THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE CELEBRATES
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2025
Sixth Annual UMBrella Symposium
“Championing Change: The Role of Allies in Women’s Advancement”
THURSDAY, MARCH 13
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | SMC Campus Center
I am delighted to welcome you to the Sixth Annual Women’s History Month Symposium! As we celebrate UMBrella’s 10th anniversary, today’s event is the perfect venue to give us space to reflect on how far we’ve come in the past decade and identify the opportunities that lie ahead.
This year’s theme is “Championing Change: The Role of Allies in Women’s Advancement.” Allyship encompasses the actions, behaviors, and practices that one takes to support, amplify, and advocate for and with others. You are here today, I believe, because you are already an ally and you seek other like-minded travelers in your journey. We are all on this journey together, and I don’t know about you, but I’m always happy to meet fellow travelers!
We will kick off our action-packed day with a morning keynote address by Randi Braun, founder and CEO of Something Major and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work.” An expert in helping women leaders thrive in demanding, unpredictable, highperformance environments, Randi’s mission is to empower women to go after their goals. Sounds like UMBrella, doesn’t it!?
Next, head to your preselected morning breakout workshop. You can learn how to build your network and take your personal brand into your own hands or how to employ the essential skill of graceful self-promotion. Alternatively, you might want to hear about women’s leadership development and the humancentered framework or take a deep dive into allyship and find out why it is such an essential component of leadership.
We will then all come back together for lunch and a fireside chat with our afternoon keynote speaker, Gloria Blackwell, CEO of the American Association of University Women, in conversation with our own Renée Hutchins Laurent, dean of the Francis King Carey School of Law. Gloria will discuss her career and leadership journey and share her commitment to being an ally to women and her role in championing women’s advocacy and equity.
Afterward, there will be a presentation of the three deserving women who will receive our fifth annual UMBrella Awards: Champion of the Year; Person of the Year — Leading the Way; and Person of the Year — On the Rise. These women exemplify the spirit of UMBrella and work hard to support the success of women at UMB.
As we move into the afternoon and wind down this busy and exhilarating day, we will turn our focus to wellness. Whether you chose a sound bath — my favorite way to relax and renew — or the session on moving from burned out to lit up, you will feel a new sense of purpose as our celebration of Women’s History Month comes to a close.
And finally, I look forward to raising a glass with you to toast UMBrella’s 10 years of “empowerment in leadership and leveraging aspirations.” On behalf of UMBrella, I sincerely thank you for joining us today, participating in our donation drive for My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, and celebrating the power of allyship.
Cheers!
Jennifer B. Litchman, MA Founder and Chair, UMBrella Senior Vice President for External Relations
SCHEDULE
VIRTUAL
8:30-9 a.m. Breakfast
9-10 a.m.
Welcome
Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS President, UMB
Introduction of Speaker
Jennifer B. Litchman, MA
Senior Vice President for External Relations, UMB; Founder and Chair, UMBrella
Morning Keynote
Randi Braun, MA Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Something Major
10-10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15-11:30 a.m. Breakout Workshops
11:30-11:45 a.m. Break
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Lunch
IN PERSON
12:15-1:30 p.m.
Afternoon Keynote: A Fireside Chat
Gloria L. Blackwell, MA
Chief Executive Officer, American Association of University Women Facilitated by Renée Hutchins Laurent, JD Dean, Francis King Carey School of Law
2025 UMBrella Awards
Presentation and Scholarship Announcement
Crystal Edwards, JD, MA Associate Dean for Legal Studies, Maryland Carey Law
1:30-1:45 p.m. Break
1:45-2:45 p.m. Wellness Hour Sessions
2:45-3 p.m. Break
3-4 p.m.
Closing Remarks Followed by Celebration Reception
RANDI BRAUN, MA
Randi Braun is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work.” A member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Braun is the chief executive officer and founder of the women’s leadership firm Something Major, a highly regarded speaker, and an International Coaching Federation-certified executive coach who has worked with 50-plus organizations including Microsoft, Uber, Virgin, Accor Hotels, and Cox Communications.
