Katty Kay, a New York Times bestselling author and lead anchor of BBC World News America, delivers the keynote presentation during the opening session of the Towson University Professional Leadership Program for Women.
Towson University continues to find innovative ways to showcase its commitment to leadership development. This time TU opened its doors to some of the finest female leaders in the Central Maryland area.
The Towson University Professional Leadership Program for Women welcomed its inaugural class on Tuesday morning at the Minnegan Room inside Johnny Unitas Stadium™.
The five-month program will strive to equip women leaders in Maryland’s business, education, nonprofit and government sectors with the knowledge and skills needed to elevate their careers and organizations.
In his opening remarks, Towson University Interim President Timothy Chandler said the university was proud to host the program and that it continues TU’s vision of finding ways to cultivate leadership and engagement on campus and in the community.
“Leadership development has been at the core of a Towson education for a very long time,” said Chandler. “This program is exactly what Towson University is about.”
The Towson University Professional Leadership Program for women was created under the vision of former Towson University President Maravene Loeschke. The former president attended the opening session and expressed how leadership has become an important cornerstone at Towson University.
“We have a vision here at Towson to give the finest leadership development for our students that we possibly can,” Loeschke told the crowd. “And in the past couple of years we have created a unique focus on women. And that focus is something we are truly passionate about.”
Attendees enjoy the opening session of the Leadership Program on Tuesday at the Minnegan Room inside Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The opening session featured keynote speaker Katty Kay, a New York Times bestselling author and lead anchor of BBC World News America. Her presentation focused on how important it is to incorporate confidence into our definition of success.
Tracy Lee Turner, Director of Programs for the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship, said that after Tuesday’s morning session, she is more than ready for the rest of the program’s sessions.
“It was invigorating,” Turner said. “The presentation alone has me ready to go back to work and start getting things done right now. It’s great being able to absorb from the information and the personalities that are in the room.”
Tuesday’s opening session starts a program that will feature topics such as: “Feminine Values in the Workplace: Projecting Authority and Commanding Respect”; “Creating your personal brand and effectively dealing with the media”; and “Developing a Professional and Personal Road Map.”
The inaugural class is made up of 17 women whose professions range from education and medicine to working with the National Guard and working in the Baltimore City Mayor’s office.
Kaliope Parthemos serves as Chief of Staff to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and is a member of the inaugural class. When asked what attracted her to the program, she said she was excited to work with other high-ranking women in the area.
“I think that being a woman in a position of power, and I work for a fantastic mayor who is a female, I see the challenges we face,” said Parthemos. “I think one of the reasons I wanted to participate is to be around other women in leadership positions and have the discussion about the challenges we face.”
Organizers are appreciative of the ongoing support provided by State Farm and T. Rowe Price. The event will run bi-weekly though early June and will take place on the campus of Towson University.
TU Professional Leadership Program for Women, Inaugural Class of Spring 2015
- Erin Adams-Ports (Assistant Director of Development, United Way of Central Maryland)
- Amy Bennett (Deputy J3 of Operations, Maryland National Guard).
- Patrice Cromwell (Director of Strategic Initiatives, Annie E. Casey Foundation).
- Jennifer Gajewski (Chief of Staff, Towson University)
- Bambi Glenn (Assistant County Attorney, Baltimore County Office of Law).
- Mary Ann Hewitt (Executive Director, Maryland Council on Economic Education).
- Kate Norman (Director of Wholesale Trading, Constellation Energy)
- Kaliope Parthemos (Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake)
- Anath Ranon (Architect, Cho Benn Holback and Associates)
- Meggan Saulo (Head of Compensation, Legg Mason)
- Melba Saunders (Director of Marketing and Business Development, Total Health Care)
- Kristie Snedeker (Director of Clinical Operations, UMMC Shock Trauma Center)
- Jodi Swartz (Vice President of Marketing, Double Positive)
- Dr. Michelle Townsend (Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine)
- Tracy Lee Turner (Director of Programs, Maryland Center of Entrepreneurship)
- Katrina Vala (State Training Officer, Maryland Emergency Management Agency)
- Cynthia Wallace (Chief Operations Officer, Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP)
