Keynote Speaker:

Maya Gabeira

  • Careers in the sports industry come in many shapes and sizes. In a male dominated profession, hear from women who have arrived at the top. They have used their education, skills, gifts and talents to find success. In this ​revealing​ workshop, Diana Puetz, VP of Public Affairs for the Padres and Vivi Lin, Executive VP for Frontwave Area share their insights on finding success working for male professional sports teams.

    Speakers: Diana Puetz & Vivi Lin

  • Have you ever wondered about the scholarships that women can earn through the world of beauty pageants? Step into this workshop where you will hear from three women on their unique journeys. Discussion will include: thoughts on the Miss USA pageant and how it differs from Miss America, how scholarships are the core purpose for many participants, the hesitation to share one’s experience as a “beauty queen” in the professional world and the surprises that the experience revealed. Find out what prompted one of our beauty queens to declare, “my brain is my talent!”

    Speakers: Dr. Lauren Lek, Christy Conway, Danamarie McNicholl '13

  • Social justice is for everyone. It is imperative that we all be activists who stand up for justice. A retired Superior Court Judge, LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, author of "Her Honor: My Life on the Bench" will talk about her own activism, the activism of others and why students at OLP should be leaders who stand up and speak up for others. Attendees will have an opportunity to receive a signed book from the author.

    Speaker: Judge LaDoris Cordell (Retired)

  • LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform that hosts over 900 million members, in over 200 countries. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile allows you to create an online professional brand, which can help open endless doors to opportunities and networks with the help of social media. This session is designed to educate, inspire and empower students to build their dynamic profile on LinkedIn. We’ll explore how to create a narrative that tells the unique story of their experiences thus far. Come prepared with a current profile, and we can work together to enhance it through a hands-on workshop.

    Speaker: Kristina Virissimo ‘09

  • Breaking into television news can feel as if it is a daunting task. In this workshop, you will learn about the pros and cons of the television news industry through the stories of women who have careers in the field including producers, on air talent, anchors, production managers and other areas.

    Speakers: Kimberly King, Danamarie McNicholl '13, Maria Villalobos

  • Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) exists to transform the commercial real estate industry by advancing women globally. CREW is committed to strengthening and expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our global organization. CREW San Diego Chapter brings a high-powered panel discussion about careers in Commercial Real Estate (CRE), a male dominated profession. Our all-female panel discusses CRE career options and paths. Our panelists are from different CRE arenas and will share success stories and challenges. Q&A will follow the panel discussion. We encourage students to attend our local programs and learn more about CRE.

    Speakers: Alex Fenske, Jacqueline Greulich, Whitney Hodges, Sarah Potter, Lauren Vlach

  • Learn from a professional buyer working in the fast paced field of fashion and attire! In this exciting workshop, attendees will learn how to "dress for success," while also learning how to look professional on a budget. Sample outfits will be presented and discussions will occur on presenting one's self for interviews and dressing for a daily job in an office environment. The transition from high school to college and beyond will also be explored in terms of attire.

    Speaker: Stephanie McMahon

  • How do women show up effectively as leaders in the modern world? The intersection between leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion is one which is worthy of examination. How do we lead in the 21st century in a way that allows everyone to be included, to be heard and to feel valued? It must be done with intention and care. Participate in this facilitated discussion as we peel back the layers of topics such as self-advocacy and finding one's voice.

    Speaker: Sarah Hassaine, Payton Hobbs, Dr. Lida Rafia

  • Surfing comes alive as Alisa Schwartzstein shares her incredible experiences as a surfer who opens with an excerpt from the documentary in which she is featured, "Girls Can't Surf," which seeks to break the myths around girls and surfing. She shares her practical knowledge of surfing having attendess get out of their seats to touch surfboards and practice on land drills. She currently coachs high school surfing and is ready to answer questions to share her insights and ideas.

    Speaker: Alisa Schwartzstein

  • Srs. Flo Anyabuonwu and Sara Tarango are both sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Come and hear how both were uniquely called to religious life. They will share their “call stories,” their discernment, and what being a woman religious is like today. This session is for everyone; for women who have never considered religious life as well as women who may be wondering if God is calling them to religious life. They want to hear what questions you have about the religious life, so there will be ample time for Q&A.

