What is design thinking ? Slavka will explain how it’s a nonlinear way to approach thinking and outline the tools to solve complex problems and successfully promote ideas. Using a framework of a communication campaign to illustrate the steps, she’ll illustrate the overall effectiveness of the design thinking process. You will learn examples of successful applications of these tools, a list of habits that you can start applying to your work immediately to achieve better results, and resources to continue exploring the topic of design thinking as it applies to your own career fields.

Explore what your clients and customers want and what gets in the way of communicating your value. Attendees will reveal key discovery techniques and rapport questions for communicating value.
As a young (or seasoned) professional you provide a value proposition to your customers and clients. In this break-out session you will learn how to communicate your expertise and value contribution more efficiently. Learn the art of mastering communication and connection with your people, far beyond the transaction. Tanya and Matt will share powerful questions and tangible takeaways that lead to cultivating lasting business relationships.

How did a well-known artist, nonprofit leader, creative director, and construction worker come together to build a monument after the Holiday Farm Fire that united a grieving community? How did a music producer, a skateboarder, and a puppet maker join forces to support a local nonprofit gain statewide recognition? How did a homeless services case manager partner with a fashion model and comic book illustrator to change the landscape of storytelling for a vulnerable, misunderstood population? The answer is simple. When community collaboration happens, beautiful outcomes occur. In this session, you will hear from creative director Sarah Koski on how to find like-minded visionaries outside of your current network to support your favorite local cause. For the last decade and a half, Sarah has utilized a variety of social media platforms and networking skills to develop the most unlikely friendships and – in turn – unique content for nonprofits. Whether it be a youth videographer at the skatepark or a MAC cosmetics counter artist, anyone can help support our vibrant Eugene community through their own unique set of skills. In this session, Sarah will help you explore what it means to “co-opt cool,” how to think outside of the box to support your favorite nonprofit, and how to tap into your own creative skills to help our local community (even if you’re the least creative person in the room).

Considering signing up to serve on a board or maybe you are currently serving on a board but interested in best practices? In this session, we will discuss a) what it’s like to serve on a board, b) the pros and cons of service, c) the fiduciary responsibilities of board members (say what?!), and d) a basic introduction to financial stewardship for board members. The discussion will also consider how to navigate board conflicts and difficult personalities. Session facilitator and laywer, Jessica Price, has served on the boards of the Eugene Education Foundation, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Oregon Women Lawyers, and as chair of the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund and as president of the Metro Rotary Board, will share some of her experiences comparing board practices and learning how to fine tune board practices.

The idea that YPs have hit their career peak at the age of 30 is long gone – so let’s collectively let go of that pressure! Working professionals are pivoting to new career opportunities, going back to school, or exploring entrepreneurship at a much higher rate than decades past. So how are employers meeting the change? Corynn will highlight the role that higher education and continuing education plays in the ongoing development of a strong workforce. She will speak about how career trajectories have changed in our technological world and how soft skills are becoming even more valuable as the role of technology increases. Tech skills, while still valuable, are being supplanted by competencies such as communication, critical thinking, leadership, professionalism, conflict resolution, teamwork, and self-awareness. You’ll take away ideas of how to meet the demand of today’s workforce, to better your career, company, and professional journey.

Curious how young professionals can make life-changing connections and build community, yet still conencting it to your passions? Debbie will apply a lens of the arts, and talk through the strategies that could be applied to other interests. Attendees can expect to learn ways to grow their professional skills through participating with arts and culture organizations. Learn about ways to volunteer, engage in board service, apply for city committees seeking their expertise, and service organizations already deeply embedded into our community. Participants will also learns ways to connect their business to local arts and culture organizations or find the perfect way to fill their souls through art making.

You’ve heard of IQ but have you heard of PQ? Mental Fitness is the doorway to high performance and functioning at your best and Positive Intelligence quotient (PQ) is the measure of your mental fitness. It’s the best predictor of how happy you are and how well you perform relative to your potential. Increasing your PQ can impact your performance, your relationships, and your leadership potential, according to a synthesis of recent breakthroughs in neuroscience, cognitive and positive psychology, and performance science. Enhancing your PQ improves your ability to manage stress, connect and build positive relationships and take risks. In this session, participants will gain awareness of PQ, what is likely to derail their mental fitness, and a framework for shifting into greater mental fitness.

As our world becomes more fractured and conversations less real, how can YPs engage our community with any authenticity? We all want to make a difference, but the cost of getting involved can feel too high. Through stories, humor and a dash of irreverence, Betsy will discuss fundamental changes we can all make to positively impact our politics and our community. You won’t be the same after this conversation.

As we progress in our careers, we reach a point where we feel like we’re unable to move to the next level or feel anxious about making a career change. It’s like trying to climb a mountain with a pair of flip-flops on. Going through our careers alone can be limiting, and it’s almost impossible to achieve our goals without the support, accountability, and collaboration with others. Join Brandon Miller, a freelance voice actor who turned his part-time side hustle into a full-time career with the help of his mastermind group. In this interactive session, Brandon will share what a mastermind group is, how it can help you achieve seemingly unattainable goals, and why being part of a community of like-minded individuals can provide support and accountability for your career growth. You’ll leave with the confidence and resources to join or start your own mastermind group, enabling you to take your business, side hustle, career, or personal life to a whole new level.