On April 17, 2026, Career Services held its inaugural leadership conference in collaboration with the Women’s Mentoring & Leadership Academy (WMLA), led by Career Readiness Coordinator Kalia Chavez Palacios and Communications Professor, Coordinator/Founder of WMLA, Ms. Danielle Powell. This year’s conference theme was “Empowered to Lead,” WMLA’s well-known slogan. The space was intentionally designed with students in mind, centered on personal development, professional development, and community building.
The purpose of the conference was to provide a career-readiness experience that highlights the real experiences individuals face throughout their career journey, which often goes hand in hand with their educational journey. As many know, career readiness is more than having an updated resume — it is about how you show up, how you persevere through challenges, and how you sustain yourself through it all, to name a few. Our hope was to create a space where students could hear from industry professionals, learn from their journeys, engage in reflective and interactive workshops, experience mentorship, and build community.
The conference consisted of four workshop sessions led by a phenomenal group of women professionals and leaders. Throughout the workshops, students engaged in meaningful conversations and interactive activities focused on advocating for themselves in academic and professional spaces, building wealth through financial literacy, strengthening physical wellness and professional presence, practicing self-love and personal development, and owning and sharing their unique career stories.
Rosa Colin, a financial freedom coach, bilingual therapist, and founder of Mujeres Building Abundance (@mujeresbuildingabundance), led a workshop titled “From Income to Wealth: Financial Empowerment for BIWOC.” Her session included discussions around negotiating salary and building financial confidence, while encouraging students to rethink their relationship with money and financial wellness.
The second workshop, “Visioning Our Shared Futures,” was led by Sara Yukimoto-Saltman (@guidingthreads), a consultant and facilitator supporting individuals, groups, and organizations striving toward anti-oppressive and values-aligned living practices. Sara guided students through a reflective activity centered around the question: “If your life were a river, what are the tributaries that led you here?” This activity encouraged students to reflect on the experiences, people, and moments that have shaped who they are becoming.
The third workshop, “Your Story. Your Voice. Your Power,” was led by Pilar Nova, Ed.D., an executive leader in learning, leadership, and organizational development, and the founder of Motivated to Achieve, LLC. During this session, students reflected on what they each carry, from pressures, responsibilities, fears, and transitions, while being reminded of the importance of acknowledging those experiences rather than hiding them. Dr. Nova emphasized that your story is not your weakness, but your “why,” encouraging students to recognize that “what built you can lead you.” The workshop
created a space for students to reflect on how their lived experiences shape their leadership, resilience, and personal growth.
The conference concluded with a workshop led by Angie Franklin Garcia, wellness coach, founder and CEO of Afro Yoga and Kenyasa (@afroyogabyangie), titled “Showing Up: Building Resilient and Reliable Leaders Through Mindful Practices and Self-Care.” Within this session, Angie encouraged students to become more grounded in their bodies, more aware of what their bodies need, and reflective of the habits that either sustain or drain them. Students engaged in conversations around challenges such as burnout, overconsumption, and misaligned goals, while also exploring the importance of setting boundaries and protecting their energy. Angie emphasized how caring for ourselves through “energy builders” — such as sunlight, hydration, nourishing food, laughter, and rest — directly impacts how we show up for ourselves, our communities, and our future goals, reminding students that sustaining ourselves mentally and physically is an essential part of continuing forward with greater balance and intention.
In addition, students participated in mentoring circles with professionals from various industries, organized based on student interests gathered through a pre-conference survey. We intentionally chose not to frame these spaces as “networking” opportunities, as the word itself can sometimes create anxiety or pressure around needing to perform. Instead, we wanted to cultivate a more human, community-oriented environment where students could simply show up as themselves, connect authentically, and be in community with others.
We would like to thank the following industry professionals who contributed their time, knowledge, and mentorship throughout the conference: Dr. Pilar Nova (Business/Management/Human Resources), Rosa Colin (Finance/Social Work/Counseling), Angie Franklin Garcia (Wellness/Business/Entrepreneurship), Sara Yukimoto-Saltman (Nonprofit Leadership/Coaching/Community Organization), Claudia Paz (Graphic Design), Heba Alazzeh (Computer Science), Jing Folsom (Biotech), Iqra Chughtai (Biotech), Teresa “Tee” Barnes (Allied Health), and Margo Yasukawa (Social Work).
Throughout the day, DJ Antitdope provided music and energy that helped create a welcoming and engaging environment. Students also participated in meditative grounding activities led by Angie Franklin Garcia, affirmation exercises, and interactive transitions between sessions, all of which encouraged connection and engagement.
The conference concluded with Angie Franklin Garcia leading a meditative walk to Building 12, where participants enjoyed a clear ocean view from behind the Farallon Room. We welcomed approximately 50 participants throughout the day, alongside Career Services staff and WMLA team members who intentionally participated in workshops alongside students. Their involvement further strengthened the environment of community, connection, and collective learning that the conference aimed to cultivate.
Some testimonials we received indicated that students found the fellowship and mentoring most helpful, expressed gratitude for the experience, shared that they had fun throughout the day, and strongly agreed that they felt more confident in their career-readiness skills after attending the conference.
We look forward to hosting the next Career Services Leadership Conference in Spring 2027!
A special thank you to the following individuals and teams for helping bring this experience to life:
Student Assistants: Ana Aragona, Leilani McAllister, Ashley Cardenas, Sofia Kinchen, Adam Rodriguez, Nailah Smith, and Sairra Salcedo.
Dean Lindsey Ayotte, Claudia Paz, Maria Rosaria Di Criscienzo, Nerieda Angulo, Vania Ruiz, Safa Zaghdoudi, Amani Goddi, and the Strategic Partnerships & Workforce Development Team.
The WMLA Support Team: Jaimie Gaines and Eloisa Briones
Article by: Kalia Chavez Palacios, Career Readiness Coordinator (Career Services)
Photos: Mei Lee and Claudia Paz
