The University of Mary Washington will be a hub of empowerment, connection and professional growth when it hosts the 31st annual Women’s Leadership Colloquium on Thursday, Nov. 6, in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom.
This year’s event will also honor the recent winner of the Patricia Lacey Metzger Distinguished Achievement Award, Kimberly Young, associate provost for Career and Workforce at UMW, who received the accolade at a reception last evening.
The Metzger Award – named for the late Mary Washington professor who helped establish the Colloquium in 1994 – honors individuals who demonstrate integrity and professional excellence and are making a lasting impact on their communities. Young earned the recognition for her dedication to developing leaders and fostering lifelong learning across higher education and private industry. She has guided organizations in sectors ranging from healthcare and technology to education and the arts, while continuing to champion professional growth and community engagement across the Fredericksburg region.
“Kimberly exemplifies the very essence of the Metzger Award,” said Beth Williams, UMW executive director of human resources and co-chair of the Colloquium. “Her leadership, mentorship and deep commitment to empowering others reflect the values at the heart of both this award and the Colloquium.”
The daylong Colloquium will be open to all – across industries, career stages and life experiences – and invites participants to explore this year’s theme of affirmation in professional spaces. Attendees will gain practical tools for advancing their careers, connect with a wide network of peers and mentors, and leave inspired to lead with confidence and clarity.
The 2025 program features two powerhouse keynote speakers – Lisa Greene ’91 and Toni Tipton-Martin – whose careers embody the spirit of affirmation and leadership.
Greene, a UMW alum who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, is an executive advisor, leadership coach and former chief human resources officer at CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery. Her keynote, titled Empowerment and Affirmation, will open the Colloquium and spotlight strategies for thriving amid change while staying grounded in personal and organizational values. Greene knows of what she speaks, having guided Fortune 500 companies and global organizations through transformation, crisis management and leadership transitions.
Author, historian and consultant Tipton-Martin will close the day with insights drawn from her award-winning career. The recipient of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award and Julia Child Award, Tipton-Martin has dedicated her life’s work to preserving culinary history and celebrating cultural heritage. As former editor-in-chief of Cook’s Country and a cast member of its PBS show, she has influenced how America cooks, eats and connects through food. Her keynote will explore how heritage, storytelling and affirmation intersect to build community and leadership capacity.
“Lisa’s perspective as both a Mary Washington graduate and a C-suite leader will inspire participants to see how support and resilience can shape success at every level,” Williams said. “Toni’s remarkable career rooted in history and cultural affirmation offers an equally powerful reminder that leadership takes many forms and impacts lives well beyond the workplace.”
The Colloquium will also feature breakout sessions, including “Affirming Your Voice: Building a Digital Persona with Purpose and Power,” led by Brittany Chiang, CEO of Flatter Inc., and “Claiming Your Space: Identity, Resilience and the Power of Self-Affirmation,” presented by entrepreneur and civic leader Anita Crossfield.
“Each year, the Colloquium brings together people who are ready to expand their professional horizons, learn from one another and uplift others,” said Teresa Segleken, UMW director of continuing and professional studies and advisory board member of the Colloquium. “It’s also a special opportunity to recognize Kimberly for her Metzger Award-winning leadership, mentorship and inspiration that she brings to our campus and local community.”
Registration is now open, and spaces fill quickly. To secure a spot at the event, visit the Women’s Leadership Colloquium website or email colloquium@umw.edu for more information.
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