FWLE PRESENTS
ASPIRING LEADERS V
WEBINAR SERIES
Aspiring Leaders V is a six-part series of one-hour sessions addressing topics and competencies of critical importance to contemporary leaders in the post-COVID 19 pandemic world – ranging from self-assessment, self-regulation and self-care, cultivating the leadership mindset, to enhancing durable skills and effective communication, to name a few.
Our dynamic speakers offer inspirational messaging, instruction and guidance, audience engagement, and practical solutions to help our participants achieve better leadership outcomes.
Please join us for this sensational series!
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Dethra U. Giles
Session 1
Being Your CEO - The Career Strategy for Women Who Want More
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET
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Lori Robertson
Session 2
Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking
NEW DATE:
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET
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Anne Leets & Michelle Vielledent
Session 3
Rebounding from Career Setbacks
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET
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Courtney Burton
Session 4
Leading Intergenerational Teams
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET
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ANNE LEETS, JEN BUCK & JANAKI SEVERY - The Leets Consortium
Session 5
Grow! Glow! Go! Your Potential Just Got a Coach!
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET
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Dethra U. Giles
Session 6
Leading While Tired - How to Stay Motivated When Your Tank Is Empty
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
9:00 AM PT/12:00 PM ET
Frequently Asked Questions
Issued February 20, 2025
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No. You must register for the program in order to attend the Aspiring Leaders sessions. Program benefits such as recordings are not and may not be made available to the general public or anyone who is not a program registrant.
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You must register for each separate session of Aspiring Leaders V this year via the Zoom link provided.
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A. Due to rising program production costs, in order to continue to provide the Aspiring Leaders V program FWLE must charge an admission fee for participation. In making this decision FWLE sought to balance its program production costs with recognition of the multiple economic demands participants face. We believe that the $25.00 fee per session (program total $125.00) is a modest, affordable amount for the value of the program series. For the session fee each participant will receive high quality instruction and discussion, an accompanying speaker handout, and the opportunity to review on demand (but not download) the recording of the speaker’s presentation for 60 days after the live session, at which time the recording will be deactivated.
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No, at this time Aspiring Leaders V will not offer any CEU credit or certificate approved by UNLV or another education institution. Although FWLE sought to provide the CEUs as an additional benefit to our webinar participants, very few attendees in our 2024 webinar series participated in the CEU option that was offered. FWLE would reconsider this decision if a sufficient number of participants indicated a willingness to make the investment in this type of certification [last year’s fee for the CEU option was $250.00].
SPEAKER
Dethra U. Giles
TOPIC
Being Your CEO - The Career Strategy for Women Who Want More
Free Registration
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Dethra U. Giles is a force multiplier for organizations, a leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and executive coach who specializes in helping businesses unlock peak productivity, performance, and profits. As the CEO of ExecuPrep, she has spent over a decade guiding global organizations—from the NBA and LVMH to Cox Communications and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America—in identifying, developing, and amplifying high-potential talent that is often overlooked in traditional corporate structures.
Armed with a BA in English and Spanish from Mercer University and advanced degrees in business administration and conflict management, Dethra combines strategy, psychology, and leadership to drive measurable transformation. A four-time TEDx speaker, former adjunct faculty member, and instructor for elite programs like Goldman Sachs 10KSB and the Tory Burch Program, she is a trusted voice in leadership development.
Dethra’s impact extends to the airwaves as a nationally recognized radio personality on the Willie Moore Jr. Show, where she helps professionals navigate their career journey “from the cubicle to the corner office.” Her industry excellence has been recognized with prestigious honors, including Panagenius 30 Black Stars Award and Engagedly’s Top 100 HR Professionals Award.
Her mission is clear: help organizations optimize their greatest asset—people—by turning untapped talent into high-performing leaders who drive results.
SESSION 1 DESCRIPTION
Your career isn’t just a job—it’s a business, and you are the CEO. Being Your CEO is an empowering, strategic session that blends the MINE Your Career framework with elements of Own The Room with Your Voice, guiding ambitious women to take full control of their professional trajectory. Whether you're aiming for a promotion, a leadership role, or a complete career pivot, this session will equip you with the mindset, tools, and strategies to make it happen—on your terms.
This session will cover:
1. Think Like a CEO – Shift from an employee mindset to a strategic leadership approach.
2. The MINE Method – Breaking down the four pillars:
Manage your career like a business.
