University of Washington Human Resources

8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. | Check-In & Breakfast

Please arrive between 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. to check in, receive your
materials, and enjoy a variety of breakfast options.

8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. | Mindfulness Activity

Start your retreat with Certified Leadership Embodiment Coach, Catherine
Bachy, as she leads a morning meditation to help center your mind, manage
outlying stress, and be fully present for the day ahead.

9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. | Welcome

Associate Vice President Ujima Sands celebrates the retreat’s 20th
anniversary, plants the seeds for a dynamic day of growth and connection,
and presents some development-oriented giveaways.

9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. | 20th Anniversary Panel

Learn from others’ experience through this moderated panel featuring UW
employees sharing their insights about their careers and the changing
workplace. The panel will be moderated by long-time POD instructor and
University Consulting Alliance member
Joseph Pauley of Applied Leadership Teams, Our featured
panelists:

• Lee Davis, EDI Training & Curriculum Lead, UW
  Medicine Office of Healthcare Equity
• Frankie Fowler, Fiscal Specialist, School of Social
  Work
• Elsa Kassa, Director, System Credentialing, School of
  Medicine
• Norm Kwasinski, Grounds Supervisor, UW Facilities

10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | BREAK

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Workshops (you’ll choose one)

◼ Steering Your Professional Path with Jason Kalivas and
Lee Riley Though your boss may oversee your job, you control your career.
Using self-empowerment in the public-service sector as a guide,
facilitators Jason Kalivas and Lee Riley will delve into strategies for
developing confidence, effectively advocating for your needs, setting
achievable goals, and taking the lead in your career. Engage in
thought-provoking discussions that balance the art of the possible with
realistic expectations, and learn to navigate the intricacies of
public-service employment while staying true to your career aspirations.
This workshop is more than a learning experience — it’s a stepping stone
to owning and celebrating your role in your professional narrative.

◼ Personal Productivity and Restorative Practices with
Jeff Leinaweaver and Ujima Sands In the first hour of this double-header,
engage with facilitator Jeff Leinaweaver to assess where your work and
life feel overwhelming, learn about the purpose and methodology behind
personal productivity systems, and explore how these systems can help with
easing anxiety and focusing on your most essential priorities. In the
second hour, decompress and reassess with facilitator Ujima Sands. Move
beyond the usual ways we attempt to avoid or overcome burnout and discover
practices that can restore your energy and balance and equip you to be
your better self each day. At the end of these two complementary one-hour
sessions, you can expect to feel focused and refreshed.

◼ Work-Life Fulfillment: Designing a Life of Meaning and
Congruence with Rosemary Simmons Does work-life balance feel like a dream that you
never get to live? In this engaging workshop, strategically shift from the
idea of work-life balance goals and priorities to creating meaning and
congruence in all aspects of your work and life. Facilitator Rosemary
Simmons will guide you through an intentional process to design your
personalized work-life plan based on what is meaningful and fulfilling to
you. As you incorporate your professional and personal strengths and
values into your plan, you’ll also acquire skills and strategies to
enhance your ability to thrive at work and in life.

12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. | LUNCH

Enjoy a buffet-style lunch with hot entrees, a selection of salads and
sides, and delicious desserts. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free
options are included as part of the buffet; please indicate any special
dietary restrictions when you register.

1:15 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. | Flex Stations

New this year! Choose your own adventure with a variety of drop-in
activities, micro-learning presentations and networking opportunities.
We’ll provide a handy guide to help you navigate stations and plan how to
invest your time.

• Connect with others through speed networking or conversations over
  games.
• Attend micro-presentations on everything from resume tactics to
  exploring ChatGPT and AI prompt engineering.
• Engage in guided mindfulness activities and movement exercises to
  recharge and refresh.
• Invest in your future development by learning about coaching and
  mentoring opportunities,
• Browse a curated list of books and resources you can check-out from
  the UW Libraries.
• Spend time reflecting in the Mindfulness Practice Room, a dedicated
  quiet space with activities and guidance to relax the body and mind,
  center, and help reduce stress.

2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | BREAK

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Workshops (you’ll choose one)

These workshops are repeated from the morning, so you’ll be able to attend
two out of three of these development-oriented workshops.

We are hosting the retreat at the DoubleTree Suites at Southcenter, which has free parking and is close to both I5 and I-405. Alternatively, you can use the hotel’s free airport shuttle, which is accessible via a short walk from the SeaTac/Airport light rail station.

Contact Transportation Services for help planning your transportation for the day.

The registration fee of $275 includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, a
full day of events and session materials. If you have food
allergies or other essential dietary restrictions, please indicate
that when you complete the registration form so that we can work
with the venue to accommodate you. To register, complete this
Microsoft Form.

• You will select sessions when you register. If a session is
  full, you will be placed in another session available at that
  time.
• The preferred method of payment is using department payment
  worktags, which requires the approval of your supervisor or
  budget coordinator.
• If paying with a credit card, please indicate that when you
  register. You will receive a follow-up email directing you to
  an online credit card payment. If you pay with cash, check, or
  credit card you will pay an extra 15.6 percent to cover
  institutional overhead costs as required by the UW
  Institutional Overhead policy.

You may be eligible for a Professional Staff Organization scholarship.