Schedule of Events

The Baltimore Museum of Industry celebrates Maryland’s industrial legacy and shows how innovation fuels ongoing progress. Their exhibitions, educational programs, and collections engage visitors in the stories of the people who built Baltimore and those who shape the region’s future. Participants will receive a behind the scenes guided tour of the Cannery that will include team building opportunities and exercises. The remaining time will be spent in a self-guided tour of the museum.

Capacity: 40 people

Price: $20 per person

Meet: Bus transportation will be provided to and from the museum. Please meet in the lobby of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 7:45 a.m. as the bus will depart by 8 a.m.

The Walters Art Museum collection spans seven millennia of art from cultures across the world. The museum’s staff collaborates to make the collection accessible to the public through installations, special exhibitions, publications, and programs. The Walters has the third-oldest conservation lab in the country and is world-renowned for its conservation treatment and technical research of objects, manuscripts and works of art on paper, and paintings. The museum’s campus includes five historic buildings and 36,000 art objects. Moving through the museum’s galleries, visitors encounter a stunning array of objects, from 19th-century paintings of French country and city life to Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and images of the Buddha.

Capacity: 30 people

Price per person: All tours at the Walters are free.

Meet:  Bus transportation will be provided to and from the museum. Please meet in the lobby of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 10:15 a.m.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is the authentic voice of African American art, history and culture in Maryland. Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the Lewis celebrates the significant accomplishments and struggles of African Americans throughout 400 years of Maryland’s history. Through their groundbreaking exhibitions, permanent collection and timely programs and events, they are bridging the gap between the past and present.

Currently sold out

Capacity: 30 people

Price per person: $10

Meet: Attendees will meet in the lobby of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 10:45 a.m. to walk to the museum together, about a 10-12 minute walk from the hotel.

The nonprofit National Aquarium opened on August 8, 1981, the jewel of Baltimore City's Inner Harbor redevelopment. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures, the Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top three aquariums and as Maryland's largest paid tourist attraction, featuring thousands of fishes, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals living in award-winning habitats.The National Aquarium builds on its rich history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting aquatic and marine life alongside human communities. 

Capacity: 30 people

Price per person: $39.95 a ticket

Meet: Attendees will meet in the lobby of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront at 11:15 a.m. to walk to the aquarium together, about a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel.

First time attendees are invited to join Cornell staff and other alumni in an informal and interactive networking session. Get all your CALC questions answered and find out how to get the most out of your attendance and participation.

• Beth Anderson '80, Co-Vice Chair, Committee on Alumni Affairs, Board of Trustees
• Matt Arthur '21, Class Council member for the Class of 2021
• Jennifer Lagnado-Papp '96, Class President for the Class of 1996

Unboxing Humans: Unlock the Extraordinary Talent Hidden on Your Team

Location: Salons 1-4

Speaker: Danielle Boris '16, MBA '21, Founder and CEO of Sandbox Together, author of The Energy of Weirdos, Host of the Unboxing Humans podcast

Description: In life, we’re often put in boxes, labeled by job titles, volunteer roles, life stages, and more. This siloing limits talent development and inhibits organizations of all types from leveraging the full knowledge, skill sets, and innovation in their workforces and teams. Only by unboxing humans, and tapping into what makes every individual unique (and weird!) can employees, managers, volunteer leaders, and organizations all win together. In this session, learn how to look beneath the surface of your team members (at work, in your volunteer group, at home) to effectively leverage their talent. Through an interest-first approach, you’ll walk away with practical tools to attract and retain great volunteers and employees, turn unconscious bias into conscious action, and align the right people to the right work.

Other Engagement Opportunities during this Time-slot:

Location: 3rd Floor

• Career Exploration in Action: Partner up with Cornell Career Services experts and executive coach Lisa Rangel '92 for personalized LinkedIn and CUeLINKS profile reviews (don't forget to bring your own device!). Forge connections with fellow attendees and use our conversation starters to kick off meaningful discussions.
• Check Out the Career Corner: Get a complimentary professional portrait photograph, share invaluable career advice for current students, snag some Cornell swag, and much more!
• Join Forces for a Cornellian Cause: Connect with others and contribute to the CALC service project to make a positive impact.

Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award Presentation

We’ll present the Robert S. Harrison '76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award, recognizing recent alumni who have provided exemplary service to Cornell and the world. 

From Field to Fields: How Athletics Prepares Leaders in Work and Life

Former Big Red Athletes take the stage to discuss how Cornell Athletics influences the leaders they are today. Hear about their journeys, lessons learned, how sports experiences translate into daily life, and more. Dr. Nicki Moore, The Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, will share insights on Cornell’s “winning and wellness” philosophy and moderate the discussion.

Speakers: 

• Alex Karwoski '12, US Men’s Rowing Team; Instructor, Peloton (Men’s Rowing)
• Dr. Nicki Moore, The Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education
  
• Sydney Moore ’24, Arts & Sciences, Volleyball athlete, Co-President of Women of Color Athletics (WOCA), Named one of Glamour Magazine’s Women Athletes of the Year
  
• JC Tretter '13, retired NFL player; President, NFL Players Association (Football)
• Margaux Viola '07, Director of Growth at Compass; Founder, Cornell's Women's Athletics Network (Women’s Lacrosse)

Please select one of the following sessions from the dropdown menu: 

Session Option I: AI Essentials for Alumni Leaders: Enhancing Engagement and Elevating Personal Brands

Location: Salons 1-4

Speaker: Liz Ngonzi MMH ‘98, Transformative Coach, and Social Entrepreneur

Join Liz Ngonzi, MMH ‘98, a renowned expert in AI for Impact, for an engaging and interactive session at the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference. "AI Essentials for Alumni Leaders: Enhancing Engagement and Elevating Personal Brands" is a one-hour presentation designed to unpack the power of AI in fostering meaningful alumni relations and leadership roles.

This session offers a deep dive into how AI can be innovatively utilized to enhance alumni interactions, stakeholder engagement, and personal branding efforts. Experience a live demo showcasing practical AI tools that streamline communication, personalize outreach, and make event planning more efficient. Discover how AI can also be a catalyst in elevating your professional brand in the digital arena.

Benefits of Participation:

• AI for Impact Insight: Gain insights from a leading expert in applying AI for social and organizational impact.
• Interactive AI Demo: Witness AI tools in action, offering a practical understanding of their applications in alumni relations.
• Enhanced Engagement Techniques: Learn innovative AI strategies to create meaningful connections with alumni and stakeholders.
• AI-Driven Branding: Explore how AI can empower your personal professional brand and networking strategies.
• Hands-On Learning Experience: Engage in an interactive environment with opportunities for hands-on exploration and Q&A.

Session Option II: Say It Skillfully® Be Who You Are and Say What Needs To Be Said

Location: Salons 7-10

Speaker: Molly Tschang '85, Founder, Say It Skillfully Inc.

Description: Regardless of role or level, one of the biggest opportunities for professional development and what could be considered the single most impactful area of growth is—effective communication. Whether in your day job or as a Cornell volunteer, the ability to authentically say what needs to be said (not what others want to hear) is imperative to doing our best work, together. Join power communicator, leadership consultant and founder of Say It Skillfully® Molly Tschang ‘85, who will provide insights into what holds us back from speaking up and a simple framework to help you with your tough conversations. Don’t miss this interactive session to help you to find the words to speak up positively and productively on topics that matter most to you.

Please select one of the following sessions from the dropdown menu:

Session Option I: Design Thinking + Design Doing: Turning Ideas into Impact for Your Life and Career

Location: Salons 1-4

Speaker: Marisha Thakker LLM ‘19, Co-Founder & CEO, Spicebox Inc.

Description: Phones down, pens up! Join this interactive session where we will learn to apply design thinking principles to overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities. You will walk away inspired, with an action plan and practical tools for applying creative problem-solving to your life, career, and volunteering that you can use every time you face a challenge. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, this session promises to be a memorable blend of entertainment, learning, and creative inspiration!

