University of Mary Washington alumna Janel Donohue received the Patricia Lacey Metzger Distinguished Achievement Award at the university’s 22nd annual Leadership Colloquium on Thursday, Nov. 5.
The Metzger award recognizes individuals who uphold high standards in their personal and professional lives while fulfilling a career goal of significant stature. The award has been given annually since 1999 in memory of Patricia Lacey Metzger, a UMW professor and a founder of the colloquium.
Donohue currently serves as president of Rappahannock United Way, an organization that places a focus of resources in our community on shared goals in the areas of education, income and health. In addition, she has a background in human resources as well as more than 18 years of fundraising experience.
Donohue is an advisory board member for UMW’s Department for Leadership, Honor and Service. She also is active with many community organizations, including the Fredericksburg Host Lions Club, Smart Beginnings, Mary Washington Hospital Foundation, Ferry Farm Baptist Church and Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber honored Donohue for her level of leadership by presenting her with the 2010 Laurie A. Wideman Enterprising Woman’s Award.
Donohue received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Mary Washington, and since then has gone on to aid multiple organizations.
The 2015 colloquium featured Emmy-award winning speech coach Jan Fox, as she gave the keynote address on the theme “Real Voices, Real Stories, Real Impact.”
The former CBS TV reporter spoke on the importance of delivering bold and confident speeches.
“Only you can use your voice to tell your story,” said Fox, who founded her own speech training company, Fox Talks, seven years ago.
Fox’s “Power of Tweaks” process helps people with speaking and presentation skills by focusing on small changes that result in a big difference. By making changes in the way you move around the room, your body language and tone of voice, you can enhance your presentation, Fox said.
The event also offered seminars focused on empowerment, leadership and executive presence.
For information on future colloquium networking events, visit umw.edu/lcpw/.