The Leadership Challenge

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Leadership Challenge 2010: Cutting Edge Leadership Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

This annual day-long conference consists of opening and closing large-group presentations and a wide variety of small-group breakout sessions, with plenty of time for lunch and networking.

Morning Keynotes: David Stillman and Debra Fiterman

Leading today is more complicated than ever before. Besides greater employee diversity, factors such as rapidly changing technology, an uncertain economy, mergers, closings, and layoffs have made today’s workplace more challenging than in the past. With roles constantly changing, being a leader can simply mean being reliable and responsible, regardless of age, sex or rung on the corporate ladder.

Add to that four distinct generations or employees working side-by-side at the office. It used to be that older workers were the bosses and younger ones took orders. Now, roles are all over the map. Rules are being rewritten. Learn more »

Breakout Sessions: Featuring Local Leadership Experts

• Do You Have a High PQ (Political Savvy Quotient)?: An introductory workshop on the topic of political savvy, power, organization politics and ethics - Kathy Curran
• Listening for Understanding - Janice Downing
• Leveraging Surprise: Leading in Chaos - Glenda Eoyang
• On the Edge of Great Leadership! - Sheila Ford
• If Not Now, When? Strategies for Getting the Timing Right - Jack Galloway & Stuart Albert
• Secrets and Stories of Leadership Success—Making a Difference: a panel presentation facilitiated by Stephany Good
• Better to Sweat in Practice than Bleed in Battle: A Virtual Teaming Simulation - Mary Beth Lamb
• The Art of Convening: 9 Ways to Transform your Conversations, Meetings and Gatherings - Patricia Neal
• Nordic Walking for Life - Anne Pryor & Linda Lemke

Closing Keynote: Jearlyn Steele

A native of Indiana, Jearlyn Steele relocated to Minnesota where she discovered her destiny. After much encouragement and community support, Jearlyn ventured out singing in churches, community centers and nightclubs. This eventually led her to theater where she has performed at such venues as Penumbra Theater of St. Paul, the Old Log Theater in Excelsior, The Historical State Theater in downtown Minneapolis, the famous Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, and the world renowned Guthrie Theater. Over a decade ago, Jearlyn, along with her siblings, The Steeles, began a successful run of the pop/gospel musical "Gospel At Colonus" which made its way to Broadway in 1988 and finally to Carnegie Hall. After Colonus, Jearlyn recorded many national and local commercials for companies such as Wilson Leather, Marshall Fields, Slumberland, Aveda, Target and many more. Her voice can be heard on various CD's for national artists like Prince, with whom she has toured, George Clinton and Mavis Staples. Learn more »

An annual day-long conference for women leaders

Since 1999, St. Catherine University and the Twin Cities Women's Council have collaborated to bring national and local women leaders together for a day of dialogue and networking.

Thank you to our generous sponsors: