Fort Collins Young Women's Journey Conference

Participants choose 3 breakout sessions to attend (limited availability) and all participants attend the keynote, capstone and lunchtime presentations.

Keynote Presenter: Isabel Rodriguez-Thacker, Poudre High School guidance counselor, will share with us her life journey; from daughter of revolutionary Orio Rodriguez, a leader with Fidel Castro, and her harrowing escape from Communist Cuba as a nine-year old, taking only the clothes on her back and clutching her Russian-made doll, to the shores of Miami and the loneliness she felt and cultural conflict she experienced; to the choices she made, negative and positive, that have shaped her as she still continues to Create her Place in this World.

Capstone Presenter: Gretchen Gaede, Owner of A-Train Marketing Communications in Fort Collins will share stories of the inspiration that has led her to a life of many labels including author, speaker, poet, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and self-proclaimed travel addict. Gretchen's tales of life and hardship will move and motivate you to pursue a journey of discovery and perseverance. Through travel, writing and entrepreneurship, she has accomplished more than she ever thought possible as a young woman facing extreme turbulence and adversity. Gretchen will share how resilience, determination and the notion that giving back to the community has allowed her to become the person she always hoped to be.

Gretchen Gaede is a poet, author, speaker and the founder of A-Train Marketing Communications, Inc., a full-service marketing & public relations firm with a mission of helping drive the greater good through creative and strategic awareness campaigns. In May, 2010, Gaede was honored to accept the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Colorado Business at the annual Community Service Awards given on the state capital steps in Denver, CO.  Additionally, Gaede was recognized as one of the top three Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2009 by the Northern Colorado Business Report and was awarded the Fort Collins’ Coloradoan’s Rising Business Star of the Year in 2005. She has also received the Volunteer Group Award in recognition of the philanthropic efforts of her company from United Way of Larimer County in 2009. Gaede embodies a leadership-by-example approach and has centered her career on bringing attention to the things that matter most and helping others learn to do the same.

Lunchtime Presentation: Poetry with Poudre High School Senior Megan Arent 

Audience Leader Extraordinare/MC: A dynamic, energetic presenter and Journey Conference favorite, Lisa Scott has thirteen years of experience working with non-profit organizations to empower girls and women. An alumna of Colorado State University-Pueblo and the University of Tennessee, she has created a nationally recognized bullying prevention curriculum which she has presented for hundreds children and adults in Colorado, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and New York.  Lisa has also been conference MC, energizer, and keynote speaker and given presentations on Assets for Youth, Women Rock, treating children and teens with dignity and respect, Advocating for Peace, and How to Overcome Anything.  Lisa lives in Fort Collins with her son Xander, a graduate of Poudre High School, and her two border collies, Larimer County Humane Society dropouts.

Interested in being a speaker at an upcoming Fort Collins Young Women's Journey Conference? 

2011 Sessions and Speakers

2010 Sessions and Speakers

2009 Sessions and Speakers

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

“How Do You Define Love”

Marcy Foster and Melanie Homec

An empowering discussion to discover what a healthy relationship means for you and what to do if you feel stuck in a not so healthy one.

“Robotics Workshop”

Mary Hunter-Laszlo

Who designed your cell phone or the car that you drive?  What challenges did the designers have to tackle?  How many people thinking, creating, and problem solving does it take to come up with the best solution to a problem?  In this workshop you will design a Lego robot and program it to perform a unique behavior.  You will work with 1-2 students, identify a task, brainstorm a solution, and use your ideas to create a robot. This workshop is designed to show you how designers and engineers, might work together to develop a solution to a problem.

“Love What you See!”

Jen Amaral-Kunze and Jen Knopp

In the world we live in, it can be hard to recognize and appreciate your own beauty.  Come and join us for a creative adventure.  Learn to validate, accept and support who you are at this very moment, even those parts you’d like to eventually change.  And ….create a FABULOUS gift to take home as a reminder of how AMAZING you are.

“Conflict Made Easy-Take The High Road”

Gayle LaSalle

No matter how hard we try, there will be times when taking the high road is difficult.  This session will offer you hope and encouragement in teaching you how to make the best choices when facing conflict with others.  Learn the benefits of playing fair and working from a place of integrity and you’ll find that you’ll thrive rather than simply survive.

“Strong Mind, Happy Body:  Yoga for Young Women” *

Ena Burrud

Come learn poses, breath-work and styles of thinking that shape your mood.  Taught by a Certified Yoga Therapist, this session will be specialized to help shift moods and raise self esteem.  Learn techniques you can use anytime, anywhere.

“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”  *

Tessa McMahon 

Come join Colorado’s only female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and learn the ultimate form of physical exercise and self-defense. Jiu-Jitsu combines leverage and technique to help a smaller person defeat a larger opponent, and can help you gain confidence and strength in all areas of your life. 

 "Becoming an Entrepreneur”

Susan Byrum

Susan, the founder/owner of She She Nail and Wax Lounge and She She Beauty Bar will help you learn the inside scoop on starting and running your own business and becoming an entrepreneur. Whether or not your dream career involves the beauty business you’ll love hearing how Susan reached her goals (in spite of obstacles) of becoming successful while working with other women.

“Diversity and Gender Issues”

Lindsay Melsen and Panel

Ever wonder what life is like for young women who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, or queer?  Lindsay Melsen will host a panel of young women who will share their stories and answer questions.

"Your Health Unplugged”

Dr. Deborah Archer and Dr. Stacie Johns

This is your chance to sit down with Dr. Archer, Dr. Johns and colleagues to ask any and all questions about your health. These doctors promise to be honest and accurate and nothing is off limits.  Learn about girl-specific issues and topics that you might be too embarrassed to ask anyone else.  Go way beyond what you’ve learned in health class.

“It’s Your Body……Decorate it ! (or not)

Ryan Corley

Interested in getting a tattoo or piercing?  In this session, the emphasis will be on ownership of your own body and respecting yourself.  Ryan, an award winning tattoo artist, will teach you about safety and sterilization procedures, as well as how to make good choices when considering getting a tattoo or piercing.