Past Workshops

Schedule
Friday, March 29, 2024
4:00 PM - 5:15 PM - Fireside Chat: Public Service Leadership
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM - Women and Public Service Dinner
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Saturday sessions are open to UWiL students and alumni only
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM - Mentor & Board Breakfast
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM - Career Exploration & Preparation
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM - Luncheon Keynote: Women & Law
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Closing Discussion
We are grateful for the support of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, Mercury LLC, Seven Letter, O'Neill and Associates, Baystate Health, the Women of Color Leadership Network, and the many individual donors who make our programming possible. Thank you!

We are grateful for the support of the following organizations: Baystate Health, UMass Dining, Easthampton Savings Bank, Eversource, Mercury, MA Women's Political Caucus, Women of Color Leadership Network, Mass Workforce Association, Accenture, and Blue Wave
9th Annual Women and Public Service Dinner
Friday, March 24, 2023
Featuring a keynote by Varshini Prakash ’15, Executive Director and co-Founder, Sunrise Movement
Workshop Schedule
The workshop is open to UWiL students and alumni only
Friday, March 24, 2023
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Finding My Place: Career Exploration in Public Service
A speed networking session to explore the range of opportunities open to students with a passion for public service. Featured guests:
- Kelsey Cintolo ’12, Vice President for Research and Policy, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership
- Tyler Cotta ‘18, Chief of Staff, Office of Rep. Carole Fiola
- Karen Dalheim ’85, Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, Department of Defense
- Angela Davis ‘87, Assistant Undersecretary for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Commonwealth of MA
- Diana Fassbender ’03, Founder and Principal, Henry Street Strategies
- Karen Maher ’05, Chief of Staff, NYC School Construction Authority
- Jessicah Pierre ’13, Chief of Communications, City of Boston
- Monserrate Rodríguez Colón ’95, Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
- Raija Vaisanen '02, '10MPPA, Associate Director, Mass Workforce Association
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM Behind the Scenes: To the End Discussion & Meet and Greet with Keynote Speaker
A private student-only opportunity to meet and ask questions of our dinner speaker before the crowds arrive.
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM Growing my Network: Cocktail Reception
6:15 PM – 8:30 PM 9th Annual Women and Public Service Keynote and Dinner
- Alumni speaker: Tamika Ortiz Acosta ’22, UWiL Alumna
- Keynote speaker: Varshini Prakash ’15, Executive Director and co-Founder, Sunrise Movement
Saturday, March 25, 2023
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM What I Wish I Knew: Breakfast advice from UWiL Board and Mentors
This breakfast is a casual opportunity to meet with Board Members, Mentors and UWiL fellows as we gear up for day 2 of the workshop. Conversations will focus on sharing advice about shaping your college experience and making the post-graduation transition.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM Action & Impact: Roundtable Discussions
This session features small roundtable discussions led by individuals -- lobbyists, non profit founders, public leaders, and elected officials -- who are skilled at making change. Students will walk away with a better understanding of the myriad ways in which they can make change and advance causes they care about or help their communities.
- Deanne Braveman ’04, Senior Vice President, Mercury
- Sonia Teixeira Amado ’12, Director of Health Access & Wellness Services, Boston Public Health Commission
- Shirley Arriaga, State Representative, 8th Hampden District
- Vira Douangmany Cage '01, Associate Director and Service Coordinator, BakuCare Adult Day Health; President, Amherst Media
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM Luncheon Keynote: Peacebuilding & Community Activism
As we observe the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement/Belfast Agreement in 2023, our luncheon speaker will reflect on her role -- and women's role in general -- in the Irish Peace Process and offer insight into peacebuilding processes and community organizing in general.
- Keynote Speaker: Anne Carr, former elected representative, Northern Ireland Women's Coalition; Board member of the International Fund for Ireland; and Community Dialogue Facilitator
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Using What I’ve Learned: Whole Women Leading From Exactly Where They Are
Often as women, we don’t necessarily view ourselves as leaders or recognize ourselves as leaders yet still have a social impact on the world. We are leading from the seat of where we are and have a strong effect on spaces that we share. Oftentimes we may not fully understand the impact that we’re having, slow down long enough to see it, nor are we acknowledged (by ourselves or others) for having it. Many women don't have the whole alphabet behind their names (CEO, CFO, Ph.D., etc) yet make measurable change.
