By James Irwin
Steve Burd, founder and CEO of Burd Health and the former chair and CEO of Safeway Inc., will serve as keynote speaker for the George Washington University’s 14th annual Celebration of Excellence professional development conference and awards ceremony this month.
The two-day event, held annually to recognize faculty, staff and student employee excellence, will take place Oct. 28-30 on the Foggy Bottom and Virginia Science and Technology campuses. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the conference, which is free and features sessions on career development, individual health and wealth management hosted by university and guest experts. A full list of sessions is available on the online registration page.
Celebration of Excellence
VSTC Conference
When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 9:15 a.m.
Where: Enterprise Hall
Foggy Bottom Conference
When: Thursday, Oct. 29, 9:15 a.m.
Where: Marvin Center
Award Ceremony
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Marvin Center
“This is the second year that we have adopted a wellness theme for the conference,” said Sabrina Ellis, vice president for human resources. “Steve Burd brings a thought-provoking perspective to the broader conversation on wellness, and we are honored to have him as our keynote speaker.”
Mr. Burd served as CEO of Safeway from 1993 to 2013 and as chair of the company’s board of directors from 1998 to 2013. He will deliver a presentation on health, wellness and fitness, and how it affects the personal, professional and financial well-being of employees. His keynote will take place 10:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 29 in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom. The session also will feature a question-and-answer session with Lynn Goldman, the Michael and Lori Milken Dean of Public Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health.
The first 200 people to register for the keynote will receive a free copy of the book, “Younger Next Year.” The university also is raffling off 10 Fitbits during the conference to people who attend the keynote, the Zumba fitness party and one additional session at the conference.
The 2015 Celebration of Excellence Awards, recognizing employee achievement, will take place from 9:30 am. to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 30 in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom. Individual and team winners for the GW Steps Challenge also will be recognized at the ceremony.
