2023 Concurrent Sessions

2023 NOW Conference

Reimagine & Reconnect: Catalysts for Effective Change within Academic Units

Presenter: Verna Bowie

Session Description: Organizational change is often initiated by crisis, new leadership, personnel turnover, policy, or compliance. Managing change and uncertainty have become seemingly expected responsibilities and norms for staff within UC Berkeley’s academic units. Their institutional memory and collective experiences are especially relevant in change management and are often underutilized. Their knowledge of campus administrative procedures and their perspectives and...

Disrupting Our Normal: Reimagining the Cultural Blueprint of DEIBJA

Presenters: Kala Stepter

Session Description: It is 2073 and the fight is over…well, kind of. Hearts and ears are open when an issue of inequity arises. You are safe and encouraged to pursue justice. You and all of your colleagues have made a commitment to implementing DEIBJA in your workplace. There’s no need to convince anyone of its urgency. So now what? With inspiration from Afrofuturist concepts, this session will ask you to reimagine how DEIBJA initiatives can be embodied in...

BERKELEY CHANGEMAKER: How Changemaking Can Help You Reconnect, Recharge & Reimagine Leadership at Any Level

Presenters: Laura Hassner and Alex Budak

Session Description: What does it mean to be a changemaker today? How can you inspire others to follow your vision for change and make your UC location, community, and world a better place? And, how is change-making rooted in the values and ethos of UC Berkeley and across the UC system?

Executive Director of The Berkeley Changemaker, Laura Hassner, sits down with fellow Berkeley Haas...

Purpose + Connection: Your Keys to Career Advancement in a Hybrid and Distributed World

Presenters: Nicole Resch

Session Description: Disconnection at work was an issue even before remote and hybrid work became the norm. In 2019, Cigna reported that nearly 100 million workers were lonely, and since 2020, the impact of employee isolation on well-being, innovation, productivity, retention, and culture has been well-documented. But what about careers? What is the impact on an individual’s career velocity when we block one of the most effective levers for advancement:...

Exceeding Expectations in a Hybrid Work Environment

Presenters: Allison Savage, Tiffany Reardon, and Fatima Alleyne

Session Description: The pandemic forced higher education to rethink its approach to on and offsite work. In this session, you’ll learn how to set up hybrid environments for success and build and maintain relationships across and up the organizational ladder.

Learning objectives:...

Morning Keynote: The Power of Human Re-Connection to Recharge and Reimagine Our Relationships

Presenters: Doy Charnsupharindr

Session Description:

In times of change and uncertainties, how can we show up and make the most of each moment we have? How can we interact with those around us in a meaningful and impactful way--and make every interaction count? Doy will talk about the power of human connection and practices to make the most of our interactions...

Afternoon Keynote: Fostering Belonging and Connection through Courageous Conversations

Presenters: Kat Vellos, moderated by Angela Stopper

Session Description:

Kat will share highlights from her research and work on the topics of engaging in meaningful conversations, building community, and themes, stories, and data from her book We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. This energetic and engaging event will highlight key takeaways and inspire the NOW...

Reimagining Our Relationship to Work: A Cultural Perspective

Presenters: Julie Resnik and Kiran Johl

Session Description: In this session, participants will examine their personal histories and how they relate to their current relationship with work. We will explore different factors that shape the way we engage in the workplace: what we saw in our households growing up, our cultural background and identity, and early career experiences. We will discuss how we are impacted by larger...

Creating Lasting First Impressions: Create your 30-Second Commercial

Presenters: Michelle Hector Branner

Session Description: Do you have your elevator commercial ready for your next opportunity? It is truly important to create a positive first impression, whether you are in an elevator, boardroom, networking event, or interviewing for your next career. This workshop will provide you with structure, tips, and a draft of your 30-second commercial, to leave a lasting impression on everyone you come into contact with.

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Interrupting Impostor Phenomenon through Creative Play

Presenters: Sabina Morgan

Session Description: The impostor phenomenon is defined as a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud." These doubts can limit our participation in many activities and prevent us from believing that we are worthy of opportunity and career advancement.

In this hands-on workshop, we will explore what the impostor phenomenon is, how it...