- Leslie Saulsberry '15EdD, CEO, Whole Institute
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Team Building & Closing Session
Join in on a hands-on community building activity that encourages a final reflection on the workshop and your UWiL experience.

COVID 19 Update: We are excited to return to in-person programming for UWiL 2022. To keep the UWiL community safe, the 2022 UWiL workshop, including our women and public service dinner, is open to fully vaccinated individuals and UWiL students with university-approved exemptions. Masks are required while indoors and seating is limited at our dinner to enable greater distancing.
Workshop Schedule
Friday, March 25, 2022
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Amplifying Your Authentic Voice through Laughter
An interactive, team-building event for the UWiL classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022
- Facilitator: Pam Victor, Founder and President, Happier Valley Comedy
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Speed Networking Reception
Kick off your workshop weekend with rounds of speed networking with UMass alums
- Chelsea Aquino-Fenstermaker ’10, Senior Manager of Government Relations and Public Policy, Mass Mentoring Partnership
- Kelsey Cintolo ’12, Vice President for Research and Policy, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership
- Karen Dalheim ’85, Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, Department of Defense
- Kimberley Driscoll, Mayor, Salem, MA
- Ann Feinberg ’68, Attorney and development professional (retired)
- Kaylee Johnson ’16 MA, ’19 PhD, Strategic Insights Specialist, American Student Assistance
- Karen Maher ’05, Senior Director, Capital Plan Management, NYC School Construction Authority
- Naomi Seligman '95, CEO, Tower26
- Azanda Seymour ’03 MEd, Executive Director, Center for Student Success and Engagement, Westfield State University
- Raija Vaisanen ’02, ’10 MPPA, Associate Director, Mass Workforce Association
- Krizia Valentino ’17, Employment Economist, MA Department of Unemployment Assistance
- Darlene Vu ’14, MA State Coordinator, Asian American Women’s Political Initiative
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Women & Public Service Dinner
- Keynote: Usha Pitts '93, Chargé d’Affaires, US Embassy in the Bahamas
- Alumni Speaker: Faizia Sharif '20
- Closing Remarks: Naomi Seligman '95, UWiL Mentor
Saturday, March 26, 2022
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM: Breakfast
A special session for UWiL 2020 and 2021
- Keynote: Kim Janey, Former Mayor, Boston MA
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Panel 1 – Serving While Leading: The Unique Nature of Public Service Leadership
A public servant’s role is very different from that of a private sector employee. This panel will discuss the unique responsibilities of public leaders, the advantages and disadvantages of a public position, and why – in the face of some of the disadvantages discussed – public service remains a fulfilling career.
- Audrey Coulter ’14, Senior Consultant, Deloitte
- Gladys Oyola-Lopez, City Clerk, Springfield, MA
- Gladys Rodriguez-Parker, Senior District Representative, Congressman James P. McGovern
- Moderator: Tegan Oliver ’23, UWiL program manager
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch with UWiL Board Members
Students are invited to use this time to eat, rest, and reenergize by yourself, or you can join UWiL Board Members for an informal discussion while you eat. Food is available to stay or to go.
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM Panel 2 – Civil Discourse: A Lost Art?
Politics thrive on conflict, differences, and contrary points of view. However, conflict does not need to equate to fighting, and holding contrary points of view does not need to dissolve into character attacks. This panel will discuss the current state of civility in politics, share stories of their experiences with difficult conversations, and offer advice for how to steer conversations toward more thoughtful – and civil – dialogue.
- Amy Frigulietti ’02, Assistant Executive Director, Town of Wellesley
- Cecily L. Graham ’12, Director of Constituent Services, Office of Councilor Julia Mejia
- Mildred Lefebvre, Secretary, MA Association of School Committees; Member, Holyoke School Committee
- Afnan Nehela ’17, Communications Director, Senator Jamie Eldridge
- Moderator: Julia Fox ’22, ’23MPP, UWiL student board member
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM Panel 3 – The Power of No (& How to Say It)
Strong leaders know when – and how—to say no. No to requests for their time, no to proposals they disagree with, and no in the face of criticism or when making difficult decisions. Our panelists will share their experiences with saying no and offer their advice on how you can grow more comfortable saying no yourself, especially when power dynamics may be present.
