On Saturday, Oct. 24, women from around the world gathered online and in home-based watch parties for Resilient: Women, Work, & Calling 2020. This year’s theme acknowledged the challenges women face during the pandemic and strengthened them for the complexities they face in this season.
Keynote speaker Bethany Jenkins, of the Veritas Forum opened the day in I Thessalonians with a vision for work as a way to love God and serve our neighbors. Spiritual Director Mindy Caliguire led a workshop on spiritual practices that build resilience for our callings. A panel discussion of women working across industries shed light on ways Christian women are leveraging their influence in the workplace. And, Nancy Duarte, CEO of Duarte, shared insight on executive leadership and entrepreneurship.
After the main event, weekly webinars explored topics like Thriving as an Entrepreneur, Navigating a 2-Career Marriage, and Resilient Motherhood.
“[The event] touched both the head and the heart. Deeply grounded theologically and eminently compassionate emotionally.”
“The Denver Institute for Faith & Work always hits it out of the park with their events, and WWC in 2020 was no exception. It was a wonderful day of learning and being encouraged. I appreciated the attention to soul health and will take some of those thoughts and exercises with me and hopefully use them with my team at work.”
“I am thankful for the time to study and reflect on God's heart for our work and the necessary work to care for my soul as well. I am thankful to learn from other women and their experiences and perspectives. It was a blessing to be part of this community this weekend.”
In response to “Navigating a 2-Career Marriage” discussion: “This is an amazing conversation! Even though I'm single, it's life-giving to hear couples affirm their spouses' callings, in spite of the conflict & pain that pursuing those callings can create.”
“Great opening session with keynote, Bethany Jenkins. Work is both a way to love our neighbor (Luther) and worship God (Calvin), principles that can encourage/sustain us both when our work is enjoyable and fulfilling, and when it is draining and difficult.”
"The future is unknown - always, but especially now. Only God can lead us through these times with resilience. We need to be grounded so we can truly lead as we follow God." Workshop leader, Mindy Caliguire
Joanna serves as Denver Institute’s Director of Public Engagement, hosts the Faith & Work Podcast, and founded Women, Work, & Calling, a national initiative that disciples women for godly influence in public life. Prior to coming to the Institute, Joanna worked in global telecom, nonprofit consulting, and campus ministry with Cru. She served as associate faculty at Denver Seminary and as a sewing instructor at Fancy Tiger Crafts. A third-generation Coloradan, Joanna appreciates both the state’s innovative culture and its cowboy roots. She has an MA in Social Entrepreneurship from Bakke Graduate University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She also completed a certificate of Women in Leadership through Cornell University.
She is the author of Women, Work, & Calling: Step Into Your Place in God’s World (IVP, Fall 2023) and is a contributor to the multi-author book, Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work (B&H Publishing, Spring 2023).
