Spring Academic Forum
Join us for an engaging panel discussion at the PMI-CCVC Spring Academic Forum, where accomplished professionals from diverse industries will share their insights on building meaningful connections and navigating the world of business as a new professional. this forum will provide practical strategies for leveraging networking opportunities, developing a strong professional presence, and creating pathways for career growth.
Key discussion topics include:
- How to build authentic professional relationships that open doors to new opportunities
- Effective networking strategies for career advancement in today’s competitive job market
- The role of mentorship, personal branding, and social capital in professional success
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts as they discuss the power of networking, share their own career journeys, and offer actionable advice for new and aspiring professionals.
📅 Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Networking & Food 5-6 PM, Program 6-8 PM
📍 Location: Fresno State University, Craig School of Business
💲 Registration: Free for Students (must register with an @edu.com e-mail address) | $15 for PMI Members
Panel Speakers:
Leslie Young
Award-Winning Business Community Leader & Entrepreneur
Leslie Lila Naomi Young is an award-winning champion for small business and economic development in the Central Valley. A first-generation bilingual professional from Fresno, CA, she transitioned from a decade-long corporate career to launch MVM Advisory Group during the COVID-19 pandemic, empowering small businesses and the community with expert guidance. Holding a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Pepperdine University, Leslie has helped over 400 small businesses and led 100+ virtual workshops through partnerships with organizations like the SBA’s Central Valley Women Entrepreneur Center. Renowned for her engaging training and curriculum design, she is a dedicated servant leader, balancing faith, family life, community impact, and a love for travel and sushi.
Theresa Parra, JB/MBA, SPHR
Executive Director, People & Development for Orbia Precision Agriculture (Netafirm)
Theresa has spent over three decades in the business of people, having held people leadership roles in ag manufacturing and professional services here in the Central Valley. As a passionate advocate for infusing positivity into our daily lives, her diverse educational background has allowed her to create a unique leadership style that integrates positive psychology principles with strategic organizational development.
Positivity has the power of enriching all aspects of our lives. It helps us balance our roles as students, employees, parents, siblings, friends, and community members. For example, building a support network--surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people—allows you to lean on your network for encouragement and different perspectives. Another strategy is focusing on our strengths. Reflecting on our strengths and how we have used them in past challenges helps us approach new situations with optimism and confidence. Theresa is a Fresno State Alumna and resides in Clovis with her two sons: the oldest is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology at Fresno State and the youngest is a Junior in high school.
Callie Martin
Founder & Owner of CallieFIT
Callie is a former HR Manager who spent several years directly working with industrial and agricultural employees here in the Central Valley. Having a strong passion to help others live life as their best self, Callie realizes that there is a large gap in the utilization of benefits and implementation of workplace wellness. She has since set out on a mission to encourage and support a holistic approach to the well-being of employers and employees by offering consulting services of both personal well-being as well as corporate wellness.
Studies and data show that an integrated wellness program can have positive effects on a workplace including but not limited to, medical savings, reduced worker's compensation claims and spending, greater retention rates, improved productivity, efficiency, culture and company morale. Today, Callie is here to help educate and provide more opportunities for you to not only learn how you yourself can experience the benefits of wellness but to also share her journey of entrepreneurship and what she has learned along the way.
Moderator:
Dr. Mary Cochron, EdD, PMP
Founder/CEO, Metimur LLC
Mary Cochron, EdD, PMP, is a proven leader in project management and the implementation of educational assessment systems, with 19 years of experience in K-12 education spanning school, district, and state leadership roles. As the founder of Metimur LLC, she specializes in managing complex projects to design and implement innovative, people-centered assessment systems that drive meaningful change and improve student outcomes. Dr. Cochron's Compassionate Assessment Framework reflects her deep expertise in helping school, district, and state leaders enhance assessment literacy, align systems with learning goals, and turn data into actionable insights. Her work focuses on ensuring that assessment processes are efficient, inclusive, and impactful. Passionate about transforming education, she believes the solution isn’t more testing—it’s doing it better. Dr. Cochron resides in Fresno with her husband, two step-children, two silly mini schnauzers, and an ever-changing number of goldfish.