- Patricia Duffy ’06MA, MA State Representative
- Vanessa Otero ’09MPPA, Executive Director, Healing Racism Institute
- Maureen Walsh ’88, Associate Justice, MA Appeals Court
- Lisa Wong, Town Administrator, South Hadley
- Moderator: Michelle Goncalves ’06MPPA, UWiL Executive Director
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM: Closing & Where To Go From Here
We will briefly wrap up the workshop and help you plan your next steps in career exploration and professional development.
We are grateful for the support of these sponsoring organizations

This semester's UWiL programming, including this annual workshop, is made possible by funding from American Student Assistance, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Baystate Health, Women for UMass, and dozens of individual donors. Thank you!
Friday, March 26, 2021
All sessions will take place via Zoom
4:15 - 4:45 PM: Setting the Stage for This Weekend
4:45 - 5:45 PM: Baystate Health Virtual Networking Reception (click here for more details)
Although we can’t gather together in person this year, we can still connect online! This virtual reception is designed to help you expand your network by engaging with professionals in a range of fields. Groups of 2-4 students will pre-register for themed breakout rooms for 10 minutes of speed networking with professionals in each room.
- Welcome: Marion McGowan, BSN, MPM, PhD, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Baystate Health
7:00 - 8:00 PM: Keynote Lecture: Leadership During Crisis (Webinar)
The keynote lecture has been rescheduled to Monday, April 26 @ 6 PM.
- Welcome: Michelle Goncalves ‘06G, Executive Director, UWiL
- Student Speaker: Esther Oh ’19 ’20MPA
- Featured Speaker: Carmen Yulín Cruz, Mayor, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Q&A Facilitators: Irina Costache ’22 and Sally Chu ’22
Saturday, March 27, 2021
All sessions will take place via Zoom
9:00 - 10:15 AM: Managing During Emergencies, Tragedy and the Unexpected: Advice from Current Leaders
Strong leadership is critical during an emergency and throughout high-stress situations. But does it require different skills or characteristics than leadership during normal times? Our panelists will discuss their experiences managing topics ranging from terrorism and sexual assault to national pandemics and military engagements. Given our current remote environment, we’ll also explore what remote leadership looks like.
- LTG Jody J. Daniels ‘93MS, ’97 PhD, ’19 HON, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General U.S. Army Reserve Command
- Emily Jensen ’00, Senior Investigator, Internal Audit and Investigations Group, United Nations Office for Project Services
- Katia Santiago-Taylor ’97, Policy Director, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
10:15 -10:35 AM: Mindfulness Break
10:35 - 11:00 AM: Break
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Gender, Race, & COVID-19: Unequal Impact & Policy Implications
This panel will discuss gender, race and public health, and how the current pandemic has brought long standing inequities to the fore. Panelists will also comment on the role of government and non profits in finding solutions and addressing the inequities.
- Denella Clark, Chair, Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
- Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies
- Elizabeth Reinhardt ’15, Attorney and Board member, Gender Equality Law Center
12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch Break
1:30 - 1:40 PM: Mindfulness Break
1:40 - 2:45 PM: Watch Party: Councilwoman
About the film: COUNCILWOMAN is the inspiring story of Carmen Castillo, an immigrant Dominican housekeeper in a Providence hotel who wins a seat in City Council, taking her advocacy for low-income workers from the margins to city politics. (Filmmaker: Margo Guernsey ’05MA)
2:45 - 3:45 PM: From Movies to Modern Day: Q&A with Current Councilwomen
After the movie, we’ll move to a discussion with modern-day city and town councilors to learn about their public service journeys.
- Mehreen N. Butt, Town Councilor, Wakefield Town Council
- Judith Garcia, City Councilor, Chelsea City Council
- Helen Moon, City Councilor, Pittsfield City Council
- Jessica Sizer ’19 ’20MPP, Town Councilor, Palmer Town Council
3:45 - 4:00 PM: Wrap Up

March 11, 2020 update: Following guidance related to COVID-19, we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 UWiL workshop. Please contact us with any questions uwil@umass.edu
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Our annual workshop is a highlight of the UWiL program, and it is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Women for UMass and the donations of many individuals. Thank you!
