The Power of Advocacy: Cultivating Mentors, Sponsors, and Stakeholders

No one will hand you your dream job, but you can cultivate advocates who will champion you when you’re not in the room. In this Keynote, experts in talent strategy and career development will demystify advocacy: what it is; how it differs from mentorship, coaching, and networking; and why it’s essential for driving your career forward. You will discover how to treat self‑advocacy as a skillset — from crafting a concise elevator pitch to confidently sharing your achievements — and learn how to win the support of internal and external stakeholders who will go to bat for you. Join Cornell faculty expert Dr. JR Keller and Melody Kelleher, Vice President of Talent Empowerment at Baker Hughes, as they explore how organizations can create cultures of advocacy and highlight the benefits these cultures offer through stronger connections, greater trust, and higher engagement. Whether you’re advancing in your current role or navigating a career transition, you’ll gain practical tools to increase your visibility, deepen relationships, and open doors to new opportunities. Cornell partners with Baker Hughes to provide Executive Education as well as other research-based learning solutions to drive impact within their organization.