Mary Talks Round I: Glenn Close Theater
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 8:30 am - 9:30 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.
The Big Lie: The Unattainable Myth of Having it All | Lisa Roday HON ’23, P ’13, P ’14
Do you feel like “having it all” is an unattainable unicorn state? That you are exhausted and failing in your quest to find it? This is the big lie: that you can have it all. Using an interactive mixture of human-centered augmented intelligence (bring your cell phone!) and conversation, we will explore the origins of the big lie and its damaging perpetuation and reveal how to find happiness and fulfillment in the big truth.
The Human Side of Artificial Intelligence: Empowering Change Through Technology | Monica Chiarini Tremblay P ’21
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we work, govern and care for one another. But AI’s most compelling applications aren’t about automation, they’re about impact. In this talk, Monica Chiarini Tremblay P ’21, Hays T. Watkins Professor at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business, shares how AI and data science can support human decision-making in complex, real-world systems. Drawing from her work in juvenile justice and public health, Tremblay highlights how technologies like machine learning and process mining can be used to improve fairness, uncover systemic inefficiencies and inform better policies. This session offers a grounded, hopeful look at how AI — when aligned with human values and institutional knowledge — can drive meaningful change in society’s most critical domains.
Becoming a “Conscious Leader:” A Foundational Framework for Becoming a Leader Even You Can Admire | Amy Steindler ’80
Research suggests that emotional intelligence is the differentiating factor for leadership success when cognitive intelligence, industry experience and technical expertise are up to speed. And when leaders combine emotional intelligence with mindfulness, they become “conscious leaders,” who have a highly developed ability to read the room, make better decisions and learn from mistakes without shame or blame. In this talk, Amy Steindler ’80 will share the framework she uses with executive coaching clients who want to be known for their ability to bring out the best in their teams and reach their goals with less stress, no drama and fewer sleepless nights. You’ll come away with actionable insights for improving the way you lead others, and yourself, in any situation.
Listening Within: Transforming the Inner Critic Into a Supportive Part | Professor Coralis Solomon
Discover how Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy can help you transform your inner critic into a supportive ally. This brief presentation, led by Coralis Solomon, clinical assistant professor in counselor education at the William & Mary School of Education, introduces the IFS model, guiding you to understand the protective role of your inner critic and how to engage with it compassionately for personal growth.