On Wednesday, April 23, the AT&T Performing Arts Center hosted its sixth annual Young Women's Leadership Conference at the Winspear Opera House. Nine Ursuline students attended the full-day event, which focused on developing leadership skills through the arts and offered opportunities for inspiration, growth, and connection.

The 2025 Debbie Storey Keynote Speaker was two-time WNBA All-Star MVP Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings. Her keynote address discussed the complexities of friendships as one grows older and how her relationship with God impacted her success and gave her the confidence to make difficult decisions. Caroline Moore '26 reflected on this saying, "I enjoyed listening to Arike discuss the complexities of friendships as you get older, as it is an important topic in the lives of people my age. I also enjoyed her discussing how her relationship with God impacted her success and gave her the confidence she needed to make the difficult decisions."

Caroline also shared her key takeaway from the conference: "The takeaway I am walking away with is that being a good leader starts with yourself, as you can not effectively support others if you don’t have that support for yourself. Through working on yourself, you build self-esteem and develop important qualities you can implement in others around you."

The conference featured several breakout sessions, including:

• Move with Confidence Dance Workshop with Camille Thompson
• Leading with Authenticity with Willow Blythe-Carroll
• "Finding your voice" and "Facing new challenges" Improv workshop with Iv Amenti
• Belonging Without Compromise with Mu Delta Alpha, offering Qalam Academy students a space to explore themes of identity, sisterhood, and college readiness through the lens of the nation’s first Muslim-based sorority.

Ryan Fogel '26 expressed her admiration for Ogunbowale, stating, "I enjoyed listening to a WNBA legend and she inspired me to work hard and stay motivated even through setbacks. I am taking away the knowledge that confidence is one of the most important parts of leadership and it is important to stand up for myself!"

Anna Nolan '26 also shared her experience, saying, "I really enjoyed the energy and positivity in the room. It was nice to connect with other young women who are also trying to grow and lead. The speakers were inspiring and made me feel more confident about myself." Anna walked away with a stronger sense of courage and belief in herself, learning that "it's okay to step out of my comfort zone. Confidence starts with taking small steps and trusting your voice."

Ursuline students left the conference feeling inspired and equipped with valuable leadership skills. The event provided a unique opportunity for young women to connect, learn, and grow together, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.