Executive Education   

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While most executives, managers and employees focus on developing their technical and functional expertise, what sets leaders apart is emotional intelligence (EI) competency – their ability to understand, communicate, develop, and positively motivate themselves and others in positive, impactful ways.  Exceptional leaders move and inspire us by intelligently tapping into the most basic of all human characteristics — emotion.

Most importantly, research shows that emotional intelligence can be learned.  In the Emotional Intelligence for Leaders program, you will learn fundamental concepts and non-cognitive skills to increase your emotional quotient (EQ) in both your professional and personal life.  Greater self-awareness of your own emotions and thought patterns will empower you to become more positive, proactive, and to develop greater empathy and understanding of others and about how your behavior impacts them.  These competencies will enhance your decision making, strengthen your resilience and ability to manage stress and conflict, build relationships of trust and respect, and enable you to lead outstanding performance in yourself and within your team.  The program includes expert instruction, group discussions, reflective exercises, multiple emotional intelligence assessments, a personal program manual and workbook, and other engaged learning activities to help you understand yourself, learn how to make your emotions work for you, and realize your leadership potential.

Participants completing all four modules in this program earn the Emotional Intelligence for Leaders Certificate. 

Program participants will learn how dynamic leaders apply the AWAKEN Emotional Intelligence Model and master its competencies to:

• Recognize their limiting emotions, thought processes, patterns, and deep-seated beliefs;
• Positively affect their mental and emotional well-being and that of others;
• Transform harmful emotions, beliefs, and behaviors into healthy, collaborative outcomes; 
• Harness the power of positive emotions, self-awareness, emotion regulation, and healthy response skills;
• Limit self-sabotaging emotions and behavior in their professional and personal relationships; and
• Identify strategies and apply tools to develop and motivate emotionally intelligent teams.

This program is designed for new, experienced, and emerging managers, team leaders, and supervisors looking to improve their professional and personal lives by becoming more self-aware, creating positive and productive relationships, learn healthier ways to communicate and resolve conflict, express empathy, and use emotional intelligence to enhance their leadership opportunities.  This program is also designed for employers and organizations looking to develop strategic leaders who create positive working relationships, lead and motivate diverse teams, drive performance aligned with company values, and leverage individual strengths and differences to achieve organizational goals.

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Modules in this program focus on powerful emotional intelligence topics, principles, strategies, and best practices for leaders, managers, professionals, and entrepreneurs. 

All sessions are held in person at UVU's Lehi Campus.  All sessions may also be attended live online via Zoom and are presented in a highly interactive format that enables participants to easily engage with the instructor and other participants, including joining in small group work and networking opportunities.

Module 4 :: Leading Emotional Intelligence     Wed, June 22^nd, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

In this module, you will retake the Emotional Intelligence Assessment to track your progress and identify how to better apply concepts learned to your current professional and personal life's challenges.  You will create a specific, strategic plan to utilize the power of emotional intelligence and intuitive decision making.  You will identify consistent, daily practices you can employ to chart a path to improve your relationships, to build and motivate yourself and your team, to proactively address challenges and resolve conflicts, and to become a more dynamic and emotionally intelligent leader. 

Sandra Weller MRET     President & CEO | Intuitive Life Coach Academy

Sandra Weller serves as President & CEO of Intuitive Life Coach Academy and is Founder of the Awaken Healing Center, a non-profit organization.  She brings over 20 years of experience as a coach, trainer, consultant, speaker, author, and entrepreneur teaching leaders, teams, groups, and individuals transformative processes and techniques for enhanced professional performance and personal well-being.  She specializes in the areas of Leadership, Team Building, Productivity, Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness, Communication, and Empowerment to help clients achieve their goals.  She is the creator of the Meditate On The Go journal and daily planner, is co-author of GPS – Goals & Proven Strategies for Success (with Stephen R. Covey, John Gray, Les Brown, and other best-selling authors), and is author of The Unique You, an illustrated children’s book.  Sandra studied Marriage & Family Studies at BYU-Idaho, Human Development & Family Studies at Weber State University, and is a Certified Master Rapid Eye Trainer / Technician (MRET) by the Rapid Eye Institute.