    Speakers: Sr. Florence Anyabuonwu, Sr. Sara Tarango

  • Do you have a heart for helping sick and injured wildlife? This is the workshop for you. Since 1972, Project Wildlife’s dedicated staff and volunteers have given injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals a second chance at life. This commitment to helping wild animals has grown tremendously, and Project Wildlife is now one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation organizations in the country. Project Wildlife's mission is to improve the quality of life for local wildlife and the community serving as its primary resource for wildlife rehabilitation in San Diego County.

    Speakers: Elyse Witt '08

  • The New York Times reports that academic studies and countless anecdotes make it clear that being interrupted, talked over, shut down or penalized for speaking out is nearly a universal experience for women when they are outnumbered by men. A "mally" is a male ally. What does it mean to be a "mally" in the 21st century? It recognizes that men play an important role in providing women with the support, agency and respect needed to realize full participation in school, in the workplace and the world. Hear from OLP "dads and father figures" as they give insight into how and why the men in our OLP community "do what they do" to advance women.

    Speakers: Matt Savant, Ryan Martin-Spencer

  • The "Me Too" movement sparked an awareness of the pervasiveness of gender discrimination. Knowing your rights can be empowering when you have been harassed or assaulted or discriminated against based on your gender. In this workshop, an OLP alumna will identify what sexual harassment, assault, and gender discrimination look like. We will discuss the barriers to reporting and other options you have to stand up for yourself and others.

    Speakers: Christy Heiskala, Jenna Rangel '98

  • Have you ever dreamed about a career in law? What is it like being an attorney? What is the balance between work and having a family? What types of cases do attorneys handle? Is there a typical "day in the life" of an attorney? What about being a judge? We've got you covered. Three OLP Alumnae are returning to share their experiences as attorneys and jurists. Come ready with your questions and enthusiasm to learn about the law from those OLP sisters who have gone ahead of you.

    Speakers: Vivian Hosp '02, Jessica Munoz '99, Daniela Reali-Ferrari '95

  • Speaker: Linda Caballero Sotelo '84

  • Understanding and responding to the experience of refugees is a crucial need in social justice work. What was and is life like in Afghanistan for women? Throughout this workshop, participants will be given the opportunity to role play by understanding "a day in the life of" a teenage girl in modern day Afghanistan.

    Speaker: Masooma Esmaelzada

  • Speaker: Kimberly King

  • Have you ever been stressed about a problem, wanted your parents to help, but they didn't say the "right" thing? In the workshop, we will discuss emotional and mood regulation techniques to help you manage responses to difficult situations and stress with your parents' help. Invite your parents to come and be part of the Symposium for this workshop. It is designed to provide your family with the tools to discuss emotional and mood regulation techniques to manage stress.

    Speakers: Lisa Nordquist, Gretchen Mallios, Leslie Morland, Psy.D.

  • Session 1: Learn about the inner workings of the music industry and releasing music as a solo artist in "Inside The Music Industry." Here, you will gain a basic understanding of what it takes to be an artist in the ever changing music industry, and what you need to get started.

    Session 2: Music history is the foundation of the music industry as it is today. “Music History: Artists Before Their Time,” will provide a look back at some of the most influential musicians of all time with regard to the social, political, and artistic climate in which they lived.

    Speaker: Pip Lewis

  • From cybersecurity to start-up businesses to sustainable real estate, there are many careers that did not exist even a decade ago. In this interactive workshop, hear from women who are engaged in unique professions that are redefining the workplace.

    Speakers: Grace Chang, Victoria Johnson '00, Alaina Ladner '99, Elizabeth Shen '10, Aida Soria '99

  • Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business? This workshop will highlight the journey of one woman, Stephanie Johnson, who accessed the Small Business Administration process to realize her goals. From her humble Louisiana beginnings, we will journey to the present where she has just been featured by the Small Business Association as a Small Business Community Hero. From successes, to failures, to roadblocks and hurdles, find out the path to entreprenuership from one determined woman.

    Speaker: Stephanie Johnson

  • Poetic Justice is a community within and beyond women's prisons and jails, working alongside one another with a shared belief in the power of self-expression to change lives. Our mission is to offer restorative writing and creative arts programs to individuals who are experiencing incarceration in order to provide them with tools to address the root causes of trauma in their lives. Workshop attendees will meet the people in our classes and experience why trauma-informed healing through the arts has positive outcomes in an often punitive and dehumanizing prison system.