Invest in skills, relationships, and growth.
Network with intention to expand opportunities.
Explore & Execute bold career moves.
3. Own Your Voice – Develop executive presence, communicate with confidence, and command the room.
4. Action Plan – Build your personal CEO strategy and commit to next steps.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. A clear and actionable career strategy aligned with your personal and professional goals.
2. Increased confidence in career decision-making and personal brand positioning.
3. Enhanced ability to communicate with impact and advocate for oneself.
4. A network expansion plan to leverage career growth opportunities.
FWLE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Continuous Learning & Development; Effective Communication With All Levels; Builds Relationships & Coalitions
POSTPONEMENT OF SESSION 2, ASPIRING LEADERS V
Dear Colleagues: Session 2 of Aspiring Leaders V with Speaker Lori Robertson, originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 9:00 am PT, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 9:00 am PT. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
We look forward to seeing you then!
SPEAKER
Lori Robertson
TOPIC
Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking
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Lori Robertson is a leadership and communication coach, keynote speaker, and story strategist dedicated to helping leaders leverage their voices for greater influence and impact. With an MBA from Missouri State University and a certificate in Executive Women’s Leadership from Cornell University, Lori combines deep experience and expertise with a passion for empowering others.
Her career took her from novice speaker to impacting crowds of thousands in short order. And it all started with a love of words and stories that encourage and connect. Lori spent a decade producing and emceeing the world’s largest live event tour for women. Hosting audiences of over 14,000 at its peak and visiting 28-30 NBA and NHL arenas each year, Women of Faith was a movement that impacted millions. There, Lori witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of leaders sharing their stories and insights.
As the visionary founder of SpeakHer Coach, Lori’s mission is to help more women leaders discover, craft and communicate messages that cut through the noise, touch hearts, shift perspectives, and inspire action. Through keynotes, workshops and 1:1 coaching, she’s helping thousands of leaders communicate with clarity and confidence, driving greater impact and results.
Lori regularly speaks on women’s leadership empowerment, leadership communication, strategic storytelling and the power of an impactful personal brand. Beyond her professional endeavors, Lori's philanthropic spirit shines through her work with Compassion International, a global NGO dedicated to releasing children from poverty.
Lori Robertson is more than a speaker; she’s a catalyst for change, inspiring women to step up, speak up, and lead with confidence.
SESSION 2 DESCRIPTION
Public speaking is a vital skill for leadership and success that can help you advance your career, grow your business, and form strong relationships. Leaders are expected to inspire their teams, organizations and stakeholders and take decisive actions through impactful public messages, delivered with seemingly effortless confidence and composure. Yet fear of public speaking – whether before the organization’s board, an important client group, a conference audience, or their teams – is routinely described as one of the greatest and most common fears, plaguing many of the most accomplished leaders across society.
However daunting it may seem, public speaking can be mastered. Through her personal public speaking journey, our highly accomplished speaker will explore the fear of public speaking – what it is, how it feels, and why we all experience it at one time or another; how to manage the physical symptoms; how to shift from negative limiting beliefs to launching beliefs that redefine our perceptions about public speaking; and how to cultivate the self-confidence that will enable us to convey our messages with clarity, presence, and authenticity.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Examine the reasons underlying public speaking anxiety.
2. Develop actionable techniques for overcoming the anxiety and fear surrounding public speaking.
FWLE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Effective Communication With All Levels; Excellence in Results Through Others; Continuous Learning & Development
SPEAKER
Anne Leets & Michelle Vielledent
TOPIC
Rebounding from Career Setbacks
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Anne Leets is an executive coach, professional speaker, session facilitator, and CEO of The Leets Consortium, a global leader in talent development and leadership coaching. She draws on her experience in Fortune 500 companies where she provided leadership in the areas of Sales, Marketing, Operations, Product Development, and as company President. She includes her insights, key learnings, best practices, and strategic business acumen to provide thought-provoking content in her sessions. Her audiences enjoy the unique way she connects and resonates with their everyday dynamics and challenges (she’s been there!)
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Michelle Vielledent is a leadership development expert dedicated to helping leaders elevate their performance and drive organizational success. With a strong background in leading top-tier corporations, she specializes in leadership strategy, talent development, and organizational effectiveness. Michelle’s facilitation style is engaging and results-driven, creating interactive virtual sessions that inspire growth and transformation. Her ability to blend real-world experience with practical insights ensures that leaders walk away with actionable strategies to navigate challenges, enhance team dynamics, and achieve lasting impact.
