13th Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference [WLEC2022]
Innovation ◊ Illumination ◊ Integration​
​March 1st - 3rd, 2022 VIRTUAL Conference

SPEAKERS​

WLEC2022 PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Future of female entrepreneurship and implications
Panel discussion will be streamed via Facebook live on March 1st 2022 from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM UTC (London)
For some, entrepreneurship is a path to freedom. For many, it is an opportunity to find their purpose. In this panel discussion we will dive into challenges and opportunities of the emerging entrepreneurial sector. Our insightful panelists will help us understand what is the future of female entrepreneurship and what are its implications for an individual on both personal and professional levels, as well as how it is shaping our society.
Jessica Sato is the founder and CEO of Jessica Sato Consulting, a business strategy and coaching firm that helps corporate women leave the 9-5 to build professional services business. After a 10-year stint as a leadership development expert, owning three other successful businesses, and a life-changing assignment in Ethiopia, Jessica created a transformational business to empower and teach women-owned businesses how to build engaged audiences, create compelling offers, and use online marketing strategies to sell with confidence, so they can have more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment on their terms. In her spare time, Jessica is a TEDx speaker director and speaking coach, an avid rock climber, and a plant-based lifestyle enthusiast. Jessica makes her home in Colorado, USA, and is married to her college sweetheart, has 2 teenagers, and a menagerie of pets.
Born in Belgium, Karin was educated in England, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Greece and France, speaks 8 languages, and has a double degree in Social Sciences and Political Sciences. A background of multi-cultural connection-building enabled Karin to create valuable, lifelong business and interpersonal relationships, and this fundamentally enables her to provide clients with excellent growth and business development opportunities. Karin is a founding member and leader of Lionesses of Siam, and was named “Most Influential Public Relations Businesswoman (Southeast Asia)” in The 2021 Influential Businesswoman Awards hosted by Acquisition International. She has led Midas on its path to becoming a highly decorated and regionally acclaimed agency, including Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award (PRCA Award 2020); The Golden Globe Tigers Awards 2020 for Excellence & Leadership in Branding & Marketing; Global Business Insight Awards 2019 for Most Outstanding Public Relations Firm; and Thailand Brand Leadership Award 2018 for Best PR Company (Thailand) and Best PR Agency Thailand 2016. She is current Chair of PRCA Thailand.
Johan Bäckman is from Gothenburg, in Sweden. Johan wants to realize the full potential of individuals. This by inspiring you to get inspired in order to take action – Action to achieve your dreams, results, and extraordinary life. He also inspires and guide organizations to achieve a corporate cultures that enables all employees to reach their full potential. With the basis from the research, Johan’s professional experiences, and his personal transformational journey, from being burned-out to today live his passion, he knows how you as an individual and how groups and organizations can reach their full potentials. Johan has the confidence of CEOs and their management teams to support them in the development of their personal, their teams and organizations - in order to grow an sustainable, flexible and innovative organisation.
Sandy has a passion for helping executive women and is known for challenging the status quo to get the best out of your greatest asset, people. She saw executive coaching as the perfect opportunity for her to give back the expertise and operational insights she learned in corporate America while affording her the opportunity to spend more time blending family and wellness into her life. As owner and CEO of Altitude Business Coaching, Sandy will help you build a culture of belonging and mutual respect between men and women in the workplace. Sandy spent 2019 traveling the country and speaking at Women in Energy and Nuclear conferences to educate women on how to lead authentically, with emotional intelligence and resilience. In March 2020, she attended her first live international speaking engagement in Bali, Indonesia at the Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Conference (WLEC) and returned in March 2021 as a speaker, panel moderator and part of the scientific committee for WLEC and the International Conference on Spirituality and Psychology (ICSP) hosted virtually from Bangkok, Thailand. Her most recent virtual speaking engagements, in October 2021, include Project Management Institute (PMI) Virtual Engagement Summit and Women in Nuclear Global Conference hosted by WIN Canada.
Sandy is a graduate from Johns Hopkins University with an MBA in International Business. She is chair and Advisory Board member for 4Word, and advisory board member for Tomorrow People Organization.

​Empowering the invisible
​Panel discussion will be streamed via Facebook live on March 2nd 2022 from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM UTC (London)
Global experts will help us understand how to best empower silenced voices and illuminate their hidden wisdom, talents and creativity and why it is important for creating a positive change in our lives and the world around us. We’ll discuss the challenges that women, and marginalized groups, from across the world encounter on cultural, personal and professional levels, identify opportunities and offer solutions based on lived experiences.
Lynda Burgman was presented the United Nations Office Human Rights Award in 2015 by the Christian Women United of St. Louis for her humanitarian work with the impoverished, indigenous Quechua children and their families in the District of Maras, Peru. In 2006, she was recognized by Oprah Winfrey for her humanitarian work in Peru. Appearing twice on the “Oprah Winfrey Show’s Pay It Forward Series”. In 2014, inducted into the NHS Alumni Hall of Fame as a “Distinguished Alumni” for her charitable work. Founder of Kindness In A Box in 2006, a non-profit charity that provides humanitarian resources for the education, health and well-being of the impoverished, indigenous Quechua children and families living in the District of Maras, Peru.
Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah Transformational Coach| Certified Corporate Trainer |Consultant - Certified Ontological-Mindfulness-Ecological Coach from Ideal Coaching Global-USA, - Associate Certified Coach – ACC from International Coaching Federation(ICF)-the USA, - Certified Professional Corporate Trainer ( IAPPD-UK). - Holds Graduate Diploma in Management Studies - Institute for Commercial Management ( United Kingdom) - Holds Advanced Diploma in Leadership Studies - Institute for Commercial Management ( United Kingdom). - Core competencies in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, mBraining, Communication, Leadership, Team Building, Branding & Brand Positions, Management  & Strategic re-engineering, etc. - Authored four books, over 70 articles online/Print, - A voice on Ghana and South African media.
Professor Fry has a BA in economics from Stanford, a MPA from Princeton, and a Ph.D. from Stanford (international development education). At the University of Oregon, he was a Professor of Political Science from 1981 to 2000. He served for a number of years as both Director of International Studies and as Director of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies. In 1990, he was a Pew Faculty Fellow in International Affairs at the Kennedy School at Harvard. In 2009, he received the University of Minnesota Award for Global Engagement. In 2011, he received an honorary doctorate from Thailand. Among his major books are: The Historical Dictionary of Thailand (2013); and the Education in Thailand: An Old Elephant in Search of a New Mahout (2018). Currently he is working on the first ever book on happiness education, to be published by Routledge.
"I am Kelly Rattanee, Priestess of Pleasure and Queen of Juicy Relationships. I”m a former sex worker, a mother of two incredible children, a wife to the dopest man I know, wine and coffee drinker, Beyonce lover and the founder of The Power of a Woman's Pleasure. I am a master healer, coach and international speaker. I specialize in guiding high impact women in healing their feminine energy so they can live with more presence, peace and pleasure."

​How women can support and uplift women in leadership positions
Panel discussion will be streamed via Facebook live on March 1st 2022 from 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM UTC (London)
This panel discussion is set to remind us of the importance of evolving together; seeing each other as collaborators rather than competitors. It is crucial, especially when times are turbulent, to collaborate and support each other. Together, we stay stronger against the storm. We’ll discuss challenges that women encounter in leadership positions and how we can support them in removing obstacles. We’ll explore how we can work together for the common good but also to support each other’s mission and understand that someone’s mission may contribute to our own purpose.
Amanda Furgiuele is a sole parent, multi-preneur, international performer, elite athlete, and an expert in creative problem solving and time management. She challenges her clients to stop making excuses and start making progress through innovative solutions to even the most mundane problems. A lifetime learner, Amanda has worked in and owned multiple business ventures including television production, business, marketing, and social media consultation, health and wellness, retail, education, and more.
Brenda Bushell, formerly a professor at the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, Japan, is currently an advisor for leadership and internship programs in Japan. She has over 35 years of teaching experience and has carried out extensive research on women’s leadership towards sustainable community development in both Asia and Africa. Awarded grants by the Japanese Ministry of Education (2005-2017), her focus has been the active support and empowerment of women in small enterprise in Nepal, as well as educational leadership for Japanese and Nepali students through field research activities. Her passion for teaching and collaboration with others in creating a more equal and just society is her long-held goal.
As a leading ICF master executive coach, professional speaker and author. Her background stands apart with 27 years coaching Division 1 women’s basketball, She led her teams to a Final Four, Elite Eight, three straight Sweet Sixteens and numerous NCAA Tournament appearances. CEO and Founder at ON Point Next Level Leadership, a global leadership consulting firm. She founded two non-profits and sits on multiple boards. She launched TeamWomen in 2011, an organization dedicated to empowering women through mentoring and professional development and Empower Leadership Academy for Girls. Pam is a board member for TeamWomen, Defiance College and WeCOACH. Pam has been recognized with several awards including the 2016 Twin Cities Business Magazine Marvelous Mentor Award, Top 10 Global Women of Leadership Pillar Award, (Real) Power 50 Award and New England National Coach of the Year. She was also a two-time nominee for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award. Additionally, Pam was honored with the creation of the Pam Borton Endowment at the University of Minnesota in the College of Education and Human Development, the only endowment of its kind in the world.
Deborah J. Pembleton is an Associate Professor in the Global Business Leadership Department and Director of the Asian Studies Program at the College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University. She holds a BA from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from St. Louis University, and a Ph.D. in Comparative International Development Education with an emphasis on global leadership from the University of Minnesota. She has taught courses in human resources, organizational behavior, management strategy and intercultural communication. Previously, , Dr. Pembleton worked in international business where she held various positions at IBM Corporation and 3M Company.

WLEC2022 PRESENTERS

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The Power of Reverse Mentoring: “Little did I know that I was the one stepping into the classroom!”
I am an Executive Leadership Coach and Trainer. I am very passionate about anything and everything leadership. Not only do I thoroughly enjoy working with new and tenured leaders. But I am also always exploring new workshops, podcasts, leadership books, etc. with the goal to stretch and grow my own influence as a leader in my community and my work. I guess you could say I am a “Leadership junkie!” So, when I stepped into the role as a mentor to adults with Down Syndrome, little did I know that I would be the one walking away with the most learnings. Lessons in leadership I had been searching for. Lessons I was yearning to experience. The time spent with Joe, Sam, Lucas and Mike uncovered some of the most poignant leadership lessons in my life; and I wasn’t even looking. (Isn’t that how it always works?) Remember, I was there to mentor them! Serve them! Teach them all of the valuable skills I had acquired in my lifetime! Now that’s funny! Little did I know that I was the one stepping into the classroom! I was the student too! Joe, Sam, Mike and Lucas were the catalysts that flip on the light switch for me! I finally had the leadership anchors that would ground me moving forward. They enrolled me in the skill of Listening to Learn. They showed me the Power of Intimate (into me- see), Human Connection. They sold me on the belief that “Being Enough” is Perfection, and they helped me to see that Believing in Myself FIRST is the foundation to influencing others. Anything is possible if I believe it! Wow! This ‘experiential training’ I receive by mentoring these young men has been life changing. No book, podcast or workshop could have cultivated these insights. I can only hope that my mentor learned as much from me as I did from her! I had never thought about it this way, until these young men. Keep your eyes and ears open, you can learn just as much, if not more, from those you mentor simply by taking on a “Reverse Mentoring Mindset.” And it’s a WIN-WIN for all involved. How awesome is that?!
