Participants Greatly Benefit From 2009 Leaders Summit“Gateway to Leadership”
Hilton San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf April 23 - 25, 2009
San Francisco, CA
This year’s Leaders Summit “Gateway to Leadership” was held in the beautiful city of San Francisco, birthplace of EWI more than 70 years ago. What a fitting environment for thirty-five EWI representatives to invest in themselves and EWI, on a professional and personal level. The speakers and presenters shared energizing perspectives and challenged attendees to look closely at what really matters. Attendees seemed to leave San Francisco with a wonderful sense of renewal.
Attendees were moved, touched, delighted, and inspired by this year’s fabulous speakers:
Lori Giovannoni of Lori Giovannoni & Associates,
Colette Carlson of Speak Your Truth,
John Wilcox of the San Francisco Examiner,
David Iwamoto of the Hilton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel
Steve Falk of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Janene Frahm, of the City College of San Francisco
At the conclusion of two energizing days, the Academy of Leadership Alumni were reminded that truly extraordinary leaders are made, not born. When asked, all attendees were eager to share a little nugget they gained by attending. Here’s what they had to say:
Benita Collins – Dallas Area Rapid Transit – EWI of Dallas EWI is moving forward, aspiring to achieve greater dynamics of leadership in the ability to captivate, and invite others to excel without limitation.
Emily Jones – Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort – EWI of Salt Lake City Being a leader is not just teaching someone how to do a job, it is being willing to follow and guide them through their experience. Don’t get caught up in the how, when it comes to philanthropy projects.
Paulette Clarke – USG Corporation – EWI of Chicago I learned to look at leadership in two forms. 1) “Time to stop learning to be leaders – be the leader,” and 2) Benjamin Zander says, “When leadership is defined not as a position you hold, but as a way of being, you can lead from wherever you are.”
Debbie Casey – Hilcorp Energy Company – EWI of Houston Leadership is generosity – if you are blessed, become a blessing to others.
Alyson Watt – Ogden Eccles Conference Center – EWI of Salt Lake City New Dream – New Possibilities. Quit learning to be leaders and start to use our resources available and give it away. Be generous with the new members coming into the Chapter. Every member is a leader/mentor. Lead from where you are currently. Mentoring is not teaching, it’s being willing to follow willingly.
Gloria Deister – AT&T – EWI of Jackson My key connection was one word – listen. Listen and be open to new ideas. Fostering this will encourage future leaders and grow EWI.
Carolyn Woodmansee – Washington Trust Bank – EWI of Spokane My motto: To be a leader who is willing to follow people in their new level of leadership; to seek balance; and to focus on communication! Share, encourage, and inspire. Thank you for this phenomenal opportunity to grow as a leader!
Rosemary Fair – TXI –EWI of Dallas Quit learning to be a leader and start giving it away. Be responsible but bring balance into your life.
Valerie Flores – Nickel Lithographics – EWI of Phoenix The energy I received from both speakers Saturday will be shared with my Chapter. Also the opportunity to meet our new Corporate Director was an added plus.
Kim Brennan – Great DesMoines Partnership – EWI of Des Moines The connections have always been there and continue to help me grow professionally and personally.
Jeanette L. Avery – Gallagher Enterprises, LLC – EWI of Denver To move forward connecting the old with the new. Stand by Me, clear the way for an unveiling.
Diana Larsen – Gray Robinson Law Firm – EWI of Orlando Keeping the energy of EWI upbeat and vibrant is a key and integral part of the future and success for our organization.
Anna Hough – Captivating Interiors – EWI of Memphis The 2009 Leaders Summit was a great learning experience and a great networking experience. Because the group was so small, there was a better opportunity to meet the other reps and get to know them. Motto: Stand by Me
Audrey Puko – Verizon – EWI of Pittsburgh The new EWI must be a blend of the historical tradition of the past, the flexibility to adapt to today’ constant change, and forward thinking into the future.
Chris Gibson – Workers Compensation Fund – EWI of Salt Lake City The best leaders follow the people they mentor through the process giving support and encouragement along the way. They also leave their world of influence a better place than they found it.
Lynn Beach – Mona Vie - EWI of Salt Lake City Mentoring by showing respect by following new members as they lead; A new idea, method or technology. Step away for old ideas to enhance new ideas.
Darlene Banogon – North Island Credit Union – EWI of San Diego Today’s most successful firms know the importance of having fun while continuing to grow. As EWI heads into the next 70 years, it’s important to know that we can still grow while having fun and don’t have to take ourselves so seriously.
Louise Anderson – Maurice H.Joseph, Inc. – EWI of Jackson I am too blessed to be stressed! Keep humor in my workday. Sometimes when things are stressful the only outlet is to laugh – then I can re-group and focus.
Lisa Stokes – B.R.P. Entertainment – EWI of Harrisburg As usual – the Leadership Summit exceeded my expectations. Motto: Live my life thru through Servant Leadership. Incorporate into my team meetings & Chapter: Make A Difference Moments – sharing reasons that light at the end of the tunnel is NOT a train.
Betty Bruffy – Duncan Interests – EWI of Houston There is always a connection of new, improved or shared information when EWI gathers – the most memorable or befitting our Chapter’s current usage had to do with philanthropic endeavors and fund raising ideas. Even the smallest Chapter shared experiences that the largest found exciting. Thank you for the opportunity.
Lisa Tuebner – Lyondall Basell Ind – EWI of Houston Using some of the descriptions during Lori’s presentation I can have an idea that’s zselling. How will you serve/who will you serve? To make it fun, I’m thinking of a pedestal cake stand for a symbol.
Priscilla Massey – Baylor College of Medicine – EWI of Houston Develop new relationships. Use many qualities of a leader in my present and future role. To Lead with empathy, honesty, and with great communication skills.
Carolyn Ermey – Suntrust – EWI of Nashville Motto: Be in the Now. As always being with the wonderful, smart, women of EWI is a great reward and privilege, honor, and I always learn more about myself.
Peggy Quinn – University of Memphis – EWI of Memphis “Invest in EWI because it’s all about You and all about what You can do for EWI!” An EWI act of kindness is the drug of choice for stress release.
Renea Callery – Detroit Edison CU – EWI of Detroit-Windsor Stand by Me makes me what to go out and embrace more in the community. I am also going to remember to not make someone right/wrong because I want to keep the energy/humor in my life.
Lynne Shaffer – EWI Corporate Office Executive Director – Salt Lake City I’ve now experienced the power of EWI and its heartbeat and mission. It lives in our members and their firms. It now lives within me! My charge is to give this message away.
