Drew Dudley, CEO, Day One Leadership

Yi Hao, Director of Education and Assessment, School of Pharmacy

Mallory Neil, Director of Industry and Alumni Engagement, Clemson University

In higher education, professional development is critical to employee growth, but also can be challenging for staff members to approach this topic with their supervisors. Oftentimes, supervisors and supervisees wait to have professional development and career conversations once a year during a performance review. However, this type of once-in-a-year timeline does not allow for in-depth, consistent conversations that create meaningful progress. 

In our proposed workshop session, we will discuss how to have ongoing conversations between supervisors and supervisees to facilitate growth and progress. The presentation will conclude with a case study activity wherein participants will take on different roles to encourage perspective-taking and practice thoughtful communication.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Breaking Down Barriers, Elevated Engagement, Stretch & Grow

Rodney Steppe, Learning and Development Instructional Design Specialist, VCU Human Resources

Many workplaces are structured in favor of extroverted communication. However, introverted professionals bring indispensable, sometimes untapped, strengths, including deep focus, thoughtful analysis, and complex problem solving. This session moves beyond stereotypes to provide a practical framework for understanding the tangible assets that introverts contribute and the unique challenges they face - from meeting structures to collaboration styles. Participants will develop actionable, real-world strategies and best practices for creating an inclusive environment, ensuring introverted colleagues are not just accommodated, but actively empowered to contribute their full potential to their respective teams. 

Conference Track: Uncommon Keys

Chante Holt, Accountant, Grants & Contracts Accounting

Chynease Allen, Accountant, Grants & Contracts Accounting

The presentation will examine ways to go from diamonds in the rough to polished professionals. Each team member has a hidden potential waiting to be discovered. We will explore how attendees can uncover their strengths and talents that will enable them to break through their glass ceilings. We will explore personal journeys, methods to overcoming challenges, and techniques for a successful career.

Conference Track: Stretch & Grow

Stephanie Tignor, Executive Director of Global Learning, Global Education Office

Amy Leap, Associate Director of Global Learning, Global Education Office

Kelly Richard, Assistant Director of Global Learning, Global Education Office

Discover how global engagement can reignite purpose, connection, and professional growth. This session will highlight opportunities for VCU faculty and staff to engage globally through initiatives such as the Global Impact Awards, faculty Fulbright programs, Global Zone, Globe Speakers Series, Family Cultural Exchange Program, and faculty-led study abroad development. Presenters will share examples of how participating in these programs fosters belonging, broadens perspective, and strengthens VCU’s global community.

Conference Track: Elevated Engagement

Penny McFarline, Organizational Development Specialist, VCU Human Resources

Celia O'Hallahan, Organizational Effectiveness Consultant, VCU Human Resources

AI is rapidly reshaping HR work, and one of the most practical entry points is helping employees write stronger performance and career development goals. Many supervisors and employees struggle to create SMART goals that are clear, measurable, and meaningful. This session shows how AI can be used as a simple, accessible tool to draft, refine, and strengthen SMART goals while keeping ownership and judgment with the employee and supervisor. Participants will learn effective prompting techniques, see live examples of AI-assisted goal development, and explore ethical considerations for responsible use. The session provides practical templates and techniques HR professionals can use to support higher-quality performance and career development conversations. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use prompts they can apply immediately during performance cycles.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Breaking Down Barriers, Stretch & Grow

James Wasilewski, Executive Director of Leadership Annual Giving, Development and Alumni Relations

This interactive session uses activities and guided discussion to help participants communicate more effectively, build stronger connections and respond to challenges with confidence. Through energizing exercises, attendees will practice listening, supporting others and staying present in the moment. Participants will leave with practical tools they can use right away to improve teamwork, stay flexible and create more positive interactions at work.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Elevated Engagement, Stretch & Grow

Helene Bumbalo, Associate Director of Graduate Professional Development, School of Business

Hawley Smyth, Executive Director of Graduate Recruitment, School of Business

In a rapidly evolving workplace shaped by new technologies, the human-centered business skills that define effective professionals at VCU are more important than ever. This session introduces the essential business competencies relevant to every role across campus—strategic thinking, clear communication, collaboration, ethical judgment, process awareness, data understanding, resource stewardship, and cross-functional fluency. Rather than focusing on technical tools, the session uses interactive polling, brief reflection prompts, and a relatable strategic decision scenario to help participants see how these skills guide everyday choices and strengthen professional confidence.