Braun is an expert at helping high-performing women thrive in demanding roles, and her insights on women’s leadership have been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Thrive Global, Parents magazine, and The Chicago Tribune
Braun earned her MA from Sotheby’s Institute of Art and her BA from Emory University.
Braun coaches, leads retreats and, when she’s not traveling to speak at events like ours, Randi lives in Washington, D.C., with her spouse and two children.
GLORIA L. BLACKWELL, MA
Gloria Blackwell is the chief executive officer of the highly esteemed American Association of University Women (AAUW) — a 142-year advocate and leader for gender equity based in Washington, D.C. AAUW is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with over 100,000 members, donors, and supporters; 800 local branches; and 500 college and university partners. Its mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. With a strong background in international education and development, Blackwell also serves as AAUW’s main representative to the United Nations.
Blackwell, a leader in the nonprofit, global education, and gender equity sectors, has more than 30 years of nonprofit, international, and government experience. Among her many accomplishments is the 17year management of AAUW’s highly esteemed fellowships and grants programs, which during her tenure awarded more than $70 million in funding to women scholars and community programs globally.
She significantly expanded AAUW’s outreach to girls and women of color across all programmatic initiatives, including fellowships and grants, piloting AAUW STEMEd for Girls and AAUW Money Smart virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, and the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. Blackwell has been the co-principal investigator on multiple National Science Foundation grants, including higher education compensation transparency and efforts to increase girls’ participation in STEM.
Blackwell holds a master’s degree in education and human development from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She studied at the American University in Paris.
She previously held leadership roles at the Institute of International Education and served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon and a headquarters staff member.
RENÉE HUTCHINS LAURENT, JD
Renée Hutchins Laurent is the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law’s 11th dean, beginning her tenure in 2022. Previously, she was dean at the David A. Clarke School of Law, University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington, D.C., from 2019 to 2022.
Before her deanship at UDC, Laurent was a member of the Maryland Carey Law faculty from 2004 to 2019. In 2004, she founded and taught the Appellate and Post-Conviction Advocacy Clinic. She rose to the position of co-director of the Clinical Law Program in 2014 and was named the Jacob A. France Professor of Public Interest Law in 2016.
Laurent is a leading expert on the Fourth Amendment and criminal appellate practice. Her legal scholarship, which sits at the intersection of criminal procedure and social science, has been published in leading law journals and cited by numerous U.S. Courts of Appeals and state appellate courts. She also has written about racial profiling and the practice of stop-and-frisk and is frequently called upon to provide legal analysis and insight for a variety of media outlets.
Laurent earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Spelman College. She went on to receive her JD from Yale Law School, where she was chair of the Moot Court Board of Directors. After law school, she clerked for the late Nathaniel R. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and gained legal experience as a federal prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. She also taught in NYU’s groundbreaking Lawyering Program.
Laurent completed three four-year terms on the Maryland Appellate Courts Judicial Nominating Commission. Currently, she serves on the board of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. In 2017, she was elected to the prestigious American Law Institute. She is a founding member of the UMBrella Advisory Board.
“Build
Your Network/Net Worth: Taking Your Personal Brand into Your Hands”
Coaches and mentors and sponsors, oh my! How can you find the right people to form your “squad” or “board of advisors”? Learn more about building a supportive network of individuals who play different roles in supporting your goals, holding you accountable for your personal action items, and championing you in your next career opportunity. Get useful hacks on asking for help and find ways to pay it forward in supporting others.
Location: Elm Ballrooms
PRESENTER
Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN
Katie Boston-Leary is the senior vice president of equity and engagement at the American Nurses Association and an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.
Boston-Leary serves as staff on the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing and is also part of the National Academy of Science and Medicine’s National Plan to Address Clinician Well-Being. She was featured in the documentary film “Everybody’s Work,” produced by SHIFT Nursing film.
Boston-Leary was identified in August 2019’s Health Leaders Media Journal as “One of Five Chief Nursing Officers Changing Healthcare.” She also won the International Career and Business Alliance TD Bank 2023 Woman of Impact Award and the 2024 Spectrum Circle Award for Innovation in Health. She was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow at the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing with the National Black Nurses Association.
