Level Up 2025
Events
Level Up 2025
7 - 9 Mar, 2025 | Washington, DC, USA
Discover your personal and professional skills of leadership
Are you leading one or more team members for the first time, whether officially or unofficially? Do you aspire to cultivate the skills necessary to lead your team effectively, making a positive impact sustainably, without succumbing to burnout? Join us for Level Up Leadership – an immersive three-day event designed to help you explore these pivotal questions while crafting a personalized action plan for implementation. Throughout the program, you’ll embark on an introspective journey to define your unique leadership style, discover strategies for collaborating and facilitating your team, honing your communication skills. Gain invaluable hands-on experience in navigating conflict resolution using reference scenarios and overcome personal barriers hindering your professional growth. Level Up Leadership provides a platform to address common challenges such as imposter syndrome, equipping you with the tools to manage yourself and your time more effectively. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership potential and network within the photonics industry. Register now to secure your place and unlock the keys to impactful leadership.
Topics
- Defining Leadership
- Time Management
- Stress Management
- Leadership Styles
- Leadership Pathways
- Networking
- Team Dynamics & Conflict Resolution
- Allyship/Self Advocacy
- Imposter Syndrome
- Communication Skills
Facilitator
Eric Koester
Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University
Founder and CEO, Manuscripts
Schedule
We have an engaging and informative program planned. Level Up Leadership is facilitated by Eric Koester, Adjunct Professor, at Georgetown University and Founder and CEO of Manuscripts.
Level Up will begin at 18:00 EST on 7 March 2025 and concludes at 17:30 EST on 9 March 2025. To learn more about the topics featured each day, please click on the tabs below.
Friday, 07 March
15:00-16:00 Check-in to Generator Hotel
18:00 Welcome Reception
Saturday, 08 March
08:00–08:45 Breakfast
08:45–9:00 Welcome by Elizabeth Nolan, Optica CEO
09:00–10:30 Defining Leadership & Driving Change in STEM Organizations
10:30–10:45 Break
10:45–12:15 Personal Effectiveness & Productivity for Leaders
12:15–13:30 Lunch
13:30–15:00 Strategic Adaptability & Leadership in a Changing World
15:00–15:15 Break
15:15–16:45 Communicating Strategically to Influence & Lead
16:15–17:00 Break
17:00–18:00 From early-career to executive by Gabrielle Thomas, Menlo Systems
18:00–19:00 Dinner
Sunday, 09 March
08:00–09:00 Breakfast
09:00–10:30 Building Strong Professional Relationships & Network
10:30–10:45 Break
10:45–12:15 Navigating Conflict & High-Stakes Conversations
12:15–13:30 Lunch
13:30–15:00 Leadership Case Study Workshop & Coaching: New Initiative or Innovation
15:00–15:15 Break
15:15–16:45 Team Presentations: Building Your Leadership Action Plan
16:45–17:00 Break
17:00–17:15 Closing remarks by Jim Kafka, Optica President
17:15-17:30 Final Thoughts
18:00–19:00 Dinner
Monday, 10 March
Travel Day - Bon Voyage!
