Smart Tools and Creative Solutions
Workshop: Reclaim Your Time: Everyday AI Skills for Impact
Rebecca Macy Akben is an AI literacy consultant and educator who helps leaders and
organizations use AI responsibly and effectively. She designs and leads curricula,
workshops, and custom GPTs for educators, professionals, and community leaders. Her
work focuses on making AI accessible, ethical, and empowering, particularly for women and underrepresented groups.
This interactive workshop presented practical AI skills that can be put into action immediately, without sacrificing privacy or security. In just two hours, participants learned to:
● Enhance and privacy-proof ChatGPT settings and connections to use AI with confidence.
● Schedule tasks directly to email to streamline priorities, lighten mental load, and stay informed.
● Create project-based folders and workflows to increase efficiency and strengthen collaboration.
Through a step-by-step demo and hands-on practice, attendees were given tools and strategies they can integrate into daily routines that will save time, reduce stress, and free up energy to focus on leadership and impact.
National and Regional Labor Market Update
- Dr. Laura Ullrich, Economic Research, Indeed
Strengthening the Workforce: Child Care Strategies, Family-Forward Certification, and Talen Attraction
- Tiffany Henry, Director of Economic Development, Jackson County, NC
- Cecelia Thompson, Executive Director, Action Greensboro
Transforming Educators, Empowering Students – STEMersion
- Michelle McDonald, Deputy Director, Dorchester County Economic Development
Keynote Address: The Industrial Commons: Rebuilding a Diverse Working Class Based on Locally-Rooted Wealth
Jenna Rae Grayson, Director of Business Transitions, The Industrial Commons
Conference Book
The Women’s Economic Development Network and Leadership Forum was started in 2016. The forum is sponsored by Creative EDC as one of the nonprofit things we do to give back to the field of economic development. The Forum invites economic developers to come together to LEARN and return to the office prepared to LEAD. The Forum focuses on leadership development, professional and career development, current topics in economic development, and strategic networking.
Sponsors
Thanks to Brand Acceleration who has supported the marketing materials for WEDN since it started in 2016.