Rupert
Conference Highlights
If I had to assign a grade to the Leadership Conference held June 8th at Al Akhawayn University in North Africa, I would assign the overall success an A.
Why?
• 2 stellar keynote speakers–Mr. Larbi Belarbi, a Moroccan Executive and Mr. Darron Anderson, an American Executive
Mr. Belarbi
Mr. Anderson and President Ouaouicha
A Powerful Presentation
Anderson’s Powerpoint
• 15 sessions—lectures, workshops, and panel presentations
• Over 20 presenters from diverse areas of expertise
• 2 languages—French and English
• Over 100 participants and attendees
• 20 conference ambassadors who facilitated smooth transitions and rendered phenomenal hospitality
Conference Ambassadors
• A fund-raising event that secured funds to support local community association initiatives
• A successful honoring of the Leadership Development Institute’s(LDI) mission to disseminate leadership skills and knowledge in Morocco and beyond
• The first leadership conference at the University and the first of the chosen makeup
• An international radio interview
• Three significant post-conference deliverables: the LDI Newsletter, the Conference Proceedings, and a Conference Handbook
Conference Schedule
Time & Activity
8.30 – 9.00 Registration Desk
9.00 – 10.00 Opening and Keynote Speaker
10.10 – 11.10 Session One
11.20 – 11.50 Walking Tour or Facilitated-Networking Session
12.00 – 13.00 Session Two
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.10 – 15.10 Session Three
15.20 – 16.20 Keynote Speaker and Closing
16.30 Refreshments and Certificates
16.40 – 17.00 Walking Tour
Conference Director’s Background
Planning, coordinating, leading, and managing projects are not new to my professional experience.
With Wal-Mart, I once held the title of operations manager. In the early days, there was no training and little direction for this position. Some years later and moving from a store-level position to a store-planning position with the same company, I traveled the United States setting up new stores and remodeling others. In this position, I managed up to 200 employees setting the soft-lines area. In this role, the company provided clear direction, written plans, and effective follow-up procedures. However, every location introduced nuances that altered approaches and employee relations to support win-win situations for local store associates and store planning teams.
Though I came to Wal-Mart with a degree in business, the practical opportunities initiated a life-long yearning to develop and lead projects of impact with sensitivity to context.
Second, at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and as a full-time assistant professor of English, I took over the responsibilities for running a summer camp for elementary students for a two-year period. Though my predecessor was phenomenal and adored by many, I was able to add to the program. By the second summer and through my leadership, I had written a grant; increased the camp to two sessions, a morning and afternoon camp; and hired local public school teachers to diversify the camp staff of English graduate students.
With my Wal-Mart experience and two graduate degrees in English, project management in an academic setting began my love for theory and practice as keys to informed realized success.
The third professional context occurred at North Lake College in Dallas, Texas. In this two-year community college, I initiated and coordinated a Women’s History event for several years. Students, faculty, and staff honored women in their lives or women at a distance who were greatly admired. Event participants paid tribute through creative displays. By the time I hosted the last event, I chose to provide a scholarship that awarded the best display a tuition free three-hour course.
It was in this context and with 48 graduate religion courses completed and the pursuance of my degree in organizational management that I came to appreciate diversity–economic, social, ethnic, etc. Difference and how we thrive in difference has the possibility of creating a rich existence.
Next, taking time off from my teaching career, I explored entrepreneurialship and hosted workshops centered on my first book, REACH. Not only did the endeavor require my expertise in speaking, writing, facilitating, planning, coordinating but my marketing, advertising, networking, and budgeting skills were employed.
Leaving my job, obtaining the fourth degree, encouraging others, and promoting my first publication caused me to fully embrace vision living.
What did the above prepare me for? Entering a international setting on a full-time basis where I could establish a platform to support future leaders in Morocco, an event to showcase the power of inclusiveness and creativity, and an opportunity to illustrate that women have skills, knowledge, and the passion to develop, manage, and lead positive initiatives.
Avis 