Students, faculty and staff gathered March 3 for the 2nd annual Women in Leadership Forum to hear from local community leaders.

To kick off Women’s History Month, a panel of talented female leaders discussed their leadership journey in the corporate culture. Texas Wesleyan Professor Meghan Wright, Ph.D., and organizers of the Women in Leadership Forum said, “It is an honor to celebrate, connect, challenge and empower women through this annual event.”

Juna Jones Moore, senior manager of talent acquisition and diversity, GameStop Inc., discussed the importance of personal brand. She encouraged the audience to evaluate themselves in areas such as personal style, communication skills and physical presence. She also believes asking for feedback is key. “When you do it right, you create trust,” she said.

The LaSalle Group Vice President of Talent Management Barbara H. Lee is an accomplished leader with 25 years of experience in human resources. “Pay attention, make others feel important,” she said. “You can’t learn the business if you are disengaged.” She said one thing that helped her throughout the years at work and home is “presence.” Being able to engage with family, friends and colleagues.

Mary Beth Dudley, head of talent acquisition and talent management at DaVita Rx, is a global senior human resources executive. She spoke of her significant experience leading organizations through change and transformation, renewing a culture and driving business performance. She also talked about the importance of personal brand, and knowing our “gifts and our gaps.”

“I am a winner. I am a catalyst. I am an innovator. I am a visionary,” were some of the words Karen Burchfield, associate vice president of coal marketing at BNSF Railway, used to describe and introduce herself. Burchfield is a graduate from Texas Wesleyan in 1984 who has served in the transportation industry leadership role for more than 26 years. She talked about how life is sometimes bigger than we are and we do not have another option but to fight back. “You respect others not because of who they are but, because of who you are,” she said.