The Pace Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) recently hosted an inspiring and dynamic event that brought together girls and team members from 10 Pace Centers across Florida (Broward, Clay, Collier at Immokalee, Lee, Jacksonville, Orange, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Volusia-Flagger). This two-day experience aimed to empower young women, foster leadership skills, and create a supportive network of Pace Girls Leadership Council (GLC) leaders working on solutions and vision for the councils.
Collaborative Learning and Best Practices
The GLI began with collaborative sessions, during which participants discussed the challenges of implementing Girls’ Leadership Councils. These discussions went beyond merely identifying problems; they also focused on sharing best practices and innovative solutions. Representatives from the Girls Leadership Council and members of the Pace team worked together, learning from each other’s experiences to strengthen the foundation of the councils.
One highlight of the event was the root cause analysis workshop. Participants used the 5 Whys technique and fishbone diagrams to explore the issues they had identified. This analytical approach helped uncover the underlying causes of the challenges and facilitated the brainstorming of effective strategies to address them. It was a powerful exercise in critical thinking and problem-solving.
A ‘Magical’ Evening at Disney Springs
After a day of intense learning and collaboration, the group enjoyed a magical evening at Disney Springs. The visit included a delightful dinner at the T-Rex Café, where the girls and team members bonded over delicious food and got to know each other better. After dinner, girls and team members explored Disney Springs, engaged in the Christmas Tree Stroll, enjoyed ice cream, and danced to live music. This outing provided the perfect balance of fun and relaxation, allowing everyone to recharge for the next day’s activities.
Leadership Insights in Action
On the second day, the focus was on leadership insights. Participants were inspired by a panel of female executives from Disney: Chelsea Filley, Vice President of WDW Revenue Planning and Optimization, and Tracey Powell, WDW Senior Vice President of Consumer Insights, Measurement, and Analytics, who shared their best practices in leadership. They provided valuable advice and encouragement to the representatives of the Pace Leadership Council. After the session, the girls felt motivated and equipped with practical tips to enhance their leadership journeys.
Additionally, participants had the opportunity to practice public speaking, which helped them gain confidence and learn how to effectively communicate their ideas. They also identified specific actions to implement at their respective centers, ensuring that the knowledge and skills gained during the institute would have a lasting impact. One of the participants mentioned that “the experiences and knowledge shared gave us a lot to take back to our centers.”
A Pace girl mentioned that what she liked the most from this experience was ‘sharing my thoughts and opinions with other GLC members and team members.’ The Pace Girls Leadership Institute was a transformative experience that empowered young women to become confident and capable leaders. The combination of collaborative learning, practical workshops, and inspirational activities created an environment where every participant could thrive. As they return to their Pace center, these young leaders carry with them the skills, knowledge, and inspiration to make a positive impact both at Pace and in their communities.
The Institute also offered an invaluable opportunity to listen to the participants we serve. By engaging directly with the girls and team members, we gained a deeper understanding of their challenges and aspirations for their local Girls Leadership Councils. This feedback is crucial for improving the councils and helping us tailor our initiatives to better support our participants.