Friday, March 27, 2020
All events take place in the Old Chapel unless noted
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM: Check in and Welcome
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Using a Professional Image to Drive Results
2:15 PM - 2:50 PM: Fire Side Chat with Jane Swift
2:50 PM - 4:00 PM: Winding Paths: My Public Service Journey
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM: Networking 101: Mentor and Board Member Introductions
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Women in Public Leadership Reception (Campus Center, 11th floor)
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Women in Public Leadership Dinner (Campus Center, 11th floor)
Saturday, March 28, 2020
All events take place in the Old Chapel unless noted
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Buffet and Networking
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast Conversation: Working Across the Aisle
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM: Law and Government
11:30 AM - 11:50 AM: Mindfulness Break
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch with UWiL Board of Directors (Blue Wall)
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM: Interviewing and Sound Bites
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Making Change: Lobbying, Organizing, and Direct Services
4:10 PM - 5:10 PM: Where Do We Go From Here? A Reflection on the Weekend with UWiL Alums
5:10 PM - 5:30 PM: Closing

Friday, March 22, 2019
All sessions in the UMass Amherst Old Chapel unless noted
View the complete Friday schedule, including participants and panel descriptions, here.
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM Check in and Welcome
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM Business Etiquette
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM Jumping In: Serving on Boards and Commissions
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Priming the Pipeline: “First” Women in Politics
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Women in Public Leadership Reception and Dinner (Location: 11th floor, UMass Campus Center)
Saturday, March 23, 2019
All sessions in the UMass Amherst Old Chapel unless noted
View the complete Saturday schedule, including participants and panel descriptions, here.
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM Welcome & Breakfast Buffet
8:15 AM – 9:45 AM Pathways into Politics: Breakfast with MA Politicians
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM Resilience and Professional Risk
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM Mindfulness Exercise
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch with Board Members and Alums (Location: Blue Wall, Campus Center)
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM Presidential Politics, Messaging and the Media
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM A Global Perspective: International Advocacy and Human Rights
4:10 PM – 5:10 PM Where Do We Go From Here?

Friday, March 23, 2018
Please click here for the complete Friday schedule, including participants and panel descriptions.
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM Check in and Welcome
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM Failure and Self-Awareness
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Jumping In: Involvement on Commissions and Boards
3:45 PM – 5:15 PM Business Etiquette & Professionalism
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Networking Reception
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Women in Public Leadership Dinner featuring Rosalin Acosta, Secretary, MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Please click here for the complete Saturday schedule, including participants and panel descriptions.
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM Welcome & Breakfast Buffet
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM Why We Serve: Coffee with Leaders in the Commonwealth
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM Women and Workplace Equality
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch with Board Members and Alums
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM Global Leadership: Diplomacy and Cultural Competency
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM The Need to Know, the Right to Know, and What You Want to Know
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM Where to go from Here? A Dinner Conversation with UWiL Alums
Thank you to Women for UMass for their generous sponsorship of this year's workshop weekend.

Friday, March 3, 2017
3:00 - 4:15 Business Etiquette & Professionalism
There is no way around it, first impressions matter. This session will help you understand what expectations exist in a professional setting and help you manage interactions with prospective colleagues, supervisors, interviewers, and others who can influence your own career.
- Facilitator: Mandie LeBeau, Business Etiquette Consultant, Pardon Me, Inc.
- Location: Campus Center 168C
4:30 - 5:30 A Conversation with UWiL Alums
You are part of a network of women with an affinity for UWiL. Use this time to talk to alums who have gone through the UWiL program and moved on to exciting internships and careers. What recommendations can they provide? How can they help you plan for the workshop and the rest of the semester?
- Location: Campus Center 168C
- Panelists:
- Stephanie Chan ’17 UMass & ’16 UWiL
- Shannon Mackey ’16, ’17 MPP UMass & ’16 UWiL
- Jiya Nair ’19 UMass & ’17 UWiL
- Lauren Coakley ’17, ’18 MPP UMass & ’15 UWiL
- Greta Wilt ’17 UMass & ’15 UWiL
5:30 - 6:00 Photos and Student Reception with Dinner Speaker
A special VIP session for students to meet with our evening speaker.
- Location: Campus Center 168C
6:00 Women in Public Service Workshop Dinner Reception
- Location: Marriott Center, Campus Center 11th floor
- Welcome: Michelle Goncalves '06G, Executive Director, UWiL
- Student Speakers: Lindsey McCauley ’18 and Jiya Nair ’19
- Featured Speaker: Suzanne Bump, the 25th Auditor of the Commonwealth, and the first female to serve in this role in the state's history
Saturday, March 4, 2017
All sessions take place in the Integrated Learning Center (ILC) S211 unless noted.
