Elevating the Talents of Women
Business-led 501(c)3 | Men are Allies | Strategic Chamber Partners
Melanie Jones
CEO, Women's Leadership Institute
Melanie Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Leadership Institute, Utah’s premier organization dedicated to elevating professional women through cohort-based training programs and corporate partnerships. In her role, Melanie is committed to changing the experience and narrative of what it means to be a businesswoman...
Nicole Carpenter
Director, Women's Leadership Institute
Nicole Carpenter has been a part of the Women's Leadership Institute since its inception in 2015 as a member of the Advisory Board. In 2017, Nicole moved over as an integral part of the WLI team. In addition to the Women's Leadership Institute, Nicole continues to advocate for women as an author, speaker...
Patti Cook
Communication and Marketing Director, Women's Leadership Institute
Patti Cook has spent two decades in marketing and communications nationwide, strategically helping to build events and programs from inception to execution. Past clients have included Nike, NBC, Outdoor Retailer, and The National Spelling Bee..
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SPEAKERS, TRAINERS, AND FACILITATORS
The team at the Women’s Leadership Institute is a great resource for organizations who are looking for keynote or breakout presentations, guest speakers for company meetings or ERG events, and focus group facilitation. Let us help you start empowering conversations.
Nicole Carpenter is an engaging speaker who specializes in giving her audience tangible tools they can use to create change in their lives and businesses. She’s relatable with a little twist of humor.
She’s spoken at Utah’s Business Diversity Summit, Utah’s Women in Business Conference, Utah Nonprofit Association, Women’s Energy Network, and many Chamber events across the state of Utah. She’s also spoken for company resource groups such as AltaBank, DPS Skis, Snowbasin Ski Resort and Utah Jazz.
Identify and Leverage Your Power Skills
[35 to 50 minutes, highly-interactive presentation]
Description:
Skills you have are in demand — and you may not even know it! In this presentation, Nicole Carpenter with the Women’s Leadership Institute will show you how your power skills are strengths and make you uniquely valuable. You will learn 5 clues to talent, which top skills businesses are looking for, which ones you already have, and how to identify and leverage them on LinkedIn.
Participants will learn:
- Five clues to identify talent
- How to lean into personal strengths
- How to identify their power skills
- What power skills are trending in business
- How to showcase power skills on LinkedIn*
*If audiences prefer not to showcase LinkedIn, Nicole can substitute this section out for ‘how to showcase power skills at work.’
How to Start a Diversity Initiative that Works
[35 to 50 minutes, interactive presentation]
Description:
We know diversity in the workplace is more important than ever and has a direct return on investment for your organization. Knowing where to start can feel daunting. In this presentation, Nicole Carpenter with the Women’s Leadership Institute will share the first 7 things you can do for a D.I.V.E.R.S.E. workplace, without pointing fingers or placing blame. Even if you are not ready for a full diversity initiative now, your company can start diverse practices that lead to ongoing successes later.
Participants will learn:
- Why diversity is important
- The 7 critical components of a successful diversity initiative
- Participants will leave feeling confident they have a framework they can follow
Workshop: Start with Talent; Finish with Strength
[1.5 to 2-hour Clifton Strengths (StrengthsFinder) Workshop]
About Gallup:
Backed by over 50 years of research, Gallup’s CliftonStrengths is a widely recognized and validated assessment, that allows individuals to discover and capitalize on their unique strengths and talents. By incorporating this framework into your team dynamics, you aim to achieve the following benefits for your company culture:
- Fostering a Strengths-Based Culture
- Improved Communication and Collaboration
- Personal and Professional Growth
- Enhanced Employee Engagement
- Strengthened Leadership
This workshop is best designed to follow each team member taking the CliftonStrenths assessment.
Description:
Nicole Carpenter with the Women’s Leadership Institute is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. In “Start With Talent; Finish With Strength,” Nicole will lead your team training and teach you how to develop your talents into strengths and see the importance of your unique contributions.
You have a special gift-mix of talents waiting to be unlocked and developed. This workshop will utilize the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment to help you identify your unique talents and unlock your potential. You will receive a personalized report with your strengths profile and will learn how to develop your talents into strengths and aim those strengths to reach goals and overcome conflict.
Participants will learn:
- Positive psychology and the principles of strength-based development
- Identify your unique talents and learn how to develop them into strengths
- Gain an understanding of how to manage your weaknesses and avoid blind spots
- Explore the beginnings of strengths-based communication
- Understand how your strengths can contribute to decision-making and team development
Patti Cook is a first-class facilitator and moderator. She’s known for her ability to listen, cultivate authentic dialogue, and engage others in collaborative efforts to solve problems.
She is also a speaker and educator, having spoken at MWEG’s annual conference, Utah’s Girl State, AGA Fall Symposium, BYU’s Political Science Department and chambers throughout the state and many others.
Why are Your Employees Really Leaving?
[50-120 minute facilitated, interactive discussion]
Description:
Often times companies face high turnover rates or low promotion rates among their female employees. Through a structured focus group, Patti can access the strengths and weaknesses of the company and offer annonymous feedback to upper management. From this report, new policies and structure can be considered to create a workplace where all employees can thrive.
5 Characteristics of Great Leadership
Description:
Great leaders have characteristics in common. As we learn from them, we can understand how our leadership impacts our vision, how to convey that vision to others and how to create belonging among those you lead and how to give feedback for growth.
Workshop: How to Be Civically Engaged
Description:
Many Utahns don’t engage in the political process because they are unsure of where to start. For years, Patti has been teaching everyday women and men about how to become civically engaged and know where in the process to get their voices heard.
Participants will learn:
- The Process of Politics
- How to Identify and Reach out to Legislators
- How to Speak So Others Will Listen
- Strategies for Engaging Civically