Boston-Leary completed her PhD in health services at Walden University, obtained a dual-degree MBA and MHA from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bowie State University. She is a board-certified nurse executive and obtained a nurse executive leadership certificate from the University of Pennsylvania.
MORNING BREAKOUT WORKSHOP
“Allyship: An Essential Component of Leadership”
Allyship in the workplace is an essential management skill. When leaders act as allies, they create a supportive environment that transcends daily tasks and an inclusive organizational culture where employees feel empowered to overcome challenges and thrive. Research has shown that organizations with an inclusive workplace culture see marked improvements in innovation, productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Participants will explore what allyship is, how effective leaders function as allies, and how allyship supports strategy as well as professional growth.
Location: HSHSL, Collaborative Room LL02
PRESENTER
Lisa Mebane, JD
Lisa Mebane joined the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2023 after 14 years in private practice and in-house. In her role as managing director of Maryland Carey Law’s Center for Dispute Resolution, she directs the Dispute Resolution Program, advising students on the dispute resolution track as well as dispute resolution externships, competitions, and careers. She manages the center’s program development and various projects in the areas of public policy, professional development, and conflict resolution in education.
As managing director of the Women, Leadership & Equality Program, she directs the externship/practicum, which offers students the opportunity to work with state, local, and national organizations dedicated to serving women in need and shaping policy. She advises students and co-teaches the applied workshop in personal negotiation, communication, strategic career planning, and leadership development.
Previously, she was resolutions counsel for United Educators in Bethesda, Md., where she managed complex litigation and effectively resolved catastrophic cases on behalf of colleges and universities.
She graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 2009. Before law school, she worked in nonprofit management and higher education. She earned her undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University.
BREAKOUT WORKSHOP
“Graceful
Self-Promotion: An Essential Skill You
Can Learn!”
Many of us (especially women!) are afraid to come across like we are “bragging” about ourselves. We may find it easier to celebrate and promote the accomplishments of others than to “toot our own horn.” But if we don’t share our accomplishments with others, we hold ourselves back from being our best selves (and from getting that next great promotion).
Location: SMC Campus Center, Multipurpose Room 349
PRESENTER
Erin L. Guidice, MD
Erin Giudice is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Residency Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). This is her 19th year as the Pediatric Residency Program director. She works clinically on the general pediatric inpatient service and in the NICU followup clinic.
She is a proud UMB alum, completing medical school, her pediatric residency, and her chief residency at UMSOM.
At the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), she is chair of UMSOM’s Judicial Board, serves as an Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society councilor, and was founding chair of the Pediatric Diversity Council. She is president-elect of UMSOM’s Pass and Susel Academy of Educational Excellence and serves on the executive board of UMSOM’s Medical Education Leadership Academy.
She mentors and sponsors women through multiple organizations at UMB and nationally. She is a founding member of UMBrella’s Advisory Board, has served as a coach for multiple cohorts of UMBrella’s Coaching Program, and has been active in the Women in Medicine and Science organization.
She is passionate about teaching all levels of learners and has published educational scholarship and given numerous faculty development workshops, both locally and nationally.
MORNING BREAKOUT WORKSHOP
“Women’s Leadership Development and the Human-Centered Framework”
The human-centered leadership framework highlights mindful purpose and meaning, self-awareness, empathy and compassion, equity and inclusiveness, adaptability and agility, and resilience that drive personal and others’ achievement. Human-centered leadership works across gender identities; however, the framework resonates particularly with women. Delve into the five pillars of human-centered leadership and explore how this form of leadership is demonstrated in everyday actions.
Location: HSHSL, Gladhill Boardroom
PRESENTERS
Karen Hopkins, PhD, MSW
Karen Hopkins is a professor and co-director of the Human-Centered Leadership in Health and Human Services Certificate Program at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She is the academic coordinator for the Graduate MSW/MBA dual degree and teaches courses in human service management and leadership and performance management.