8:00 – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast and Check-In
8:30 - 8:45 AM Welcome, Workshop Overview & Reflection on Current Events
- Micaelah Morrill ’04, Program Manager, Greentown Labs and UWiL Board of Directors co-chair
8:45 – 10:00 AM Women in Public Service: Identity, Intersectionality & Politics
Identity takes many forms – gender, sexuality, race, class, political affiliation, and more. This panel will discuss how different identities intersect and can influence one’s professional career.
- Moderator: Erika Scibelli ’06, Government Affairs Manager, MA Health Policy Commission and UWiL Board of Directors co-chair
- Panelists:
- Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Attorney and Commissioner, MA Commission on the Status of Women
- Keiko Orrall, State Representative (R-Lakeville)
- Jossie Valentin, City Councilor, Holyoke, MA
- Lisa Wong, Senior Fellow, Governing Institute and Former Mayor, Fitchburg, MA
10:00 – 10:10 AM Coffee Break
10:10 – 11:30 AM Leading in a Globalized Society
Today’s society is more interconnected than ever before, and competitive professionals need to be prepared to work across culture and country borders. This panel will explore the skills needed to affect change abroad or to tackle issues of international importance, and it will describe the toolkit students should cultivate to start a career with an international focus.
- Moderator: Jan Feuerstadt ’96, Managing Director, Mercury LCC
- Panelists:
- Nyaradzai Changamire, Former Program Officer for Gender and Health Budgets, Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network and current graduate student, UMass Center for International Education
- Toon Fuderich ’86 MEd, ’07 EdD, former Education Advisor at USAID, Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs, Washington, DC
- Karla Giuliano Sarr ’10 MEd, ’15EdD, Assistant Professor of International Education, School for International Training
- Betsy Vegso, former Chief of Programming & Training, Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia Region, Peace Corps and current graduate student, UMass Center for International Education
11:30 – 12:30 PM Lunch
12:30 – 1:50 PM Interviewing the Interviewers
A speed networking event with journalists and media professionals. The tables are turned, and it is your chance to find out what makes the media tick, while practicing your own interviewing skills.
LOCATION: S231 ILC
- Moderator: Lauren M. Pardi '09, Communications and Special Projects Manager, Congresswoman Katherine Clark
- Panelists:
- Kathryn Alexander, Senior Account Executive, Solomon and McCown
- Mike Deehan ’07, State House Reporter, WGBH
- Lauren Dezenksi, MA Playbook author and reporter, Politico
- Matthew Kitsos, Press Secretary, MA Health Policy Commission
- Ann Murphy ’77, Senior Vice President, O’Neill and Associates
- Meagan Racey, Public Affairs Specialist, US Fish and Wildlife Service
1:50 – 2:00 PM Break
2:00 – 3:15 PM Working Across the Aisle: Negotiation, Diplomacy, and Effective Communication
"Working across the aisle” is a common phrase in politics today, and learning to work with those who hold different – and sometimes opposite—opinions from you is a critical skill for any professional. In this panel, elected officials will discuss their experiences working with colleagues from different political parties and/or with different values.
- Moderator: Michelle Goncalves, ’06 Executive Director, UWiL
- Panelists:
- Kimberly Ferguson, MA State Representative (R-Holden)
- Carole Fiola ’82, MA State Representative (D-Fall River)
- Hannah Kane, MA State Representative (R-Shrewsbury)
- Ellen Story, MA State Representative (D-Amherst, ret.)
3:15 – 3:20 PM Break
3:20 – 4:40 PM Public Affairs and Advocacy
You have your cause. Now how do you get other people to care about it? This interactive session will allow you to put into practice strategies used by advocates to bring attention to the causes they care about.
- Moderator: Kate Donaghey ’05, Government Relations Specialist, Massachusetts Teachers Association
- Panelists:
- Allyson Perron Drag, Senior Government Relations Director, American Heart Association & American Stroke Association Founders Affiliate
- Suzanne Morse ’95, Vice President, O’Neill and Associates
- Lauren M. Pardi '09, Communications and Special Projects Manager, the office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark
- Edward Philips ’05, Chief of Staff, Representative Louis Kafka (D-Sharon) Division Leader
4:40 - 4:50 PM Break
4:50 – 6:10 PM The Future of Women in Politics
We close the workshop with a discussion of the future of women in politics, existing efforts to close the gender gap, opportunities to engage young women, and where our elected leaders and public officials see changes in the political environment over the next five years.
