Monthly Discussion Series Videos
'Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable'

The last couple of years have presented many challenges as well as opportunities. We have pushed in new ways, established new norms, and continue to build resilience. As a result, I felt the need to create this series in 2020. During challenging times, I believe it's important to stay connected, share stories, be a resource to one another, give back and enhance our networks. No power points or formal presentations, but an opportunity to hear personal stories of growth, inspiration and learning, share best practices and spark dialogue on important topics. With that purpose in mind, I am continuing this series on a quarterly basis and invite you to join me in a virtual discussion with several accomplished leaders.

You can view the past panel discussion recordings.

"Amazing!! I can't say enough for the insight - comments - panelists... wow...so grateful that I found these sessions!!!!"

Please register here for my next panel discussion for Q1 in March:

THE GREAT RESIGNATION - March 15th, 8:00 - 9:00 AM

The recent pace and volume of employment changes has been described as a global phenomenon referred to as The Great Resignation. Many people are re-evaluating their career choices and leaving their jobs in record numbers at a time when the job market is offering many opportunities and options. After much uncertainty, stress and pressure of the last two years, many are searching for new possibilities better aligned with their personal and professional goals. Hear perspectives, experiences and effective strategies to address this phenomenon from a panel of distinguished leaders' within a variety of industries.

Daniel Benson
Director of Talent Acquisition at New Balance

Morenike Eastman
Assistant Director, Employer Engagement at the Boston College Career Center

Amina Lobban
Director, Head of HR Business Excellence, Global Manufacturing, Supply & Quality at Takeda

Lisa Wyman
Senior Vice President Technical Operations at Acceleron Pharma, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp

Our Previous Discussion Series

JOB SEARCHING REMOTELY - December 2021

The current marketplace is not only active but highly competitive. In addition to the high demand for talent, we are working with new staffing practices that have transitioned the recruitment process to mostly virtual. We are searching, networking, recruiting and interviewing remotely requiring a new set of norms and strategies to be effective. Hear perspectives and emerging trends from a panel of distinguished leaders within the search industry.

Maureen Alphonse-Charles
AsSenior Vice President of Talent, Diversity, and Equity at Koya Partners, Diversified Search Group

Cynthia R. Cunningham
Managing Director at Boston Common Search Group

M. Cristina Muise
EO and Founder of Precision Life Sciences

Karen Pappas
Managing Partner at Pappas & Pappas

Watch the video

What people said about JOB SEARCHING REMOTELY

  • "Excellent session. It was so informative, authentic, and helpful."

  • "Wonderful discussion… All of the speakers were relevant and impressive."

CAREER CLARITY - September 2021

In Partnership with The Harvard Club of Boston

We continue to navigate a new world with new norms and different work models, especially as we start to transition back to the worksite. Organizations are rethinking how they attract, engage and retain talent. Individuals are rethinking how they work, where they work and what kind of work they value. Hear perspectives and lessons learned from a panel of distinguished leaders.

Jodi Detjen
Associate Professor of Practice, MBA Program Director, Suffolk University

Jillian McGrath
Senior Vice President at UBS
Harvard Club of Boston Board Member

K. Chris Min, MD PhD
Biotechnology / Pharma CMO or VP of Clinical Development
Harvard Club of Boston member

Oswald Mondejar
Senior Vice President of Mission and Advocacy, Partners Continuing Care at Spaulding Rehabilitation Network

Watch the video

What people said about CAREER CLARITY

  • "This was such an honest, inspiring conversation. Thanks so much, Rita and the whole panel!"

  • "Thank you for another wonderful panel discussion. These make me feel less alone in my thoughts! What a powerhouse of guest panelists!"

DRIVING AND LEADING CHANGE - June 2021

Lessons learned and effective strategies to manage and impact change with a panel of distinguished leaders:

Robin Antonellis
Executive Director at New England Employee Benefits Council

Pam Carroll, Ph.D
President of Silicon Therapeutics

Lina Gallotto
President of Barton Healthcare Staffing and Executive Vice President of Barton Associates

Jamie Graceffa
Chief Learning Officer and Global Head of Learning, Talent Management, Inclusion and Diversity at Perkin Elmer

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."

LANDING AND STARTING A NEW JOB VIRTUALLY - March 2021

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