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“I’d been searching for a consultant to help me elevate the corporate culture of my business.  As if by divine intervention, Sandra has helped me develop the skills I need to lead my team to the next level.  An invaluable resource, she is exceptionally gifted and gets to the root of an issue faster than anyone I've ever worked with.  I use her tools and solutions with my team for better communication, negotiations, conflict resolution, and we have created an improved overall workplace culture that empowers and enriches my most valuable asset – my employees.  I am so grateful!”  – Shannon Ritter   Owner | Fleur De Lys Home & Gift Boutique

"Sandra Weller's program has been a tremendous, positive influence in our business.  Her instruction and counseling in conflict resolution, eliminating drama, and in a variety of other mission critical areas has helped us create an overall positive and productive business atmosphere.  We continue to consult with her regularly and we value her insight and guidance."  – Dr. Doug Toole, DPM   Owner & Partner | Utah Foot and Ankle

“I had lived most of my life letting life live me.  Seeing everything as a fire I needed to put out, having multiple jobs at one time, and self-sacrificing in order to feel valued, I struggled to keep everything in balance.  Through the Awaken techniques, Sandra has shown me a better way that allows me to intentionally choose the life I want.  Now, I am able to create more time and more money, and choose healthier relationships.  The most important relationship being with myself!” – Michael Keithley   Parts & Accessories Manager | Menlove Auto

“As a golden ticket winner on American Idol, I was close to achieving my dream.  What I discovered instead was how self-sabotage had been controlling and preventing me from achieving my goals my entire life.  The emotional intelligence methods taught by Sandra have made me aware of the thoughts and feelings that drive my destructive behavior.  I am now able to observe my patterns objectively, rather than personalizing them and feeling that I am defective, and I am able to transform self-sabotaging reactions before they take me down.  The tools have enabled me to overcome shame, forgive myself, and choose another to the life I love – I’m even able to sing again!“  – Brittney Shields  Former Contestant | American Idol

“For years, my search to discover a way to change the unproductive emotional patterns that limited me were in vain.  The countless books, seminars, counseling, and thousands of dollars spent were of little help.  That changed when I attended the course on AWAKENING Emotional Intelligence taught by Sandra Weller.  Her insights, instruction, and the tools she helped me implement were a real connection for me.  The program proved to be the beginning of new patterns, relationships, and opportunities that I had previously thought impossible.”  – Philip Hansen   Retired | Geneva Rock     

"I have experienced PTSD most of my life, without understanding how early trauma was affecting every aspect of my life – physically, emotionally and mentally, including my business and personal relationships.  With Sandra's program I have learned how to cognitively be more present to life and to breathe freely again.  I did not realize how much lighter and healthier I could feel.  I am now able to stay more focused on operating a successful business and creating healthy relationships that support me."  – Kent Murray   Owner | Single-Shot Trucking, Inc.

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The Women’s Leadership Certificate Program is a powerful, engaged learning experience focused on transforming successful women into outstanding leaders.  Join a select group of women leaders from top corporate, government, education, and non-profit organizations for this unique, intensive program. Develop the expertise and credibility to reach your goals and make meaningful contributions in your organization, industry, and community. Led by internationally recognized women’s leadership experts, including UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez, the program offers an exceptional selection of instructors, VIP panelists, leadership assessments and 1-on-1 consultations, and mentor and peer networking.  Discover the strategies, skills, and resources to create and maximize your leadership opportunities.

Offered in partnership with the Woodbury School of Business and the Women's Success Center at UVU, the program addresses the real-world leadership challenges faced by women. Throughout the program, you will gain invaluable insights from leading research and best practices into how other successful women lead and discover innovative solutions, and you will develop a viable, personal strategic plan to enhance your leadership style and opportunities. You will gain the expertise, credibility, and confidence to take control of your career by earning the Women's Leadership Certificate.

A key component of the program is the Leadership Character Insight Assessment (LCIA) and Gallup Strengths Assessments, which are frameworks designed to develop leadership character and accelerate leadership effectiveness. Using your assessment results, you will have the opportunity to engage 1-on-1 in transforming personal coaching sessions. Armed with deeper insight into your own leadership style and the character factors driving it, you can move forward with your leadership development more effectively, strengthen your style, and clarify your purpose and calling as a leader.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will recognize the barriers to women’s leadership progression and be able to navigate the vulnerability inherent in learning, leadership, and career transitions. Through leadership assessments and 1-on-1 consultations, you'll identify your unique strengths and understand how your perspectives, experiences, and work habits contribute to your leadership approach, and enhance your ability to display visionary leadership, communicate effectively, and facilitate the success of others. 

