Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
This event is at capacity, we are unable to accept walk-ins.
Women Leading Government will hold its fifth Annual Conference on March 6 at Lake Pearl in Wrentham.
The full-day event is designed for women in appointed positions in local government who are interested in advancing their careers and building their management and leadership skills.
The cost is $60, including lunch and a light breakfast.
Women Leading Government events are open to all staff in appointed positions in local government.
8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Breakfast, Registration
9:15 – 9:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Kelly Axtell, Deputy Town Manager, Lexington, WLG Co-Chair
Melissa Goff, Deputy Town Administrator, Brookline, WLG Co-Chair
9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Brag Better: How to Advocate for Yourself
This panel will explore the importance of self-advocacy in the workplace and provide practical strategies for effectively promoting oneself and one’s accomplishments. Panelists will discuss how to identify opportunities to showcase one’s skills and achievements, and craft compelling narratives that highlight one’s value. Attendees will take away skills and strategies that will boost their confidence in personal and professional negotiation scenarios.
Melissa Murray, Partner, Norris, Murray & Peloquin
Melissa Rodrigues, Town Manager, North Andover
Dori Vecchio, Acting Town Manager, Auburn
Moderator: Kelly Axtell, Deputy Town Manager, Lexington
10:45 – 11:15 a.m.
WLG Scavenger Hunt
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Breakout sessions
Management Stories
Members share their career journeys, including the challenges they face, the transitions they made, and their experiences in management roles.
Anita Arum, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director, Acton
Julianny Vittini, Assistant Human Resources Director, Danvers
Paige Duncan, Town Manager, Foxborough
Moderator: Tricia Vinchesi, Retired Town Manager
What’s Current in Generative AI
Speakers will share how they are using AI in their community.
Devon Fields, Deputy City Manager, Chelsea
Feng Yang, Chief Information Officer, Brookline
Megan Zammuto, Deputy Town Manager, Concord
Amalia McCaffrey, Chief Information Officer, Concord
Moderator: Jen Breaker, Deputy Town Manager, Danvers
12:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:45 – 3 p.m.
Lessons in Management: Constructive Criticism
Betsy Neptune, Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant, Neptune Coaching
We all know how important it is to give constructive feedback, and we’ve probably learned ways to give that feedback to others. But why is it still so hard to do? Why do we chicken out when we have to have that hard conversation or end up saying something we don’t mean? And why is it even harder to learn from the feedback we receive from others without getting defensive or dismissing it too quickly? This session will dive into the challenge of giving and receiving constructive criticism. Topics will include ways to navigate how our brains automatically react to difficult conversations, and how we can more effectively manage our emotions to help others and ourselves become more effective colleagues and leaders.
Location
Lake Pearl, 299 Creek St., Wrentham
Contact
MMA Senior Member Program Coordinator Denise Baker, dbaker@mma.org
Women Leading Government Conference