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Young Women and Leadership 2021

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Thank You!

Thank you to those of you that joined us for this outstanding event! Recordings of the Keynote Speakers and various Skill Builder topics, will be emailed directly to registrants in the coming weeks.

Read the event program 

Young Women and Leadership Conference brings 9th-12th grade students together for one full school day to listen to keynote addresses, network with leaders in the community, and participate in skill-building sessions.

This year’s conference will be hosted Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 starting at 8:15am and concluding around 3pm MST. Participants can count on the same quality speakers, content, and experience as previous years, but will also have more engaging activity options and learning opportunities than ever before.

Like many organizations, the Andrus Center has chosen to embrace the new dynamic created by COVID-19 and is moving our 2021 conference to a virtual platform. As part of that move, we’ve put a lot of thought into designing this year’s program to boost meaningful connections. Attendees can expect a different kind of virtual stage experience from other webinar centric options utilized for online meetings. By continuing to provide key elements like keynote presentations, Skill Builder breakouts, and various opportunities for networking, we are confident we’ll not only meet attendee expectations, but increase opportunities for a valuable virtual experience.

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In many ways a virtual conference can and should mirror what happens at a face-to-face conference. This year’s virtual Young Women and Leadership conference will provide even more; two (2) keynote presentations, up to six (6) Skill Builder breakout sessions in both the am and pm, multiple networking areas, an array of fun elective attendee activities, and more!

Tickets for 9th-12th grade students to attend are $20, and chaperone tickets may also be purchased. Online registration will open Friday, January 22nd, 2021.

Select sponsors and individuals have generously provided resources for student scholarships to minimize any barriers for attendee engagement and in support of the Young Women and Leadership conference vision. We thank them for their generous support!  Because these Scholarships are limited, they will be made available on a first come, first serve basis. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online request form and an Andrus Center representative will contact you.

REGISTRATION CLOSED FEBRUARY 19th, 2021 but there are still Student Scholarships available.

Keynote speaker lineup

  • Liyah Babayan

    Liyah Babayan

    1990 Azerbaijan genocide survivor, Armenian refugee, author, activist, small business social entrepreneur and first refugee to hold elected office in Idaho.

    Liyah Babayan is most known for her community service, advocacy and leadership. Surviving religious persecution and ethnic killings, her family arrived in Twin Falls, Idaho as refugees in 1992. Liyah watched her educated parents tirelessly work two full time jobs each and struggle to learn English, to rebuild their life in the United States from absolutely nothing. Homelessness and extreme poverty is a struggle Liyah lived and understands first hand. To help her family out, Liyah started working at the age of 13 until she graduated from Twin Falls High School. This old-fashioned work ethic became the guiding principle for her life and service to community.

    1990 Azerbaijan genocide survivor, Armenian refugee, author, activist, small business social entrepreneur and first refugee to hold elected office in Idaho.

    Liyah Babayan is most known for her community service, advocacy and leadership. Surviving religious persecution and ethnic killings, her family arrived in Twin Falls, Idaho as refugees in 1992. Liyah watched her educated parents tirelessly work two full time jobs each and struggle to learn English, to rebuild their life in the United States from absolutely nothing. Homelessness and extreme poverty is a struggle Liyah lived and understands first hand. To help her family out, Liyah started working at the age of 13 until she graduated from Twin Falls High School. This old-fashioned work ethic became the guiding principle for her life and service to community.

  • Tai Simpson

    Tai Simpson

    Nimiipuu Black Organizer & Activist and Boise Young Professionals “Young Leader of the Year 2020″

    Tai Simpson is “The Storyteller” in the indigenous language of the Nimiipuu nation (Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho). Tai’s academic background is in sociology and political philosophy. In the community, she serves as an organizer for the Indigenous Idaho Alliance and works as Social Change Advocate with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence. As an antiracism activist and community leader, she uses contemporary and traditional Indigenous storytelling to depict the lens of “old ways” and how they are used to protect the sacred, build strength in the community, and keep nature in balance.

    Nimiipuu Black Organizer & Activist and Boise Young Professionals “Young Leader of the Year 2020″

    Tai Simpson is “The Storyteller” in the indigenous language of the Nimiipuu nation (Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho). Tai’s academic background is in sociology and political philosophy. In the community, she serves as an organizer for the Indigenous Idaho Alliance and works as Social Change Advocate with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence. As an antiracism activist and community leader, she uses contemporary and traditional Indigenous storytelling to depict the lens of “old ways” and how they are used to protect the sacred, build strength in the community, and keep nature in balance.

Skill Builders

  • Managing Your Finances
  • Meditation Made Easy
  • Roadmapping Your Future
  • The Pain of Microaggressions, The Power of Microresistances
  • Turning Passion into Community Impact and Advocacy
  • Mindfully Managing Stress
More information about Skill Builder topics can be found here