2023 Concurrent Sessions

2023 NOW Conference

Building Strong & Effective Workplace Relationships

Presenter: Josh Gibson

In this session, participants learn the neurocognitive reasons why relationships at work matter as well as the conditions and practices that lead to a thriving and effective workplace. After beginning with a high-level understanding of how and why relationships are wired into our brains, a practical review of the principles and skills for building constructive workplace relationships follows. This process also entails a brief participant-led collection of non...

Career Journeys: A Dynamic Discussion (Panel)

Presenters: Moderators: Carmen Soriano and Kristin Dees.

Panelists: Aaron Trammel, Eva Lee, Lian Boos, Lyndon Huling, ...

When Plan A Fails: Navigating Career Fog

Presenters: Priyanka Karki

Session Description: This workshop will be based on the concepts of redesigning, rethinking, and reevaluating career decisions and transitions without feeling defeated or “less than.” Through an engaging Odyssey Plan, the workshop aims to acknowledge and reveal some newer ways to look at career transitions and tap into unrealized potential while avoiding burnout and stress. Finding clarity amidst uncertainty requires strength, resilience, and resources, and it is...

Offer & Salary Negotiation: Using Career Tracks & Salary Placement Guidelines

Presenters: Kim Sapp Dinwiddie

Session Description: This workshop allows staff to reimagine equitable compensation for their knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience. It is a much deeper dive into teaching non-represented staff how to effectively negotiate their compensation during the offer and salary negotiation phase of the job interviewing process, as well as during the promotion and/or reclassification process. They will be able to apply the same salary structure, guidelines...

Being Leaders, Building Cultures: Our Collective Role in Creating Thriving Workplaces

Presenters: Kelsey Duff

Session Description:

“Leadership is a process that takes place among people working together toward positive change.” - Komives & Wagner, 2009

We all have the responsibility to be leaders in our workplaces and to strive for a culture and climate where everyone can thrive. We also can build our capacity for leadership, no matter what role or title we have.

Originally developed at the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, the Social Change...

A 25-Year Journey of Resilience: From a High-Tech Career to a Global Mentoring Mission

Presenters: Liesel Mendoza

Session Description: How many epiphanies does it take to define a life of purpose?

Liesel had two so far. The first one brought her on a journey from the Philippines to Silicon Valley. 25 years ago. The second one brought to her a mission of changing the world one leader at a time through mentoring. Seven years ago. She founded The Mentoring Club.

Throughout this journey, she continually observes and assesses her leadership skills, making her...

Recharge Your Leadership: Prevent Burnout by Prioritizing Professional Development

Presenters: Sasha Ann Keller

Session Description: Burnout, the Great Resignation, and quiet quitting are all symptoms of the same problem: a lack of individual-focused engagement and motivation that starts with effective leadership. Recharge your leadership skills to prevent burnout for you and your team. This session will equip you to reconnect with your team to develop energizing and meaningful professional development opportunities to help you retain and recruit talent. Learn...

How Leading Talent Trends Shape Your Workplace Interactions

Presenters: Jonathan Gordin, Ali Linder, and Catherine Miller

Session Description: Mercer has developed a set of five talent trends to guide the discussion. The trends are backed by over 10,000 individual data points from surveys conducted around the world of executives, HR leaders, and employees. The trends all relate to key workforce issues. The course will include deep...

Experiencing a Career Plateau-Reconnect, Recharge, and Reimagine Your Career

Presenters: Vaneese Johnson

Session Description: Are you feeling stuck in your current career path? Have you been feeling like you have hit a career plateau? Have you been wondering what it would take to get you to the next level of your career journey? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this session is for you!

Let's get motivated and take the steps to break through your career plateau. Join this high-engagement and interactive discussion on how you...

Become a CEO - Chief Emotional Officer

Presenters: Inga Arianna Bielinska

Session Description: Reimagine your leadership role and become a Chief Emotional Officer. Such a CEO has the ability to take advantage of compassionate leadership. You might not be aware of it, but you have been practicing elements of it for three years while helping employees recover from the pain of the pandemic, political unrest, global conflict, and now economic turbulences resulting in group layoffs.

During the workshop we will...