Laura Leaton has a natural gift for helping individuals discover their inner strengths and use those strengths to achieve personal and professional success. She is an expert in sales, Leadership Development Training, and personal performance coaching. What began as a successful stint coaching Division I Collegiate Women’s Volleyball, led her to an accomplished 17-year career with a competitive global Fortune 500 company. During her tenure, she successfully held Sales Training, Sales Management, Sales Director and Executive Coaching roles and ultimately Executive Director of Leadership Development where she coached managers, emerging leaders and individual contributors throughout the company. Laura has spent her entire career, leading high performing teams, and supporting individuals in achieving their goals. After much reflection into her own leadership journey, she has cultivated an intense devotion to promoting the power of compassion in the workplace. She has a reputation for employing a personal, dynamic approach to affecting change. She is recognized as an energetic leader, strong motivator, noteworthy communicator and powerful speaker. Laura is an Executive Coach, Transformational Leadership Coach, Trainer, and Speaker. She is the owner of Anchored Elements Coaching, LLC. Laura grew up in Los Angeles, CA. and now travels the country in her fully renovated sprinter van named “Wanda” (short for Wanderlust.) She is a dedicated volunteer and mentor at Down Syndrome of Louisville, loves to travel and enjoys all things outdoors.
“The Journey of A Thousand Miles” Overcoming Adversity to Achieve Greatness
This is a motivational speech based on a true story of how Michelle traveled to Peru and conquered Machu Picchu with a physical disability using 3 big lessons learned in life to overcome adversity in achieve greatness.
Michelle Kuei is an international speaker, certified visibility coach, and author who empowers women in building the skill-set of resiliency to overcome tragedy, bounce back, and find purpose in every challenge. She is the Founder of Elevate LifeCoaching and the author of the memoir “Perfectly Normal-an immigrant’s story of making it in America”; an inspirational journey of overcoming adversity after an automobile accident that changed her life trajectory. Michelle was born in Taiwan and grew up in New York, but today she lives in Los Angeles.
An Exploration of Costa Rican Career Women and Work Life Balance
This research examines the lives of Costa Rican women and issues they face surrounding work-family integration. This study explores the life experiences of Latinas in Costa Rica to understand the challenges they encounter in their careers and in their aspirations for career advancement. The study sought to obtain insight into how Costa Rican women form relationships that create support systems and strategies for managing careers, families, and the demands of their communities. The life course framework used as the model for this project, explores an entire lifespan of a person to gather a significant amount of information that can be dissected and analyzed (Elder, 1994; Giele, 2002). Giele modified this framework to specifically address “life balance” issues for women (2008). The findings indicate that Latinas have identities that are strongly connected with their family and culture. They rely heavily on their family support, mentors, and networks for learning how to navigate their career choices. Active engagement in leadership roles in the workplace is attributed to providing opportunities for growth, mentorship, and career advancement. Lastly, the women shared several strategies such as exercise, earning trust in the workplace, family, support circles, and setting priorities for coping with work-life balance and integration.
Elena Einstein, Ed.D., is a Principal Manager, Contracts and Grant at Universities Space Research Association (USRA), where she leads the contracts portfolio for the NASA Academic Research Mission Services program. Previously, she was Senior Contracts Manager at L3Harris Technologies and has 11 years of experience with The Boeing Company in satellites and space launch programs. She is also an adjunct faculty at University of La Verne teaching Diversity Management and Gender and Culture in the undergraduate and master’s program. Dr. Einstein holds a doctorate from Pepperdine University, a MSLM from University of La Verne and a BS from Cal Poly Pomona. She has recently co-authored a book on Women in Leadership: Work-Family Integration and is a member of the Work-Life Integration Project.
https://www.worklifeintegrationproject.com As founder of The Einstein Group, she provides business consulting in global leadership, change management, and supports advocacy projects to help improve the lives of women and minorities.
The reality of services and women's needs in the Bedouin communities in southern West Bank and Negev study
The Study's Objectives:
  • Highlighting the gender-based services reality for each of the Bedouin communities (Southern West Bank and Negev).
  • Highlighting women and girls needs in the service sectors (health, water, electricity, roads, transportation, education, sanitation, communications, environment, climate change, economic and social sectors).
  • Shedding light on the negative effects on women and girls and their family and community lives, in addition to considering the change in the gender relations dynamics as a result of the lack of services from different sectors according to each sector.
  • Providing a reference document for the needs reality for developing services, and using it as a lobbying tool in order to accountable decision makers for their role in fulfilling their obligations to respond to these needs in accordance with international and peace agreements.
The Study's Importance:
  • It is considered one of the rare studies that deals with the services and needs reality of Palestinian women in the Bedouin communities in southern West Bank and Negev, and how much they respond to practical gender needs.
