On Feb. 22, Regina’s Leadership Speaker Series was host to Dolly Duffy, the Executive Director of Notre Dame University’s Alumni Association. She visited Regina to speak to students about leadership.

Dolly shared her experiences as a woman in the business world. Throughout her speech, she gave students thoughtful insights about being a woman and a leader in a university setting.

According to Jodi McLawhorn, Leadership Institute Director, “Dolly is a great example of someone who worked hard to become the success she is today- while managing a huge career and responsibility to her family. She is tough, and not afraid to shy away from any challenge.”

Duffy graduated from Notre Dame University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Four years later, she and her husband purchased Atchison Products and ran the company for seventeen years.

In 2011, she accepted the position of Executive Director of the Alumni Association for Notre Dame. Throughout her speech, she told students about her ambitions as a young student, aspiring to go to Notre Dame University from an early age. She even addressed some obstacles she faced when she accepted her role at Notre Dame.

Senior Aileen Stanton said,”I really enjoyed Dolly Duffy’s speech. She was very relatable and offered real insight into being a leader in any situation. Her views on female rights and empowerment were really inspiring.”

Dolly Duffy was recommended to Jodi McLawhorn, Leadership Institute Director, by board member Jim Kane.

Describing the process of how the leadership speakers are chosen, McLawhorn said, “If a student, parent, alumnae, teacher, board member, or friend suggests someone, then we take them all into strong consideration.”

In the past, Regina has been privy to some great leaders, such as Meredith Knopp, Senior VP at Mission Continues and Harry Kraemer, Former CEO at Baxter and Professor at Northwestern University.

The Speaker Series, says McLawhorn, “is intended to expose our Regina women to amazing, brilliant, insightful leaders who are successful in their lives. It is my goal to expose our Regina women to a wide variety of leaders, who will hopefully inspire them to be all that they can be.”

Regina’s Leadership Institute also hosts the Lunchtime Leaders, Leadership Scholars Program, Certified Leadership Training, and the Leadership Club. All information regarding Regina Dominican’s Leadership Institute can be found by clicking here.