Welcome to the 3rd Annual Women in Leadership Conference, co-hosted by the Vermont Superintendents Association and the Vermont Principals’ Association. We look forward to your participation as we celebrate Women in Leadership and build strength going forward, together.
Planning to Stay Over? Conference Lodging Link or Call directly at 1-800-282-9955 and be sure to reference the VPA/VSA event for the group rate.
Who: Vermont Leaders & Aspiring LeadersWhen: September 12th, 2025Where: Killington Grand Hotel and ResortCost: $315 per participant
In 2023, during our inaugural Women in Leadership Conference, Anne Marie Anderson delivered an inspiring and powerful keynote, punctuated by her public commitment to write her first book. This moment marked Anne Marie’s first announcement of her intention to write a book. Today, she has fulfilled that promise with remarkable success. Anne Marie is now touring and presenting nationwide about her acclaimed book, Cultivating Audacity, including a featured interview on Good Morning America. We are thrilled that she has graciously agreed to return to Vermont, bringing a new message and fresh inspiration to the very place where her book’s journey began.
Anne Marie Anderson is a three-time Emmy Award winning broadcaster, keynote speaker and author. As she walked through ESPN’s doors fresh out of college, Anne Marie embarked on a career that led her into the boardrooms and locker rooms of some of the most successful franchises in sport. Utilizing the methods observed through behind closed doors coverage of high performing coaches, athletes and executives, Anderson applied their penchant for taking bold, sometimes surprising, risks to her own personal and professional life.
The knowledge and experience she has gained through making one surprising career move after another lead her to becoming one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country. In Cultivating Audacity, Anne Marie shares the system she developed to find the courage to confront her hesitation and break down barriers that stood between her and the life she wanted. Anne Marie is known for delivering keynotes that are alternately funny and touching; connecting with the audience through the power of storytelling.
Each participant will have the chance to self-select two of the following options during the event:
Led by Robin Fawcett: Of all leadership objectives, there’s none more valuable than igniting the potential of those we lead. When this potential is lit, everyone’s work is lightened – in weight and brightness. Connection and belonging, risk and reward, hope and purpose awaken. Among the tools for animating this wealth of possibility, nothing unleashes it more swiftly than play. In this workshop, participants will experience the vitalizing power of play and gain strategies for putting it to use. Through a scaffold of activities that can be used in your organization and beyond, we’ll explore ways to embolden participation, dissolve barriers, build community, and remind us of the truth in this statement by American author, Diane Ackerman: “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.”
Led by Lucinda Garthwaite: Efforts to date to drive equity in organizations, including schools, have been effective to some extent, though arguably not nearly enough, and ample evidence suggests some have inadvertently contributed to deepened resistance. The need for change is too urgent to accept these outcomes. This workshop will introduce a new approach that anticipates and responds to fear, limited perspective, and uneven emotional resilience. Drawing a line at bigoted behavior and intentional harm, it leaves room for honest mistakes. It invites people with divergent beliefs to embrace the goal of a system in which all people can thrive as who they understand themselves to be. Then they learn personal practices, and systems-tending habits that promote that change. The workshop will begin with a brief presentation on the background of this new approach. We’ll devote the rest of the session to learning and trying out liberatory personal practices, and systems tending habits.
Led by Dr. Jennifer Norrell “Trust transforms a group of people into a team,” -Stephen Covey. In this presentation, leaders will have an opportunity to examine the true definition of trust, how to build trust, and explore the drivers of trust– based on research. The topic will directly relate to leading teams and supporting growth of leaders across educational systems. This session will review and discuss research and the key elements that most influence trust. Participants will have an opportunity to share challenges and successes on navigating the trust factor through their own journey of building and leading teams. Concepts shared will allow leaders to transform their teams with new efforts at improving trust and ultimately increasing mere coordination and cooperation into true collaboration.
Led by Dr. Diane Wynne, The path to leadership can be especially challenging for women, both due to outside forces and due to internal battles within ourselves. Diane’s early career as a psychologist has inspired her to continuously reflect on why women often lack confidence in their abilities or feel hesitant to “shine too bright” in some environments. This presentation, organized around powerful inspiring quotes, will provide an opportunity for women leaders to reflect on their journeys, consider ways to remove barriers, and celebrate how we all shine when women uplift themselves and each other.
Led by Nancy J. DeGennaro and Carrie Wolf, This workshop will explore the unique physical, emotional and professional challenges women in leadership roles face as they navigate the reproductive stages of life-from childbirth through menopause-while striving to thrive in demanding work environments. Topics will include the physical recovery from childbirth and returning to work, sleep deprivation and the impact on energy and focus, breastfeeding challenges and working, hormonal fluctuations each month and the effect on performance, peri- and menopausal symptoms and the ever daunting “hot flashes.” We will discuss stigma and biases related to pregnancy and parenthood and explore workplace solutions to create a healthy work-life balance.
Led by Katie Kluk, Strength training isn’t just about building muscle—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and presence. This session will explore how physical strength supports mental clarity, emotional regulation, and leadership under pressure. Participants will walk away with practical strategies to incorporate strength training into busy lives and a renewed understanding of how prioritizing physical strength can fuel strong, grounded leadership.
Workshop 7: Nourish, Connect, Reflect
We invite you to step away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life and immerse yourself in a reflection experience to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. You often prioritize everyone else , so we wanted to offer you the opportunity to prioritize your well-being. This can be done by fostering collaborative connections with colleagues here today, finding quiet time for introspection or just by taking a walk around the pond to process new learning from today.
Should I stay overnight? You are welcome to make your own reservations with Killington as desired. Conference Lodging Link or Call directly at 1-800-282-9955 and be sure to reference the VPA/VSA event for the group rate.
What if I am going with a group from the same district/school? Please register as individuals. You will receive individual invoices. Payments can be made in bulk via district upon request.
Who should attend? Any current or aspiring leader in Vermont is encouraged to attend. While there will be a lot of school leaders in attendance, the content is not focused on schools leadership specifically. You are welcome to join whether you work in non-profits, advocacy, health, government, business or otherwise.
Will Certificates of Attendance be Issued? Yes. An email will be sent out to participants with an exit ticket. A certificate of attendance will be generated upon completion of that exit ticket for a total of 7.5 professional learning hours.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation Policy: Any conference or one-time training registration canceled 60 or fewer calendar days before the first day of the event will result in a charge of 50% of the full registration rate. Except registrations canceled within 15 days of the first day of the event will result in a charge of 100% of the registration fee. No exceptions will be made. A registration may be transferred to another individual up until 24 hours before the event.