  • Highlighting the obstacles that Bedouin women face in accessing services.
  • Highlighting the effects and damages that affect women as a result of the formal and informal discrimination and marginalization of women in the Bedouin communities.
  • Providing a reference document full of information and analysis for decision makers and many interested parties in the framework of preparing development programs and projects that primarily target Bedouin communities based on the study's indicators and results.
  • Shedding light on the governmental role in assuming responsibilities towards improving the women situation in the Bedouin communities in southern West Bank and Negev
Dr. Sahar Yousef. M Alkawasmeh is a gender specialist. And the General Director for Roles for Social Change Association - ADWAR -Palestine She holds a BA degree as a social worker, a master degree ingender and development from Birzeit University, and have PhD in social and political science, Women Movement in the middle east, and the title of the thesis Palestinian women Movement between SocialNeeds and the Transformation of Political Interests.. She have twenty 25 years of practical experience in management of girls and women programs in addition to playing active roles as leader, in Palestinian society.
General Director in ADWAR Association
Facilitation Resource for Palestinian women and understands how change occurs. Its experience of leading organized action to influence decision makers in Palestine and development environments sets it apart from other training and consulting organizations. I support women and change men attitude to increase women participation in three fields (Social, Economic and Political) programs in order to reach gender equity rights and social justice. We believe that change can only come through gender and development approach. Awareness of Advocacy can therefore have very positive impacts on the formulation of projects and their results in the social domain. ADWAR Association established in 2010 by a group of students from different universities in Hebron /Palestine. In which they believed that reaching social justice has to go through gender approach. That will redeem the gaps in social, economic and political participation between men, boys, women and girls in Palestine, as well as enhance Palestinian women political participation through promoting their social, economic, and political rights in Palestinian community. A number of needs have been addressed which ADWAR has developed its work and its main course (Gender and Development). It offers a number of programmers to achieve its vision.
Peace is the new Prada
How inner peace is truly the key to Personal Power, Freedom and Living a Life on Purpose and in Presence.
Kelly Rattanee is a master healer and women's empowerment coach. Originally from Canada, she is now happy to call Thailand home along with her husband and two beautiful children. She teaches on sacred sexuality, conscious relationships, presence, and inner peace. She is currently in the process of creating a healing retreat in the jungle in Southern Thailand and looks forward to welcoming people there in the future. She is an avid reader, she's a lover of nature, and believes that miracles are our birth right and we have access to them every day.
Being a Strong Leader Starts with Being Gentle
Imagine creating your version of a strong leader through self-love. We are trained from an early age to use negative motivation to achieve goals and to lead others. How do we each release the use of negative motivation? This is done by loving ourselves. The more you practice compassion with yourself, the more likely you are to use compassion when leading others.
#1 International Best-Selling Author, Business Consultant, and Self Love Coach Arliss Dudley-Cash is an inspirational speaker and self-love movement leader. With a background in business, neuroscience, and forensics her career expands over several industries including operations management, research scientist, and death investigation. Arliss unites this eclectic background with her personal journey to overcome the odds and survive a terminal diagnosis. Arliss is a big believer in the magic of our individual stories and the power of storytelling to affect positive change in this world. In 2021, she co-founded The Body Positivity Podcast which she hosts with her friend Diana Gremillion. Through her company Soullutions LLC, she is passionate about helping her clients to become powerful, joyful, authentic business owners experiencing freedom, having a lot more fun in their business, and experiencing the success of their dreams. Arliss’s dream is for each of us to become the loves of our lives!
Women in the Limelight: Strides and Paradigm Shifts
What has been influencing recent strides by women? Could it be a redefinition of success formerly dictated by social norms and narratives? Or could it be that women are being given “permission” and space to realise their potential? Aside from the regression from recent progress made due to the novel pandemic, it is time to reflect on the shifts taking place and why they are happening. It is time to look inward and outward to determine and promote the factors that are bringing us closer to achieving sustainable development and achievement goals for women around the world. A study by the Centre for Economic Policy Research and the World Economic Forum, surfaces that “countries led by women had systematically and significantly better Covid-19 outcomes, on average than those led by men. It further suggests that the difference may be explained by the proactive and coordinated policy responses adopted by female leaders.” A relevant to start our reflections. This presentation will help us better examine the factors driving these notable shifts, so we craft an ongoing working knowledge base that promotes continuous innovation, Illumination and Integration of women multi-sectorally and globally.
Safiya has more than 22 years’ work experience with expertise in project and event management, girls/women’s empowerment, gender, peacebuilding, facilitation and learning. Starting off in her home country Nigeria, Safiya worked extensively within civil society to advance causes for girls and women at both the national and state levels. Safiya founded Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), a non-profit organisation with a mission to provide multisectoral interventions for the empowerment and enlightenment of girls and women in 2008. Safiya is also the Director of Institutional Learning at Generations For Peace (GFP), Amman Jordan. Her current duties include overseeing the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and Capacity Strengthening and Training (CSAT) units. In 2020, Safiya commenced her doctoral studies with the UN Mandated University of Peace, Costa Rica where her research focusses on peacebuilding efforts leveraging the agency of women in violence affected north-west Nigeria via participatory arts.
