"Just Listen and Be Heard" is a transformative program designed to cultivate empathetic listening and effective communication within diverse communities. This initiative aims to create a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can share their stories, experiences, and perspectives without judgment. By fostering mutual understanding and respect, the program seeks to build stronger, more connected communities.
Homage to Dr. Mark Goulston:
The "Just Listen" part of our program is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Mark Goulston, who passed away on December 30th. Dr. Goulston was a dear friend to our community and the author of the best-selling book "Just Listen." His teachings on empathetic listening have inspired countless individuals and continue to influence our approach to communication and understanding.
Objectives:
Empathetic Listening: Teach participants the art of empathetic listening to ensure that every voice is truly heard and understood.
Effective Communication: Develop participants' skills in expressing themselves clearly and confidently.
Inclusivity and Diversity: Promote an inclusive space that values diverse voices and experiences.
Community Building: Strengthen community bonds by encouraging open and honest dialogue.
Personal Growth: Support personal development by enhancing emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
Featured Speaker(s)
Gerry Riskin, B. Com, LLB, P. Admin-, is an internationally recognized lawyer, author, and management consultant, and a founder of Edge International. He began practicing law in 1973 and served as Managing Partner of a law firm in Canada and Hong Kong before transitioning to full-time consulting in 1989.
Gerry is the author of The Successful Lawyer, Creating the Marketing Mindset, Herding Cats, and Beyond KNOWING. He has been a Visiting Fellow of The College of Law in London, a visiting lecturer at Fordham Law School, a Visiting Professor at the University of Pretoria, and is currently a Fellow Emeritus of the College of Law Practice Management.
Gerry advises law firm leaders on structure, management, marketing, client development, talent recruitment, competitive strategies, cultural assessments, leadership skills, and client relations. He focuses on implementation and execution, aiding firms from small boutiques to mega firms.
As an authority on legal profession trends, Gerry disseminates insights on issues such as the impact of pandemics and the need for virtual work preparedness. A Canadian by origin, he has lived on the Caribbean Island of Anguilla, British West Indies, for the past 25 years.
Dr. Carolyn Turbyfill
is a Technical Executive and Architect with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, risk management, enterprise products and services, compliance, database systems, and strategic roadmaps. She excels in managing domestic and international teams, startups, and turnarounds, consistently delivering quality products on time and within budget.
Dr. Turbyfill has developed pioneering technologies, including:
The Wisconsin Benchmark, the first database benchmark using experimental design techniques
One of the first wireless LANs with radio, antenna, and IP Layer encryption
The first Firewall Appliance, SunScreen SPF 100, which included a certificate authority and one of the first commercial IP Layer VPNs, SKIP
The first round-trip email marketing systems with interactive Java applets, precursor to PayPal
The first Managed Security Service at Counterpane Internet Security
The first virtualized automated test environments for application stacks, StackSafe Test Center
Dr. Turbyfill holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell University, an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin (National Science Foundation Scholarship), and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina.
Her credentials include being a CERM (Certified Enterprise Risk Management) Certified professional, an IEEE Senior Member, and a member of the WITI Hall of Fame.