- Moderator: Christina M. Knowles '05, Consultant, Executive Education and Center for Gender in Organizations, Simmons College, School of Management
- Panelists:
- Puja Mehta, Chair, Emerge MA
- Kate Hogan '86, MA State Representative (D - Stow)
- Kirsten L. Hughes, Chair, MassGOP
6:10 – 6:40 PM Closing & Reflections on the Day
6:40 - 7:15 PM Pizza and Goodbyes
Relax and enjoy some informal networking.

Friday, March 4, 2016
3:00 - 4:00 Business Etiquette
- Facilitator: Janet Parnes ’73, First Impression and Etiquette Expert
- Location: Campus Center 804-08
4:00 - 5:00 Mentoring Meet-Up
Students and mentors have been communicating all semester. This time is set aside for mentoring groups to meet informally face-to-face.
- Location: Campus Center 804-08
5:30 -6:00 Photos and Student Reception with Dinner Speaker
A special VIP session for students to meet with our evening speaker.
- Location: Campus Center 804-08
6:00 Women in Politics Dinner Reception - Doors Open
- Location: Marriott Center, Campus Center 11th floor
6:30 Welcome and Introductions
- Em cee: Michelle Goncalves '06G, Executive Director, UWiL
- Welcome by Lauren Coakley ’17, UWiL alum
- Introduction by UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy
6:45 Featured Speaker: Secretary Kristen Lepore, MA Executive Office for Administration and Finance
7:00 - 7:30 Dessert Buffet and Networking
Saturday, March 5, 2016
All sessions take place in the Integrated Learning Center (ILC) N211 unless noted.
8:00 – 8:30 Continental Breakfast and Check-In
8:30 - 8:45 Welcome, Workshop Overview & Reflection on Current Events
- Micaelah Morrill ’04, Co-Chair, UWiL Board of Directors and Program Manager, Greentown Labs
8:45 – 10:00 Women in Public Service: The Past and the Present
What is it like to be a woman in politics today? And how has it changed over the years? This panel will bring together leading women in politics, policy, and public service to discuss their personal experiences in public leadership, the road that led them to their current positions, the obstacles they may have faced, and successes they’ve experienced along the way.
- Moderator: Christina Knowles ’05, Executive Director, DirectWomen and UWiL Board of Directors co-chair
- Panelists:
- Kate Hogan '86, MA State Representative (D-Stow)
- Sibusisiwe “Sibu” Malaba, Executive Director, Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus
- Mary Olberding, Register of Deeds, Hampshire County
- Susannah Whipps Lee, MA State Representative (R-Athol)
10:00 – 10:10 Coffee Break
10:10 – 11:25 Understanding the Legislative Process
If you work in public service – even if it’s not in elected office or at the State House – you need to understand how government works. This presentation will provide an overview of the legislative process, including the formal rules for process, the reality of staffing, and the differences between what you might learn in the classroom and experience on the job.
- Moderator: Micaelah Morrill ’04, Co-Chair, UWiL Board of Directors and Program Manager, Greentown Labs
- Panelists:
- Christine Barber '03G, MA State Representative (D-Somerville)
- Lisa Dixon ’02, Special Counsel for Regulatory Reform, Executive Office for Administration & Finance
- Jennifer Flanagan, MA State Senator (D - Leominster)
- Erika Scibelli ’06, Government Affairs Manager, MA Health Policy Commission
11:30 - 12:30 Lunch
12:30 – 1:45 Public Affairs & Advocacy
You often hear lobbying discussed in negative ways. But do you really understand what lobbying is? Why is it important and effective? What can lobbyists teach us about how to get government officials to pay attention to your cause? What strategies are used by lobbyists to gain information and to influence policy? What does a career in government affairs look like?
- Moderator: Elizabeth Maynard '11, Account Executive/Executive Director, McKenna Management
- Panelists:
- Kate Donaghey ’05, Government Relations Specialist, Massachusetts Teachers Association
- Jan Feuerstadt '96, Managing Director, Mercury LLC
- Laurie Belsito Craney '07, Legislative Director, Mass Fiscal Alliance
1:45 - 1:55 Break
1:55 - 2:55 PM Fundraising
If you work in the non-profit or public sectors, it is likely that you will have to raise money at some point in your career. How do you decide on the best strategy? How do you identify donors? How do you actually make an ask?
