In celebration of the forthcoming International Women’s Day, we invite you to hear from a panel of inspiring female leaders. For this year’s guest lecture, ‘Permission to lead: overcoming self-doubt as a woman in leadership’, the focus will be on addressing impostor syndrome, confidence gaps, speaking out, being heard, and self-advocacy.
Professor Connson Locke, Professor (Education) of Management, LSE (pictured above)
Professor Connson Locke joined the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2008 where she teaches Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, and Negotiation and Decision Making. Connson has over 30 years’ experience as an educator, coach, and consultant working in Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and Australia.
Prior to entering academia, she served as Regional Training and Development Manager for the Boston Consulting Group where she was responsible for the learning and development of consulting staff in 10 offices across Asia Pacific.
Connson holds a PhD and MSc in Business Administration (Organizational Behaviour) from the University of California, Berkeley and a BA in Sociology from Harvard University where she graduated with honours. Her book, Making Your Voice Heard, uses the research on power and influence to help people speak up to those who have more power than they do.
Reneé Blanchard, Owner of Church Alley Coffee Bar, Church Alley Nutrition
Reneé Blanchard is a Louisiana native, nutrition expert, and advocate for evidence-based wellness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Political Science from the University of Central Florida, a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from Nicholls State University, and is currently pursuing a master’s in Public Health in Nutrition at Tulane University. She is also a certified Menopause Coaching Specialist through Girls Gone Strong.
In addition to her work in nutrition, Reneé is the owner and executive chef of Church Alley Pantry, where she combines her culinary background with her passion for health, community engagement, and menu development. Her mission is to empower individuals to support their well-being through nutrition.
Nova Marshall, Visual Artist, Creative Producer, Director
Nova Marshall is a passionate working-class participatory visual artist with a bold and inclusive approach to creativity. She holds a Foundation Degree in Art and Design and a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from the University of Creative Arts (2011). Nova co-founded aim4 Partnerships CiC, a not-for-profit arts organization that brings hands-on creativity into schools and communities.
With over 14 years of experience, Nova has developed a collaborative and adaptable practice that encourages creative risks and builds confidence. Committed to positive social impact, she uses art to empower individuals and communities, driving meaningful change and fostering a sense of collective strength and voice.
Our MBA Women in Leadership Scholar, Kait Austin and fellow MBA student, Jodie Devlin will appear alongside MBA Director, Professor Tom Chen to welcome a global live audience, bringing together our community of MBA students, alumni, and the broader community of business leaders. There will also be a chance to submit questions to the panel during the Q&A. Join us and see what the MBA Guest Lecture Series has to offer.
This is a free event taking place on Friday 7 March, from 15:00 to 16:30 (GMT) in the MBA Suite in Sibson building and online via Teams – register your place today.
Our MBA Guest Lecture series runs across the year covering three main themes: Sustainability in November/December, Diversity/Women in Leadership in March and Entrepreneurship in May.
Our MBA is underpinned by our high-quality research and informed by the global outlook of our international community. It builds on your current experience to transform you into a responsible business leader.