Redefining Leadership: Lessons in Community, Power, and Purpose from Oceti Sakowin

Stephanie Guralnick

Associate Director, Office of University Compliance

This session bridges the principles of community, resilience, and leadership from the Standing Rock movement to the workplace. Explore how to navigate hierarchy while redefining leadership as collaborative and values driven. Gain strategies to lead from any role, build inclusive and supportive networks, and leverage collective power to drive meaningful change. 

Curious, Clear, and Courageous: Civility for Complex Conversations

Cinnamon Adams

University Ombuds

How do we stay grounded and open when conversations get hard? In this session, we’ll explore how civility—rooted in curiosity, clarity, and courage—can help us navigate tough moments with confidence. Together, we’ll build skills for speaking up, listening deeply, and leading with purpose, even in divided times.

Breaking Through: Overcoming Barriers to Courageous Leadership

Marisol Cruz St Juste

Organizational Development Consultant, Human Resources

Breaking through leadership barriers takes courage and the willingness to challenge internal doubts and push past external obstacles. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the common roadblocks holding women back from leading confidently, including imposter syndrome, perfectionism, workplace biases, and systemic challenges. Through reflection, discussion, and practical exercises, you will identify your leadership barriers, learn strategies for self-advocacy and resilience, and develop a personalized action plan to lead with authenticity and strength. Whether you're an emerging leader or an experienced professional, this session will equip you with the tools to break through limitations and reach your full leadership potential.

Beyond the Hype: Exploring AI for Work and Life

Heather Breittholz
Instructional Designer, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Tina Huey
Associate Director of Faculty Development, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Once a speculative topic for blockbuster movies, artificial intelligence (AI) is now part of our daily lives. Whether we use it actively or avoid it, it is shaping every facet of the economy, from the arts to business to research. This session will introduce basic concepts of artificial intelligence and AI agents, and then dive into prompting generative AI (ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, etc.) for a variety of uses.  Participants will have the option to try one of these tools through guided prompts and will be encouraged to reflect on its uses and risks in a facilitated discussion. This session does not involve coding.