OWLS – OWLS Events

Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)

The Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) convenes women leaders in the military and veteran community, experts, innovators, and thought leaders to explore emerging trends, strengthen skills, and transform observations into actionable insights to lead positive change.

Nov 9 Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Agenda

Click here to learn more about OWLS speakers

Once registered, access the 9 Nov Event by clicking the link to the sessions below:

Download (PDF, 130KB)

Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium One Agenda 2021

Reimagining Meaningful Leadership: Leading Self
Tuesday, 13 April, 2021
(11:30a - 3:30p EDT)
Virtual Event

Time (EDT)		Session	Speakers
11:30a	11:35a	WELCOME AND OVERVIEW
11:35a	12:15p	LEADING IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES In a world of shifting threats and vast cultural pressures, how do you lead yourself effectively and consistently to ultimately inspire confidence both personally and professionally in those around you? This session shares experience, stories, and lessons from two different perspectives that will help you successfully lead yourself.	Col Mafwa Kuvibidila USAF; Captain Faliesha Yeager, USAF
12:15p	12:45p	THRIVING THROUGH CHALLENGE In the face of internal and external pressures, how do you stand firm in your leadership and convictions while skillfully navigating challenges that may compromise your values or authenticity to reach your goals? This keynote will offer tips and insights from her experiences as a woman submariner and astronaut.	Kayla Barron, former Submariner and NASA Astronaut; Moderated by Laura Hatcher, USN Capt (ret)
12:45p	2:15p	LEADING SELF In these unprecedented times, our traditional understanding of leadership is evolving rapidly to address new challenges. This panel will speak to various ways you can lead self by personally influencing your own thinking, feelings, and actions towards your goals to better align your intentions with the impact you want to have as a leader. Moderated by Mo and Katy	RADM Melissa Bert, USCG; Claudia Cimini, US Merchant Marines; Master Gunnery Sergeant Bonnie Diaz, USMC; Major General Urrutia-Varhall, USAF (ret); Phyllis Wilson Army (ret) and President of Women’s Memorial
2:15p	2:30p	WELLNESS DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES How do you maintain good health and fitness through all phases of life - especially when dealing with stress, pressure, and lack of consistency in today’s world? Olympian Elexa Orrange-Allen shares her experiences and personal strategies to build high performance, maintain wellness, and find balance in the face of life's challenges - especially during these uncertain times.	Elexa Orrange-Allen — US Army Veteran, Olympian, Coach, and Trainer
2:30p	2:55p	ROUNDTABLE I DISCUSSIONS See Details below	Select and Join the Roundtable of your choice.
2:55p	3:00p	*Change Roundtables* Select and Join a second discussion	Select and Join a second Roundtable Discussion
3:00p	3:25p	ROUNDTABLE II DISCUSSIONS See Details below	Select and Join the Roundtable II Discussion of your choice.
3:25p	3:30p	SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND CLOSING

ROUNDTABLES

Select the Roundtable you would like to join during the Mini-OWLS One, April 13.
Roundtable I (2:30pm - 2:55pm EDT) & Roundtable II (3:00pm - 3:25pm EST)

Theme	Roundtable Topic	Moderator
Optimizing Work and Life	Finding Balance: Embracing Your Artistic and Creative Side as a Military Officer	LtCol Janine Garner Marine Pilot and current Joint Staff member, published fantasy author and artist
	At Sea or on a Deployment - Staying True to Self	Lieutenant "Curt" James Bushman A career cutterman who has served for almost 20 years in the Coast Guard
	Dual Career Balance	Amy Ryder A former Air Force Intel Officer and current corporate executive and military spouse
	Building Your Passion into Your Business	Laura Hatcher A retired Naval Officer (USNA, ’92), who built her photography hobby into a business
Skills for Success	Goal Setting	Greg Jenkins Management expert, mentor, trainer, executive coach, published author & Army veteran
	Mentoring for Impact, Collaboration, and Growth	Melody Gratic, M.A.Ed Army veteran, business owner and International Trainer and Certified Coach
	Decision Making	Mo Barrett A former pilot, AF Colonel, (USAFA, ’93), expert leadership coach, comedian, and storyteller
	Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone	Shari Silverman, recently retired AF Colonel (USAFA, ’91), board certification in Orthopedics PT
Health and Wellness	Alternative Health	Tracy Lorenz Former AF helicopter pilot (USAFA, ’96), cancer survivor and alternative health advocate
	Yoga Techniques for Resilience	Shaye Molendyke Director of the Yogafit for Warriors Program and retired AF Lieutenant Colonel
	Managing and Dealing with Loss	Rev Marilyn Jenkins retired AF Colonel, become an Episcopalian priest, serving at St George's Episcopal
	Continuing Discussion on Wellness During Uncertain Times (Roundtable 2 Only)	Elexa Orrange-Allen Former Olympian, Army officer (USMA, ’90), corporate executive, trainer and coach
Habits to Build for Life	Financial Management for Military and Veteran Women	Kimberly Barboza Former Naval Officer (USNA, ’94) who is a financial advisor and business owner
	Comedy: Bringing Laughter to Your Life	Robin Johnson Army veteran, comedy mentor for Armed Services Arts Partnership and comedian
	Financial Planning	Halima Muhammad Financial advisor and Air Force veteran committed to financial success stories
Culture and Society	Women, Peace, and Security	Madison Scaccia Air Force officer, expert on women’s role in intra-and-post conflict reconstruction
Culture and Society	Be a Lady They Said	Beth Jarvis US Army Veteran, Microsoft Senior Engagement Mgr, veteran advocate/USO volunteer

