Lyquaia Purcell
Senior Director, Digital Transformation,
Ellucian
Scrappy, Smart & Showing Up: Leading with Grit, Grace, and Zero Apologies
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 1:00PM–1:45PM CT | Meeting Room 104 AB, Level 1
Session Type:
Breakout Session
Delivery Format:
Presentation/Panel Session
In the fast-evolving world of higher education technology, traditional leadership paths don’t always tell the full story—especially for women balancing innovation, impact, and identity. This candid session, led by two women who are moms, tech leaders, and unapologetically real, explores what it means to grow into your power while challenging imposter syndrome and outdated leadership norms. Through storytelling, shared lessons, and hard-won insights, we’ll unpack the “soft” skills that are actually essential—like being scrappy, emotionally intelligent, agile, and people-centered. We'll highlight the strengths that often go unrecognized but are exactly what’s needed in today’s tech-driven, human-centered workplaces. This session is a mix of encouragement and empowerment, reflection and action—designed for anyone who's ever questioned whether they belong in the room (spoiler: you do). Come ready to challenge assumptions, connect with shared experiences, and leave with tools to own your voice, claim your space, and lead with both grit and grace.
