2025 Blue Ridge Institute Keynote Speaker and Skill Lab Facilitator

The full day of engagement will equip leaders with the skills and knowledge to recognize, reflect and respond to their own stress reactions experienced at work as well as the team they supervisor and lead. A trauma-informed approach to leadership fosters a compassionate, safe, and supportive environment, reducing the risk of re-traumatization and promoting resilience in teams. While trauma can feel overwhelming and transformative in many ways, Post-Traumatic Growth reminds us that adversity is also an opportunity to thrive. The growth that follows a traumatic event outside of work can lead to a more meaningful life, enhanced relationships, and a stronger sense of self. Growth in the workplace occurs through a recursive cycle of emotion regulation and sensemaking that is enabled by social peer to peer support, occupational support, and attentive companionship. Posttraumatic growth in the workplace can then lead to enhanced well-being, positive physiological changes, and a variety of…