Forward Together: A Symposium of Women School Leaders - Registration

Audience: Senior leaders in PAIS schools who identify as women
Cost: $295 per person

This women in leadership program  is designed to connect women leaders seeking to lead with greater intention, confidence, and balance. Through guided reflection, peer learning, and practical leadership tools, participants will explore how purpose, self-awareness, self-advocacy, and boundary-setting contribute to effective, sustainable and joyful leadership. This symposium will provide both personal insight and professional strategies that strengthen leadership capacity and well-being.

Schedule:

8:30-9:00am - Arrival and light breakfast

9:00-9:30am - Welcome & Introductions

9:30-10:45am - Purposeful Leadership: Understanding Your Why 

11:00am-12:15pm - Unapologetically Proud: Mastering the Art of Self-Promotion

12:15-1:15pm - Lunch & Connection

1:15-2:15pm - Creating a Leadership Self-Reflection Practice 

2:30-3:30pm - Balanced Leadership: Cultivating Boundaries Without Losing Empathy 

3:30-4:00pm - Wrap-up

Session Descriptions:

Purposeful Leadership: Understanding Your Why

Effective leadership begins with a clear sense of purpose. In this session, we will explore the "why" behind your leadership and how it shapes your ability to inspire and guide others. You’ll create a personalized leadership dashboard, engage in meaningful reflection, and clarify your mission, values, and areas for growth. Through guided exercises and collaborative discussions, you’ll assess your leadership style, define your core purpose, and develop strategies for self-reflection and continuous improvement. Walk away with practical tools and thought-provoking questions to help you stay aligned with your purpose and lead your school community with clarity and intention.

You must be prepared to accept praise or highlight your work at a staff meeting, annual review, or job interview. So, why is that so hard? You know yourself better than anyone, right? This session sheds light on why self-promotion can be challenging and provides strategies to help you shift your mindset. You'll also identify past accomplishments and establish a practice to better manage and track your achievements. Self-understanding is the first step, but equally important is learning how to effectively communicate your strengths and accomplishments to various audiences.

Unapologetically Proud: Mastering the Art of Self-Promotion
Leading confidently requires you to discuss your gifts, talents, and accomplishments. You must be prepared to accept praise or highlight your work at a staff meeting, annual review, or job interview. So, why is that so hard? You know yourself better than anyone, right? This session sheds light on why self-promotion can be challenging and provides strategies to help you shift your mindset. You'll also identify past accomplishments and establish a practice to better manage and track your achievements. Self-understanding is the first step, but equally important is learning how to effectively communicate your strengths and accomplishments to various audiences.

Creating a Leadership Self-Reflection Practice

Leadership is as much about leading yourself as it is about leading others. Together, we’ll explore how self-reflection can be a powerful tool for personal growth, strategic decision-making, and inspiring others. This session will provide actionable strategies to help you carve out intentional moments to reflect, assess, and align your leadership approach with your values and goals.

Balanced Leadership: Cultivating Boundaries Without Losing Empathy

Women are frequently praised for their empathy, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond in the workplace. But too often, that praise comes at the cost of personal well-being. In this empowering and practical session, we’ll explore how to set and uphold boundaries without sacrificing compassion or impact. Participants will learn strategies to protect their time, prioritize their needs, and break free from the pressure to be everything to everyone. The result? More balance, more clarity, and more energy for what matters most.

Meet the Presenters:

Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Pleasantly Aggressive

Rebecca Malotke-Meslin. Leadership Coach. Consultant. Keynote Speaker. Podcast Host.  Writer. Mother. Feminist. Anti-Racist. Fashionista. Bowler. Foodie. Movie Buff. 

Through one-on-one coaching, leadership cohorts, and speaking engagements, Rebecca helps early and mid-career women leaders gain valuable leadership skills, rediscover their authentic voice, and build the confidence they need to achieve their goals.  In her role as a consultant, she works with organizations to eliminate barriers, reduce biases, and create more inclusive spaces for all women. Rebecca combines her background in social research with 20 years of sales, marketing, communications, and school leadership to create an in-depth and engaging experience for her clients.

Rebecca also co-hosts the Confidently You: Women in Leadership Podcast. Once called “pleasantly aggressive,” it was a perfect way to describe her approach to life and work. 

Susanne Carpenter, Carpenter Leadership

Susanne Carpenter is the principal and founder of Carpenter Leadership Consulting- a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm focused on helping leaders and leadership teams become high-performing and strategy-focused.

Channeling her own experience as a leader,

Susanne empowers leaders to unlock their full potential, fostering confidence, effectiveness, and success. She tailors engagements to help leaders cultivate the necessary tools and strategies to manage their teams and organizations more effectively. Her goal is to help her clients reach their fullest potential and lead with impact. She believes that when leaders are at their best, their organizations thrive.

Susanne is a graduate of Westover School and received her B.A. from Wheaton College. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation, a Certified Executive Coach (CEC), a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, and a Certified Team Coach. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees at Westover School. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and daughter.