Women in Public Service Conference

Women in Public Service Annual Conference

Join us for the 2024 Women in Public Service Conference: Making Space!

Featuring keynote speaker Commissioner Sarah Lopez, this event is a fantastic opportunity to network, relax, and enjoy time with friends and colleagues. The conference is open to all public service professionals, so if you serve the community in any capacity, whether in the public or private sector, you are welcome to join us. Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow professionals.

Conference Schedule

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Registration & Breakfast

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Keynote

Making Space in Many Ways & Places | Santa Fe Trail

Follow Sarah’s journey as a woman of color, working mom, and elected official to find her own voice on many issues and to help open doors for others. Her experiences offer insight on how all of us can find opportunities in our personal and professional lives to become agents of change, and to empower those around us to do the same.

Speaker: Commissioner Sarah Lopez

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM | Breakout Session 1 & 2

Forging Your Path: How to Navigate Your Career with Confidence | Lucas 265

Embark on a journey to discover your personal core values and learn how they can guide your career in public service. In this interactive session, you’ll complete a hands-on worksheet and engage in group discussion, all designed to help you navigate your professional path grounded in confidence and purpose. Drawing from our personal and professional experiences in public service, we will share our stories and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Speakers: Meghan Carver & TaTy’Terria Gary

What You Need to Know About Generative AI | Pike 266

This session will explain what generative AI is and demonstrate practical ways to use AI to help you with work and personal projects. This will be an interactive session so bring your questions and concerns.

Speaker: Dr. Carolyn Speer

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | General Session

The Power of Connection: Why Finding Your People is Essential for Your Success | Santa Fe Trail

If you want to find your people, you’ve got to know yourself. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the transformative power of building a strong community. Learn how to embrace your authenticity in a way that will lead you to finding your people—mentors, allies, and peers. We will discuss practical strategies to identify and cultivate meaningful connections, discover how a supportive community can enhance your resilience, boost your well-being, and propel you toward success.

Speaker: Audra Dinell

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | Breakout Session 3 & 4

Get on Board | Pike 266

In this session, a panel of professionals will share their diverse experiences in serving and supporting various boards. They will explore how these experiences have contributed to their professional growth and personal development, and will provide valuable insights on how you, too, can recognize skill sets within yourself to be influential in serving your community.

Speakers: Morgan Barnes, Sarah Shaffer, & Tanica Witt

Finding Your Volunteer Joy

Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your community or across the globe. While identifying where and how you want to volunteer can be challenging, the process itself is easy. By taking the time to match your interests and skills, you can have the greatest impact. This session will guide you through what to consider as you step into the world of volunteering.

Speaker: Paula Downs

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | General Session

What Your Inner Critic Doesn’t Want You to Know | Santa Fe Trail

We all hear the voice in our heads: “I’m not good enough. I’m not ready yet. I’m not...” But where does it come from, and why is it there? How do we manage it? In this presentation, we will explore the unconscious actions and beliefs that hinder our success. We will explore how impostor syndrome stifles women’s careers and how to overcome the feeling that we’re not enough. Additionally, we will learn strategies to win the daily battle against the inner critic that reinforces our insecurities. No matter where you are in life, this information packed workshop will provide effective strategies for creating meaningful change in your career and personal life.

Speaker: Brenda Dietzman

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Closing Session

Lessons From Lasso | Santa Fe Trail

There are many wits and wisdom from the phenomenal Ted Lasso series. We will pull a few gems from this former Wichita State football coach and how it relates to opportunities in leadership.

Speaker: Misty Bruckner