Do I Deserve This? Recognizing and Using Imposter Syndrome as Fuel for Your Future (Room 210)
Dr. Alexandra Dunn

Have you ever asked yourself any of the following questions: “can I do this?”, “do I deserve this?”, “what happens when others find out I don’t know what I’m doing?”, or “why do others believe in me?”. If so, you are not alone as over 70% of people (including many great leaders!) have feelings of imposter syndrome. This session will help you recognize and redirect your imposter syndrome feelings towards achievement and success.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Alexandra Dunn has been an assistant professor of management at the University of Mary Washington for six years. She holds her PhD in Organizational Science and Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology from UNC Charlotte. She is SHRM-CP certified and received a certificate in HR Analytics from Wharton. She currently teaches principles of management, organizational behavior, human resources, and a life and career development class to both undergraduate and MBA students. Her research focuses on creating supportive work environments, employee onboarding, and supporting employees through change.
At UMW, Alex leads the Women in Business group for undergraduates, supervises internships, and conducts research with undergraduates. She has served as president of the Faculty Council in the College of Business, president of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, and currently serves on the university wide Faculty Council. In the community, she is currently a member of PEO International, the satellite club for Rappahannock Rotary, the Fredericksburg Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter, and serves on the advisory board for TI Verbatim Consulting.
Alex is the recipient of the 2022 New Educator Award from the Management and Organizational Behavior Teaching Society and received the UMW Waple Research Professorship in 2019.
Alex loves being a dog mom to her rescue dog, CJ, and recently married her husband, Brad, in September 2022!
My Overwhelm is Overwhelmed! (Room 106)
Rose Heyward

Feeling overwhelmed, even by the good stuff? You’re not alone. Join us for a lively discussion about the three types of overwhelm and how you can use your personal attributes and inner wisdom to live victoriously even during times of competing priorities, uncertainty and self-doubt.
About the speaker:
She has worked in a variety of industries and currently is the Manager of Talent Development & Organizational Effectiveness at Mary Washington Healthcare.
She has a Master of Education from Colorado State University in organizational learning, development and change, and is certified as a leadership life coach by the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). She is also recognized as a Senior Human Resources Professional with the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). As a lifelong learner and lover of tea, she is currently completing coursework with the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada to become a certified tea sommelier.
Her life’s work is helping individuals and teams clarify their goals, create actionable plans, and live life “on purpose” with excellence and joy.
My Story And I’m Sticking To It (Room-Library)
Martha Hutzel

Martha Hutzel believes that everyone has a story to tell and that story affects our professional and personal lives. Learn to be comfortable telling your story and how it can help you lead with confidence and bring value to your organization. Speak with influence using emotional intelligence.
About the speaker:
Martha Hutzel has lived in Fredericksburg since 1982, and has worked for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library for 33 years. Currently the Library Director, she has also managed the Snow Memorial Branch, the Porter Memorial Branch and the Howell Branch of the regional library. She holds a BS in Public Administration from St. Francis University and a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Maryland at College Park.
She is a past-president of the Virginia Library Association and the North Stafford Rotary Club, and currently a member of the Rappahannock Rotary Club. She is also a member of the Public Library Association and the American Library Association.
Martha is a graduate of Leadership Fredericksburg as well as the Public Library Association Leadership Academy and is currently a fellow in the Lead Virginia leadership program. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, and UMW’s Honors Advisory Board. Martha is a former member of the UMW Women’s Leadership Colloquium Advisory Board.
Martha is the recipient of the Laurie A. Wideman Enterprising Woman’s Award, the Patricia Lacey Metzger Distinguished Achievement Award and the Libby Lewis Library Director’s Award.
She is the mother of three grown children and grandmother to four young children.
Cultural Agility: Cultural Competencies that Advance Women in the Workplace (Room 227/228)
Kavatus Newell, Ph.D.

