Balancing Career Ambitions with Wellbeing
Facilitated by Dr. Tamara Bauer
My greatest aspiration is to create a student-centered learning environment that facilitates transformational learning for all. Transformational learning shapes us in ways we and others can see – and this learning should prepare us for all aspects of life. We will engage in critical thought and dialogue to advance the ways we exercise leadership in our academic, personal, professional and civic lives to make progress on the opportunities and challenges of today and the future.
Elizabeth Snodgrass
Elizabeth serves as Senior Managing Director for Principal Financial Network of Kansas and Missouri. Formerly a Vice President of National Sales and Marketing at LPL, she brings more than 15 years of Financial Service experience to our team.
As an original member of a Kansas City based RIA, she was deeply embedded in the corporate retirement plan space. Elizabeth has achieved past accolades for recruiting and was an integral part of building support services surrounding M&A, advisor service models, and fee-based solutions. In addition, Elizabeth structured a Financial Wellness Program to arrange coaching and consulting for top producers across the country.
Kathleen Hatch
Kathleen Hatch joined Kansas State University in September 2021 as the inaugural Morrison Family Associate Vice President for Student Well-being. Her portfolio includes Student Health, Counseling Services, Recreational Services, Powercat Financial, Student Access Center, Morrison Family Student Well-being Center, and Cats’ Cupboard. Kathleen was instrumental in the recent adoption of the Okanagan Charter by K-State in 2023 and is now part of the leadership team for the Health Promoting University Committee.
Kathleen has extensive background in higher education and is a recognized leader and healthy campus specialist with over 30-years of experience. Prior to joining the Wildcats Kathleen served as Executive Director of Recreational Sports at The Ohio State University, Assistant Vice President for Campus Life at Washington State University and consultant in both Canada and the United States. Kathleen served as President of NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation in 2014 and was recognized with the NIRSA Honor Award in 2023.
Dr. Sarah Barrett
Dr. Sarah Barrett is a senior research, learning, and evaluation officer for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. She focuses on connecting research with practice and ensuring it is relevant and actionable. Her work includes identifying opportunities to support the translational research infrastructure, including generating research content, grantmaking, and partnerships.
Dr. Barrett is driven by a profound commitment to advancing social justice and systemic change. Growing up as a first-generation college graduate from a low-income background, she experienced firsthand the challenges of food insecurity and homelessness. These lived experiences inform her passion for developing innovative solutions that address the root causes of poverty, hunger, and inequity. Throughout her career, Dr. B has remained laser-focused on creating lasting impact through research, policy, and advocacy that centers human dignity.
Jessa Baxter Peterson
Jessa Baxter Peterson is a Manhattan native. After college, she moved to Nashville and Los Angeles where she worked for large corporate companies; Marriott and Cartoon Network. After a few years at Cartoon, she left corporate life and started her own business. She has been an entrepreneur and small business owner for the last 17 years. She has owned a yoga studio in Manhattan for 14 years and is currently growing her business to other communities. Jessa is also the Executive Director at the Wamego Area Chamber of Commerce. Jessa loves building community and connections. She lives in Wamego with her husband and two teenage kids.
Dr. Olivia Law-DelRosso
Dr. Olivia Law-Delrosso (she/they) is an expert in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging strategy. She leads the college's DEIB strategy, founded Rise Up, and overseas and teaches within the DEIB in Business Certificate.
Dr. Law-DelRosso's work experience includes International Programs, experience founding and directing a business school/corporate careers program, and teaching expertise in Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. She is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and a GiANT Certified Consultant.