Conference Details

Partnership for Success

Practice, Policy and Public Good

Conference Schedule

Morning Sessions
8:30 - Continental Breakfast/Registration
9:15 - Cornell’s Community Work Study Program: What You Need to Know to Get the “Job” Done Presenter: Amy Kuo Somchanhmavong, Assistant Director, Community Programs
What is the Community Work Study Program?  This session will provide attendees with information they need to successfully participate in and employ Cornell students including policies, procedures and paperwork.
10:00 - Supervisory Skill Training: Leadership and You Presenter: Kathryn Burkgren, Manager, Organizational Learning & Development, Finance and Administration Human Resource Development Services (HRDS), Cornell University
Get ready to get involved!  This will be an interactive session focusing on self-awareness tools and activities to enhance your own leadership capabilities. 

Afternoon Sessions
12:00 - Lunch
12:30 - Look Before You Leap: Developing Strategies to Manage Risk in Your Work Place Presenters: Allen Bova, Director, Office of Risk Management and Liability at Cornell University; David Ferris, President/Owner of P.W. Wood & Son, Inc.
Craig McAllister, Assistant Director, Office of Risk Management and Liability at Cornell University
What is Risk Management?  Why practice Risk Management?  This panel will provide a general overview of what Risk Management is and what are some of the best practices.  In addition, panelists will answer and address questions and concerns that were submitted before the conference.  Please have your questions submitted soon!
2:15 Track I- Volunteers: The Sticky Side of Service Presenter: David Ferris, President/Owner of P.W. Wood & Son, Inc.
Don’t panic.  This is not about the mud you will fall into.  It’s about being aware so that you can stay away from the mud that might be splashed on you.   The session will provide tips on how to utilize volunteers while effectively managing and reducing the risks and liability.
2:15 Track II- Insurance 101 for NonProfits Presenters: Allen Bova, Director, Office of Risk Management and Liability at Cornell University & Craig McAllister, Assistant Director, Office of Risk Management and Liability at Cornell University
Insurance coverage can be complicated.  This workshop will shed light on what organizations need to know to be informed and empowered.   The workshop is designed to cover different types of liability. This session is interactive!  Be prepared to take notes and ask questions!
3:00 - Conference Concludes

Presenters

Dr. Kathy Burkgren, Supervisory Skill Training, Leadership and You – Manager, Organizational Learning & Development (OL&D) for Cornell University Finance & Administration

Kathy holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University in educational psychology and organizational behavior. She practices organizational development and effectiveness at Cornell and in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She enjoys working with individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations to implement strategy, continuously improve, and create sustainable leadership. Her OD and OE work is built on 14 years of work in the areas of marketing, communications, and administration.

Allen J. Bova
is the Director of Risk Management and Insurance for Cornell University. He has been at Cornell since 1988.  He has an MBA in Finance from Rochester Institute of Technology, a BA in Economics from the State University of New York, and an Associate degree in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute of America.   He is a member of the National Business Honor Society (Beta Gamma Sigma), University Risk Management and Insurance Association, and the Risk and Insurance Management Society. He has held a variety of insurance licenses. He is the current President of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association and a past President of the Upstate New York Chapter of Risk and Insurance Management Society. He has had a number articles published on risk management for higher education and is a sometimes guest lecturer on Risk Management at Cornell‚s Hotel School and Law School. During his tenure at Cornell, he has received two NACUBO business improvement awards related to risk management.


David Ferris, BS, Ma, Ph.D.
is CEO/Owner of P.W. Wood & Son, Inc. in Ithaca, New York and President/owner of Central Risk Managers, Ltd., a risk management and insurance Consulting firm founded in 1979.  From August 1989 to May 1995, Ferris was employed at Cornell University as a Visiting Lecturer for advanced risk management and insurance courses Ferris is a frequent speaker on risk management and insurance issues at a variety of conferences across the country and in Canada.  He serves on the Board of Trustees and was President of Tompkins Cortland Community College Foundation, Inc. and also on the Board and as President of the Empire State College (SUNY) Foundation, Inc.  Ferris was appointed by former New York Governor Pataki to the Board of Trustees of Tompkins Cortland Community College, a part of the State University of New York and is still a Trustee of their foundation.  He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York State 4-H Foundation, Inc.  In January 2005, he was named the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce "Small Business person of the Year".  In May of 2005, he received a "Pillar of the Community" designation from the Family & Children Association of Tompkins County, Inc.

Ferris is a member of Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters, University Risk Management and Insurance Association.  He had published articles in Agent & Broker magazine, Club Management magazine, Global Risk Manager magazine, Club Services Magazine, Golf Course Management magazines.

Other bios coming soon...