Event focused on Building a Better World through Curiosity, Creativity, and Problem Solving
Cincinnati, March 23, 2016 – On March 19, nearly 150 Saint Ursula Academy students spent their day learning about leadership from a wide variety of successful women in the Cincinnati area. All 18 presenters explained how they are building a better world and encouraged the young women of Saint Ursula Academy to do the same.
The annual Saint Ursula Academy Leadership Academy is open to all students and this year addressed topics such as the female role in a male dominated career field, fighting through setbacks to achieve a goal, the role of confidence in reaching goals, and the importance of networking and relationships. Speakers emphasized that a true leader must engage in curiosity, creativity, and problem solving, and must listen carefully to others who may help them along the way.
The day began with keynote speaker Hillary Weidner ’04 who spoke to the young women about being strong, being an advocate, being a leader, and being a voice for others. Through her struggles with an ill newborn baby, Hillary realized that she had all of those qualities inside, she just needed to let them shine. She encouraged students at the Leadership Academy to find those same qualities in themselves and work to be a light to others.
After the keynote speaker, students divided into break-out sessions where they chose from a number of speakers and topics of interest. The presenters included:
Courtney Brown ’91, Molly Connaughton ’99, Susie Crossland‐Dwyer, Jennifer Helmers, Rabbi Shena Potter Jaffee, Mina Jones Jefferson, Kelly Katien, Caroline Keating ’03, SUA President Lelia Keefe Kramer ’77, Megan Laudick, Taylor Rose, and Lauren Thaman (SUA alumna).
The day concluded with a panel discussion with women who were involved in Public Service. Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco, Hamilton County Coroner; Janaya Trotter Bratton, associate attorney at the firm of Gerhardstein & Branch; Lily Raphael, True Body Project; Kate Schroder, Senior Director of the Essential Medicines program at the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI); and Brigid Kelly ’01, Public Relations Director at United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 75 answered questions from students about how they have continued to be successful in their chosen career paths.
"Listening to life stories of women with varying backgrounds, I gained a deeper understanding regarding the importance of connecting with other people on a personal level to develop empathy,” said Carlee Berns ’17 of Milford. “These strong relationships allow a leader to learn people's values and goals and how to empower them to achieve their dreams."
Saint Ursula Academy conducts programming through a student’s four years to empower each young woman to become a confident leader in whatever path she chooses in life.
Photo Caption: Saint Ursula Academy students Carlee Berns '17 of Milford and Emily Naylor '17 of Colerain Township attended the Leadership Academy on March 19. They are featured in the photo with break-out session speaker and SUA President Lelia Keefe Kramer ’77.
St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. St. Ursula welcomes students from more than 70 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2002 the Academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. The Class of 2015 earned college scholarships totaling more than $19-million.