UWF hosts 11th annual Women in Leadership Conference

The University of West Florida’s Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for Leadership, housed in the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, hosted the 11th annual Women in Leadership Conference on March 12, reaching a sold-out crowd of more than 430 students, young professionals and executives, as well as over 200 who attended online via livestream. This conference provides attendees the opportunity to learn from and connect with prominent leaders who have achieved personal and professional success.

University of West Florida President Martha D. Saunders was this year’s morning keynote speaker. Her address titled “The Fine Art of Pivoting” focused on how successful leaders allow teams to contribute ideas and shape decisions and should not fear adjusting course based on new input from team members.

“At the risk of oversimplifying decades of leadership and the summaries I’ve read over the years, we only really need a leader when we don’t know what to do,” Saunders said. “My best advice is it’s time to learn the fine art of the pivot. Mastering the art of the pivot in leadership is a super power.”

The in-person emcee for the event was Laura Hussey, WEAR ABC 3 news anchor. Justine Roper, founder of InHer Physique Pelvic Therapy and Wellness, served as the virtual emcee. The morning panel was titled “Igniting the Spark: Finding and Being a Mentor.” Rev. Ashlee Brown of Bright Bridge Ministries moderated. Panelists included:

• Madrina Ciano, Founder and CEO, Revelation Royalties
• Kristy Craig, Executive Director, ReadyKids!
• Cheryl Howard, Chief Executive Officer, African American Heritage Museum
• Jodi Bell, Vice President of Advertising Panhandle and North Central Florida, LocaliQ

The afternoon keynote speaker was Jennifer Hoekstra, a partner with Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC. Her address was titled “There is no ‘I’ in TEAM – Teaching Leadership Skills.”

“I’m hopeful that the audience learned about the origin of instinctual leadership skills as well as those gained through participation in team sports,” Hoekstra said. “My goal was that everyone took away a renewed sense of purpose for creating a culture built on ‘team skills’ in their daily lives.”

The afternoon panel discussion was titled “Leading from the Heart: Passion and Purpose in Non-Profit Leadership.” Kate Thomas, co-founder and executive director of TrueWorks, moderated. Panelists included:

• Stacey Kostevicki, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Kid’s House
• Crista Brandt, Founder and Regional Director, Valerie’s House Pensacola
• Taxie Lambert, Founder, 4EVR DEZ Foundation; Administrative Director, Rafferty Domnick Cunningham and Yaffa
• Paula Shell, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida

The closing keynote, “Leadership: What is the Right Fit?,” was delivered by The Honorable Allie Coetzee Leslie, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret).

“I am so glad I had the opportunity to speak at this event,” Leslie said. “I think it’s important for women to have a chance to learn through these shared experiences. In fact, I have takeaways myself from the other presenters. I’m hoping I was also able to pass on some tools for those who attended.”

Dr. Andrew Del Gaudio, executive director of the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for Leadership, presented closing remarks.

For more information about the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, visit uwf.edu/cob.