Learning Objective: Examine techniques to inspire team members and increase creativity The next generation of leaders is faced with unique challenges and changes as business threats and solutions change rapidly. It is critical to continue to assess the position and purpose of staying ahead of the game. The key to success is not always trying to figure out what will happen next, but developing the strategy to manage changes, turn obstacles into opportunities, and thrive in the face of great uncertainty. This seminar will not only arm you with change management strategies, but also examine creative ways to solve problems and use them to create growth opportunities. At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: 1. Examine strategies that help organizations survive through change. 2. Explore ways to stay inspired and committed. 3. Identify specific strategies and examples of how obstacles and change can be steppingstones for great opportunities. 4. Examine how to support teams through change and retain valuable talent.

2. Turning Obstacles into
Opportunities for Growth
Achieve Greatness in an Era of Change
October 9, 2021
10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

3. In the middle of
every difficulty lies
opportunity.
- Albert Einstein

4. Our Time Today
 Overcoming Obstacles Through a Journey
Towards Self-awareness – Jaleesa Harrigan, US Navy
 Overcoming Fear – Abir Sassi, Abir Sustainable Advisory
 Bridging the Gap – Jennifer Giannoulis, Wells Fargo
 Practice and Grow – Telva McGruder, General Motors
We look forward to your active participation

5. Jaleesa T. Harrigan is a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare
Officer in the USN. A proud Howard University Alumna with
a Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Mathematics and a minor
in Computer Science.
After commissioning, she served aboard USS BUNKER
HILL, developing proficiency in leading teams through
various navigation, combat systems and tactical surface
warfare scenarios. She later served aboard USS ABRAHAM
LINCLON as the production manager for the carrier’s
reactor propulsion systems and led watch teams through
her role as a Propulsion Plant Watch Officer. She provided
ongoing expertise in unit-level nuclear energy, maintenance,
repairs, planning, crew supervision, quality assurance and
compliance.
In February 2020, Jaleesa received the “Most Promising
Engineer in Government” Award at the 2020 Black Engineer
of the Year STEM Conference. Stationed in Millington, TN
as a Nuclear Programs Manager, she prepares potential
engineers for the Navy.

6. Abir Sassi is the Founder& CEO of Abir Sustainable Advisory,
providing consultancy services about the 17 SDGs Adopted by The
United Nations for Industries, Audits and trainings about
Sustainability and quality. She is a Textile Engineer with Solid
international experience in supply chain, quality and sustainability
management. Ambassador of sustainable development goals around
the world with an international licence in Social Responsibility.
Abir is researcher for the United Nations corporate SDGs Guidebook
Series with Sherpa Institute, working for SDG5 , SDG4 and SDG8.
She is the Director General of GCPIT Tunisia (Global Council for the
Promotion of International Trade) working with MSMEs to help them
getting started in their sustainability journey.
Abir got The Global Women in Leadership Award by GCPIT for
achieving an equal future in a covid-19 world on 8th March 2021
(International women day).

7. Jennifer Giannoulis is the Technology Business Services’ Executive
Leader in Wealth and Investment Management (WIM) Technology.
Jennifer has been with Wells Fargo for 18 years and has held several leadership
roles across Technology. Currently, she is leading the Business Services
organization, which provides Chief Operating Office functions to the WIM
Technology organization. Previously, Jennifer managed the Technology
Portfolio Management function, partnering with WIM to estimate, prioritize
and deliver on the Book of Work. She has also led a number of major initiatives
to optimize technology capacity management and create an Enterprise-wide
technology intake process for project initiatives. Jennifer currently co-chairs
the Memberships Outcomes workstream within the Charlotte Women’s Area
Network chapter. She is also on the Steering Committee of Wells Fargo’s
Women in Technology. She is an Executive member of the Ellevate Women’s
Group and member of the Charlotte Women’s Club. Jennifer previously worked
at Ernst & Young/Capgemini and was a US Senate intern. She has a Bachelor of
Science degree in Management Information Systems and Business
Administration fromWilliam Jewel College.
Jennifer and her husband, Alex, have a two children, Sophia and Max, and
reside in Charlotte, NC.

8. Telva McGruder is the chief diversity, equity, and
inclusion officer at General Motors. She leads the
development and execution of strategies that will ensure
positive change toward a high performing, inclusive
culture. Prior to this role, Telva was director of Workplace
Engineering and Operations Solutions in the Sustainable
Workplaces organization at GM. She supported the global
footprint for facility engineering, technologies, energy
strategy and multiple facility management strategies.
Telva earned her BS and MS degrees in Electrical
Engineering from Purdue University.
Telva is a member of the General Motors Inclusion
Advisory Board. She is chair of the board of directors for
the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, vice-chair of
the advisory board for the Oakland University School of
Health Sciences, a member of the advisory board for the
University of Michigan School for Environment and
Sustainability, and a member of the board for Engineering
Tomorrow.

9. Overcoming Obstacles Through A
Journey Towards Self-Awareness
How navigating one's true self can provide the mindset to
overcome obstacles and achieve goals.

10. Did Simone Biles drop out
of the Summer Olympics
team gymnastics final due
to self-awareness or fear
of failure?
• Self-awareness
• Fear of Failure

11. JOHARI WINDOW
A Feedback model of self-awareness
OPEN
HIDDEN
BLIND
UNKNOWN
Joseph Luft
Harrington Ingham
Known to self
Known to
others
Unknown
to others
Unknown to self

12. JOHARI WINDOW
Creating Opportunity
OPEN
HIDDEN
BLIND
UNKNOWN
FEEDBACK
NEW
INFORMATION
NEW
EXPERIENCES
NEW
RESPONSIBILITIES
TRANSPARENCY

13. Overcoming Fear
Moving forward despite external influences

14. How do you
typically feel as
you face an
obstacle?
• Confident
• Fearful
• Depressed
• Invigorated
• Focused

15. Overcoming Fear
By facing your fear you can transform
into your highest potential and become
the version of yourself that you were
meant to be
Enablers to
Overcome Fear
Mindset
Get
comfortable
being
uncomfortable
Stretch
your limits
Positive
Attitude
/Optimism

16. How Do We
Overcome Fear ?

17. Bridging the Gap
There are no such things as problems, just opportunities

18. How do you solve
problems?
(Answer all that apply)
• Perform some type of guided
analysis (e.g. SWOT)
• Talk to peers/mentors
• Talk with spouse/partner
• I ask for help
• I pray/meditate
• I don’t…

19. Bridging the Gap
Tools in your arsenal
• What capabilities (skills, competencies, strengths) do you
have in your toolkit?
• Leverage growth models and online tests to better
understand yourself (e.g. Johari Window,
StrengthsFinder)
• Be specific and realistic
• The choice is yours
OPEN
HIDDEN
BLIND
UNKNOWN

20. Practice and Grow
Courage is like — it’s a habitus, a habit,
a virtue: you get it by courageous acts.
It’s like you learn to swim by swimming.
You learn courage by couraging.
Marie M. Daly
First African American to earn a PhD in Chemistry

21. Creating Opportunities from
Obstacles Requires Practice
• Self Awareness opens windows
• Learn from and understand other people and
external influences
• Fear less and become more
• Reach through obstacles using your unique skills,
abilities, insights and relationships
• Capitalize on the opportunities that present
themselves
• … Then do it better next time
• Know that you are there for a reason – and
maybe you are the reason!

22. Please submit
your questions in
the chat
Let’s dive
deeper!
Thank you for joining us today.
Keep making amazing happen!