Meier Headlines WoMen's Leadership Symposium

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A new event is coming to UM: the Women’s Leadership Symposium. The one-day leadership development program will take place on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Women’s Leadership Symposium will serve as a forum for women at the University of Miami to engage and interact with empowered women leaders in our community. By the end of the Symposium, women leaders will leave inspired and equipped with tools to succeed in both their college and professional careers.

“This event is especially important for the UM community,” said Caitlin Giles, a senior at UM and a member of the planning committee. “Although we have many strong organizations that focus on gender and women’s issues, we don’t have a way to unite them and educate them on a larger scale all in one place. The symposium will fill that void.”

The theme for this year’s Women’s Leadership Symposium is “A Balancing Act.”

“Overall, the message of this Symposium is balance,” Giles said. “We chose this theme because one of the most important lessons women can learn is how to balance their time. Through the different sessions and panel discussions, attendees will understand the importance of balance in their lives and hear from successful women from both the UM and local community.

UM’s own Coach Katie Meier will deliver the keynote address in the morning. She will share her personal story of success and share her thoughts on leadership. Then, a panel of women speakers will discuss with students how to balance work and personal life both while in college and in the future.

After lunch, participants will have the opportunity to attend two of six breakout sessions that will discuss topics ranging from nutrition and wellness to leadership development and community service.

This year, the Symposium will be hosted by the William R. Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership Development and the University of Miami Panhellenic Association. The event is also sponsored by the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center, Multicultural Student Affairs, the University of Miami University Village, Delta Gamma, Sigma Delta Tau, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and other outside companies and organizations.

“Collaborating with departments and organizations that deal with women’s issues has been extremely rewarding,” said Giles, who is also the president of the University of Miami Panhellenic Association. “We have formed a committee with representatives from each and their partnership has been vital to the event.”

Giles adds that the event will stress “no matter what obstacles life throws at them, particularly because of their gender, they will succeed.” This positive message will be reiterated through every speaker and panel, and University of Miami women will leave the Symposium with knowledge and the motivation to succeed.

The Women’s Leadership Symposium is open to all University of Miami students and seats are limited. Students wishing to attend the event must register at www.miami.edu/wls.