Marian University will host its sixth annual Transformational Leadership Conference this spring on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 20, 2025. We invite all students, staff, faculty, and community members to participate in this exciting, transformative experience.
Online Registration is Closed. Walk-in registration is welcomed on Monday.
Check-in opens at 8:15 a.m., the conference begins at 9 a.m., and will end by 4:30 p.m.
Check-in will take place in the Evans Center from 8:15-9:00 am. Breakfast is provided.
Following a short prayer, students will travel to service sites for a morning service project. Service opportunities include:
*Transportation will be provided.
Following morning service projects, students will return to the Evans Center for lunch and our keynote session.
Fireside Chat on Leadership, Service, & Daring to Persist
Our lunch keynote session will be a fireside chat with leaders in the Marian community, focusing on a variety of topics central to the themes of the day.
Dr. LaTonya Turner
Dr. LaTonya Turner serves as the Dean of the Klipsch Educators College and has been at Marian since 2016. Under her leadership, the Klipsch College has been recognized nationally for excellence in preparing teachers and administrators. She was appointed to the US Department of Education’s Regional Advisory Committee for the Midwest in 2023. Dr. Turner is also an Associate of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg.
Fr. Douglas Hunter
Father Douglas Hunter is a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He is the Pastor of Saint Roch Catholic Church, a chaplain for Marian University and adjunct faculty, and Chaplain Supervisor and Public Information Officer for the Southport Police Department.
Before entering the seminary, Father Hunter worked at the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for eight years and then at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for two years. During his time at IMPD, he helped to oversee the Crime Prevention and Youth Education programs.
Father Hunter holds a Master’s of Divinity and a Master’s of Catholic Philosophical Studies from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, Indiana. Father Hunter completed his undergraduate at Marian (College) University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with areas of concentration in business Management, Human Management, and Marketing and an Associate of Business Administration in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Nina Powell
Nina Powell is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of Pure Heart Wellness Studio, home of Beadbody Waistbeads and PAX Permanent Jewelry. A dedicated holistic well-being facilitator, Nina leads clients through transformative experiences that embrace mindfulness, self-expression, and spiritual healing. As a Certified Mindfulness Coach and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), she offers a blend of yoga, sound baths, and custom waistbead ceremonies, guiding individuals toward deeper peace and personal empowerment.
Pure Heart Wellness Studio serves as a sanctuary for those seeking inner balance, providing spaces for meditation, wellness, and adornment through the ancient practice of waistbeads with Beadbody and the empowerment of PAX Permanent Jewelry.
As seen on WISH-TV Channel 8 (@WISH_TV), WTHR Channel 13 (@WTHRcom), and RTV6 Channel 6 (@rtv6), Nina’s work is recognized across Indianapolis, touching lives through her vision of balanced inner wellness.
In addition to her wellness work, Nina brings nearly 20 years of service in the fire department, where she rose to the rank of Captain and served as a Public Information Officer. She also proudly served in the Army National Guard for six years, embodying a spirit of service that continues to influence her work today.
Marisa Zambrano
Marisa Zambrano brings 20+ years of leadership experience, team building, and project management both in profit and non-profit sectors. Most recently (2017 – 2022) Marisa served as Director of ENL -English as a New Language for Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. There she led a successful Latina women’s leadership program as well as developed programs for Latina and Burmese girls in Central Indiana. Marisa was born in Guatemala, C.A., and came to the U.S. at age 6. She grew up in the Chicago area where she and her husband of 32 years raised 3 daughters, Jessica, Sophie, and Gabriella. Motivated by her Faith in Christ and desire to make a “greater impact” for the Latino community, spring of 2022 Marisa launched her own consulting brand. She currently works as Program Coordinator of the Pathways to Careers Program (P2C) at Marian University, focusing on recruitment, retention, and career development of Latino students. In October 2024, Marisa was promoted to Executive Director of Latino Leadership Initiative focused on empowering the next generation of leaders through mentorship, academic support, community engagement, and professional development opportunities. In addition to her work at Marian, Marisa is currently serving as Project Manager of LAMP – Latino Artist Mentorship Program in collaboration with Arte Mexicano en Indiana. LAMP will directly support Central Indiana Latino artists who experience systemic or cultural barriers to opportunities.
For the remainder of the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to participate in three different breakout sessions aligning with this year's conference theme.
These sessions and the conference will conclude around 4:30pm.
Faith of a Mustard Seed: How to Become Rooted in Courageous Leadership
Crystal Owhoso-Maddox and Angelica J. Smith
This interactive workshop uses the metaphor of planting a mustard seed to guide participants in developing a personal leadership philosophy rooted in faith, intentionality, courage, and the right environment. Grounded in Matthew 17:20, students will explore how small, intentional steps can lead to impactful growth. Through hands-on activities and reflection, they will leave with a clear understanding of their leadership potential and a tangible reminder to nurture their growth.
You’ve Been Given Some Authority: What is Your Role?
Dr. Jeff Kaufman
What does it mean to be responsible for a team, group, or organization regarding addressing the nagging challenges they face? What is your role? Ourgoal is to briefly explore the responsibilities of formal authority roles concerning defining the work and creating space for the group or team to do that work.
Breaking Generational Curses: Addressing Health and Wellbeing
Bwana Clements
Breaking Generational Curses: Addressing Health and Wellbeing will explore cultural and family ways of being that have been perpetuated for generations that may in fact be barriers to success without knowing it. Taking an honest look at our physical, relational and emotional health through the lens of culture to better understand why were think, feel and behave the way we do will provide keys to unlocking future success in our lives.
Our 2025 conference theme is Dare to Persist. We look forward to aligning conference content, speakers, and outcomes with this theme in a way that honors Dr. King's legacy and enables all of us to grow as transformational leaders.
Marian University strives to create a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment for our students, faculty, staff, and guests. If there are certain accommodations or support you need access to for active engagement in this event, please let us know in your registration form or reach out to Sarah at sbalanamolter@marian.edu.
Dress for the day is casual due to the volunteer projects in the morning.
Thank you to the many departments who help plan and facilitate this event, including: Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine, University Ministry, Student Activities, First-Year Experience, Center for Academic Success and Engagement, and the Unity Center.
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