    Speakers: Samantha Bhatia, Jazmin Hernandez, Judi Putnam '66, Katie Turner

  • Fire, Search and Rescue is a field that has traditionally been one that is male dominated. In this exciting workshop, we have women firefighters and rescue professionals who have broken the mold. Learn what a day in the life of a firefighter looks like and ask questions about this incredible profession.

    Speaker: Alma Lowry '92

  • Do you love dogs? This is the workshop for you. Training your dog whether it be for a companion, therapy work, or service is about trust, communication and most of all relationship. Your companion dog should be trained to fit your lifestyle, your family and your needs. Dogs will always perform for the trainer but is it transferable? The goal is to give those tools its handler, to not only help in the process, but allow you to maintain the training for years to come.

    Speaker: Gina Esoldi

  • Have you ever dreamed of being a medical researcher? In this fascinating, medical workshop, the presenter will discuss sex based differences in our immune system (e.g. differences in the expression of important immune genes, hormones, molecules and cells in women and men) and how these differences impact the way women and men experience immune-related diseases like autoimmunity, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease.

    Speaker: Dr. Sonia Sharma, Dr. Priyanka Saminathan

  • Calling all budding entrepreneurs! We are hosting a "shark tank" where OLP students can bring their product, service, business plan, prototype or idea to a panel of judges who will provide "on the spot" feedback and suggestions. You will be required to make a one minute "pitch." In this lively, interactive session, business professionals will provide students with insights into how to improve your "pitch" and market your venture.

    Speakers: Adriana, Brunner, Dr. Hei-ock Kim

  • Makeup is an art form! Many of us wish we had access to the tips of the trade that the professionals use. Throughout this live demonstration, the professional makeup artist will be taking volunteer student participants and teaching them how to apply makeup on themselves. Our professional makeup artist will be teaching participants knowledgeable tips and tricks and answering any questions, in order to obtain a flawless soft glam look. The makeup application will be perfect for interviews, for daily working jobs, for professional head shots, etc. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own makeup bags and a small mirror to follow along with the instructions. Remember...a smile is your most beautiful form of makeup.

    Speaker: Whitney McElvy

  • The founder and CEO of Purposer. com will speak about her software start-up, an online marketplace for ethical and sustainable brands. The founder will share her experiences as a young, woman entrepreneur working in the technology industry and how other young women can turn their own passions into successful business ventures. Most importantly, the founder will discuss her passion for purposeful entrepreneurship and her hopes that more businesses will place purpose over profit and become more intentional in making a positive impact on the planet and society. Topics discussed include sustainability, poverty solutions, mental health, wildlife conservation and more!

    Speaker: Joline Mann

  • Are you interested in a career in medicine? Do you see yourself making an impact in the lives of people who are facing cancer? This workshop is for you! Explore the details of a career in medicine with a special focus on cancer prevention, detection and care.

    Speaker: Dr. Anuradha Koka, M.D.

  • Calling all aspiring physicians! The power of mentorship is crucial in the success of women. Hear from a medical professional who has dedicated her career to the study of cancer and supporting those who work in this field.

    Speaker: Dr. Marin Xavier

  • Speakers: Lisa Biasillo, Dr. Kristi Burtis, Dr. Lauren Howard, Dr. Megan Owen, Lisa Peterson

“Maya Gabeira, is a Brazilian Big Wave Surfer best known for setting the 2020 World Record for the biggest wave ever surfed by a woman and the biggest wave surfed by anyone - male or female - that year at 73.3 feet. As an ESPY award winner, 7x Big Wave Award champion, and 2x Laureus nominee, Maya is one of the most influential female surfers of all time. She is also passionately committed to and a fierce advocate for restoring the world's ocean through her role as UNESCO champion of the Ocean and Youth and as part of the board of directors of Oceana.”

Panels & Topics

Panelists & Speakers ↓

  • Sr. Florence Anyabuonwu, CSJ

    Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

  • Carmen Artiga

    Circular Fashion Designer & Creative Consultant

  • Samantha Bhatia

    Poetic Justice California

  • Lisa Basillio

    Vice President, Conservation Education, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

  • Adriana Brunner

    Director of Business Development, MyPoint Credit Union

  • Kristi Buris

    Director of Wildlife Care, San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  • Alisa Schwarzstein Cairns

    Former Surfing World Champ, Wavestorm, Storm Blade Sales Manager, Coach

  • Grace Chang, M.D., Ph.D.