- Moderator: Michelle Goncalves '06G, Executive Director, UWiL
- Panelists:
- Amy Burke ’89, Associate Director, Development Communications, Harvard Business School and former Finance Director, Attorney General Maura Healey
- Kristen Elechko, Campaign Manager for Patty Morey Walker for Mayor (Greenfield) and Associate at Imagine Philanthropy
3:00 – 4:30 Engaging the Media
You have your cause. Now how do you get other people to care about it? This session will discuss how to best frame your issue, event, or activity to catch the media’s attention and bring more recognition to your cause.
- Moderator: Ann Murphy ’77, Senior Vice President, O’Neill and Associates
- Panelists:
- Mike Deehan ’07, State House Reporter, NEPR and WGBH News
- Lauren Dezenski, MA Playbook author and reporter, Politico
- Suzanne Morse ’95, Vice President, O’Neill and Associates
- Abbie Ruzicka, Producer, On Point with Tom Ashbrook (NPR/WBUR)
4:30 – 4:45 Break
4:45 – 6:00 The Future of Women in Politics
We close the workshop with a discussion of the future of women in politics, existing efforts to close the gender gap, opportunities to engage young women, and where our elected leaders and public officials see changes in the political environment over the next five years.
- Moderator: Denise Hurst ’01, Member, Springfield School Committee; Commissioner, MA Commission on the Status of Women and Quality Improvement Coordinator and Human Rights Coordinator, MA Department of Mental Health
- Panelists:
- Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Commissioner, MA Commission on the Status of Women
- Linda O'Connell, Director, MA League of Women Voters
- Penny Ricketts, Greenfield Town Council
- Katie Regan, Chair, MA Young Republicans
- Jossie Valentin, Councilor, Holyoke City Council
6:00 – 6:10 Closing & Relfections on the Day
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Christina Knowles ’05, Executive Director, DirectWomen and UWiL Board of Directors co-chair
6:10 - 7:00 Pizza and Goodbyes
Relax and enjoy some informal networking.

Friday, March 6, 2015
1:00 – 1:45 Preparing for the weekend
You will receive an overview and explanation of your group assignments, the workshop, and general expectations
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Presenters: Michelle Gonçalves ’06G, Executive Director, UWiL and Kaylee Johnson, PhD student & Teaching Assistant, Political Science
2:00 – 3:00 The Path to Meaningful Purpose
This session will help you think through what type of leader you desire to be. Learn skills to help you develop into a fully-present leader and cultivate focus, clarity, creativity and compassion in how you lead.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Presenter: Luis A. Marrero, CEO, Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose
3:15 – 4:45 Conflict Resolution & Mediation
Conflict is inevitable in all professions. Learn basic conflict resolution concepts and mediation skills for your professional tool-box.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Presenter: Leah Wing, Director, Social Justice Mediation Institute & Senior Lecturer, Legal Studies UMass
4:45 – 6:30 Professional Headshots
6:30 Doors open for Dinner Reception
- Location: Marriott Center, Campus Center 11th floor
7:00 Dinner
- Location: Marriott Center, Campus Center 11th floor
7:20 Welcome and Introductions
- Location: Marriott Center, Campus Center 11th floor
7:40 Keynote featuring Karyn Polito, MA Lieutenant Governor
- Location: Marriott Center, Campus Center 11th floor
Saturday, March 7, 2015
8:30 – 9:00 Continental Breakfast
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Presenter: Micaelah Morrill ’04, Co-Chair, UWiL Board of Directors and Program Manager, Greentown Labs
9:15 – 10:30 Women in Public Service Panel: Why We Serve
The path to a public service career is not always a straight line and the decision to run for office or choose a public career is not an easy one. Hear how some of our state’s leaders made their decision to serve and why they feel public service is an important career choice for today’s college-age women.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Moderator: Elizabeth Maynard ‘11, Chair, Young Democrats of Massachusetts & Member, UWiL Board of Directors
- Panelists:
- Suzanne Bump, MA State Auditor
- Stephanie K. Fattman, Register of Probate, Worcester County
- Jennifer Flanagan, MA State Senator and UWiL Advisory Board Member
- Mary Olberding, Hampshire County Register of Deeds
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 – 12:00 Understanding the Legislative Process
If you work in public service – even if it’s not in elected office or at the State House – you need to understand how government works. This presentation will provide an overview of the legislative process, including the formal rules for process, the reality of staffing, and the differences between what you might learn in the classroom and experience on the job.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Moderator: Micaelah Morrill ’04, Co-Chair, UWiL Board of Directors and Program Manager, Greentown Labs
