Mary Talks Round II: Glenn Close Theater
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Memorial Hall, Glenn Close Theater
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.
Celebrate Your Snort: Embracing Authenticity as Your Superpower | Kimberley Wells Eley ’90
What if the very thing you’ve always tried to hide about yourself is actually your greatest strength? In this engaging and uplifting talk, Kimberley Wells Eley ’90 will share how embracing who you are — quirks and all — can transform what you perceive as weaknesses into your most impactful superpowers. Eley will explore the importance of owning your unique qualities in personal and professional settings, and she will discuss how authenticity fosters connection, builds confidence and sets you apart in all the best ways. This talk will leave you inspired to stop hiding, start celebrating and confidently step into every room as your most authentic self. Let’s turn perceived imperfections into the secret sauce for your success!
Decision-Making for Modern Times: When To Use Data and When To Read the Room | Patricia “Kate” Maliga ’89
When people make decisions that impact others, they often lurch from following their gut instincts and ignoring solid research to reducing everyone and everything to a calculation and forgetting to talk to a human being. Both options result in suboptimal decisions. How do we know when to throw out the data and follow our gut vs. when to ignore our instincts and rely on the hard evidence? Find out in this talk.
Resilience Rewired: The Future of Mental Wellness at Work | Glenda Clare Ph.D. ’06
Burnout isn’t sudden — it’s a pattern we can track and prevent. During this talk, Glenda Clare Ph.D. ’06 reveals how recognizing early stress signals and building micro-resilience habits can transform workplace wellness.
Breaking Barriers: A Journey of Advocacy, Inclusion, and Scientific Belonging | Dr. Tiffani J. Bright ’01
This talk recounts the journey of a young Black girl with Indigenous ancestry who dreamed of becoming a scientist. Her passion for science was nearly derailed in college when a professor told her she would never succeed because of her race. This moment of discrimination almost ended her pursuit of a STEM career, but finding a diverse and inclusive academic environment reignited her passion. Despite significant challenges, she persevered — becoming the first Black woman in the U.S., and the first from Columbia University, to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical informatics in 2009. Throughout her career, she has championed diversity and inclusion in science, creating spaces where all can belong, contribute and thrive. While she didn’t cure cancer as she once dreamed, she has transformed STEM, clearing a path for future generations to rise.