Marymount students attend 2019 Women’s Leadership Development Summit in Richmond

Earlier this month, 13 Marymount students across various academic departments attended the Women’s Leadership Development Summit in Richmond, Va., hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC).
 
The three-day summit brought together female students from 14 colleges across Virginia to hear from dynamic and inspirational corporate and civic leaders about the skills needed to assume positions of authority in professional and personal settings.
 
“Our attendance at this event has given us a unique opportunity to interact with accomplished female executives and get first-hand insight and advice on how we can attain success in our chosen fields upon graduation,” said Marymount senior Ozzie Kocak, who is majoring in Politics. “After spending three days with highly-accomplished professionals and peers, I have been able to not only identify areas that I need to strengthen to fulfill my potential but also celebrate my current skills and appreciate the journey I am on.”
 
The Summit’s schedule offered juniors and seniors the chance to broaden their perspectives and understand what it means to be a female leader in the professional world. Female leaders from Dominion Energy, Wells Fargo, Atlantic Union Bank and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office gave engaging talks that informed students how to become successful professionals and create fulfilling careers.
 
Through interactive workshops, Marymount students engaged with other students from Virginia colleges and developed a network of ambitious young women. The Summit concluded with visits to the corporate headquarters of Dominion Energy and Altria, as well as a visit to the Virginia State Capitol.
 
“It was so empowering to be around so many strong, confident women,” said junior Kembry Thompson, a Criminal Justice and English major.
 
“It was an incredible experience being around so many amazing women,” added Zeyna Mcilvain, a senior majoring in Special Education. “I wish I could spend every weekend like that.”
 
The VFIC’s mission is to advance the distinctive values and strengths of the 15 independent Virginia member colleges and universities. The organization does this by securing financial support, increasing visibility, facilitating innovative and collaborative programs and supporting initiatives that ensure that a personalized educational experience remains an affordable choice for tomorrow’s citizen leaders.
 
Our students would like to thank the VFIC for this opportunity, and are happy to recommend this program to other Marymount students in the future!