Once registered, access the Event Agenda and Roundtables using the links below:

Download (PDF, 194KB)

Once registered, access your preferred OWLS Small Group Discussion (4:00p – 4:30p EDT) using the link below:

Download (PDF, 123KB)

Military and veteran women officers, officers-in-training, and senior enlisted women (E6+) are encouraged to attend.

Event Theme: Unlocking Your Potential to Lead Courageously

In the face of fear, negative self-perception, past failures, or external pressures, how do you lead courageously when it might be easier to take a more comfortable path? How do you skillfully manage your behaviors, relationships, decisions, and strategic vision to align your intentions with the impact you want to have as a leader?

The 2022 Career Coaching Workshop and Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS):

Hybrid event held at George Mason University and offered virtually for those who cannot attend in person.

26 April, 2022: Professional development workshops, opportunities to network with top-caliber, military friendly employers and resources that assist military women in advancing their career goals and/or making successful career transitions after their military service.
27 April, 2022: Keynotes, panel discussion, and inspiring speakers in an event that brings together fellow women military and veteran leaders, experts, innovators, and thought leaders from all services.

The OWLS is a full day event with keynotes, panel discussions, and opportunities for discussion. The 2022 event will be offered in person at George Mason University with the option to attend virtually on 27 April, 2022 from 9:00am – 4:00pm EST.

2022 Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Agenda

Key Benefits

This virtual program empowers you to gain tools to accelerate change, and advance yourself, your team, and your organization.

The OWLS is a hybrid event with potential to attend in person or virtually.
Inspiring thought-leaders and experts share their experiences and insights to support you where you are at in your career.
A nation-wide cohort of accomplished peers with diverse perspectives and life experiences — who offer a meaningful exchange of knowledge and supportive community.
An immersive, engaging experience with the opportunity to meet women counterparts in different services.

EVENT PRICING

Pricing for 2022 Officer Women Leadership Symposium and Career Workshop	In Person	In Person	Virtual	Virtual
	Early Bird*		Early Bird*
Career Coaching Workshop Apr 26	$45	$50	$30	$35
Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Apr 27	$150	$170	$55	$60

2 Days: Workshop and Symposium (Apr 26, 27)	$175	$200	$65	$75
*Registration fees are non-refundable

*Early Bird pricing deadline ends: 5 April, 2022. If you need ideas on ways to pay for this event, please contact us at owls@academywomen.org.

2021 Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Series

PAST SPEAKERS AND AGENDA FROM MINI-OWLS SERIES 2021

Mini-OWLS Series – I (Completed)

13 April, 2021 – 11:30-3:30pm EST

Leading Self:

This theme speaks to your personal ability to influence your own thinking, feelings, and actions towards your goals. By being open to feedback, gaining self awareness, and skillfully managing your behaviors, you can better align your intentions with the impact you want to have as a leader.

Mini-OWLS Series – II (Completed)

5 August, 2021 – 11:30-3:30pm EST

Leading Others with Humility, Power, and Influence:

This theme speaks to your ability as a leader to humbly build relationships and gain power to influence others for positive impact. By effectively balancing personal attributes such as flexibility and stamina with skills such as conflict management, motivation, and communications, you can better optimize resources to effectively lead teams for mission success.

Mini-OWLS Series – III (Completed)

9 Nov, 2021 – 11:30-4:30pm EST

Leading Ethically into the Future:

This theme speaks to your ability to recognize trends and strategically pursue opportunities that have potential to create value and impact for the future. Driven by guiding principles and ethics, you seek to effectively lead your teams and organizations for positive change.

Resources from 2021 Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Events

Mini-OWLS THREE (held Nov 9) Event Resources and Recommendations are below:

Download (PDF, 125KB)

Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Event Resources and Videos may be accessed by AcademyWomen members.

Join AcademyWomen (free) and access event session videos and resources

Download (PDF, 170KB)

featured Panel Discussions: