Syracuse University Women in Leadership Initiative Hosts Fall Forum Monday, Sept. 16

The Syracuse University Women in Leadership Initiative presents its Fall Forum—“Inspiration for Personal and Professional Development”—on Monday, Sept. 16, in the Regency Ballroom of the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center. The forum features a keynote speaker, panel discussion and a workshop session. The event is open to University faculty, staff and graduate students. The program is from 1 to 4 p.m., with a light lunch available at 12:30 p.m. A networking reception will take place from 4 to 5 p.m.

R.S.V.P. by Sept. 9 to kobrie11@syr.edu. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. To request additional accommodations, email kobrie11@syr.edu.

Keynote Speaker

Serving as the event’s keynote speaker is Ellen Taaffe, director of women’s leadership programs at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Drawing from more than 30 years of leadership, marketing and management experience, Taaffe’s address will focus on personal and professional leadership development. A seasoned organizational strategy consultant and executive leadership coach, Taaffe previously served in senior marketing leadership roles in divisions of PepsiCo, Royal Caribbean and the Whirlpool Corp. Following her corporate career in senior brand management and corporate strategy roles, Taaffe was president of Smith-Dahmer Associates, an award-winning strategy and research consultancy serving Fortune 500 clients.

Panelists

Alexandra Epsilanty, associate vice president for regional and international advancement at Syracuse University, was appointed to her current position in April 2016 after serving the College of Law in a variety of positions during her distinguished 20-year career. As associate vice president, Epsilanty creates and implements a strategy for the engagement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of alumni, friends, parents and donors, primarily outside of the United States.

LaVonda Reed, associate provost for faculty affairs and professor of law at Syracuse University’s College of Law, is a senior academic affairs leader, with a portfolio of responsibilities designed to facilitate and support faculty success in academic life. She plays a key role in such areas as faculty searches, new faculty orientation, professional development of department chairs, and mentoring and growth of faculty. Reed teaches and conducts research in the areas of wills and trusts, property, and communications law and policy.

Kimberly Townsend serves as president and CEO of Loretto Management Corp., the nonprofit organization that operates nursing homes and other programs for the elderly in Central New York. Prior to that, Townsend spent 13 years at Welch Allyn, a medical device and software company, working her way from attorney to associate general counsel to senior director of government affairs. Townsend is a prolific speaker and writer. Her book, “Lifecircle Leadership: How Exceptional People Make Every Day Extraordinary,” was released by Advantage Media Group in fall 2018.

The forum is hosted by Reed; Diane Lyden Murphy, dean of the Falk College; Dara Royer, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer; Michele Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost; Andrew Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer; and Candace Campbell Jackson, senior vice president and chief of staff for Chancellor Kent Syverud. The networking reception is hosted by the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Faculty Affairs, and the Office of Business, Finance, and Administrative Services.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York state, with a global footprint and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience, as well as innovative online learning environments. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths. At Syracuse University, we offer a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges and 18 online degree programs. We have more than 15,000 undergraduates and 7,500 graduate students, more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, visit syracuse.edu.