Thursday - March 7, 2024
8:30 am – 3:15 pm

This event is currently at capacity. To be placed on the waitlist, please send an email to registrations@mma.org and you will be notified if a space becomes available. Thank you.

Women Leading Government will hold its fourth Annual Conference on March 7 at Devens Conference Center.

The full-day event is designed for women in appointed positions in local government who are interested in advancing their careers and building their management and leadership skills.

The cost is $60, including lunch and a light breakfast.

Women Leading Government events are open to all staff in appointed positions in local government.

Agenda

8:30-9:15 a.m.
Breakfast, registration

9:15-9:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Kelly Axtell, WLG Co-Chair and Lexington Deputy Town Manager
Melissa Goff, WLG Co-Chair and Brookline Deputy Town Administrator

9:30-10 a.m.
Opening Speaker
Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll

10-11 a.m.
Cally Ritter, Owner & Principal, Positive Ripple Training & Consulting

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Breakout sessions
1. Finding and Maintaining Work-Life Balance
Heather Harper, Assistant Town Manager, Sandwich
Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director, Massachusetts Municipal Association
Julie Jacobson, Senior Associate, Community Paradigm Associates, retired town manager and former WLG Chair

2. Media and Public Relations
Leah Comins, Account Executive, John Guilfoil Public Relations
Amanda Smith, Director of Communications, Dedham
Moderator: Jen Breaker, Assistant Town Manager and Communications Director, Danvers

12:15 p.m.
Lunch

1:15-2 p.m.
Breakout sessions
1. Resume Review
Bring your resume to this interactive session. HR professionals will give their advice and
offer tips for interviews, too!
Moderator: Vanessa Hale, Assistant Town Administrator, Southborough

2. Networking
Join fellow attendees for this fun, structured networking opportunity.

2-3:15 p.m.
Women in Leadership: Anything is Possible
A panel of state and local leaders will discuss their journey to success and lessons learned.
Libby Gibson, Town Manager, Nantucket
Jenny Raitt, Executive Director, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
Michelle Ciccolo, Massachusetts State Representative (Middlesex 15th), former municipal planner (Hudson) and Select Board member (Lexington)
Karen Conard, City Manager, Portsmouth, NH
Moderator: Kate Fitzpatrick, Town Manager, Needham

Location
Devens Common Center, Devens

Contact
MMA Senior Member Program Coordinator Denise Baker, dbaker@mma.org

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