Her research with nonprofit and public agencies is related to supervision, management, and leadership practices and outcomes, performance management, workforce development, and organizational learning and capacity building.
Hopkins is co-editor-in-chief of the Human Services Organizations: Management, Leadership, and Governance journal, and a national peer reviewer for the Standards of Excellence Institute certification for nonprofits. She has served on the boards of the Network for Social Work Management, Society for Social Work and Research, and Association of Community Organization and Social Administration.
Hopkins earned her PhD from the University of Chicago, MSW from the University of Pittsburgh, and BS from Pennsylvania State University.
MORNING BREAKOUT WORKSHOP
Megan Meyer, PhD, MSW
Megan Meyer is an associate professor and codirector of the Human-Centered Leadership in Health and Human Services Certificate Program at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Meyer’s research and publications have examined the practices, impacts, and challenges of community building and social capital development in Baltimore neighborhoods.
Most recently, Meyer formed a collaboration with the University of Maryland schools of pharmacy and nursing to survey social workers and nurses regarding their current knowledge about and desired training needs related to psychedelics and psychedelicassisted therapy. Surveys are being used to inform the development of programming in the science and therapeutics of psychedelics for the health care workforce.
Meyer earned her PhD and MSW from the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Public Policy and Social Research and her BA from Hamilton College in New York. She is one of the founding members of UMBrella’s Advisory Board.
WELLNESS HOUR SESSIONS
“Sound Bath Therapy: A Journey to Relaxation and Restoration”
Immerse yourself in the transformative power of sound healing, where soothing vibrations guide you into deep relaxation and renewal. The session presenters combine crystal sound bowls, chimes, and other harmonic instruments to release tension, balance energy, and restore inner harmony. It’s perfect for those seeking a moment of peace, connection, and self-discovery. You’ll leave the session feeling refreshed, grounded, and uplifted.
Attendees will each be provided with a new yoga mat for lying down, and chairs will be available for those who prefer a seated experience. This session is not intended as a medical treatment. Those who are pregnant, sensitive to sound, or have hearing concerns are encouraged to consult with their health care provider for personalized recommendations.
Sound Bath A Location: SMC Campus Center, Multipurpose Room 349
Sound Bath B Location: HSHSL, Gladhill Boardroom
PRESENTER (SOUND BATH A)
Shabnam Khan, RN
Shabnam Khan is a certified vibrational sound therapist, breathwork facilitator, and registered nurse. She empowers individuals to cultivate health and well-being by tapping into the body’s natural wisdom through sound therapy, breathwork, and mindful health education.
Khan serves as an ICU registered nurse, providing care to patients facing critical health challenges. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing in 2017, achieved certification in sound therapy in 2020, completed her breathwork facilitator certification in 2024, and will graduate with a bachelor’s in holistic nursing in April 2025.
Khan’s upbringing was shaped by her parents’ journey from Bangladesh to the United States over 40 years ago. Navigating life as a firstgeneration American presented unique rewards and challenges. Through sound therapy and breathwork, she discovered profound
WELLNESS HOUR SESSIONS
healing, breaking through old patterns and learned behaviors. This shift improved her stress levels, enriched her relationships, sharpened her decision-making, and fundamentally changed her body’s resilience.
PRESENTER (SOUND BATH B)
Tong Liu
Tong Liu is a transformational life coach and sound healer renowned for guiding high-achieving individuals, creatives, and organizations to reach unparalleled levels of success, fulfillment, and alignment. With a unique ability to integrate somatic, emotional, and behavioral transformation, Liu empowers her clients to move beyond burnout and procrastination into a state of high performance, deep joy, and authentic impact.
Her work blends ancient sound healing techniques with cutting-edge coaching methodologies to help clients transform inner blocks into superpowers and create lives of purpose and prosperity.
As the visionary founder of Come As You Are, a wellness sanctuary, Liu has supported over 5,000 individuals through immersive sound healing and transformative coaching programs, offering a space to reset, recalibrate, and embody their fullest potential while transcending limitations and amplifying their impact to achieve extraordinary fulfillment.