Attendees will explore where AI can appropriately support administrative tasks and where human insight, discretion, and communication must remain central. The session provides a practical conceptual framework for navigating competing priorities, improving collaboration, and reducing workplace friction. Participants leave with a stronger sense of their professional identity and a deeper understanding of how these competencies unlock growth, strengthen engagement, and contribute to VCU’s mission and culture.

Conference Track: Stretch & Grow

Meghan Mullican, Academic Operations and Systems Specialist, School of Education

While a resume tells a potential employer a candidate's strengths, a successful interview shows them. But, how do candidates show instead of tell? In this session, participants will learn how to use only 5 stories to answer a wide range of interview questions, showcase how their skills make them a high-quality candidate, and feel confident stepping into any interview. Participants will also have the chance to practice writing their own stories and interviewing with fellow participants.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Stretch & Grow

Hali Massey, Professional Development Coordinator, Graduate School

Erin Brown, Director of Professional Development, Graduate School

This interactive session will provide participants with some tools and strategies to leverage their roles as middle managers within higher education.

Conference Track: Uncommon Keys

Gabrielle Whittington, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Student Affairs

This interactive presentation provides VCU staff with a practical, step-by-step roadmap for turning vague career goals (e.g., "I want a promotion") into clear, actionable professional development strategies. We will focus on Career Gap Analysis and PD Hacking—how to select the right conferences, certifications, and continuing education to directly fill your skill gaps and think out of the box to get where you want to go. 

Conference Track: Uncommon Keys

Carol Olson, Associate Director of Injury and Violence Prevention, School of Medicine and VCU Health Trauma

Adam Alford, Assistant Director for Development and Strategic Planning, Surgery

How two divisions united to advance and expand training for EMS providers to respond to victims of violence and better prepare first responders to deal with victims in the field. The VCU Injury and Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) team joined with the Center for Trauma and Critical Care Education (CTCCE) to secure 4.5 million in grants to join forces, advance and expand training for first responders, and break down barriers between externally focused training programs and hospital-based training teams. This initial collaboration opened the door to a more united front in training healthcare providers both within and in field-based emergency response. IVPP brings expertise in responding to the range of interpersonal violence, mental health and substance abuse, grant management, and data collection to the CTCCE team. This is mutually beneficial to advance training and education for providers, data collection and analysis to improve our programs, and produce a better result for students. 

Conference Track: Breaking Down Barriers

Donte Sharpe, Academic Advisor, School of Education

Rodney Steppe, Learning and Development Instructional Design Specialist, VCU Human Resources

Many workplaces are structured in favor of extroverted communication. However, introverted professionals bring indispensable, sometimes untapped, strengths, including deep focus, thoughtful analysis, and complex problem solving. This session moves beyond stereotypes to provide a practical framework for understanding the tangible assets that introverts contribute and the unique challenges they face - from meeting structures to collaboration styles. Participants will develop actionable, real-world strategies and best practices for creating an inclusive environment, ensuring introverted colleagues are not just accommodated, but actively empowered to contribute their full potential to their respective teams. 

Conference Track: Elevated Engagement

Leslie Bobb, Lifestyle Optimization Coach; Project Manager, Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Science

What does it really take to grow — as a leader, a teammate, or a human — in a world that never slows down? In this engaging and thought-provoking session, Leslie Bobb introduces The G.U.T.S. Framework: Grace, Upgrades, Tenacity, and Systems, a practical and human-centered model for unlocking your potential without burning out.

Blending insights from nutrition, neuroscience, and leadership development, Leslie explores how what we consume — in our diets, our thoughts, and our environments — directly shapes our energy, clarity, and capacity to lead. Participants will learn how to apply the principles of Graceful Grit to navigate challenge, reset their systems, and grow sustainably from the inside out.

Conference Tracks: Uncommon Keys, Stretch & Grow