Monthly Discussion Series Videos
'Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable'

2020 was a year like no other as we continue to live through a period of history that we will be talking about for many years. We have experienced a range of challenges, yet have also been inspired in unexpected ways. There have been opportunities because of these challenges and many stories of growth and potential as a result of new norms, new practices and new ways of working. The resilience illustrated in these stories are promising. Building our resilience helps us to endure as we continue to work through these challenges as well as to be there for others who need our support. With that purpose in mind, I created the following virtual discussion series to explore a variety of topics with several accomplished leaders. This will be a on-going series on a quarterly basis on a variety of topics.

"The Panel Discussion Series discussions have provided both valuable insights and guidance as I look to advance my leadership skills and network. They are incredibly valuable and challenging - forcing me to recognize how comfortable I have become and that I need to get uncomfortable!"

You can watch the videos from the meetings below.

LANDING AND STARTING A NEW JOB VIRTUALLY - March 9, 2021, 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Personal stories, lessons learned and effective strategies for searching and on-boarding in a new job virtually, with a panel of distinguished leaders:

Alison Blackburn
Director, Human Resources Business Partner at Tufts Health Plan

Elaine Chen
Cummings Family Professor of the Practice in Entrepreneurship and Director, Tufts Entrepreneurship Center

Kate Cox
Senior Director of Client Relations at Bright Horizons

Deniz Razon
Chief Business Officer at Servier Pharmaceuticals

Watch the video

What people said about LANDING AND STARTING A NEW JOB VIRTUALLY

  • "Thanks for this robust event, and appreciated the perspective of the panelists. All modeling the spirit of IWD!"

  • "Great points…good conversation….making me think."

  • "Wonderful session - great ideas and suggestions….I am energized."

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE - December 2020

Build awareness of triggers, practice self-care, compassion and empathy during challenging times with a panel of influential leaders:

Derek Depelteau
Global Head of Study Management at Merck KGaA

Gillian Meek
Former President at KEDS USA

Valerie Murray
Head of HR, Enterprise Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing at Fidelity Investments

Chelse Prejean
Process Safety Manager at Cabot Corporation

Watch the video

What people said about EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

  • "Thank you for a wonderful program and impressive panel - love hearing the message about the value of positivity and optimism; and the wisdom of stopping to think before speaking, particularly in a difficult situation."

  • "Thank you so much for sharing and leading this amazing panel on emotional intelligence. It was so insightful and inspiring especially reinforcing the power of gratitude, one of the silver linings of this year!"

PERSONAL BRANDING - November 2020

Stay true to self and enhance personal brand in a virtual world with a panel of esteemed leaders across a variety of career journeys:

Jillian T. Allen, RD
RDN Research Fellow, United States Army and Whole Balanced Nutrition

Patricia Cotter, Ed.D
Executive Director at MIT's Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship

Debbie Gustafson
CEO at Energetiq

Nicole Stern
VP of Design at EverQuote

Watch the video

What people said about PERSONAL BRANDING

  • "Thank you for the sharing and inspiration for us to strengthen our personal brands. Being authentic and being comfortable with being uncomfortable!"

  • "What a wonderfully honest, inspiring conversation, Rita! Thanks for putting together such a great panel."

RACIAL EQUITY - October 2020

Opportunities for building awareness of biases and unlearning established behaviors with a panel of highly respected experts:

Romina Bongiovanni
Head of Global Communications at New Balance

Juliette Mayers
President and CEO of Inspiration Zone LLC

Ann Moritz
Principal of Moritz Advisory Group

Shilpa Pherwani
CEO and Principal of IBIS Consulting

Watch the video

What people said about RACIAL EQUITY

  • "You have all inspired me- great content and thoughts!"

  • "Thank you - grateful to have joined. Amazing hour!"

RESILIENCE DURING COVID-19 - September 2020

Personal stories of growth and inspiration with a panel of distinguished leaders:

Laurie Halloran
President and CEO of Halloran Consulting Group

Dara Lee Lewis, MD
Physician at Lown Cardiovascular Group and Brigham & Women's Hospital

Ilhiana Rojas
Chief Development Officer at ALPFA Boston and CEO of BeLIVE Coaching & Consulting

Leigh J. Tucker, CPA
Principal, Nonprofit at CLA

Watch the video

What people said about RESILIENCE DURING COVID-19

  • "What a wonderful way to start the day - with words of wisdom and encouragement. Thank you Rita and panelists!"

  • "The webinar this morning was high quality, a great selection of speakers, and huge insights. So many of the stories they shared were applicable to my own life; taking time to think through how all these transitions are affecting us was very valuable. Congratulations on a high value event."

RACIAL EQUITY - October 27, 2020 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Opportunities for building awareness of biases and unlearning established behaviors with a panel of highly respected experts:

Romina Bongiovanni
Head of Global Communications at New Balance

Juliette Mayers
President and CEO of Inspiration Zone LLC

Ann Moritz
Principal of Moritz Advisory Group

Shilpa Pherwani
CEO and Principal of IBIS Consulting

PERSONAL BRANDING - November 17, 2020 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Stay true to self and enhance personal brand in a virtual world with a panel of esteemed leaders across a variety of career journeys:

Jillian T. Allen, RD
RDN Research Fellow, United States Army and Whole Balanced Nutrition

Patricia Cotter, Ed.D
Executive Director at MIT's Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship

Debbie Gustafson
CEO at Energetiq

Nicole Stern
VP of Design at EverQuote

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE - December 15, 2020 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Build awareness of triggers, practice self-care, compassion and empathy during challenging times with a panel of influential leaders:

Derek Depelteau
Global Head of Study Management at Merck KGaA

Gillian Meek
Former President at KEDS USA

Valerie Murray
Head of HR, Enterprise Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing at Fidelity Investments

Chelse Prejean
Process Safety Manager at Cabot Corporation