WELLNESS HOUR SESSIONS
“Values-Driven Boundaries: From Burnt Out to Lit Up, Reclaim Your Power”
This one-hour workshop will give you the essential tools to set and maintain healthy boundaries while managing the demands of high-stakes, fast-paced environments. This session will empower you to reclaim your energy, align with your core values, and foster collaboration while navigating difficult conversations with confidence and clarity.
Location: Elm Ballrooms
PRESENTER
MaryBeth Hyland, MS
As the founder and chief visionary of SparkVision, MaryBeth Hyland knows that extraordinary success is rooted in the vision, values, and culture crafted by purpose-driven leaders and their tribes. With over 12 years of experience, built on knowledge from a BA in social work and MS in nonprofit management, she’s known for her ability to create movements across generations.
And she does that with the understanding that we all have a deep desire to know and return to our most authentic selves — at work, home, and within.
As a certified mediator, mindfulness instructor, and values expert, she engages audiences and teams all over the world with her authentic style of facilitation, leadership keynote speaking, coaching, and empowerment. Her recent awards include The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence, Innovator of the Year, Top 100 Women, and Leading Women and Associated Black Charities’ Civic Engagement Leader.
Her life’s mission is to create spaces where voices are heard, stories are released, and purpose is ignited.
UMBRELLA AWARD WINNERS
2025 Champion of the Year
Jenny Owens, ScD, MS
Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives
Office of the Provost
Jenny Owens, vice provost of academic affairs and strategic initiatives, has held numerous leadership positions at UMB, including associate dean of academic affairs and associate professor in the School of Graduate Studies as well as executive director of UMB’s Graduate Research Innovation District. Her visionary and innovative leadership permeates her work and impacts the lives of many people at the University and beyond. Not only has Owens been instrumental in developing and launching many thriving graduate degree programs within UMB, she also successfully contributes to numerous external committees and national groups focused on health equity and access. Owens is known for her insightful, inspirational, and collaborative approach to her work, and she leads by example in her guidance and encouragement of women. She dedicates time to the UMBrella Coaching Program to extend her reach in support of women at UMB. Her inspirational approach as a coach and mentor has motivated many women to navigate professional decisions as they consider advancing their careers and improving their professional pathways.
2025 Person of the Year — Leading the Way
Latoya Ludd, MBA
Business
Operations Manager
Administration and Finance
Latoya Ludd serves as the manager of business operations in UMB’s Administration and Finance department in the Office of the Senior Vice President. Ludd’s unwavering advocacy for administrative professionals aligns with UMBrella’s mission to support the success of women at UMB. Her efforts to foster professional development opportunities resulted in a mentoring program initiative that paired Administration and Finance administrative staff with members of the Administration and Finance senior leadership team. Ludd has been actively engaged in supporting the professional development of women across the University through her service in the Staff Senate. She thoughtfully incorporates the leadership development skills she learned in the UMB Emerging Leaders program. As a member of UMB Professional
UMBRELLA AWARD WINNERS
Administratives Committed to Excellence, Ludd emphasizes building relationships to benefit the University community and helps strengthen others by engaging as a coach, mentor, role model, and resource to other women. Ludd is deeply committed to making sure her administrative colleagues are seen, heard, recognized, and celebrated. With intentionality and perseverance, Ludd works tirelessly to uplift women on their professional development journey.
2025 Person of the Year — On the Rise
Sarah Kattakuzhy, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, and Associate Director, Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Sarah Kattakuzhy is an associate professor in the Division of Clinical Care and Research at the Institute of Human Virology and the Division of Infectious Diseases at the School of Medicine as well as an associate professor in the Division of Addiction Research and Treatment in the Department of Psychiatry. Kattakuzhy has been instrumental in leading high-impact projects resulting in advances in scientific knowledge and improvements in patient outcomes. With her exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and coalition-building skills, Kattakuzhy was pivotal in the successful launch of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine, where she serves as an associate director. Recognizing the significance of the mentorship and coaching she received in her professional journey, Kattakuzhy is developing the Pipeline to Progress Program to support new associate professor-level faculty, particularly women and underrepresented minorities. The program aims to foster the next generation of leaders by providing support and cultivating opportunities for professional growth. Through her research initiatives and projects, Kattakuzhy is making a tangible difference in the lives of many in our community and inspires other women in her field.
