Leadership Conference

Leadership Conference Logo

Welcome to the 2025 Leadership Conference: Rise & Redefine—a biennial gathering focused on building coalitions of support and redefining what leadership means for the future. Hosted by the Lore-El Center, this conference brings together a wide range of voices to explore new visions of leadership that value collaboration, authenticity, and impact. 

Through engaging workshops, inspiring speakers, and intentional networking, attendees will connect across experiences and leadership styles to strengthen their impact and expand their support systems. Whether you're just beginning your leadership journey or looking to grow in new ways, this space is for you.  

Open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests—because together, we are unstoppable. 

Join us on Friday, November 7

Conference Schedule

Session

Time

Location

Welcome and Entrepreneurship Panel

9:30AM - 11:30AM

UCC Tech Flex Auditorium

Workshop Session #1

11:30AM - 12:30PM

Various Locations

Luncheon + Networking

12:40PM - 1:40PM

UCC Tech Flex Auditorium

Workshop Session #2

1:50PM - 2:50PM

Various Locations

Workshop Session #3

3:00PM - 4:00PM

Various Locations

Coffee Break + Networking

4:00PM - 4:30PM

UCC Tech Flex Pre-Function

Keynote + Closing Reception

4:30PM - 6:15PM

UCC Tech Flex Auditorium

Free headshots will be available all day!

Leadership Conference Registration

Register for the 2025 Leadership Conference by October 24!

2025 Conference Keynote: Dr. Connie Mariano

Connie Mariano

Dr. Connie Mariano is used to breaking barriers, used to shattering the glass ceiling. Born to a Navy steward and his dentist wife in the Philippines, Dr. Mariano lived the life of a family in the American armed forces.

Her life has been filled with many achievements: high school valedictorian, graduate with honors at the University of California at San Diego, medical degree from the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, and a distinguished 24-year career in the U. S. Navy.

Dr. Mariano has also been the first in the following achievements:

  • The first military woman to become the White House Physician to the President

  • The first woman Director of the White House Medical Unit

  • The first Filipino American in US history to become a Navy Rear Admiral

After leaving the White House in 2001 following nine years and service to three sitting American presidents, Dr. Mariano became a consultant in the Executive Health Program at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale from July 2001 to October 2005.

In November 2005, Dr. Mariano founded the Center for Executive Medicine, a medical concierge practice which provides presidential-quality medical care to CEOs and their families.

An expert in presidential health care including the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, Dr. Mariano is a frequent guest speaker on television and print media on the topics of care to VIPs, presidential disability, travel medicine, and optimizing quality of care. Dr. Mariano is also a former external advisory board member to the committee advising the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the overhaul of the VA system. She was named in 2024 as a co-sponsor to the Navy’s planned guided Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Telesforo Trinidad (DDG-139), named after Fireman 2nd class Telesforo Trinidad, the only Filipino in the US Navy to ever be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Dr. Mariano is the author of the book, The White House Doctor: My Patients were Presidents, A Memoir, published in 2010 by St. Martin’s Press. Dr. Mariano also hosts two podcasts on the VoiceAmerica network, “House Calls with Dr Connie,” now in its ninth season and “The Widow’s Walk,” launched in February 2023. Learn more at www.whitehousedoctor.com

Conference Workshops

Check back to see workshops for the 2025 Leadership Conference!

