June 28, 2017

8:30 AM -12 PM


Keynote Speaker:

Spencer West

Redefine Possible: Lessons for Tackling Mountains in the Real World

Having a successful career is a journey. During the journey toward your goals, you are bound to hit bumps in the road or even roadblocks. You may want to give up, but the satisfaction of persevering can lead to a rich and fruitful career.

In his keynote, Spencer applies the insights gleaned from a lifetime of overcoming obstacles to help people identify their own roadblocks and push past them. His inspiring message and tangible life lessons will motivate you to take charge of your career, realize your own vision and tackle any goal, whether personal or professional.

Let Spencer help you redefine possible in your life.

Learn more and register

Companion Sessions:

Fueling Your Career Passions Without Changing Jobs
Mary Ceccanese and Jennifer Evans

Some people are fortunate enough to be in a position that is perfect for them. They are good at what they do, are passionate about their work and it suits their values. For the rest of us, there may be something missing. Now, that is not to say that you don’t like your work; but are you learning, growing and thriving? Mary and Jennifer have found ways to create vitality, explore new possibilities and develop professionally within their current roles. This is your opportunity to learn from two people who have successfully crafted their jobs to engage their authentic passions and to contribute in meaningful ways.

Developing Your Future Self: A Project Management Approach
Dyan Jenkins-Ali

When you look at your future self, what do you see? Do you see someone who remained effective in your current role or did you plan/work towards something new? It is important to have a methodical approach as you look at your future career goals. During this session, you will be introduced to tools used in project management that can also be applied toward managing your career goals. Dyan will introduce techniques and tools that are available today as you strive to develop your future self.

Program Note:

LPD is pleased to be able to offer this conference at no charge to U-M participants thanks to sponsorship from our executive officers.


Presenter Bios:

Spencer West’s charisma and dynamism captivate audiences every time he speaks. Whether addressing corporate leaders, non-profits or the education world, listeners are mesmerized as Spencer describes his journey after losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, to when he climbed, and summited, Mount Kilimanjaro using his hands and wheelchair. Spencer is a top-ranked keynoter, author of the best-selling book Standing Tall: My Journey, and star of the documentary Redefine Possible: The Story of Spencer West, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012.

Spencer is loved by television and conference audiences alike for sharing his life lessons on how every individual or organization can tackle mountains and redefine possible.

Mary Ceccanese is a trainer affiliate with the Center for Positive Organizations (CPO) at the Ross School of Business, as well as the coordinator of the Office of Tax Policy Research. Celebrating over twenty years of professional experience working with all levels of staff within higher education, she offers dynamic and informative theory-to-practice tools and exercises developed by the faculty of CPO. Presenting positive and empowering interactive presentations, Mary engages attendees with research-based practices applied to work-life scenarios that can be immediately applied to their day-to-day life. She has a BA in human resource administration and has worked at the University of Michigan for more than 28 years. In 2010, she received the University of Michigan’s highest award given to staff—the Candace J. Johnson Award for Excellence.  In 2015, she was voted “Woman of the Year” by the Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association.

Jennifer Evans, M.Ed., is an educator who has managed programs and developed people throughout her varied career. On two college campuses, one as academic dean with DeVry University and one as faculty manager for Pima Medical Institute, she managed teachers, enhanced teaching, and improved student outcomes. While a trainer with The Joyce Institute, she developed ergonomics training programs for organizations nationwide and trained managers and staff who became healthier, happier and more empowered. As a member of the academic team for the innovative Organizational Psychology Program in the Center for Creative Change at Antioch University, Jennifer contributed to program development and advised graduate students. While a special education teacher at Boyer Children’s Clinic, she customized education programs to support families and nurture the growth of young handicapped children.

In her current position at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Jennifer supports faculty. True to her positive deviant nature, she contributes beyond the boundaries of her role and brings the principles of positive organizational psychology to life. Jennifer has initiated a Mindfulness program now in its third year, launched a series called “Third Place Events,” and developed a number of workshops based in the research of Ross scholars that she facilitates for staff both at Ross and across the U-M campus.

Dyan Jenkins-Ali is a senior project manager for University HR Strategy and Planning, managing administrative and operational projects that impact the development of goals and initiatives designed to enhance multiple student, staff, patient and faculty health benefits and experiences. Her healthcare career spans more than 20 years, in which time she has worked in an executive capacity with M-CARE, Dental Dental, Providence Hospital and Health Alliance Plan. Dyan holds a State of Michigan Agent//Producer License in Life, Health and Disability, and is a certified phlebotomist. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Executives and National Association of Health Service Executives, treasurer of U-M’s Letterwinners M Club Board, and a diplomat with the U-M Credit Union. Dyan received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master’s degree in health services administration, both from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.