Session Option II: Leadership Development: The Importance of Self-Awareness

Location: Salons 7-10

Speaker: Lawrence Van De Walk '87, Ph.D. '10 Senior Extension Associate, Department of Global Development; Executive Director, Lead NY, Department of Global Development

Description: Many leadership development resources (books, conferences, training programs) offer prescriptive approaches to developing leadership skills and abilities. However, leadership is often very contextual and individual development needs can vary widely. In this session, we’ll discuss what really matters in effective leadership, and explore the logic behind the expression “self-awareness before self-improvement”. We will also explore tools that you can use to enhance your own self-awareness as you consider your professional/leadership development journey.

Please select one of the following sessions from the dropdown menu:

Session Option I:  Influence Unveiled: Cornellians Navigating the Social Media Landscape

Location: Salons 1-4

Join us for a captivating panel discussion that delves into the dynamic world of social media influencers by exploring their impact and strategies across three major platforms – TikTok, Podcasts, and Instagram. As these platforms continue to shape and redefine digital communication, the panelists will share insights, experiences, and best practices for navigating these unique storytelling landscapes. You’ll also learn how these Cornellians have leveraged their social media presence for maximum reach and how they find inspiration to be a leader shaping the social media culture.

Speakers:

• J.C. Dombrowski '23, Influencer and Content Creator, Instagram and TikTok
• Stephanie Marmelstein Gitlin '90, Host of the Cornell (ThankU) Podcast
• Michelle Stuzin Katz '90, Host of the Cornell (ThankU) Podcast
• Matthew Merril '26, Chef and Content Creator of Matthew in the Kitchen
• Moderator: Macy Hung '22, Assistant Brand Marketing Manager, Biossance; Content Creator, Tik Tok and Instagram

Session Option II: Leveraging Volunteerism in Your Professional Lives 

Location: Salons 7-10

Explore the interconnectedness of volunteer service, skill development and career advancement through Cornell opportunities. There’s a volunteer pathway for every Cornellian no matter the stage of life. We will provide insights and strategies to leverage your passion for making a difference for your alma mater.  You’ll also discover the art of highlighting your volunteer contributions in resumes, interviews, and online professional profiles by emphasizing the valuable skills and perspectives that you gained through service to Cornell.  

Speakers:

• Tina Gourley, Sr. Director Volunteer Programs 
• Dr. Erica Kryst, Executive Director of Cornell Career Services
• Heather Wells ’02, Director of Volunteer Operations

Please select one of the following sessions from the dropdown menu:

Session Option I: Champions of Change: Empowering Volunteers in Fundraising

Location: Salons 1-4

Description: Learn how to multiply your impact with Cornell University's annual fund volunteers. These class and university leaders will share the stories behind their choice to support and uplift the university. Gain valuable insights, learn effective strategies, and be part of a conversation that celebrates the profound impact volunteers can have in shaping a brighter future for any organization.

Session Option II: Mastering Leadership through Military Experiences

Location: Salons 7-10

Speakers:

• LCDR Nieva M. S. Brock ‘87, JAGC, USN (RET) 1995 - 2015
• Captain Robert Patrick Callahan '14, US Army 2014-2023; Army Reserve, 2023-present
• LCDR Brian Pickerall '82, USN Surface Warfare Officer 1982 - 1992

• Moderator: SSG Seamus Murphy '17 (Army) 2005 - 2012

Description: This panel discussion will highlight military and veteran alumni sharing leadership lessons gained from their military service, which can be used to bolster alumni volunteer communities. You will also hear from current Cornell Military Network (CMN) board members about their own volunteer journeys, including how they became an engaged volunteer and encourage other alumni to become involved.

Keynote: Impression (Mis)Management

Övül Sezer, Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations, Nolan School of Hotel Administration, SC Johnson College of Business Scientist and a stand–up comedian who observes life with science, wonder and humor. Her research focuses on Impression (Mis)Management—the mistakes we make when we want to impress others. We all think we know how to make a positive impression, and we can easily spot the mistakes others make, but when it comes to our own missteps, we tend to be blithely oblivious. Sezer identifies these mistakes and investigates how we can better navigate our social world.

Closing Celebration and Alma Mater

We will close our enlightening conference with one final reflection on the insightful contributions of our speakers and the multitude of engagement opportunities for participants.