The 2025 Leadership Conference: Rise & Redefine, held on November 7 at Stevens Institute of Technology, brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests for a day of learning, reflection, and collaboration around modern leadership. The event was organized by the Lore-El Center with support from the Office of Student Culture and Belonging, Graduate Student Life, Undergraduate Student Life, and Development and Alumni Engagement. This year’s theme, “Rise & Redefine,” emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership, coalition-building, and emotional intelligence in an evolving professional landscape. The conference invited attendees to reflect on how leaders can empower others across disciplines and identities while cultivating more equitable communities.
The program featured a full schedule of sessions designed to balance inspiration, skill-building, and networking. Following morning check-in and opening remarks, participants attended three workshop blocks focused on collaboration, communication, and identity in leadership. A luncheon and networking break allowed for informal connections before the day concluded with a keynote address and reception.
Among the event’s featured speakers were Dr. Connie Mariano and Dr. Victoria Farris, both of whom offered distinct perspectives on leadership through their professional and personal journeys. Dr. Mariano, the conference’s keynote speaker, delivered a powerful talk drawing from her career in medicine and public service. A retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, she was the first military woman to serve as White House Physician to the President, the first woman to direct the White House Medical Unit, and the first Filipino American in U.S. history to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral. She is also the author of The White House Doctor: My Patients Were Presidents—A Memoir.
Throughout her address, Dr. Mariano encouraged attendees to lead with integrity, resilience, and empathy — values that guided her through decades of service in high-pressure, high-responsibility roles. “It is the journey that defines us,” she reminded the audience, urging them to embrace setbacks and “not be afraid of failure.” She also shared a personal message about authenticity, telling students, “They will never forget you because you are different.” Her story illustrated how leadership can transcend boundaries of profession and identity, inspiring students to pursue impact beyond traditional paths and, as she put it, to “lead by love.”
When asked about the role of skepticism in her career, Dr. Mariano reflected on the challenges she faced as a woman in the military and medical fields. “They always underestimated me,” she said, “but I proved them wrong.” She spoke candidly about breaking barriers throughout her career—from becoming the first military woman to serve as White House Physician to the President to being the first Filipino American promoted to Rear Admiral—and emphasized that her achievements were not just personal milestones, but steps forward for those who will come after her. “I may be the first,” she told the audience, “but I won’t be the last.” Mariano’s words underscored her belief in paving the way for future generations and redefining what leadership looks like through courage, compassion, and persistence.
Dr. Victoria Farris, a leadership strategist and executive coach, led a workshop titled “The Future of STEM Leadership: Why EQ Matters as Much as IQ.” Drawing on her THINK-THRIVE framework—which centers on trust, collaboration, inclusion, and psychological safety—Farris highlighted the growing need for emotional intelligence in science and technology fields, and that “emotional intelligence and effective communication are critical qualities.” Her session challenged participants to view leadership not only as technical proficiency but as the ability to foster connection and belonging within diverse teams.
Together, Mariano’s keynote and Farris’ workshop and multiple other speakers captured the essence of the Rise & Redefine theme: leadership that balances confidence with compassion, and ambition with authenticity.
The 2025 Leadership Conference ultimately served as both a celebration and a call to action. By creating space for dialogue, learning, and community, Stevens reaffirmed its commitment to developing leaders who think critically, act ethically, and uplift those around them.