Learn from successful leaders who understand the unique challenges faced by women.  In this program you will:

• Discover your leadership identity and develop a personal leadership strategy;
• Learn innovative methods and best practices to lead and grow dynamic teams more effectively; 
• Engage 1:1 with leadership experts and a certified coach in transforming assessments and consultations; and
• Join an exclusive alumni network of successful women leaders, mentors, and peers to lift yourself and inspire others.

The Program is designed for mid-to-senior level professionals and executives in the corporate, government, education, and non-profit sectors who are current or emerging leaders. The ideal candidate is an executive, senior manager, functional head, director, business owner, or managing professional with leadership, management, or governing experience looking to enhance their leadership abilities and effectiveness, rise in their organization or make a career change, and build a unique network.

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UVU Executive Education has a long-established reputation for delivering high-quality leadership, management, professional, and entrepreneurial education programs and resources.  Modules in this program focus on powerful women's leadership topics, principles, strategies, and best practices.

All sessions are available live online via Zoom.  The final two sessions will also be held in person at UVU's Lehi Campus for those who can attend.  Sessions are presented in a highly interactive format that enables participants to easily engage with the instructor and other participants, including joining in small group work and networking opportunities.  All sessions are recorded and made available to participants unable to attend. 

     Engage in Visioning & Lead Effective Teams     Fri, May 27^th, 2022   9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

This session focuses on developing leadership presence and speaking with confidence when advancing critical initiatives in your organization. Participants will also engage in exercises that explore the value of, and strategies for, group reflection as a means of looking back to learn.   President Tuminez will join us to share strategies to engage in and derive benefit from unfettered conversations. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to share their personal insights and reflections about their learning experiences and plan the next steps as a group to help each other along the leadership journey.

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Astrid S. Tuminez PhD MA     President | Utah Valley University

Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez PhD MA serves as Co-Lead of the program and as Utah Valley University’s first female President.  She previously served as Southeast Asia Regional Director of Corporate, External & Legal Affairs at Microsoft, Vice Dean of Research and Assistant Dean of Executive Education at National University of Singapore, Senior Research Consultant at US Institute of Peace, Director of Research, Alternative Investments at AIG Global, Program Officer at Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Fellow, Center for Science and International Affairs and Director, Moscow Office.  President Tuminez earned her PhD in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, her MA degree in Soviet Studies from Harvard, and her BA degree in International Relations & Russian Literature from Brigham Young University.

Kelly Hall DBA MBA     Director, Women’s Business Leadership Initiative | Utah Valley University

Dr. Kelly Hall serves as Assistant Professor and Director of the Women’s Business Leadership Initiative at UVU.  She previously served as Assistant Professor of Management in the Stetson School of Business Administration at Stetson University.  She is an Outstanding Innovator Award and Distinguished EMBA Professor Award recipient both awarded by Stetson University.  Kelly previously served as Branch Manager at Raymond James Financial Services Inc. and as Senior Training Delivery Specialist at JPMorgan Chase.  Kelly earned her Doctor of Business Administration in Management from Kennesaw State University – Michael J. Coles College of Business and her MBA from Stetson University, and she is a Certified Executive Life Coach.

Jeanette Bennett HonDB MS     Founder & Editor-in-Chief | Bennett Communications

Jeanette Bennett serves as Founder of Bennett Communications and Editor-in-Chief at Utah Valley Magazine, BusinessQ Magazine, Utah Valley Bride, Prosper Magazine, and UtahValley360.com.  She also serves as Chair of Utah Philanthropy Day 2021, and as a Board Member of UVU Foundation and Roots of Humanity.  She is a Top Woman Entrepreneur in Media, an Outstanding Business Leader, and a Community Partner of the Year awards recipient, and was a finalist for Utah’s Mother of the Year.  She previously served as Co-Chair of Women for Utah, and as a Board Member at Silicon Slopes, United Way of Utah County, Thanksgiving Point, Lifting Generations, and Better Days 2020.  She also previously served as a Writer and Copy Editor at Nu Skin, Utah Business Magazine, Deseret Morning News, and New Era Magazine, and as Adjunct Faculty at Brigham Young University - Idaho.  During her more than two decades as a leader and entrepreneur in publishing and media, she has written numerous cover stories and articles featuring well-known leaders in business, government, sports and entertainment, giving her unique insights into leadership and women's issues.  This has made her a highly sought-after speaker and contributor for various business events, podcasts, and radio and television programs, including serving twice as a presenter at the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women.  Jeanette was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business degree from Utah Valley University and earned her MS degree in Mass Communication & Media Studies and her BS degree in Journalism & Business from Brigham Young University.

