Presented by Kari Knutson
Professional Speaker, Therapist, Storyteller

This engaging and timely presentation focuses on multiple topics related to how the world has changed since March of 2020. In light of these changes, we have had to refocus our priorities and overcome numerous obstacles in our personal and professional lives. The recurring theme of this presentation is shifting perspectives, cultivating courage, and harnessing the power of compassion. We will discuss the role of stress and how to identify and mitigate it, as well as positive coping mechanisms so that we can show up fully present in our roles, ready to engage thoughtfully and effectively with the people we serve. This presentation will also explore the ways in which we can adapt to new situations by shifting our perspectives and understanding the cycle of change. We will also discuss the role of courage in consciously choosing how we show up for ourselves and others as well as the concept of compassion and how we can use compassion to enhance our connections, expand our influence, and help us heal. Participants will leave with practical and actionable ideas that they can start using immediately.

Kari Knutson’s Biography

Presented by Howard Baumgarten
Licensed Professional Counselor, author, consultant, speaker, wellness and small business-training expert, and owner of a mental health private practice in Lakewood, Colorado

This Workshop is designed to teach participants to become aware of compassion fatigue and burnout risks in the workplace, while learning how to manage symptoms, and prevent fatigue and burnout through applied cognitive, behavioral, and emotional interventions. The training includes an introduction, definition and exploration of terminology, a review of the causes of compassion fatigue and burnout, symptom identification, research and original theory, individual and group intervention/prevention strategies, and a summary/conclusion. The training includes a step wise individualized written “Burnout Prevention/Burn-up Invention Plan” that participants will work on throughout the program and finish up on their own after the training. Participants may be divided into breakout rooms for brief exercises related to the topic. The program includes brief video clips and/or audio clips to make and/or support key points. Additional materials/references will be made available to participants in a pre-conference learning packet that includes links to short videos and articles on the subject, along with an original compassion management survey developed by the speaker. A complete list of references used to build the program and for further participant engagement is provided at the conclusion of the training. Note: The purpose of providing video/audio, slides, written exercises, group sharing, in addition to the lecture is to utilize multiple training methods that will accommodate and satisfy the many different ways participants enjoy learning.

Howard Baumgarten’s Biography

Presented by Sara ‘Zora’ Boas
Founding Director, Boas Partners

The same deep structure and process can be used to achieve influential conversations, successful negotiations, and great meetings. Many of us use this structure unconsciously when we are at our best. However, when we skip essential steps, we undermine our own role as positive change-makers. In this highly interactive session, Sara ‘Zora’ Boas will teach us the six phases of her accord tool for transformation. Based on modelling what outstanding leaders and negotiators actually do, accord is used by community and business leaders around the world to engage people, take clear decisions together, gain real commitment, and generate powerful collaborative action. Participants will be encouraged to explore how they can apply accord in their own daily lives, to create and sustain health and wellbeing for people and the environment, even more effectively. By taking part, you will learn to:

• Prepare for meetings/negotiations/conversations with your own and your partners’ true needs in mind
• Create an atmosphere of trust, emotional safety, and productive cooperation
• Establish clear expectations and a process for achieving shared goals
• Drill down from sharing and developing ideas to agreeing on a specific plan
• Ensure that each individual shares responsibility and commits to taking action
• Keep up the momentum of implementation and continuous improvement

Sara Boas’s Biography

Mohammed Naeem leads engagement in the United States with civil society organizations, stakeholders and partners. Naeem has a background in organizing, issue-advocacy, and medical research. He is an alumnus of Stony Brook University and lives in Queens, NY.

Focusing on strategic engagement with key stakeholders and donors, Sharee comes to More in Common from her role as National Director of Strategic Partnerships at International Justice Mission, a global anti-slavery organization. Prior to that, Sharee was a Senior Director with Young Presidents Organization, an organization that connects over 25,000 CEOs globally. Sharee has also worked in government affairs and in legal practice, starting her career in mergers and acquisitions and private equity with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York. Sharee has also been an advisor to a number of political campaigns. Born in Jamaica and raised in Canada, Sharee attended the University of Toronto before earning a JD at Boston College Law School. She lives in Washington, DC.

Prior to joining More in Common, Dan worked on education policy and innovation at the state and national level. Previously, Dan served six years active duty as an Army infantry officer, with one tour in Afghanistan. Dan graduated from West Point and earned an MA in Contemporary China from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore on a Fulbright Scholarship and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Dan lives in New York City. 

Since 2016, Stephen has led More in Common’s studies on polarization and division in the United States and across Europe. Stephen has a background in measuring and advising on public opinion for political candidates, Fortune 100 companies such as Microsoft and Ford, and public sector organizations such the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UNHCR. He received his Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and is curious about how beliefs and ideology shape people’s experience of the world. Stephen lives in Denver, Colorado.

Understanding it, identifying barriers to it, and applying a growth mindset.

Presented by Dr. Marti Schulte
President, Community Physician Consulting

The confidence workshop will explore confidence, how participants think about it, what confidence looks and feels like, and what a personal vision of confidence would be. Together as a group, attendees will discuss the questions: What do I look like when I am confident? How do I want to feel when I feel confident? Then, the group will identify and name barriers to confidence. Using this information, the growth mindset will be explored for understanding and applicability to cultivating a more robust sense of personal confidence. The workshop will include small group discussion and a hands-on activity to illustrate and enhance learning of the growth mindset.

Dr. Marti Schulte’s Biography

Appreciating the danger of women’s silence, knowing what you want and your intention, and speaking clearly and powerfully to be heard.

Presented by Dr. Kathy Kennedy
Director, Regional Institute for Health & Environmental Leadership

What do I stand for? Why is it profoundly important for women’s voices to be heard? What are the challenges to being heard in the workplace, and when must those barriers be called out? How can I use my voice more effectively? Together we will practice creating assertive responses and “I” statements.

Kathy Kennedy’s Biography

Leveraging emotional intelligence, tackling imposter syndrome, and discovering the power of vulnerability.

Presented by Deb Center
Senior Director for Education and Coaching, Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence

First impressions are formed instantly within two to thirty seconds and can impact how people perceive your capabilities, credibility, and knowledge. Regardless of abilities, evidence suggests leadership positions are given first to those that “look” and “act” the part with presence accounting for 28% of women’s success. Lacking or underestimating the importance of presence can cause women to be overlooked for executive and leadership positions, hindering career advancement. All women need to understand the importance of leadership presence and identify strategies for cultivating presence to enhance their success. Together, we will explore how to cultivate the three pillars of leadership presence through growing emotional intelligence, confronting imposter syndrome and developing vulnerability. The experiential session will provide self-awareness insights to help guide developing a personal action plan for cultivating leadership presence.

Deb Center’s Biography