Professionals Week 2021

FEBRUARY 22-26, 2021

Getting Through and Accelerating Beyond

Professionals Week Kickoff Event
Join W&M alumnus Mark Linaugh ’84, former chief talent officer of WPP, as he kicks off W&M Professionals Week, followed by a conversation moderated by Professor Tatia Granger with AnnaMaria DeSalva ’90, CEO Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Chris Lee, Chief Human Resources Officer at W&M, Kristen Vaughan ’00, Human Capital Practice Lead at Accenture Federal Services.

Lifelong Learning and Skill Building

Growing Grit in Challenging Times
Learn new strategies to help navigate beyond the pandemic from W&M alumna and Peak Performance coach Kirsten Jones ’93.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Strategies and Stories
Join us for a keynote led by alumna Shuchi Sharma ’92, M.A. ’93, vice president for global diversity and inclusion at SAP, followed by a discussion moderated by Valerie Cushman with W&M alumni Latoya Asia J.D. ’09, managing counsel at Dominion Energy and Logan Scott ’13, manager of diversity & inclusion at The Walt Disney Company.

Underrepresentation in the Workplace: Soul Capacity for Social Justice
As we continue to cope with injustice and social unrest in an ever-changing world, self-care has become more important than ever, especially when it comes to setting professional boundaries. Tamisha Williams M.Ed. ’10 leads a conversation for all identities, including allies, about the ways in which you can make space for yourself in the workplace, as well as a safe place to share personal stories and testimonies.  

Employing and Supporting Neurodiverse Professionals
Neurodiverse professionals bring significant skills and abilities that can add tremendous value to an organization. How can organizations and neurotypical professionals create and cultivate a more inclusive workplace for neurodiverse individuals? Janet Atwater '84, Professor Karin Wulf and John Elder Robison will lead a presentation on addressing neurodiversity in the workplace and will share tools to support an inclusive and supportive environment for all professionals to be successful.

Supporting Career Changes

Finding (or Creating) the Right Job: Exploring Passion, Values and Skills
If you’re like most people, you will change jobs and careers around a dozen times throughout your life. With each change, you will likely have new colleagues, new responsibilities, a new culture to adapt to, new skills required and a new mission to fulfill. Finding the right fit is more likely when you have the tools, mindset and questions to consider to make a good decision, beyond the title and salary. Pam Krulitz ‘86 will explore how to clarify your passion, values and skills and make sure they’re aligned with the position you’re considering. You’ll leave with the clarity and confidence to make your next move. Following Pam's presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to receive advice regarding their current career stage (young professional, military/veteran or re-entering/pivoting) through facilitated breakout rooms with peers.