Salina Rivera MBA     CEO | MIYAN media / The Digital You

Salina Rivera is the CEO of MIYAN media, a full-service digital marketing agency established in 2008, and founder of the Digital You® - a consulting service for building powerful online personal and corporate brands. As a top-rated advisor, speaker, and trainer on developing B2B and B2C social selling strategies, she has led executive social media training for more than 100 companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. Salina earned her an MBA degree in Finance from Walsh College, her BA degree in Marketing from Oakland University, and has earned advanced digital marketing certificates from Harvard Business School, the University of San Francisco, and Northwestern Kellogg University.  

Cydni Tetro MBA     CEO & Board Member | Brandless

Cydni Tetro MBA serves as CEO & Board Member of Brandless, and as Board Member for SelectHealth, Intermountain Healthcare, and Scale Smarter Partners.  She also currently serves as Founder, Board Chair & President of Women Tech Council, as Operating Advisory Member at Mercato Partners, and as Governor's Economic Council Board & COVID Economic Response Task Force Member for the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED).  She is the author of Mission Matters: Women in Business, has written numerous articles on successful women leaders in business, and holds multiple technology patents.  She is a 20 Most Successful Business Women, Entrepreneur of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Woman of the Year, and other awards recipient and has been recognized extensively as a successful leader by Insight Success, BusinessIQ, the Stevie Awards, and others.  She previously served as CEO of ForgeDX, CEO & Board Chair of 3DplusMe, as Head of Technology Commercialization at Disney Research Imagineering, as COO at FamilyLink, as CMO at NextPage, and as Manager of Product Development at Novell.  She has also previously served as a Faculty Member for Goldman Sachs 10KSB and Brigham Young University, and as a Mentor for BoomStartup.  Cydni earned her MBA in Business Strategy & Marketing and her BS degree in Computer Science from Brigham Young University.

Donna Milakovic HonDB MS     Associate Lead Instructor | UVU Executive Education

Donna Milakovic serves Associate Lead Instructor for the Women’s Leadership Program at UVU Executive Education.  She served previously as Senior Director of Community Outreach & Economic Development at Utah Valley University and in technology commercialization at Utah Science Technology and Research Agency (USTAR) where she launched a Robotics and Internet of Things technology acceleration program.  Before USTAR, she served as Executive Vice President at the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and has spent nearly 10 years in non-profit management and government advocacy.  Donna earned her MBA from Utah Valley University and her BA degree in English from Brigham Young University.  She is also Certified in Non-Profit Management through the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management and is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach.

Kara Schneck MA     Chief of Staff / VP, Marketing & Communications |Utah Valley University

Kara Schneck serves as Chief-of-Staff and Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Utah Valley University.  She also serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and as an Advisory Board Member for the Women’s Success Center at Utah Valley University.  She previously served as a Board Member at Utah Valley University Foundation and at the School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI) in Malawi, Africa.  She also previously served as Head / VP of Global Corporate Communications at Nu Skin Enterprises.  Kara earned her BA degree in Communications from Brigham Young University.

Laurie Cummins MBA     Education & Community Engagement Manager | GRACE Center

Laurie Cummins serves as the U.S. based Education and Community Engagement Manager at Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center.  She previously served as Education Manager at Disney's Animals, Science & Environment. Laurie earned her Master of Business Administration from Stetson University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Eastern Michigan University.

Ruthann Cunningham DHSc MS     Director, Healthcare Administration Program |Utah Valley University

Dr. Ruthann Cunningham serves as Director of the Healthcare Administration Program and Assistant Professor at the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University.  She previously served as Population Health Network Engagement Lead, Consultant and Clinical Research Senior at Intermountain Healthcare, and as Health & Wellness Author and Circulation Manager at Deseret Book.  Ruthann earned her DHSc degree in Health Science, Leadership & Organizational Behavior from AT Still University, and her MS degree in Exercise Physiology & Biomechanics and her BS degree in Fitness & Wellness Management from Brigham Young University.

