About the Event
Courage is the prerequisite to confidence. This powerful phrase from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management Professor Ellen Taaffe’s book The Mirrored Door inspired a special workshop hosted by the Women’s Leadership Center at Williams Bay High School.
The event, titled “Courage Creates Confidence,” took place on Thursday, February 9, 2025. It was the second annual event and featured a career panel, a student panel, and two breakout discussion sessions allowing students to dive deeply into topics of self-worth and courage.
Members of the career panel included Mallory Conlon, astrophysicist and Outreach & Education Astronomer at Yerkes Observatory; Susan Franzen, Founding Principal, PatternShifts, LLC; Sara Nichols, Executive Director, Open Arms Free Clinic; and Shehnoor Qureshi, Generative AI/ ML Product Manager and MBA student at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. Moderating the panel discussion was MarySue Barrett, Senior Strategy Advisor for the Women’s Leadership Center.
The conversation ranged from stemming negative self-talk to tips for staying grounded and building a supportive social network. Panelists shared vulnerably about what they’ve learned along the way.
Almost 40 female students in grades 10 through 12 at Williams Bay High School attended. Special thanks to the planning team of juniors Avery Kimmerly and Lauren Schnobel and sophomore Gracie Pils for all their creativity and hard work.