Brazilian women: a struggle to be heard
As in other countries, during the past few decades Brazilian women have revolted against patriarchy by raising their voices and creating social impact. This qualitative study, using secondary research, identifies Marielle Franco, Zilda Arns, Maria da Penha, Marta Vieira da Silva, and Dilma Rousseff as five empowered Brazilian women. Most came from humble origins - families that were examples of charity and struggled for rights, but all obtained degrees either in higher education or in their specialization. However, their origins did not determine social action. The driving force was their suffering from discrimination because they were women and because they occupied places that were previously reserved for white men. Almost all were persecuted, while others also suffered discrimination because of their skin color and ethnicity. Even so, being wives and mothers, all were excellent professionals, searching for success and achieving progress in their dedicated areas by creating social changes. Finally, those committed to building an evolved, modern, inclusive, and respectful Brazilian society perceive the macho practices that prevail as inadequate and detrimental to women. As more and more women carry on in the fight for human rights, society will evolve.
Rafaelly Andressa Schallemberger graduated in Letters (Portuguese/ English and Literature), studied postgraduate in Educational Medias and in Language Teaching Methodologies, and graduated with a master's degree in Linguistics. Nowadays she teaches high school Portuguese, English and Literature at Instituto Federal Farroupilha at a technical high school and teaches at the college level.
The Science of Well Being
We will explore the four developments that inform the study of happiness and well being. More importantly we will provide a framework for investigating the impact on our brain and body based on neuroscience research. Finally, how does maintaining focus affect your happiness and motivation in the workplace! Come join us as we put compassion and kindness into mainstream science.
Sandy has a passion for helping executive women and is known for challenging the status quo to get the best out of your greatest asset, people. She saw executive coaching as the perfect opportunity for her to give back the expertise and operational insights she learned in corporate America while affording her the opportunity to spend more time blending family and wellness into her life. As owner and CEO of Altitude Business Coaching, Sandy will help you build a culture of belonging and mutual respect between men and women in the workplace.
Enhancing Gender-Based Research with Qualitative Social Justice Research
Dr. Anna CohenMiller will discuss the ways in which qualitative social justice research offers a lens and practical tools to enhance gender-based research. Integrating key concepts of equity, inclusion, and critical self-reflection, she draws from her recent textbook with Routledge, Questions in Qualitative Social Justice Research in Multicultural Contexts (CohenMiller & Boivin, 2022) to highlight ideas and steps to facilitate and amplify voices of those who have been historically marginalized, oppressed, and/or colonized. In this talk, Dr. CohenMiller integrates time for audience critical self-reflection to consider the ways in which integrating qualitative social justice research around such topics as power and trust can be applied to current and future studies to address gender inequities in local and international contexts.
Dr. CohenMiller is a qualitative social justice research methodologist and award-winning educational leader who examines issues of gender equity and inclusion in higher education in Kazakhstan and internationally. She specializes in arts-based research and has a background in developing interdisciplinary, grant-funded international collaborations and community initiatives. Dr. CohenMiller is an Assistant Professor at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education, and the Co-Founding Director of The Consortium of Gender Scholars (www.gen-con.org), where she developed a partnership with the Asian Qualitative Research Association. She is Founder of The Motherscholar Project (www.motherscholar.org), and Editor in Chief of Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy (www.journaldialogue.org). Recent projects include an online photovoice to uncover the experiences of motherscholars during quarantine (https://photovoicemotherscholars.wordpress.com) and textbook (with Nettie Boivin), Questions in Qualitative Research in Multicultural Contexts (Routledge).
Redefining What it Means to Be Brave
Acts of bravery are often attributed to men. However acts of bravery are not gender specific. There are many facets of modern bravery. Rachael Evans is the disrupter of bravery, dedicated to generating and fueling positive change for women.
Rachael believes fear means go, an ethos she has echoed since childhood. Often the only one to stand up, raise her hand, and be out in front, Rachael relishes the challenges that can be overcome by being afraid and proceeding anyway She is a world-leading visionary business pioneer, speaker, author and coach, she is dedicated to helping women step into their bravery and reclaim their feminine power. Rachael has led a career of disruption in male-dominated global industries, carving out pathways and opening doors for scores of women to walk through and stand beside her. A visionary strategist and futurist, Rachael has grown her own multi million dollar companies from scratch, the whole time navigating the challenges of a young family. Her mission is to redefine bravery so that it encompasses women embracing and celebrating the bravest versions of themselves. Rachael will support, empower and unite women to forge a new era of leadership, championing others to stand in their power with grace and freedom through her Brave Media Network.
The Power of Vulnerability - Strength Through Compassion And Values For Global Change
The term "Vulnerability" often gets interpreted as having no control or leaving things to chance. It is, in reality, about taking chances risks, being courageous and living without regrets. Being vulnerable enables us to be expressive, be clear about what we seek, embrace emotions, and be mindful. Since we are being true to our nature and what we are, we promote resilience and positive mental health in ourselves by embracing our vulnerability. Our emotional well-being emerges stronger with the realization that to maximize our potential and make the best of our life to find our purpose; we need to acknowledge the strength in vulnerability. Some of the critical changes in life brought about by respecting and acknowledging our vulnerability are – • Our increased empathy towards people and situations. • It helps us establish more meaningful personal and professional relationships. • Greater self-awareness and compassion for ourselves and the world we are a part of. • Better understanding and acceptance of who we are. • It helps teach a stronger belief in the positive significance of teamwork. • Develop healthier conscious coping strategies to overcome challenges and crises. • The emergence of a sense of responsibility regarding self-improvement and progress. • It enables us to develop a consciousness of the importance of continuous personal and professional development. By tapping into the power of our vulnerability, we are more aware of the purpose of our existence. We also become aware of our responsibility and contribution to the world through our presence as a member of society in the process.
