Emerging Leader Scholarship
After being nominated for the emerging leader scholarship, I went to the conference not knowing what to really expect. I didn’t think I would know anyone there so I was very grateful to have been placed with a mentor for the conference through my scholarship. The only way I can think to describe my impression of the conference
after the first few minutes of the opening keynote speaker is a wave of positivity and community. I couldn’t help but feel like I was a part of something inclusive and powerful. A couple of the many topics discussed at the two-day conference were: what leadership looks like, and who is traditionally seen as being capable of leading. The presenters and even fellow attendants provided me with incredibly rich insight to my personal leadership values by sharing their own stories. Hearing the experiences of so many strong women caused me to reflect on my own leadership strengths and weakness. My weaknesses weren’t defined by my failures but by the things that I allow to hold me back individually and within groups.