SESSION 3 DESCRIPTION
Career setbacks ‒ whether it is being passed over for a sought-after promotion, receiving a poor performance review or reprimand, failing to accomplish a work goal or result, or losing a job, etc. ‒ happen frequently for many reasons. Indeed, some say setbacks are a necessary part of career success. Experiencing a career disappointment can be one of the greatest challenges in our professional lives. What separates people who bounce back from people who don’t is how they react to the adversity. What’s the best way to respond? How do you balance your response with the stress of daily life, work demands, family demands, social pressure, and other commitments? How do you vanquish the recurrence of imposter syndrome? In a nutshell, how do you recover from career hard knocks? From their respective vantage points of coach and mentee, our speakers will explore how to transform a setback into a growth opportunity and a way forward to future success.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Develop a constructive mindset to accept and address career adversity and failures
2. Develop concrete steps to manage the negative feelings and emotions resulting from career setbacks.
3. Develop an action plan for moving to the next steps career-wise after a setback.
FWLE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Sets Vision & Direction; Adapts to Change & Drives Innovation; Continuous Learning & Development
SPEAKER
Courtney Burton
TOPIC
Leading Intergenerational Teams
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Courtney Burton, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is a catalyst for professional and personal growth in individuals and teams. Her work centers on guiding leaders through organizational culture change initiatives, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and communication enhancement.
With over 30 years of experience, she has served as the Vice President of Sales at Curry Sales, responsible for driving strategic priorities, building and maintaining strong relationships with business partners and clients, and ensuring ongoing business growth. Prior to that role, Courtney led high-performing merchant and cross-functional teams at major retailers, such as Target, CVS, and Albertsons. During her tenure, she developed strong communication and collaboration skills and gained expertise in navigating complex business environments.
Courtney's unique blend of business acumen and creative spirit is a powerful combination that she incorporates in her facilitation and coaching work. She has a deep passion and track record in equipping individuals and teams with the necessary tools to build stronger relationships, understand their strengths, and navigate interpersonal dynamics with grace and empathy. Leveraging this, Courtney coaches her clients to create cohesive and energized teams focused on achieving their goals. Her ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and inspire meaningful conversations has helped organizations create more positive and productive environments, fostering a sense of shared purpose and belonging.
Courtney is an authorized partner and certified trainer for Wiley Brands: Everything DiSC® and Five Behaviors™, and is a certified Adult Mental Health First Aider. She has a B.A. in Public Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Courtney also sits on the AARP-MN Volunteer Executive Council, focusing personal attention on assisting their Livable Community and Caregiver advocacy initiatives. And, she has been honoring her creative muse as a jazz vocalist for over twenty-five years.
SESSION 4 DESCRIPTION
21st century workplaces are more varied demographically than ever before. There are now four generations participating in most American workforces simultaneously ‒ Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y) and Generation Z. In some places Generation Alpha has joined employee ranks. Each generation brings its own life experiences, priorities, skills, and attitudes. Having age-diverse work teams can yield tremendous benefits for organizations, such as increased knowledge, skills, experience, and productivity. Yet many workplaces are ignoring generational diversity and failing to equip their employees to interact effectively across generations. This session will probe the nuances of working and leading across generations to promote employee productivity, unlock hidden potential and drive innovation. With a spotlight on leveraging team potential across generations for strategic advantage, participants will develop actionable strategies for aligning different values, perspectives, and communication styles across age-diverse team members to maximize team performance and organizational outcomes.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Examine the challenges of leading age-diverse employees to function as cohesive, productive teams.
2. Develop actionable strategies for aligning diverse values, perspectives, and communication styles across age-diverse team members to operate effectively and drive innovation.
FWLE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Excellence in Results Through Others; Effective Communication With All Levels; Develops Others to Build Talent; Builds Relationships & Coalitions
SPEAKERS
Anne Leets, Jen Buck & Janaki Severy - The Leets Consortium
TOPIC
Grow! Glow! Go! Your Potential Just Got a Coach!
