Mary Talks Round II: Concert Hall
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Music Arts Center, Concert Hall
Mary Talks — our version of TEDx talks — spotlight alumnae, faculty and staff as they speak about their passions and how they hope to change the world in ways big and small. Each block showcases a lineup of presenters sharing personal insights, big ideas and bold perspectives on issues that matter to women. You’ll leave informed, inspired and energized.
An Improvised Career: Taking Advantage of the Unforeseen as You Build a Career | Catherine Casalino ’03
Creative director and graphic designer Catherine Casalino ’03 talks about her unconventional and improvised career journey — from studying English at William & Mary to running an award-winning creative studio in New York City. Casalino will discuss how an improvisational mindset can help you take advantage of unforeseen opportunities AND pivot when unforeseen roadblocks arise.
Equity Without Empire: Reimagining Leadership Beyond Colonial Norms | Chelsea Dade ’16
In this talk, Chelsea Dade ’16, founder and owner of Communicate For Health Justice LLC, explores how colonial power structures continue to shape who is allowed to lead, be heard and set the agenda in health and healthcare — including within BIPOC communities. She shares how, over the years of building her own business, she has navigated and overcome challenges related to traditional norms around leadership, language and success. Drawing from her experience as a young Black woman entrepreneur, Dade offers perspective — and encouragement — for students, faculty and staff at William & Mary. True equity, she argues, requires rejecting empire and embracing new approaches. This is a call to reimagine leadership rooted in authenticity, interdependence and liberation — not control.
A Good Death: Reframing Hope in Serious Illness | Dr. Mary Suchenski Kraemer ’89
The work of Dr. Mary Suchenski Kraemer ’89 as a palliative care physician has centered on training clinicians to be better at truth telling, preparing those with serious illness about what to expect near the end of life and empowering patients to let go on their own terms. In this talk, she will share the stories she’s seen unfold in front of her each day — stories that have taught her to appreciate the beauty and meaning a farewell can hold.
The Evolving Role of Women in Philanthropy: Driving Change Across the Nonprofit Sector | Cindy van den Beemt M.Ed. ’82
In recent years, women have taken on a significantly larger role in philanthropic efforts. As their economic influence grows and they occupy more leadership positions, women are emerging as key supporters of a wide range of causes — education among them. Looking ahead, the influence of women in philanthropy is expected to expand even further. Forecasts for 2025 and beyond suggest that women will be central in guiding the mission, vision and priorities of organizations. Now is the time to adapt our approaches to better reflect the ways women give, lead and champion progress. Join us as we explore how women are reshaping the philanthropic landscape, spotlight transformative leaders at the forefront and share strategies to effectively harness the power of women in your giving initiatives.