Merrimack valley Conference Speakers and Emcee

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Keynote Speaker

Liz O’Donnell
Keynote Speaker

Carol Hay
Emcee

Franky Descoteaux

Keynote Speaker

Liz O’Donnell

Are you struggling to care for an elderly parent or relative, hold down a job, and raise a family? Have you been searching for real world, practical answers on how to work with siblings, balance your time and have difficult conversations with your parents? Liz O’Donnell has been there and shares her experiences to help others.

Liz was a longtime marketing executive, who turned her attention to helping working daughters balance eldercare and career after caring for her two parents. In 2015 she founded Working Daughters – a community to share this experience.

Keynote Speaker

Carol Hay

I’m an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

My most recent book Think Like a Feminist: The Philosophy Behind the Revolution (W.W. Norton & Co., September 2020) has been called “a crisp, well-informed primer on feminist theory” by Publisher’s Weekly and “a winning mix of scholarship and irreverence” by Kirkus Reviews. ​

My academic work focuses primarily on issues in analytic feminism, liberal social and political philosophy, oppression studies, Kantian ethics, and the philosophy of sex and love. ​

My 2013 book Kantianism, Liberalism, & Feminism: Resisting Oppression received the American Philosophical Association’s Gregory Kavka/UCI Prize in Political Philosophy. My 2019 op-ed “Who Counts as a Woman?” received the American Philosophical Association’s Public Philosophy Op-Ed Prize.​

My public philosophy has appeared in venues such as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and Aeon magazine. ​

I grew up in small-town Saskatchewan, Canada and was a first-generation college student. I now split my time between Boston and San Francisco with my sweet cat Dinah and even sweeter daughter Becca.

Emcee

Franky Descoteaux

As the Director at Entrepreneurship Center, CTI, Franky Descoteaux, specializes in helping entrepreneurs build appropriate business models, complete business plans and design operation plans that allow for effective business management.  She is inspired by helping entrepreneurs build businesses that are aligned with their personal passion and life purpose.  She coaches high-impact entrepreneurs on mission development, holistic value statement creation and supports them as they put it all together so that it permeates every business decision. 

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

At the Merrimack Valley Conference for Women, we are committed to highlighting the local women who work, live and thrive in the cities and towns in Merrimack Valley. Each year we reach out to the community to hear from women in our region who are experts, ready to share their passion and hard work with women, close to home.

    PANEL DESCRIPTION

    “Don’t rock the boat. Play nice! ” Let’s shift that conversation so you can take your expertise and leadership to the next level. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn to stand your ground, share your perspective, and trust your worth without fear of rejection or compromising your core values. 

    TAKEAWAYS:

    • Claim your space at the table
    • Be prepared: Tips/Tricks for speaking up
    • Say, “NO” to perfection and “YES” to success
    • Manage the naysayers, shed the doubts, and step into your brilliance.

    PANEL DESCRIPTION

    Transitions are inevitable and sometimes unexpected.  It’s how we plan for and respond to life’s transitions that will determine whether we thrive or struggle through uncertain times.  Our panelists will provide tips and tricks on shifting your mindset and strategies to help you accomplish both your personal and professional goals.

    TAKEAWAYS:

    • A transition time-out can provide clarity and direction
    • Find your why: What purpose, cause or belief drives you
    • Easy to use daily practices to leave you feeling empowered and energized!
    • Remote work/life balance: recognizing the obstacles & ways to make it work!

     

    PANEL DESCRIPTION:

    In this interactive session, you’ll hear how local women start, build and grow their businesses or rise higher in their careers by building up their confidence to face fears and overcome obstacles. Speakers will acknowledge that rapid unexpected change creates internal chaos but share how they have made a commitment to work through the challenges authentically.

    TAKEAWAYS:

    • Assess your assets, so you can play to your strengths and minimize self-doubt.
    • Identify the power of celebrating your accomplishments
    • Appreciate the value of those in your community to find strength in your journey

     

    PANEL DESCRIPTION

    Join us for an interactive session to boost intuitive health awareness to prepare your body and mind for success! We have heard it over and over.. You need to take care of yourself before others. But as dedicated entrepreneurs, it is easy to burn the midnight oil and let self care slide. In this session, we will discuss what truly means to nourish your mind and body (much more than a workout and healthy meal!). You will leave with a new awareness of how to listen to your body with specifics to women’s health issues, prepare your mindset for personal and career success and some key points on developing a workout routine! 

    TAKEAWAYS:

    • Quiet your mind to identify your physical and mental wellbeing start point
    • Identify your best traits and the skills you already have, one part of your life you want to improve or explore, and the first steps you can take to make that happen
    • Take action

     

    PANEL DESCRIPTION:

    Women face many and new financial challenges and opportunities in a rapidly-changing world.  The presence of female entrepreneurs has grown 114% in the last 20 years and we are the primary source of income in more than 50% of American households.  This translates to more and different decisions that we need to make that involve finances – ranging from our family budget, having a plan for the future, or launching and managing our own business.  We have assembled a panel of women who will share insights from their journeys and areas of expertise. 

    TAKEAWAYS:

    • Learn about the unique financial challenges women face, professionally and personally
    • Understand how to pivot from concern to confidence through knowledge and action
    • Don’t wait to start the conversation. The time is now!