Seetha Sagaran is a Personal Development Trainer, Lifestyle Consultant and Motivational Speaker with a background in English, Psychology, Counselling (including Crisis & Trauma Counselling, (U.K), Hypnotherapy, Metaphor Therapy and Teaching Children with Special Needs (U.K). She is also a Licensed Practitioner of Neuro-linguistic Programming (N.L.P) from The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (U.S.A). A Toastmasters International (U.S.A) member for the last 17 years, she is also a Distinguished Toastmaster (D.T.M.). In 2020, she launched her customised online personal and professional mentoring program, "The Nankurunaisa Mentoring Program". Seetha is a co-author of the motivational book "Your Dose of Motivation". Published in 2020, she has shared some lessons from her life and attempted to simplify the concept of self-motivation in the book. As a co-author of the motivational book "Women Who Inspire", published in 2021, she has elaborated on the importance of mentors in life and the positive impact that mentors can make in our lives. She also co-authored the 2021 published book of short stories, "Sagas of Destiny", and the same year co-authored an anthology of poems, "Reverie". She is also a co-author of a soon to be published book on leadership, "We are Leaders – Expressions & Experiences". A recipient of Global Training & Development Leadership Award - 2017, Exceptional Women of Excellence Award – 2020, and Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All Award – 2020. She was also a recipient of Exceptional Leader of Excellence Award – 2021 and Outstanding International Guest Speaker of the Year 2021. Seetha was included in "The World Book of Hoinser Queens 2021" as one of the top hundred influential women of 2021. Her training/motivational workshops, programs, and keynote sessions focus on individual development through interactive learning and mutual empowerment. She has conducted Corporate, Educational, and Social Service & Welfare Training Workshops/Motivational Sessions in U.A.E, India, Seychelles, Canada and the U.K. She has also attended conferences in the U.A.E, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Italy as a Keynote/Motivational Speaker. Seetha has also presented virtual keynote and motivational sessions in conferences conducted in the Netherlands, U.K, Australia, Turkey, Thailand and Malaysia.
Never Fear Public Speaking Again
Public speaking remains the most common fear with experts estimating the 77% of the population struggles with it. Yet using our voices is the most effective way to share our mission, purpose and to inspire others. Imagine what it would feel like to speak without fear. To be able to say “yes” confidently to opportunities, goals and dreams. Your voice is like a superpower. However, we often hold ourselves back from using it on bigger platforms out of fear. During this presentation audience members will gain transformational tools and tips to overcome fear once and for all. Key strategies will be shared starting from the inside out, meaning, we will explore the root causes of the fears first. We will also address more practical tips so that audience members may immediately begin incorporating these into their lives, whether they are speaking to a few people at a networking event, or hundreds from a live or virtual stage.
Laura believes your voice and story are your superpowers. Having grown up with a stutter, paralyzing public speaking fear and social anxiety, she is now an unlikely Podcaster, Speaker, Stand-up Comic and Speaking Coach. But that’s what makes her uniquely aligned to help others overcome their fear, find their voice, and tell their most authentic stories. Laura has spoken internationally, keynoting events and receiving the award for “Best Presentation” at the Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Conference in Bangkok in 2019. Laura was also a Hawaii State District Finalist twice in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, placing third in 2020. She took first place in the Laulima International Humorous Speech Contest in 2020. Laura has performed her Stand-Up at numerous venues on the Big Island and Oahu, including as a featured comedian at Kahilu Theatre in 2021. Her business, Storyforth, has helped countless entrepreneurs, non-profits and companies grow through the use of effective communication and story-marketing. Laura also founded The Speakeasy School, where she creates virtual courses for improving public speaking. She is the Co-Host of The Backstory Podcast With Cain & Laura, where she interviews speakers, storytellers and leaders who are considered the best in the business.
Leadership adaptability and building support: Towards the advancement of women
Leadership qualities are never static. They need to consider the environment and the form of leadership required within a particular time and context. A survey carried out amongst a small group of women in higher education, at a women’s leadership academy in South Africa, revealed that women recognise that the qualities required of leaders evolves. They also recognise that women’s experiences have both informed and shaped their leadership qualities, which have stood them well within the ever-increasing demanding higher education environment. Women have portrayed adaptability as a leadership quality which has reflected their resilience in times of instability. This is portrayed in the pre-and post fallist period of the South African higher education milieu. The survey reflected the forms of leadership qualities women viewed as critical in navigating the current higher education milieu. It also explored the need for, and forms of support women require in their advancement towards leadership. The paper presents the fallist period (2015 – 2016) of protest action as a defining period in the South African higher education sector, looking at the qualities of leadership pre-and post this period. It also argues for continued mentorship and support towards advancing women in leadership.
Adéle L Moodly is the Registrar at Rhodes University and an Adjunct Professor associated with the Rhodes Business School. Having been in higher education (HE) for almost twenty-eight years, holding extensive academic positions, she has a broad understanding of the South African HE sector. Her expansive experience covers HE teaching and learning, research and publication, supervision, and academic leadership. Her research interests have become keenly focused in two areas of governance and women in leadership in the sector.