Photo Gallery

A laughing group at the LeadHERship Conference
Professor Swindall leading a workshop
Lunch outside at the 2021 LeadHERship Conference
two students smiling
speaker in front of slide that reads 2019 leadhership conference
Presenter leading a workshop
Presenter at conference
President Farvardin giving a welcome address
students in a classroom
two people on stage talking with each other
group of students and staff smiling at the conference
people post for a photo in front of stevens backdrop
A laughing group at the LeadHERship Conference
Professor Swindall leading a workshop
Lunch outside at the 2021 LeadHERship Conference
two students smiling
speaker in front of slide that reads 2019 leadhership conference
Presenter leading a workshop
Presenter at conference
President Farvardin giving a welcome address
students in a classroom
two people on stage talking with each other
group of students and staff smiling at the conference
people post for a photo in front of stevens backdrop
A laughing group at the LeadHERship Conference
Professor Swindall leading a workshop
Lunch outside at the 2021 LeadHERship Conference
two students smiling
speaker in front of slide that reads 2019 leadhership conference
Presenter leading a workshop
Presenter at conference
President Farvardin giving a welcome address
students in a classroom
two people on stage talking with each other
group of students and staff smiling at the conference
people post for a photo in front of stevens backdrop

Students and staff sharing a laugh with 2021 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha

Professor Swindall leading a workshop on the history of women at Stevens

Conference attendees enjoying a community luncheon outside

Lore-El Coordinators Joyce Lin '24 and Emily Kovelesky '22 posing for a photo after a successful conference

Malena Higuera '75, the first Latina to graduate from Stevens, delivering the closing keynote in 2019

Professor Benezra presenting a workshop on gender, sex, and brain science

Dr. Monroe France presenting to workshop attendees

President Farvardin welcoming attendees to the 2021 opening keynote

Conference attendees engaging in a workshop

Keynote speaker Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha in conversation with Professor Ryan at the 2021 Conference

Conference attendees at the networking reception

2019 Conference speakers Dr. Deanne Bell and Malena Higuera '75 posing with conference planning committee members

Students and staff sharing a laugh with 2021 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha

Professor Swindall leading a workshop on the history of women at Stevens

Conference attendees enjoying a community luncheon outside

Lore-El Coordinators Joyce Lin '24 and Emily Kovelesky '22 posing for a photo after a successful conference

Malena Higuera '75, the first Latina to graduate from Stevens, delivering the closing keynote in 2019

Professor Benezra presenting a workshop on gender, sex, and brain science

Dr. Monroe France presenting to workshop attendees

President Farvardin welcoming attendees to the 2021 opening keynote

Conference attendees engaging in a workshop

Keynote speaker Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha in conversation with Professor Ryan at the 2021 Conference

Conference attendees at the networking reception

2019 Conference speakers Dr. Deanne Bell and Malena Higuera '75 posing with conference planning committee members

Students and staff sharing a laugh with 2021 Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha

Professor Swindall leading a workshop on the history of women at Stevens

Conference attendees enjoying a community luncheon outside

Lore-El Coordinators Joyce Lin '24 and Emily Kovelesky '22 posing for a photo after a successful conference

Malena Higuera '75, the first Latina to graduate from Stevens, delivering the closing keynote in 2019

Professor Benezra presenting a workshop on gender, sex, and brain science

Dr. Monroe France presenting to workshop attendees

President Farvardin welcoming attendees to the 2021 opening keynote

Conference attendees engaging in a workshop

Keynote speaker Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha in conversation with Professor Ryan at the 2021 Conference

Conference attendees at the networking reception

2019 Conference speakers Dr. Deanne Bell and Malena Higuera '75 posing with conference planning committee members

Conference Host and Sponsor Information

Lore-El Center LogoThe Leadership Conference is hosted by the Lore-El Center, and co-sponsored by the Office of Student Culture and Belonging, Graduate Student Life, Undergraduate Student Life, and Development and Alumni Engagement, along with generous support provided by alumni and the Office of University Culture and Engagement. Learn more and contact us at [email protected]

Photography and Videography Notice

At any time, photography or videography may be occurring on Stevens’ campus. Resulting footage may include the image or likeness of event attendees. Such footage is Stevens’ property and may be used for Stevens’ commercial and/or noncommercial purposes. By entering, you consent and waive any claim against Stevens related to such use in any media. You are responsible for notifying the event organizer or photographer if you do not wish to be photographed or filmed.