The 2016 ICMA Regional Summit series included a dynamic new element this year: a special session coordinated in collaboration with Women Leading Government was conducted in four of the five U.S. ICMA regions. Unique to each region, “You Have What It Takes to Be A Resilient Leader,” was moderated by ICMA President Pat Martel, city manager, Daly City, California.

Martel reminded the regional audiences that this session was important so that people “can see what they can be.” During the sessions, each of the speakers shared their journeys and provided tips for successfully navigating challenges and dedicating themselves to local government with passion.

Some key tips offered were:

• Define yourself. Don’t let others do that.
• Give yourself one affirmation a day.
• Keep your ears open. Listen to yourself, your family, and those around you at work. 
• Declare what it is you want to do. Say it proudly. Believe it.
• Find out what you are passionate about. If you love what you’re doing, it will show.
• Visualize where you want to go, write it down, and then achieve it. Affirm yourself. If you can see yourself in the future, you can get there.
• Passion for your profession will carry you through the roughest times.
• Prepare for advancement, but don’t think you need to know it all before you apply for the next step up.
• Have confidence in yourself and your ability as a leader.
• Take chances. Take risks. Seize opportunities.
• Take the leap. The net will appear. 
• Be bold. Learn. Grow. Lead.

This collaboration for the Resilient Leader panel at the 2016 summits is part of ICMA’s ongoing commitment to fulfill recommendations from the Task Force on Women in the Profession. In the Midwest region this year, the summit was designed to blend with the Wisconsin City/County Management Association’s winter conference. At this event, President Martel had the opportunity to co-lead an educational session on Diversity and Recruitment with Stan Davis of the Davis Group in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

Given the enthusiastic response to this enhanced content for the 2016 ICMA Regional Summits, strong consideration will be given to including a similar feature in 2017.

The panelists also inspired the next generation of leaders. Read firsthand accounts from ICMA Student Chapter members who attended the summits.

Did you attend a "You Have What it Takes to be a Resilient Leader" session? If so, please share your comments below.

2016 Regional Summit Panelists
Northeast Region   Annapolis, Maryland
	From Left to Right: Police Chief Teresa Walter, Havre de Grace, Maryland Catherine Tuck-Parrish, Executive Search Practice Leader, The Novak Consulting Group Laura Allen, Town Administrator, Berlin, Maryland
West Coast Region   Newport Beach, California
	From Left to Right:  Veronica Ferguson, county administrator, Sonoma County, California. Valerie Gaeta Phillips, President, Bob Murray & Associates, Roseville, California Betsy Fretwell, City Manager, Las Vegas, Nevada Police Chief Jeri Williams, Oxnard, California
Southeast Region   Savannah, Georgia
	From Left to Right: Fire Chief Toni Washington, Decatur, Georgia Jill Silverboard, Assistant City Manager, Clearwater, Florida Ashley Jacobs, Exec. Dir, Greater Lake City Community Development Office, Lake City, South Carolina
Mountain Plains Region Scottsdale, Arizona
	From Left to Right: Nicole Lance, Deputy City Manager, Surprise, Arizona Opal Mauldin-Robertson, City Manager, Lancaster, Texas Ginger Spencer, Deputy Public Works Director, Phoenix, Arizona