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Anne Leets is an executive coach, professional speaker, session facilitator, and CEO of The Leets Consortium, a global leader in talent development and leadership coaching. She draws on her experience in Fortune 500 companies where she provided leadership in the areas of Sales, Marketing, Operations, Product Development, and as company President. She includes her insights, key learnings, best practices, and strategic business acumen to provide thought-provoking content in her sessions. Her audiences enjoy the unique way she connects and resonates with their everyday dynamics and challenges (she’s been there!)
Jen Buck is a dynamic executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership strategist with a passion for developing high-performing leaders. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with top executives across industries, helping them sharpen their leadership skills, navigate change, and maximize their impact. Known for her high-energy facilitation style, Jen creates interactive and engaging virtual sessions that challenge leaders to think strategically and act decisively. Her expertise in leadership development, influence, and communication ensures that every session delivers actionable insights that drive real-world results.
Janaki Severy is a skilled executive coach and communication expert with a deep understanding of organizational growth and talent strategy. With a wealth of experience in globally recognized companies, she specializes in guiding leaders through complex challenges, fostering executive presence, and enhancing team effectiveness. Janaki’s facilitation style is engaging and detailed, creating impactful virtual sessions that equip leaders with the tools to navigate change and drive meaningful results. She can quickly translate strategic concepts into practical applications ensuring that leaders gain valuable, actionable insights to enhance their leadership and organizational impact.
SESSION 5 DESCRIPTION
Ever thought “What would a career coach advise about this? Or that?” Executive coaching is a valuable tool no matter your leadership level or tenure. Great leaders continuously strive to learn and grow themselves and facilitate development for their team members. Because many of FWLE’s followers do not have the opportunity or means to consult an executive coach, we have assembled a panel of highly experienced certified coaches to address your career questions and issues. Please feel free to email your questions in advance of Session 5 to info@fwle.org so that we may share them with our coaches. You may also raise questions or issues at the session. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the experts and step boldly into your future! Your potential awaits!
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Hear advice from professional executive coaches on questions and issues of concern to today’s leaders.
FWLE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Continuous Learning & Development; Develops Others to Build Talent
SPEAKERS
Dethra U. Giles
TOPIC
Leading While Tired - How to Stay Motivated When Your Tank Is Empty
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Dethra U. Giles is a force multiplier for organizations, a leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and executive coach who specializes in helping businesses unlock peak productivity, performance, and profits. As the CEO of ExecuPrep, she has spent over a decade guiding global organizations—from the NBA and LVMH to Cox Communications and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America—in identifying, developing, and amplifying high-potential talent that is often overlooked in traditional corporate structures.
Armed with a BA in English and Spanish from Mercer University and advanced degrees in business administration and conflict management, Dethra combines strategy, psychology, and leadership to drive measurable transformation. A four-time TEDx speaker, former adjunct faculty member, and instructor for elite programs like Goldman Sachs 10KSB and the Tory Burch Program, she is a trusted voice in leadership development.
Dethra’s impact extends to the airwaves as a nationally recognized radio personality on the Willie Moore Jr. Show, where she helps professionals navigate their career journey “from the cubicle to the corner office.” Her industry excellence has been recognized with prestigious honors, including Panagenius 30 Black Stars Award and Engagedly’s Top 100 HR Professionals Award.
Her mission is clear: help organizations optimize their greatest asset—people—by turning untapped talent into high-performing leaders who drive results.
SESSION 6 DESCRIPTION
Leadership doesn’t pause when you’re exhausted. Leading While Tired tackles the reality of leadership fatigue and provides unconventional strategies to help leaders stay energized, focused, and creative—even when burnout is knocking at the door. Whether you’re leading a team, an organization, or yourself, this session will teach you how to recharge without checking out, inspire your team when you’re running on fumes, and lead with renewed purpose.
This session will cover:
1. The Reality of Leadership Fatigue – Understanding burnout and its impact.
2. The Recharge Formula – Practical, non-traditional ways to regain energy and focus.
3. Leading with Impact – Strategies to inspire and engage your team even when you’re exhausted.
4. Sustainable Leadership Habits – Creating long-term systems for resilience and motivation.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Acknowledge and address leadership fatigue without guilt or shame.
2. Identify creative strategies to replenish energy and motivation.
3. Learn techniques to maintain leadership effectiveness even in high-stress periods.
4. Develop sustainable habits for long-term resilience and impact.
FWLE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: Promotes Wellness; Excellence in Results Through Others; Adapts to Change & Drives Innovation