team as they share stories about working for Purdue, seeking career advancement, and achieving work-life balance.
Keynote //

2:30–3:30 p.m.

| North Ballroom

Good Morning, Gorgeous! Protect Your Mental Health and Build Self-Love

DaVida L. Anderson

As women, we balance many responsibilities. Sometimes, we prioritize everything else over our mental health and self-care. Most women recognize the benefits of self-care—such as increased confidence, productivity, and happiness—but we find it difficult to schedule time for ourselves. Anderson will help us identify negative attitudes and behaviors that impede our health and discuss how to enhance our health and self-love.
As women, we balance many responsibilities. Sometimes, we prioritize everything else over our mental health and self-care. Most women recognize the benefits of self-care—such as increased confidence, productivity, and happiness—but we find it difficult to schedule time for ourselves. Anderson will help us identify negative attitudes and behaviors that impede our health and discuss how to enhance our health and self-love.
Closing //

3:30 p.m.

| North Ballroom

Closing Remarks