Events and Activities : Hawkeye Community College to Host Women's Leadership & Empowerment Conference

Hawkeye Community College will host the Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in Tama Hall on Hawkeye's Main Campus, 1501 E. Orange Rd, Waterloo, Iowa.

Focused on the theme of "Believe, Balance, Build," the conference will feature two keynote presentations and several breakout sessions on navigating burnout; work-life integration; changing careers; and balancing career, family, and community.

The morning keynote, "Being Unapologetically You," will be given by Amanda Goodman and Tara Thomas. Goodman and Thomas are former TV news anchors who were put in a box, literally, and expected to uphold certain stereotypes and shallow appearances. Their journey into second careers led them to more ups and downs that resulted in a podcast and speaking series, where they empower women to find their voice, be confident in sharing it and stop apologizing for being their authentic selves.

Amy Diehl, PhD, will deliver the afternoon keynote: "Overcoming Critiques Holding Women Back from Leadership." Women are criticized so often and on so many things that they are acculturated to receiving such disparagement, taking it seriously, and working to make improvements. Diehl's research reveals that the problem lies elsewhere. For women, virtually any characteristic can be criticized to suggest they are "never quite right" for leadership and to distract from gender bias driving the encounter. In this session, Diehl will explore some of the 30 critiques holding women back from leadership, as well as strategies for leaders and individual women to overcome this bias.

This one-day leadership conference is a unique opportunity for women from different industries and backgrounds to come together to discuss issues facing women in business and how they can support one another for a successful and brighter tomorrow.

Registration is $129 and includes lunch and a light breakfast. For more information or to register, call 319-296-4290 or visit www.hawkeyecollege.edu/leadership-conference.