Calendar of Events

Session Description:

Join us for this month's engaging in-person chapter meeting, titled “Leading with EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Projects.” We are excited to welcome Washington State Representative Kristine M. Reeves and Dr. Elisabeth Power, who will lead an insightful discussion on the important theme of “Cultivating Emotional Agility, Psychological Safety, and Trust as a Leadership Superpower.”

Effective leadership in today’s complex and fast-moving environments requires far more than technical expertise or authority; it demands emotional agility, trust, and the ability to create psychological safety within teams. As projects become more ambiguous and stakes grow higher, leaders must navigate uncertainty, manage stress, and foster open communication while still driving results.

This session explores the powerful connection between emotional agility, psychological safety, and trust, and how these elements work together to elevate team performance and decision-making under pressure. Participants will examine how everyday leadership behaviors—such as how questions are asked, feedback is delivered, and mistakes are handled—either strengthen or erode trust within a team. Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, attendees will learn how to create environments where people feel safe to speak up, challenge assumptions, and contribute their best thinking.

Designed for project managers, team leaders, and emerging leaders alike, this session provides actionable strategies to improve communication, enhance collaboration, and lead with confidence in high-stakes and complex situations. Participants will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply to build resilient teams capable of adapting, performing, and succeeding in the face of change.

Speaker Bio:

Representative Kristine M. Reeves is a state representative for District 30-Position 2 in Washington. Born in Moses Lake, she graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. Kristine is a strong advocate for working families, veterans, and economic development, having previously served as the Statewide Veterans Constituency Coordinator and Director of Economic Development for the Military and Defense sector. Kristine is the founder and CEO of STRUO Strategies, LLC; The Political Equity Project; and The CIVICS Lab. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology and lives in Federal Way with her family.

Dr. Elisabeth “Lisa” Power is a professor of marketing and management at Saint Martin’s University, where she has taught for over a decade. She also teaches in an executive MBA program in Beijing, giving her direct experience with global business and leadership education. She is the author of International Business Essentials You Always Wanted to Know (Vibrant, 2025). Her research focuses on authentic and servant leadership in complex environments. Her work explores how leaders build trust, foster psychological safety, and develop emotional agility to support communication, learning, and effective decision-making.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the relationship between emotional agility, psychological safety, and trust, and how these elements influence team performance and decision-making in high-pressure environments.
• Identify common leadership behaviors that either build or undermine psychological safety, and assess their own leadership habits through a practical, real-world lens.
• Apply practical strategies to foster open dialogue and trust within project teams, even during conflict, uncertainty, or high-stakes decision points.
• Demonstrate techniques for leading with confidence under pressure, enabling teams to communicate effectively, manage risk, and adapt in complex project environments.

Directions:

Saint Martins University

Old Main 401, 4th Floor

5000 Abbey Way SE Lacey WA 98503

Parking available by Harned Hall