From Surviving To Thriving: How to Achieve a Successful Work Life & More Balanced Personal Life
This interactive session is designed to help you access the power within yourself when you have:

  • Sacrificed one part of your life for another
  • Played a smaller game than you’re worth
  • Lost touch with some of your dreams and goals
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Using a 3-part approach, Mozella will share an outline for how to summit your personal and professional mountains and introduce you to the tools and support you need to sustainably realign your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. She shares some key lessons from the mountain peak that deliver a practical blueprint to master transformative change. Participants will explore practices to make more sustainable work-life choices and achieve greater productivity and balance for themselves. Each participant will be given a link to a comprehensive one-hour webinar that delves deeper into the three-step process.
Mozella believes the pursuit of any goal is like climbing a mountain. Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro at 19,341 feet, on her second attempt, gave her an invaluable, instructional experience of ‘failure and success’ and helped define her unique perspectives and teaching. In addition, she has spent almost five decades studying and practicing the wisdom of human development and transformation.
Mozella is an international speaker, author, poet, attorney, strategic intervention coach and adventurer.
 
When she was nine, she and her family moved from Miami, Florida, to the African Continent to fulfill her father’s lifelong dream. Cultural exposure and friendships forged across East and West Africa, Europe and Asia, filled her with unforgettable experiences. She brings her deeply wired global perspective and cultural appreciation everywhere she goes and to everyone she meets.
For almost five decades, she has studied and practiced the time-honored wisdom of human development and transformation.
 
Mozella earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Howard University. She is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and is admitted to practice before the United States Court of International Trade. 
Women’s leadership and teamwork in Japan: Education and culture
This study will discuss the cultural difference in leadership style and education in a Japanese women’s college. Japanese traditional leadership style is known to be Ringi Type where many people are involved; ideas often originate from lower-level workers, forwarded to the middle then the top and only the top has the decision, but if the middle frowns the idea, it is remitted to the lower workers again. The workers must strictly follow the company policy. The style is known to be originated from the Confucian hierarchy. In this global era, this study found that many Japanese women students wish to have new democratic leadership as Swedish leadership style where all employees have the power to decide. However, it is not so simple to apply the leadership style to Japanese culture due to Japanese students’ education style they received from elementary to high school; a good student is a good listener who avoids discussing with classmates or questioning the teacher. Therefore, to change the vicious circle of productivity, this study will suggest that the Japanese education style's transformation that includes more classroom discussion and will bring a more democratic and productive leadership style in women’s leadership.
Megumi OKUGIRI is currently a professor at the University of Sacred Heart Tokyo, teaching Leadership and Teamwork, Language acquisition, Language and Identity, academic presentation and writing in English. In addition, she will be the Director of the Career Center of the University of Sacred Heart Tokyo from April 2022. She received her MA in English from the Department of English at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and her second MA and PhD in Language and Information Sciences at the University of Tokyo.
Decolonizing health education: Centering First Nations perspectives via cross-cultural leadership
While it is our responsibility to produce culturally safe graduates with a deep understanding of Indigenous health needs, there are central challenges in curriculum writing for Indigenous health today. These include pressure to work 'less expensively'; to cater for much larger student cohorts in smaller time-periods to fit around restricted placement availability; and to deliver a considerably higher percentage of teaching online. Given cultural safety is a core element of good Indigenous health outcomes, it is imperative that both curriculum and pedagogy is informed by Indigenous perspectives. Such teaching is not an easy task and educators need a firm grounding in the effects of colonisation on Indigenous peoples. Innovative pedagogical methods are imperative to decolonize the professions and engage students to learn about Indigenous health meaningfully. There are a range of health educational models, such as experiential learning, problem-based learning, and empowering educational model. However, these models remain limited in designing health curriculum inclusive of strengths-based cultural perspectives to teach and learn about Indigenous health topics, such as incorporation of cultural navigators in education. Drawing on research around curriculum designed to foster practitioners with a nuanced grasp of Indigenous health, despite institutional, financial, and staffing constraints, this conversation explores a strengths-based approach and strong collaborations as key drivers to the success of education, by bringing the Indigenous community into the classroom and facilitating learning to prepare health students with knowledge to enable cultural safety in practice.
Nina Sivertsen is an Indigenous Sámi woman living and working on Kaurna Lands in Australia. She holds a position as Senior Lecturer (Nursing), Flinders University, and Associate Professor, Arctic University of Norway. Her academic work encompasses curriculum design and implementation with cultural responsiveness in the center to positively engage nursing students in learning about First Nations health. She focuses on community and health systems research in partnership with First Peoples and contributes to restorative policy and practice, especially around women’s health in a socio-political context of assimilation and colonisation. She works in inter-Indigenous settings together with health professionals from around the world to improve healthcare and health outcomes for all First Nations people.
Women’s Education and Empowerment: Evidence from a Reform in Kenya
This article examines the causal effects of education on women empowerment, focusing on women born between 1950 and 1980 in six waves of Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) data, who were likely exposed to 1985 education policy change in Kenya. The study employs the new structuring educational system in 1985 as an instrument and reported the results using reduce-form due to high repetition rate and late enrolment at that time. The findings indicate that being exposed to the new education system yields positive impact on women empowerment. Specifically, being exposed to the 8-4-4 regime, women delayed their age at first birth by approximately 0.564 years, the female genital mutilation (FGM) practice on their eldest daughters declined by 3.51%, sexual domestic violence reduced by 6.47% and their decision-making index was enhanced by 0.067 point. We also conduct some robustness checks and placebo test, and the findings are robust. We provide some potential mechanisms that experiencing the new 8-4-4 system empowers women: 1) exposure to information, 2) husbands/partners’ characteristics, and 3) labour market outcome.