The ability to efficiently navigate subcultures within the workplace is integral to advancement. In this session, we will discuss the principles underlying cultural agility and how to leverage those principles to advance in the workplace. If you want to more effectively navigate the subcultures in the workplace, work better with others, and build strong professional relationships, join Dr. Kay in Cultural Agility: Cultural Competencies that Advance Women in the Workplace.
About the speaker:
Dr. Kavatus Newell is a national business consultant and corporate trainer with over 25 years’ experience. Dr. Newell is a graduate of Loyola University and Xavier University of Louisiana.
She earned her doctorate in adult learning from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Newell was a professor at the University of Mary Washington where she taught in the College of Education. Currently she serves as the Chief Learning Officer for KMR Training Solutions, a professional development company specializing in building capacity in individuals and organizations to increase effectiveness.
Dr. Newell resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia with her two children. She serves as an active member of The Greater Rappahannock (VA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She enjoys yoga and traveling in her leisure time.
Managing Expectations and Boundaries: Finessing “No” (Room 108)
Cara Parker

For such a tiny word, “no” often takes the most courage to utter. Yet, the more we say yes, the more we’re actually saying no to something else. The first step in this process of power is to be clear on your expectations and set boundaries. This session will help you be deliberate in your polarization of yes and no and put you in the seat of confidence.
Topics for this session include:
- Stakeholder management
- Knowing your no: Identifying expectations and boundaries
- Six tips on how to stay no and still maintain your relationships and effectiveness
- The exception to every rule
- Self-reflection on what you need to say “no” to; Practice saying, “no”
About the speaker:
Cara Graham Parker is an organizational development consultant with over 20 years’ experience helping organizations and people make decisions that propel them forward into higher performance. Her clients include associations/nonprofits, government, and corporations. She and her team facilitate strategic planning sessions, leadership workshops, and coaching for individuals and organizations. Cara is in the final stages of her doctorate in industrial organizational psychology and is using her degree to support organizations in competency mapping, organizational assessments, and efficiency studies. Most recently, she has worked with organizations as they redefine their workplace post COVID vax.
Sample clients include Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, United States Postal Service, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, National Retail Federation, and Emmes Research Company.
Cara’s volunteer work includes: College of Business Board of Advisors at University of Mary Washington and Foundation Fighting Blindness. Cara and her spouse, Stephen recently celebrated 26 years of marriage, have 2 young adult sons, and a Doberman, Lola. She and her husband enjoy learning through travel. They reside part time in rural Caroline County and part time in urban Scottsdale, AZ.
Know Your Value and Negotiate Your Worth (Room 205/206)
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt

All too often women face unique challenges when it comes to asserting our values and negotiating our worth. The discussion centers around assertiveness and confidence to earn our genuine value and worth in the career fields of our choice. As professional women we have the tendency to underestimate our professional and personal values, because we have been socialized to avoid “assertiveness”. In this session we will discuss our values, personal income and leadership gaps, and define our truth worth as WOMEN Leaders. Join me on this journey.
About the speaker:
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt is distinguished as a dynamic, innovative, and proven leader with over 25 years of public school education experience. She has served as Past-President of ASCD International, Chair of the ASCD International Board of Directors, Virginia ASCD President-elect & Board of Directors, a Virginia middle school principal and special educator. She has also serviced on the Germanna Community College Board, Mary Washington HealthCare Finance Committee. She served as Executive Director of Human Resources for Alexandria City Public Schools and was recently named Interim Superintendent. Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt describes herself first as a lifelong learner dedicated to serving students, staff and their families. As an instructional leader and life-long learner, Dr. Kay-Wyatt has managed change in her school community. She has a passion to be the voice for equity for all.
She believes, it is germane that as an educational leader we must address both equity and excellence in schools. Choosing to be a servant and visionary leader, her work around school and community is done with an unrelenting passion.
Dr. Kay-Wyatt earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University; a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Mary Washington, a Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mary Washington College. She is 1988 Graduate of Courtland High School, Home of the Cougars.
Dr. Kay-Wyatt is the proud mother of two amazing adult daughters, Billie and Temple Wyatt. One of her favorite quotes is by Shirley Chisholm, “Service is the rent you pay for being on this earth”.