Sui Lang Panoke MPA     SVP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Zions Bank

Sui Lang Panoke serves as SVP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Zions Bank, and as Founder of Rethink International and its signature project, the Rethink Tank for Women, which brings together women with diverse points of view for the purpose of building bridges across social, cultural and political differences.  She also currently serves as Executive Board Member of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association, as Advisory Board Member of Real Women Run Utah, and as Ambassador for the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP).  She previously served as Chair of Women Politics Media and the WeLEAD Program, where she was an Outstanding Leadership Award recipient, as Co-Founder of Inclusion Experience Project, as Vice Chair of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, and as Consultant & Trainer at FranklinCovey.  Sui Lang earned her MPA from American University with a Certificate in Women, Policy & Political Leadership and earned her BS degree in Political Science from the University of Utah.

Trish Baker MPA     Special Assistant to the Provost | Utah Valley University

Trish Baker MPA currently serves as a Special Assistant to the Provost at Utah Valley University. Previously, she served as the Assistant Commissioner for Workforce for the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), as well as Interim Associate Provost of Community Outreach & Economic Development and Senior Director of Extended Education at Utah Valley University.  Trish earned her Master of Public Administration from The University of Utah and her Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology from The University of Edinburgh and is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach.

Yamila Harris MBA     Global Head of Support, IT Service Delivery | Munich Re Group

Yamila Harris serves as Global Head of Support, IT Service Delivery at Munich Re Group, a world leader in reinsurance and insurance-related risk solutions. She also serves as a Board Member at Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC) and Mentor in the HITEC Emerging Executive Program (EEP).  In 2020, she was named as a Great Minds in STEM Luminary Award and as a Stetson University Business School Foundation Ted Surynt Leadership Award recipient, and as a HITEC 100 Award recipient for the 4th consecutive year.  She previously served as Vice President of Service Delivery at Atos, Board Member at omegaUp, Senior Director of Global Workplace Technology Services & End User Experience at Alight Solutions, Executive Director of Regional Business Enablement - Worldwide, Office of the CIO at DXC Technology, IT Executive Director of Global Contact Center Technology Services at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IT Director & Senior Manager at Dell, Director of IT Services at Humana, and IT Customer Experience Manager & Director of Health Information Management at Leon Medical Centers.  Yamila earned her MBA in Business Administration & Executive Leadership from Stetson University and her BS degree in Business Administration & Management from Miami Dade College.

“The instructors were amazing and brought unique perspectives about the issues and challenges faced by women in leadership.  I learned valuable insights into how women can work across organizations to leverage their unique strengths and complement each other to create innovative solutions.  It inspired me to help teach the next generation of women how to find their voice by working together.  It was a great program and I would totally recommend it to other women leaders and aspiring leaders."  

– Jenea Rothwell, Board Member | The Younique Foundation

“I enjoyed this program very much. There was great unity and support within the group.  Multiple topics of interest were addressed by experts, followed up by exercises to apply what we learned. I definitely recommend the Women's Leadership Certificate Program."   

– Claudia Ponce, Programs Administrator | Suazo Business Center

“I have greatly appreciated the wonderful insight of the instructors and the opportunity for networking that this program has afforded me!”

– Dr. Ann Jurani-Suarez MB ABFM, Director of MG West Region Nevada | Intermountain Healthcare

“This is an amazing program!  I learned so much about myself and those around me. I was stretched and challenged in a room where I felt safe and was surrounded by insightful and supportive women. My confidence as a leader and as a woman in our community was strengthened.  I highly recommend it!” 

– Kristin Wright, Programs Director | Women Tech Council

“I’m grateful to have participated in the UVU Women’s Leadership program.  A cross-industry and geographically dispersed cohort greatly added to the dynamic, interaction rich program and to a diversity in perspectives.  It’s this level of access to a broader network of women professionals that will truly help change the conversation.” 

– Yamila Harris, Global Head of Support IT Service Delivery | Munich Re Group

“The UVU Women’s Leadership Certificate Program refocused my top leadership insight to ‘women need other women to be successful’.  My colleagues in the Program were more like me in their career goals and challenges than I have previously experienced.”

– Shelly Johnson   EVP, Operations & Risk | Zions Bank