Nguyen Phung Thu Hang is a third-year PhD student at Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University. Her research interests are in development economics, health economics and economics of education, with special interests in the role of health, education, and other factors in the formation of human capital. She is currently working on several projects that study the linkages between maternal health and education levels and child development. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Economics from Warwick University and her MA degree in Economics from Osaka University.
Nzioka is a third year PhD candidate at Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University. His research interests are in international business and economic development, with a special focus on the role of businesses and policy makers in the formation of industrial clusters and is currently working on several research projects. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Management from Egerton University (Kenya) and his MBA degree from Doshisha University (Japan).
An analytical view of Gender-Responsive Budgeting in India: Pre and Post-Covid-19
The presentation focuses on India’s experience with Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in the last 17 years, highlighting the trends observed in budgetary allocations. India’s first COVID-19 budget is decoded to ascertain if the same trends continued despite the emergency needs of its citizens that arose due to the pandemic. Further, India’s Gender Budget Statement (GBS) is analyzed to evaluate the extent to which the GBS is transparent, responsive, evidence-based, and results-oriented. Though India has produced a Gender Budget alongside its Union Budget since 2005-06, its adoption and implementation vary at the state level. A review of GRB at the state level is provided along with case studies of best practices adopted by select states to advance gender mainstreaming. The presentation also highlights India’s relative position in terms of providing COVID-19 relief measures with an integrated gender lens; and lastly, provides recommendations to ensure a gender-inclusive recovery from the pandemic.
Mrs. Mitali Nikore is an economist and policy specialist and the founder of a youth-led research group, Nikore Associates. She is a Development Consultant for the Indian Resident Mission of the Asian Development Bank and a short-term consultant to the World Bank. She is one of Forbes India’s 22 for 2022 thinkers in India. In addition, she is a Global Shaper with the New Delhi Hub of Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. She is also an advisor to the Steering Committee of BRICS CCI Young Leader. Focusing on infrastructure development, industries, MSMEs, economic corridors, and gender, her work spans a wide range of sectors, both in South Asia and Africa, at the national and sub-national levels. She is also a widely-published researcher and writer with the Times of India, World SME News, Indian Express, and EPC World.
Harness Your Feminine Power
Feminine Power is primed to take the lead to transform businesses and communities to be more equitable and inclusive. From Suzanne's extensive interviews with women leaders in twenty-five countries, she shares how power dynamics have stifled feminine energy but how that same energy, when used in eight practices by women pioneers, has transformed their organizations and communities. The audience will gain increased confidence to unleash their authentic power and show up as the best version of themselves, at home, at work, and in their community.
Suzanne F. Stevens is a Conscious Leadership and Social Contribution Cultivator. As YouMeWe Social Impact Group founder, Suzanne has been invigorating audiences on five continents for twenty-two years. She challenges audiences’ perceptions, empowers them with strategies, and inspires them to act. Suzanne is a globetrotter who has lived and travelled to over 60 countries for business, adventure, and philanthropy. She has interviewed leaders and entrepreneurs in 25 of them. As an international speaker, trainer, moderator, facilitator, host, event producer and Community builder, Suzanne works with leaders and entrepreneurs to grow their influence and social impact. She is the author of Make your contribution Count, for you, me, we. She is a Certified Speaking Professional (one of 65 in Canada and among 15% globally), past president of The Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur.
Literature as a means of self-knowledge, liberation, and feminine empowerment: The legacy of Clarice Lispector
Literature is a well-respected necessity in society, therefore, a universal human need. Reading, creating, and fictionalizing are in themselves, acts of power. Thus, denying women the right to literature is also a form of violation. In this presentation, the authors reflect not only on literature by female writers, but also its importance in the process of constructing women's subjectivity and identity, whether in reading fiction or in its production. To reflect on female right to read and write literature, as well as their way of expressing their perception, anxieties, and understanding the world, this presentation proposes a literary analysis of prominent Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector. Her work demonstrates the potential of bringing light to the processes of self-knowledge and freedom, that can be ignited by the process of self-awareness and create female empowerment. These scenarios are apart from the world of predominant male perceptions during the 1950s to 1970s, when she was writing, and many of these circumstances even prevail in contemporary society. By reading Clarice Lispector's writing, it is clear that she reveals human dramas specific to the female universe, as she opens possibilities for readers to know themselves as women and to project themselves as producers of literature.
Taíse Neves Possani is graduated in Letters-Licenciatura Full qualification in Portuguese Language, English Language and respective Literatures by the Federal University of Rio Grande (2006). Master in History of Literature from the Federal University of Rio Grande (2009). She works as a professor in the Letters Course at the Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI) and also as coordinator of the Letters, Pedagogy and History courses. She has experience in the field of Letters, with an emphasis on History of Literature and Brazilian Literature, focusing on the study of Clarice Lispector's work and works of Brazilian literature by female authors. She teaches courses in Brazilian Literature.
Fernanda Trein is graduated in Portuguese Language and Literature from the Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (2008) and Master's Degree in Portuguese Literature from the Federal University of Santa Maria (2010). Professor at the Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and at the Public School of the city of Panambi. She has experience in the field of Portuguese Language, with emphasis on Literature, working mainly on the themes: language teaching, reading, textual production, literature, literary criticism, Portuguese literature, foreign literature, children's literature, training and teaching activities.