UMBRELLA ADVISORY BOARD
KRISTINA ALAYAN, JD, MLIS
Associate Dean for Library and Technology and Associate Professor, Francis King Carey School of Law
JANE ALLGAIR, MBA
Assistant Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Office of Research and Development, UMB
PATTY ALVAREZ, PhD, MS
Chief Student Affairs Officer and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, UMB
SUSAN C. BUSKIRK, DM, MS*
Chief Accountability Officer, Vice President, and Institutional Official for Human Subjects Research, Office of Accountability and Compliance, UMB
CHRISTINA CESTONE, PhD
Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs, Office of the Provost, UMB
YVETTE CONYERS, DNP, MS, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS, CNE
Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Assistant Professor, Family and Community Health, School of Nursing
HEATHER CULP, JD
Senior Vice President and Chief
Philanthropy Officer, School of Medicine and University of Maryland Medical Center
JULIET DICKERSON, MS*
Human Capital Management
Functional Project Lead, Human Resource Services, UMB
CRYSTAL EDWARDS, JD, MA
Associate Dean for Legal Studies and Lecturer, Francis King Carey School of Law
DEBORAH T. EISENBERG, JD
Piper & Marbury Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty Director, Center for Dispute Resolution and Dispute Resolution Program, Francis King Carey School of Law
DIANE FARANETTA
Assistant Vice President for Enterprise Applications, Center for Information Technology Services, UMB
DIANE FORBES BERTHOUD, PhD, MA
Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President, UMB, and Professor, School of Graduate Studies
ERIN GIUDICE, MD*
Director, Pediatric Residency Program, and Associate Professor, School of Medicine
ERIN GOLEMBEWSKI, PhD
Senior Associate Dean and Chief Student Affairs Officer, School of Graduate Studies
UMBRELLA ADVISORY BOARD
JANA GOODWIN, PhD, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor and Chair of School of Nursing Program at the Universities at Shady Grove, School of Nursing
PAMELA HECKLER
Associate Vice President, Financial Operations, Office of Philanthropy, UMB, and Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer, UMB
CHERI HENDRIX, DHEd, MSBME, PA-C, DFAAPA
Assistant Dean for Physician
Assistant Education, Associate Professor, and Director, Physician Assistant Program, School of Graduate Studies
RACHEL HOOVER, MBA
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Faculty Physicians, Inc.
EMILY J. HURST, MSLS
Dean, Health Sciences and Human Services Library, and Associate Vice Provost, UMB
RENÉE HUTCHINS LAURENT, JD*
Dean, Francis King Carey School of Law
JODI JACOBSON FREY, PhD, LCSW-C, CEAP
Associate Dean for Research and Professor, School of Social Work
LAURA KOZAK, MA
Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Associate Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, UMB
ALANA KYRIAKAKIS, JD
General Counsel and Vice President, UMB
CHEROKEE LAYSON-WOLF, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA Professor, School of Pharmacy
JENNIFER LITCHMAN, MA, FOUNDER AND CHAIR*
Senior Vice President for External Relations, UMB
VICTORIA MARCHESE, PhD, PT
Jane Kroh Satterfield Endowed Professor of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine
PATRICIA MEEHAN, DDS, BSN, FACD, FICD
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, School of Dentistry
SARAH MICHEL, PhD
Dean, School of Pharmacy
MALIKA S. MONGER, MPA, PHR
Chief Human Resources Officer and Associate Vice President, UMB
UMBRELLA ADVISORY BOARD
YOLANDA OGBOLU, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN
The Bill and Joanne Conway
Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing
JUDY L. POSTMUS, PhD, ACSW
Dean, School of Social Work
DAWN M. RHODES, DBA
Chief Business and Finance Officer and Senior Vice President, UMB
MONICA SCHNEIDER, DDS, MS
Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment, School of Dentistry
JANE SHAAB, MBA*
Assistant Vice President, Economic Development, UMB
