Day 1: Professional Self-Care

Monday, June 22
(Workshop descriptions subject to change)

Level: All Levels

Communications work in the church is creative, meaningful and often demanding. This day focuses on the relationships and practices that help communicators sustain their work over time. Together we will explore how to care for yourself professionally, strengthen your network, and approach networking in ways that are authentic and supportive.

*All times ET

Session 1 (12 - 1 p.m.): Building Your Professional Network & Creating Meaningful Connections

Strong networks help communicators grow, collaborate, and solve problems together. In this session we will explore how to build and nurture professional relationships with colleagues across dioceses, congregations, and partner organizations. Participants will consider practical ways to cultivate connections that strengthen both their work and their sense of community.

PRESENTER: The Rev. Valerie Davis

The Rev. Valerie Davis is a deacon at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. A cradle Episcopalian born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, Valerie graduated from North Carolina Central University with a BS in Biology and Chemistry. She received a Professional Human Resource Management certification from Duke University. After relocating to Charlotte in 2005, she graduated from UNC Charlotte with a BA in Early Childhood Education.

Valerie’s for profit work experience includes being an Analytical Chemist, Laboratory Director, Quality Assurance Director, HR Generalist, HR Manager and Talent Acquisition Business Partner, Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher. She was ordained a vocational deacon in 2022. 

Session 2 (1:15 - 2:15 p.m.): Making the Most of LinkedIn - Strengthen Your Professional Presence

LinkedIn can be a useful tool for storytelling, networking, and professional growth when used intentionally. This session will explore how to shape a strong profile, share meaningful content, and connect with colleagues across the church and beyond. Whether you are new to LinkedIn or looking to refresh your approach, you will leave with practical ideas to strengthen your presence.

PRESENTER: Madelyn Mackie

Madelyn Mackie is the career activator! As a Certified Career Management Coach and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert, Madelyn delivers conference keynotes, professional development trainings, and career coaching to help professionals build successful career plans and create lifelong success. Her clients have landed positions at Kaiser Permanente, American Red Cross, Wells Fargo, and dozens of nonprofits and tech firms. Madelyn draws on four high-profile careers spanning biochemistry research, Tony Award-winning theater, the American Red Cross C-suite, and her own firm, Madelyn Mackie & Associates, to help individuals activate their career dreams.   

Session 3 (2:30 - 3:30 p.m.): The Art of Networking

Networking does not have to feel transactional or uncomfortable. This interactive session explores how communicators can approach professional relationships with curiosity, generosity and authenticity. Participants will discuss practical ways to introduce yourself in an inviting, engaging way and build connections that foster collaboration, creativity and shared learning.

PRESENTER: Dan Farkas

Professor. Business Owner. Speaker. Author. Dad Cab Driving Extraordinaire… Dan Farkas has quite the congested calendar. 

Dan is a Professor of Strategic Communication at Ohio University, where he teaches research, strategy, content creation, measurement, and analytics courses. He is the author of Strategic Content Marketing: Creating Effective Content in Practice and the host of “The Strategic Communicator” Podcast.

He’s also a business owner; his latest venture is Pass PR, which empowers teams to advance their passion projects through strategic communication. Dan is only the second person in the 75-year history of Central Ohio’s Public Relations Society of America Chapter to earn both the Tom Poling Award for Outstanding Practice and Walt Seiftert Award for Service. 

In a former life, Dan earned more than 20 awards for his work in television news. His work appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and SI.com.

Session 4 (3:45 - 4:45 p.m.): Continuing the Conversation - Breakout rooms

The last session of the day invites you to return and head into breakout rooms to continue the conversations started in the day’s three sessions. Ask questions, share work in progress, practice skills taught, or simply engage in conversation with session leaders and fellow communicators.