Mary Talks Round I: Concert Hall

Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 8:30 am - 9:30 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.

Resilience by Design: Turning Crisis Into Opportunity | Sharron L. McPherson ’88

As global communities grapple with escalating disruption, our ability to adapt and thrive under pressure has never been more critical. In this Mary Talk, Sharron McPherson ’88, P ’14 shares her journey from William & Mary graduate to global leader in resilience strategy and climate finance. Drawing from her work with governments, international institutions and private sector innovators, McPherson introduces “The Resilience Method” — a bold, systems-based approach to transforming disruption and risk into sustainable opportunity. This talk will inspire action across sectors and generations by reframing resilience as a tool not just for surviving a climate crisis, but for thriving in an uncertain world.

You ARE a Philanthropist | Holli Rivera ’91

Do you think you have to be Mackenzie Scott to make a difference? Many people, especially women, can be intimated by the word “philanthropist” and underestimate their potential to make an impact. In this session, learn about the varied forms and vehicles for philanthropy and how to connect them to your own personal strengths and passions to support the causes and people you care about.

Playing the Game: Life Lessons From Cranium | Catherine Fisher Carr ’91

For Catherine Fisher Carr ’91, leaving Microsoft for a quirky board game startup felt like a roll of the dice, but becoming Cranium’s “Keeper of the Flame” proved to be a master class in brand and culture building and transformed how she thinks about collaboration and risk-taking. This lively session will take you behind the scenes of an iconic brand and help you approach your work and life with more creativity, clarity and fun.

“Who Are You Talking Through?”: Recognizing Your Impact Through Connection |  Cathy Kuangu ’12

What if a passing interaction was someone else’s turning point? This talk explores the unseen power of our impact. A single moment of engagement, may it be a word, action or connection, can echo farther than we imagine. When we honor the weight of our presence, we begin to see interactions as opportunities for intentional impact.