- Panelists:
- Amanda Copeland, Legislative Aide, Office of State Representative Kevin J. Kuros, and MA Federation of Young Republicans
- Lisa Dixon ’02, Director of Legislative Affairs, Executive Office of Health and Human Services and UWiL Board of Directors
- Benjamin B. Downing, MA State Senator
- Josh Krintzman ‘97, Deputy Senate Counsel, MA Senate
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:10 – 2:40 Fundraising
Even if you are not a fundraiser by title, it is increasingly likely that you will have to be involved in asking for money at some point in your career. This presentation will provide an overview of the importance of fundraising for all public service careers. It will explain how to ask for money, describe the different forms of fundraising, and provide examples of career paths which would utilize this skill.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Presenters:
- Amy Burke ’89, Finance Consultant, Attorney General Maura Healey & UWiL Board of Directors
- Lauren Pardi ’09, Communications and Special Projects Manager, the office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark & UWiL Board of Directors
2:40 – 3:10 Coffee Break
3:10 – 4:30 Lobbying & Advocacy
You often hear lobbying discussed in negative ways. But do you really understand what lobbying is? Why is it important and effective? What can lobbyists teach us about how to get government officials to pay attention to your cause?
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Moderator: Laurie Craney ’07, Legislative Director, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance & UWiL Board of Directors
- Presenters:
- Kate Donaghey ’05, Government Relations Specialist, Massachusetts Teachers Association & UWiL Board of Directors
- Christina Knowles ‘05, Executive Director, Boston Women's Workforce Council & co-chair, UWiL Board of Directors
4:30 – 4:40 Coffee Break
4:40 – 5:40 Improving your Skillset: Networking
This panel will provide an overview of the importance of networking, and provide tips and tricks using, cultivating and maintaining your network.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Moderator: Micaelah Morrill ’04, Co-Chair, UWiL Board of Directors and Program Manager, Greentown Labs
- Panelists:
- Megan Costello, Executive Director, Boston Mayor's office of Women's Advancement and Chair, Boston Women’s Commission
- Rebecca Davis, Deputy Director, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
- Michael Fenton, President, Springfield City Council
6:15 – 6:45 Networking Reception
This is an opportunity to put what you’ve learned to the test. Enjoy a dinner on us, but make sure to work the room!
- Welcome by: Christina Knowles ‘05, Executive Director, Boston Women's Workforce Council & co-chair, UWiL Board of Directors
- Location: Amherst Room, Campus Center (10th floor)
6:45 Dinner
- Location: Amherst Room, Campus Center (10th floor)
Sunday, March 8, 2015
8:30 – 9:00
Breakfast and check in
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Michelle Goncalves ‘06G, Executive Director, UWiL
9:15 – 10:15 Political Polling
How can you use numbers in framing and shaping your cause? Learn how to read and decipher polls, and how to determine what polls are high-quality.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Led by: Brian Schaffner, Director, UMass Poll and Professor of Political Science, UMass Amherst
10:25 – 11:25 Dealing with the Media
You have a great cause. You have a great event. But how do you get people to pay attention? Learn how to get your message picked up by the media, what catches journalist's eyes, and how to package your issues and messages for the best traction.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Panelists:
- Mike Deehan '07, Chief Content Editor, Statehouse News Service
- Jill Kaufman, Senior Reporter/Producer, New England Public Radio, WFCR
11:35 – 12:35 Negotiation
The first time many women are required to professionally negotiate is when they take their first job after graduation. How important is it to negotiate a strong starting salary? How do you figure out what a fair salary is? In this AAUW Wage Project workshop, you will learn how critical it is to “Start Smart” in preparing for salary negotiations and how to apply those skills to other areas of professional negotiation.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Presenter: Michelle Gonçalves ’06G, Executive Director, UWiL
12:45 – 1:45 Lunch
2:00 – 3:00 Negotiation, Part 2
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
3:15-4:15 Public Speaking
Learn tips and tricks to speak with confidence, to frame your message in the most positive way and to generally improve your public speaking.
- Location: Campus Center 162-75
- Presenter: Torb Pedersen '91, Founder Torb Petersen Institute and Voice Coach
4:15 – 5:00 Closing & Follow up Information
Presenter: Michelle Gonçalves, Executive Director, UWiL