Panel Discussions are arguably the most inspiring and exciting part of the IYLC. Through the diversity of viewpoints held by the panelists and the inquisitive approach adopted by the IYLC participants, they tend to unveil rather sharp angles of issues that appear quite smooth on the outside. The one may argue that there is no good in revealing such angles, but at Civic Concepts we prefer an objective truth to a subjective silence, and do not believe in taboos that inevitably hinder our common strive for a better world.
It is no secret that the leadership patterns of the 21st century are quite different from those customary in the past. This in it’s turn brings challenges and opportunities that need to be explored and discussed. One of the aspects of leadership of relevance to a contemporary world is gender. That is why we decided to hold a panel discussion titled Leadership and Gender, which we hope will cover a range of subjects, including existing stereotypes on gender in leadership, as well as way of overcoming barriers on the way to equal participation.
We are grateful to our panelists, who will be joining us for this interesting and important discussion. Let me introduce them to you.
Dr. Belle McDonnell
Dr. Belle McDonnell has a distinguished twenty-five year career combining business expertise with teaching experience in psychology, education, organizational development and motivational counseling. Her experience includes substantive training or working with trainers in developing strong interpersonal and personnel management leadership skills in a multidisciplinary team environment.
She has significant experience and knowledge in applying social science research (qualitative and quantitative research methods, evaluation) on findings from demonstration projects and the overall coordination of management for NGO’s, for-profit organizations and education/academic settings.
Prior to joining the faculties of University of New York (Prague), Anglo American College, University of Northern Virginia (satellite) and Vysoka Skola Financi in Prague, Czech Republic, she held various academic and executive management positions. These provided managerial support to staff on research projects documenting program approaches, results, lessons, and proven practices. She is a skilled media relation professional and free lance journalist with expertise in developing media strategy for regional and international sectors of business and non profit organizations.
Dr. McDonnell holds a PhD in psychology from Saybrook Research Institute and Graduate school in San Francisco, California where she specialized in designing and delivering training in multicultural principles and innovative teaching strategies for adult and adolescent learners.
Yvonne Davis
Yvonne R. Davis, President and CEO of DAVISCommunications, is an internationally recognized leadership development coach, sought-out speaker, hard-hitting political columnist, and award winning journalist with 19 years of professional experience. Having traveled to over 50-countries, she is an expert in cross-cultural and global emerging markets, she understands what drives positive change in government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations in challenging times. With an impressive background in communication theory and application, leadership and business ethics, and comparative politics, she creates and implements crisis management and negotiation strategy initiatives that are utilized by the public and private sectors. Ms. Davis is a former appointee of President George W. Bush, and is currently appointed by Governor M. Jodi Rell of Connecticut to the position of Commissioner for the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. An expert in leadership, politics, and international relations, Ms. Davis has been featured and interviewed by The New York Times, BBC, NPR, and many other public media resources worldwide. She is a featured columnist for the Huffington Post, and Arab News. She also writes Op-ed pieces for the Hartford Courant and is featured in Tribune newspapers nationally.
A doctoral candidate for the Thierry Graduate School of Leadership in Brussels, Belgium, Ms. Davis also holds a Master of Science in Leadership and Business Ethics from Duquesne University and a Master of Art in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Political Science from the University of Hartford, graduating magna cum laude. She completed the Masters Class, “The Art and Practice of Leadership,” at the John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University. A love for languages, she studied French for eight years, and currently studies Italian with a private tutor and Arabic at the Hartford Seminary.
Natalie Thompson
Natalie d’Aubermont Thompson is a Team Leader at Chatham Financial Ltd, focused on leading business development and marketing efforts in Europe. Prior to joining Chatham, Natalie was the Associate Director of the International Center and Admissions at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University and worked for the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development in Washington, DC as their NGO & Policy Coordination Officer. She holds a BA in both International Relations and Spanish from Tufts University and an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.