Young Women LEAD conference inspires hundreds - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

*Attendees heard from Australian Resiliency Coach Kate Gladdin about her journey through grief at the loss of her sister to becoming an expert in resilience.*

Hundreds of girls from 14 regional high schools took part in SOAR’s Young Women LEAD at Vincennes University Jasper on Wednesday.

The YWL conference is for high school girls and focuses on Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD). The conference features powerful keynotes, interactive breakout sessions, community and business leaders, and more. The conference is FREE to all participants. YWL teaches important skills needed to be successful in the workforce and ways to develop confidence and leadership potential.

In its 14th year, this year’s event featured motivational speaker Kate Gladdin, one of Australia’s top 100 Women of Influence. Gladdin’s message featured challenges she’s faced in life including the death of her sister in a horrific crash and how she has been able to turn that tragedy into a path to teach resiliency.

Along with the keynote speaker, attendees to the annual event have several options for breakout sessions based on this year’s theme “Reach for the Stars”. Led by local volunteers who have taken part in the SOAR program, attendees could attend the following breakout sessions: Yoga Among the Stars; Blazing Trails: Women Conquering Male-Dominated Worlds; Your Launchpad to the Future: Life After High School Grad Panel; Fuel for the Journey: Tips for Academic Success; Your Constellation of Support: Building a Network That Shines; Galactic Defense: Empower Yourself with Self-Defense Skills; Orbiting Connections: Managing Pressures While Building Friendships; Rocket-Ready: Speed Interview Practice for Your Dream Job; and Navigating Cosmic Chaos: Reducing Stress and Building Emotional Resilience.

Attendees streamed into the Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing for the breakout sessions after hearing from Kate Gladdin.

The impact the conference has on participants can have a lasting effect on their lives.

Brittany Massey, a volunteer at this year’s event, remembered attending when she was a junior. Her mother, Diana Land, happened to be involved in the organization of the event that year.

“I actually loved it,” Massey said.

The leadership program, which brings together young women from various schools offers participants breakout sessions on topics ranging from leadership skills to healthy relationships.

“We had a breakout session that was about leadership, and a lot of those points I can relate to real world leadership now,” she explained.

After attending as a student, Massey has volunteered with the program for several years and jumped at the opportunity to join the organizing committee when her employer, German American Bank, offered the chance.

Along with the lasting friendships she gained while attending as a student, Massey said one of the most impactful aspects of the program as a student was seeing successful professionals invest time in young women like herself. Having the CEO of a major company spending time with them and showing their support made an impact in her life.

The program continues to bring together students from different schools, creating opportunities for them to form connections outside their usual social circles. This cross-pollination of students from various schools, including those from Kentucky, helps break down barriers and expand participants’ networks.

*Sara Schmidt spoke during a panel discussion on persevering in a male-dominated work culture.*

Young Women LEAD is made possible by local community support, donations, grants, and volunteers. The organization that chairs the conference is SOAR, a leadership development program for women and minorities. As part of the capstone for this program, the participants are responsible for organizing and producing the Young Women LEAD conference.

This year’s SOAR participants and conference steering committee included Angie Anderson, Memorial Hospital & Health Care Center; Elisa Hernadez Osuna, Kimball Electronics; Jenna Budell,Kimball International; Katie Garrison, Indiana Furniture; Kelsei Horn, Masterbrand Cabinets; Loren Merkley, Jasper Engines & Transmission; Melissa Hafele, German American Bank; Mallory Bolin, Memorial Hospital & Health Care Center; Teresa Buchanan, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana; Savonna Carrie, Memorial Hospital & Health Care Center; Stacey Kirby, Kimball International; and Whitney Edmister, Masterbrand Cabinets.