On March 6, Concordia’s Advancing Women in Leadership Task Force held its 7th annual luncheon, bringing together women from a variety of campus leadership roles to share in a time of community and fellowship over a good meal. The title of the conference this year was Beyond Measure: Lessons from the Outdoors and featured a presentation by Business professor Dr. Yi Schuler on her recent experiences in mountaineering.

Co-chaired by Ashlie Andrew and Lori Doyle, the Advancing Women in Leadership Task Force Members are made up of women from nearly every department on campus. The annual luncheon aims to provide community and encouragement for Concordia women. 

Ashlie Andrew stated that she loves the conference for a variety of reasons. She said, “First off, it often introduces you to new and different voices in or around our campus. Most of us know of Dr. Yi Schuler but many of us didn’t know her personally until today. This gives us an opportunity to see another side of her talents! Second, I think it’s inspiring and motivating…This is a great opportunity to build each other up and remember why we work here. Third of all, it gives us an opportunity to glorify God through our vocations.”

Dr. Yi Schuler presented on her experiences in mountaineering some of the biggest peaks in the world, most recently Mount Aconcagua in Argentina– the tallest peak in the Americas. Schuler, who also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and backpacking, combines her interests in mountaineering. Her presentation was an inspirational message about climbing the peaks in one’s own life. 

Focusing on theme verse Ephesians 3:20, the conference also provided time for discussions on the importance of faith in leadership roles. Ann Ashmon said, “I appreciate how we can bring God and our faith into our daily lives and into our work and how we can share that perspective with each other and support each other in that. It’s a gift.”

Ashmon said her favorite part of the annual luncheon was “hearing from my colleagues and the amazing things they do.” Every year, the conference brings in new speakers from Concordia’s community and encourages women to lead with the gifts God has given them. 

Dr. Yi Schuler said, “We have this platform for women where we have a safe group to be ourselves and rely upon the resources provided and shared and find our path forward as a community.” She pointed out the importance of community among Concordia women, saying, “That we are intentional in creating these spaces and bringing in diverse experiences and connections to grow each other is amazing.” 

The connections made through the Advancing Women in Leadership program provide a great opportunity for fellowship for the women at Concordia. Andrew said, “My favorite part [of the conference] is just the community it provides from all corners of campus. While we’re all united on the mission of Concordia, so many of our departments take place separately and this is the opportunity to see people we don’t usually get to see and spend time with.”

For more information about Advancing Women in Leadership, email Ashlie Andrew at ashlie.andrew@cui.edu.

Tags: Women, leadership

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