    CEO, Videant Inc.

  • Christy Conway

    Dental Practice Broker & Real Estate Agent

  • Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell

    Retired Judge

  • Masooma Esmaelzada

    Former Teacher

  • Gina Esoldi, CPDT - KA

    Program Director, Next Step Service Dogs

  • Alex Fenske

    Client Advisor, Cresa

  • Cristina Godinez

    Corporate & Community Liason, Mingei International Museum

  • Jacqueline Greulich

    Associate Director & Career Manager, University of San Diego | Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate

  • Danilo Guasticci

    Teacher, Academy of Our Lady of Peace

  • Sarah Hassaine

    Head of Inclusion & Diversity, ResMed

  • Christy Heiskala

    Survivor Advocate and Business Coordinator, Haeggquist & Eck, LLP

  • Jazmin Hernandez

    Poetic Justice California

  • Whitney Hodges

    Partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

  • Vivian Carrasco Hosp, J.D. '02

    Partner, Young, Spiegel & Hosp, LLP

  • Dr. Lauren Howard

    Director of Veterinary Care, San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  • Stephanie Simmons Johnson, CPA

    CEO, Simmons-Johnson Consulting, LLC

  • Victoria Johnson '00

    Media Relations Manager, Salk Institute for Biological Studies

  • Kimberly King

    Founder & CEO, Kimberly King Media

  • Anuradha Koka, MD

    Radiation Oncologist, Scripps MD Anderson

  • Alaina Ladner '99

    Vice President, Sustainability, JLL

  • Dr. Lauren Lek

    Head of School, Academy of Our Lady of Peace

  • Pip Lewis

    Musician

  • Vivian Lin

    Executive Vice-President, Revenue, Frontwave Arena

  • Alma Lowry '92

    Captain, City of San Diego Fire Rescue Department

  • Gretchen Mallios, LCSW

    Clinical Social Worker

  • Joline Mann

    Founder and CEO, Purposer

  • Ryan Martin-Spencer

    Director of Mission Integration, Academy of Our Lady of Peace

  • Whitney McElvy

    Professional Makeup Artist, BBW (Beauty by Whit) Mua

  • Stephanie McMahon

    Buyer, Ross Dress for Less

  • Danamarie McNicholl '13

    News Reporter and Anchor, CBS 8 News

  • Haley Meyer

    Director of Community Relations, San Diego Gulls Hockey

  • Leslie A Morland, PsyD

    Clinical Psychologist, UCSD

  • Aida Soria Moreno '99

    Executive Producer, TheLOCAList SD

  • Jessica St. Clair Munoz, Esq. '99

    President & CEO, Voices for Children

  • Lisa Nordquist, CHWC

    Mindset, Communication & Wellbeing Expert

  • Dr. Megan Owen

    Vice President, Wildlife Conservation, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

  • Lisa Peterson

    Senior Vice President and Executive Director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park

  • Sarah Potter

    Development & Asset Manager, Cisterra Development

  • Diana Puetz

    Vice President of Public Affairs, San Diego Padres

  • Judi Putnam '66

    Volunteer Prison Minister, Catholic Diocese of San Diego

  • Lida Rafia, Ph.D.

    Principal Consultant, JONES Inclusive

  • Jenna Rangel, J. D. '98

    Partner, Haeggquist & Eck, LLP

  • Hon. Daniela Reali-Ferrari '95

    Judge, San Diego Superior Court

  • Priyanka Saminathan, Ph.D.

    Postdoctoral Fellow at the Sharma Lab, La Jolla Institute for Immunology

  • Matt Savant

    President of Business Operations, San Diego Gulls Hockey Club

  • Elizabeth Shen '10

    Software Developer, La Jolla Logic

  • Linda Caballero Sotelo ‘84

    Executive Director & Chief Curator, New Americans Museum & Immigration Learning Center

  • Sr. Sara Tarango, CSJ

    Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

  • Katie Turner

    Poetic Justice California

  • Maria Villalobos

    ABC News Producer

  • Kristina Virissimo '09

    Enterprise Account Director, LinkedIn

  • Lauren Vlach

    Senior Designer, ID Studios, Inc.

  • Tim Weldzius

    English Teacher, Academy of Our Lady of Peace

  • Elyse Witt '08

    Senior Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist, San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife

  • Dr. Marin Feldman Xavier, MD

    Clinical Professor of Medicine, Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center