Event Detail




Navigating Exhaustion, Sustaining Impact: Finding Balance in Times of Social Unrest

Date: September 17, 2026

Time: 8:00 - 9:30 am PST

Location: Virtual

Discover proven frameworks for democratic dialogue, sustainable advocacy, and burnout prevention during times of societal unrest.

Ticket price:

  • Free for WCS Members
  • $15 for Non-Members
  • Interested in becoming a member? Learn more here

Please note: this event will be recorded.

We are living through a period of profound societal unrest, where the weight of current events can make balancing active engagement with personal well-being feel like an impossible task. For individuals and advocates navigating these continuous cycles of crisis, the risk of pervasive burnout is higher than ever. According to recent research on public deliberation, maintaining long-term civic engagement requires explicit structural tools that prevent emotional exhaustion. When individuals feel overwhelmed, stretched thin, or burnt out, they require a sustainable roadmap to transition their efforts from a sprint into an endurance-ready marathon.

In this timely presentation, attendees will learn how to implement proven baseline models of democratic dialogue and deliberative conversations—transformative communication tools designed to bridge divides, foster constructive civic engagement, and drive sustainable community action. The session will share actionable, heart-centered reflections and grounded strategies to help participants move from exhaustion to endurance. Attendees will walk away with four key takeaways: practical application of democratic dialogue models, methods for micro-engagement in local communities, strategies for compassionate advocacy, and techniques to build a creative and physical sanctuary for non-negotiable stress management.

This session features international expert Dr. Rhianna C. Rogers, currently serves as the Vice Chair of Global Strategy, AI Governance & Institutional Partnerships for the Global Online Education Regulator (GOER). This event is open to students, professionals, and community advocates looking to sustain their long-term impact.

SPEAKER:

Dr. Rhianna C. Rogers

Vice Chair of Global Strategy, AI Governance & Institutional Partnerships, Global Online Education Regulator (GOER)

Dr. Rhianna C. Rogers is a global leader in digital equity, public policy, and interdisciplinary research with over 20 years of experience in federal, academic, and non-profit sectors. Rogers currently serves as the Vice Chair of Global Strategy, AI Governance & Institutional Partnerships for the Global Online Education Regulator (GOER), where she leads international frameworks for ethical AI integration, safeguards academic integrity, and spearheads strategic institutional collaborations. Formerly Biden-Harris Administration's Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief DEIA Officer at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, she led initiatives in community-engagement, AI policy, and digital equity, earning the 2024 Department of Education - Office of the Inspector General Gold Medallion of Appreciation. Her work on federal AI acquisition policies emphasized inclusive and equitable technology practices across government agencies. She was pivotal in cross-agency collaborations, contributing to global AI strategy through the U.S. Treasury's G7 AI in Economic and Financial Policy Report and serving on the Treasury AI Leadership Committee. A co-founder of the Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective (SPEC), former director of RAND's Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy, and former Ernest Boyer Presidential Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, she has spearheaded multimillion-dollar research and community-engagement projects on equity in technology, health, infrastructure, and education. Dr. Rogers has presented at the United Nations, TEDx, and other global platforms, highlighting her expertise in innovation and inclusivity. An award-winning educator, she has taught at SUNY Empire State University and California's Command College, shaping the future of equitable practices.


EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Please email us at info@womencleantechsustainability.org if you have any questions.