OWLS – OWLS Events

Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)

The 2021 Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (Mini-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.

MINI-OWLS SERIES (AUG & NOV) REGISTRATION

April 13 Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Event Details

See the 13 April Event Agenda and Roundtables below:

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

You can download the 13 April Event Agenda and Roundtables below:

Download (PDF, 171KB)

Download (PDF, 246KB)

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

The Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (Mini-OWLS) Series will be held 11:30a – 3:30p EST:

13 April, 2021: Theme of Reimagining Meaningful Leadership: Leading Self (Completed)
5 August, 2021: Theme of Reimagining Meaningful Leadership: Leading with Humility, Power, and Influence
9 November, 2021: Theme of Leading Ethically into the Future

The Mini-OWLS is a three-part series of half-day, virtual events that will dive into a subtopic of a broader theme with a keynote, panel discussion, and networking forums. These events are especially designed for officer and senior enlisted women and veterans. Events will be held from 11:30-3:30pm EST all three days.

Key Benefits

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

The Mini-OWLS is a flexible format with half day events throughout the year.
Inspiring thought-leaders and experts who 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 participate in small group discussions.

EVENT PRICING

EVENT	NUMBER OF EVENTS	EVENT LENGTH	EARLY BIRD*	STANDARD
Mini-OWLS Series	3	Half day	$65	$75
Single Mini-OWLS	1	Half day	$25	$30

*Early Bird pricing deadline ends:

23 July for Event 2 (held 5 Aug)
28 Oct for Event 3 (held (9 Nov)

So, register now and take advantage of Early Bird pricing!

Good news! Your service diversity office may pay your registration fees.

Please contact your service diversity office directly for details. If you do not know how to contact your service diversity office, please contact us at owls@academywomen.org (please allow 2-3 days for a reply).

Take advantage of the Early-Bird pricing dates on 1 April, 23 July, and 28 October for these half-day virtual events! Your service diversity office may fund your registration fees, so please contact them for details. See more pricing details below.

Mini-Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) Series Themes

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

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

9 November, 2021 – 11:30-3:30pm 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.

featured Panel Discussions: