Purdue for Life Foundation
Register
Purdue Alumni Association  //  President’s Council  //  John Purdue Club
Search
Close this search box.
Log in
GIVE NOW
GIVE NOW

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.

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

PRECONFERENCE SPECIAL EVENT //

MONDAY, June 17

Welcome //
Opening Session //
Keynote //
Early Breakout Sessions //

| Room 118

Embracing Diversity: Blending Asian and American Cultures

Rochelle and Sara Zou

Twins Rochelle and Sara Zou will discuss their journey of blending Chinese and American cultures. They will showcase the power of embracing identity and highlight the positive aspects, including cultural competence, bicultural skills, and a global perspective. We will learn how women can navigate diverse landscapes with grace and confidence, breaking free from stereotypes and societal expectations.
Twins Rochelle and Sara Zou will discuss their journey of blending Chinese and American cultures. They will showcase the power of embracing identity and highlight the positive aspects, including cultural competence, bicultural skills, and a global perspective. We will learn how women can navigate diverse landscapes with grace and confidence, breaking free from stereotypes and societal expectations.

| East Faculty Lounge

Exploring Personal Interactive Styles

Karen Mellen

We all have a behavioral style that affects how we react. Mellen will show us how to identify behavioral styles so that we can learn the best way to communicate with each style and avoid pitfalls.
We all have a behavioral style that affects how we react. Mellen will show us how to identify behavioral styles so that we can learn the best way to communicate with each style and avoid pitfalls.

10:15–10:45AM

| North Ballroom

Fireside Chat

Kathleen St. Jean and Jillian Henry

St. Jean left a 29-year career in the pharmaceutical industry with 40-hour work weeks, six weeks of vacation, a generous salary, and bonuses to join a two-person startup with none of those features. It isn’t easy to leave a comfortable and successful career, but St. Jean says we must find the courage to leave if we find something that ignites our brains and hearts. She will be joined by Jillian Henry, vice president for engagement at the Purdue for Life Foundation, during this discussion on how and why to take the leap.
St. Jean left a 29-year career in the pharmaceutical industry with 40-hour work weeks, six weeks of vacation, a generous salary, and bonuses to join a two-person startup with none of those features. It isn’t easy to leave a comfortable and successful career, but St. Jean says we must find the courage to leave if we find something that ignites our brains and hearts. She will be joined by Jillian Henry, vice president for engagement at the Purdue for Life Foundation, during this discussion on how and why to take the leap.

| Room 118

Former Journalist Takes on the World of Supply Chain Management

Mary Farucci

Career transitions can be scary, but they don’t have to be. We can learn transferable skills in one industry that we can apply to another industry. Farucci pivoted from one male-dominated industry to another by accident and ended up enjoying it. She will share how to transfer your skills and make your mark as a leader no matter the industry.
Career transitions can be scary, but they don’t have to be. We can learn transferable skills in one industry that we can apply to another industry. Farucci pivoted from one male-dominated industry to another by accident and ended up enjoying it. She will share how to transfer your skills and make your mark as a leader no matter the industry.

5PM

| Front Lawn

French Connections

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a glass of French wine while mingling with fellow conference attendees at this French-themed event. Be one of the first to experience an exclusive preview tour of the Degas Collection at Purdue. Donated to the university by Avrum Gray (ME’56), the collection is comprised of 74 sculptures by French impressionist Edgar Degas. The collection features “La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen),” one of Degas’s signature creations and most iconic works.
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a glass of French wine while mingling with fellow conference attendees at this French-themed event. Be one of the first to experience an exclusive preview tour of the Degas Collection at Purdue. Donated to the university by Avrum Gray (ME’56), the collection is comprised of 74 sculptures by French impressionist Edgar Degas. The collection features “La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen),” one of Degas’s signature creations and most iconic works.

| West Faculty Lounge

Gaining a Seat at the Table: How to Harness Your Influence

Jody Sunna

Gaining a seat at the table requires credibility, a network, and a reputation as a trustworthy, results-oriented leader. With decades of experience providing strategic counseling, Sunna will share insights on establishing and elevating our voices and positioning ourselves to succeed.
Gaining a seat at the table requires credibility, a network, and a reputation as a trustworthy, results-oriented leader. With decades of experience providing strategic counseling, Sunna will share insights on establishing and elevating our voices and positioning ourselves to succeed.

| Room 263

Get Anchored: Saying Yes to Yourself

Shanita Starks

Discover the power of saying yes. Starks will use interactive techniques to help us practice the CEO mindset—confident, empowered, and on target. We will discover the importance of putting ourselves first and focusing on our self-worth.
Discover the power of saying yes. Starks will use interactive techniques to help us practice the CEO mindset—confident, empowered, and on target. We will discover the importance of putting ourselves first and focusing on our self-worth.

| Anniversary Drawing Room

Grit, Grateful, and Golden

Giovanna “Spice” Krozel

Krozel is a firm believer in hope, perseverance, and optimism—whether she’s facing challenges personally or professionally. She will take us on her journey from graduation to fighting breast cancer and discuss the importance of early detection and finding a circle of support.
Krozel is a firm believer in hope, perseverance, and optimism—whether she’s facing challenges personally or professionally. She will take us on her journey from graduation to fighting breast cancer and discuss the importance of early detection and finding a circle of support.
Lunch //
Breakout Sessions // 1:30–2:30pm
Breakout Sessions // 2:45–3:45pm
KEYNOTE //
Keynote //

| Room 118

Embracing Diversity: Blending Asian and American Cultures

Rochelle and Sara Zou

Twins Rochelle and Sara Zou will discuss their journey of blending Chinese and American cultures. They will showcase the power of embracing identity and highlight the positive aspects, including cultural competence, bicultural skills, and a global perspective. We will learn how women can navigate diverse landscapes with grace and confidence, breaking free from stereotypes and societal expectations.
Twins Rochelle and Sara Zou will discuss their journey of blending Chinese and American cultures. They will showcase the power of embracing identity and highlight the positive aspects, including cultural competence, bicultural skills, and a global perspective. We will learn how women can navigate diverse landscapes with grace and confidence, breaking free from stereotypes and societal expectations.

| East Faculty Lounge

Exploring Personal Interactive Styles

Karen Mellen

We all have a behavioral style that affects how we react. Mellen will show us how to identify behavioral styles so that we can learn the best way to communicate with each style and avoid pitfalls.
We all have a behavioral style that affects how we react. Mellen will show us how to identify behavioral styles so that we can learn the best way to communicate with each style and avoid pitfalls.

10:15–10:45AM

| North Ballroom

Fireside Chat

Kathleen St. Jean and Jillian Henry

St. Jean left a 29-year career in the pharmaceutical industry with 40-hour work weeks, six weeks of vacation, a generous salary, and bonuses to join a two-person startup with none of those features. It isn’t easy to leave a comfortable and successful career, but St. Jean says we must find the courage to leave if we find something that ignites our brains and hearts. She will be joined by Jillian Henry, vice president for engagement at the Purdue for Life Foundation, during this discussion on how and why to take the leap.
St. Jean left a 29-year career in the pharmaceutical industry with 40-hour work weeks, six weeks of vacation, a generous salary, and bonuses to join a two-person startup with none of those features. It isn’t easy to leave a comfortable and successful career, but St. Jean says we must find the courage to leave if we find something that ignites our brains and hearts. She will be joined by Jillian Henry, vice president for engagement at the Purdue for Life Foundation, during this discussion on how and why to take the leap.

| Room 118

Former Journalist Takes on the World of Supply Chain Management

Mary Farucci

Career transitions can be scary, but they don’t have to be. We can learn transferable skills in one industry that we can apply to another industry. Farucci pivoted from one male-dominated industry to another by accident and ended up enjoying it. She will share how to transfer your skills and make your mark as a leader no matter the industry.
Career transitions can be scary, but they don’t have to be. We can learn transferable skills in one industry that we can apply to another industry. Farucci pivoted from one male-dominated industry to another by accident and ended up enjoying it. She will share how to transfer your skills and make your mark as a leader no matter the industry.

5PM

| Front Lawn

French Connections

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a glass of French wine while mingling with fellow conference attendees at this French-themed event. Be one of the first to experience an exclusive preview tour of the Degas Collection at Purdue. Donated to the university by Avrum Gray (ME’56), the collection is comprised of 74 sculptures by French impressionist Edgar Degas. The collection features “La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen),” one of Degas’s signature creations and most iconic works.
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a glass of French wine while mingling with fellow conference attendees at this French-themed event. Be one of the first to experience an exclusive preview tour of the Degas Collection at Purdue. Donated to the university by Avrum Gray (ME’56), the collection is comprised of 74 sculptures by French impressionist Edgar Degas. The collection features “La Petite Danseuse de Quatorze Ans (Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen),” one of Degas’s signature creations and most iconic works.

| West Faculty Lounge

Gaining a Seat at the Table: How to Harness Your Influence

Jody Sunna

Gaining a seat at the table requires credibility, a network, and a reputation as a trustworthy, results-oriented leader. With decades of experience providing strategic counseling, Sunna will share insights on establishing and elevating our voices and positioning ourselves to succeed.
Gaining a seat at the table requires credibility, a network, and a reputation as a trustworthy, results-oriented leader. With decades of experience providing strategic counseling, Sunna will share insights on establishing and elevating our voices and positioning ourselves to succeed.

| Room 263

Get Anchored: Saying Yes to Yourself

Shanita Starks

Discover the power of saying yes. Starks will use interactive techniques to help us practice the CEO mindset—confident, empowered, and on target. We will discover the importance of putting ourselves first and focusing on our self-worth.
Discover the power of saying yes. Starks will use interactive techniques to help us practice the CEO mindset—confident, empowered, and on target. We will discover the importance of putting ourselves first and focusing on our self-worth.

| Anniversary Drawing Room

Grit, Grateful, and Golden

Giovanna “Spice” Krozel

Krozel is a firm believer in hope, perseverance, and optimism—whether she’s facing challenges personally or professionally. She will take us on her journey from graduation to fighting breast cancer and discuss the importance of early detection and finding a circle of support.
Krozel is a firm believer in hope, perseverance, and optimism—whether she’s facing challenges personally or professionally. She will take us on her journey from graduation to fighting breast cancer and discuss the importance of early detection and finding a circle of support.
SOCIAL HOUR //

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Early Session //
Breakfast //
Breakout Sessions // 9:15–10:15am
Keynote //
Lunch //
Breakout Sessions // 1–2pm
Keynote //
Closing //
Search

Log In

Purdue Alumni Association

President’s Council

John Purdue Club