Executive Director, University of Maryland BioPark
SHERYL SYME, RDH, MS
Associate Professor and Director of Dental Hygiene Programs, School of Dentistry
SHANNON TUCKER, PhD, MS, CPHIMS
Assistant Dean of Instructional Design and Technology and Affiliate Assistant Professor,
School of Pharmacy
ALISON WATKINS, PhD, JD, MS
Chief Conflict of Interest Officer and Assistant Vice President, Office of the Provost, UMB
NIYA WERTS, PhD, MIS, MS, EHS, LMT
Interim Associate Dean and Director, Master of Science in Health Science Graduate Program, School of Graduate Studies
THELMA WRIGHT, MD, JD, MBA
Associate Professor, School of Medicine
*Founding member
SYMPOSIUM VOLUNTEERS
PARIS BARNES, MS
Senior Training Specialist, School of Pharmacy
STEPHANIE BRANDAL, MS, PMP
Research Security Specialist, Research and Development, UMB
LISA CRAWLEY
Executive Assistant, Administration and Finance, UMB
LAUREN CRUM
Administrative Assistant II, Office of the President, UMB
GEHAN GIRGUIS
Law and Health Care Program Specialist, School of Law
TOMIKA JONES, MA
Academic Services Specialist and Program Success Coach, School of Graduate Studies
JERICA KNOX, PHD, NCSP
Assistant Professor, School of Medicine
ALYSON KWON, MS
Regulatory Affairs Manager, School of Medicine
TIERRA MAJOR, MS
Senior Referral Specialist, Division of Student Affairs, UMB
TERRIA MCCLAIN, MBA
Administrative Specialist, School of Nursing
VICTORIA MEADOWS, MS
Assistant Director of Enterprise Risk Management, Office of the Provost ,UMB
DANA RAMPOLLA
Director of Integrated Marketing, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, UMB
ISATA SESAY, MS
Radiation Health Physics
Technician, Administration and Finance, UMB
LAUREN TAYLOR
Senior Communications and Events Specialist, Center for Global Engagement, UMB
CHRISTINE VALERIANN, MS
Proposal and Marketing Advisor, School of Pharmacy
SYMPOSIUM PLANNING COMMITTEE
JENNIFER LITCHMAN, MA
Senior Vice President for External
Relations, and Founder and Chair, UMBrella
NANCY GORDON
Executive Director, Protocol and Special Events, Office of External Relations
EVA HANLEY, MBA
Marketing Specialist, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
PAULETTE HARRIS-GROSS, MS
Program Manager, Office of the President
ALICE POWELL, CMP
Director of University Events, Office of External Relations
DANA RAMPOLLA
Director of Integrated Marketing, Office of Communications and Public Affairs
The UMBrella Group — UMB Roundtable on Empowerment in Leadership and Leveraging Aspirations — works to support the success of women at UMB by building community and helping them achieve their personal and professional goals, enhancing their leadership skills, and championing women at all levels of the organization.
UMBrella
Food Donations
Drive for My Sister’s Place Women’s Center
In the spirit of giving, please help stock the kitchen shelves at My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, a day resource center for women and children experiencing homelessness in Baltimore. Your donations of nonperishable food items such as canned goods (vegetables, chicken or tuna, beans, soup), pasta, and rice will help the center serve three meals a day, every day, to women and children in need. Donations can be dropped off on event day from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the SMC Campus Center (Elm Ballrooms). We thank you for your generosity!
UMBrella Coaching Program
Amplify your voice. Become empowered. Achieve your potential.
The UMBrella Group, in collaboration with Human Resource Services, offers the UMBrella Coaching Program, which aims to engage women in a rich program complete with supportive coaches, networking opportunities, and exclusive activities designed to enhance the coaching experience.
This program allowed me to grow professionally, but most importantly, it allowed me to learn and grow as a human being, as a woman, and as an ally for other women in all walks of life!
— Cohort 6 Participant
Applications for Cohort 8 open in June 2025.