Valley Chamber Hosts Inspirational ‘Leadercast’

Photo: Patricia VillersLeadership involves being able to motivate others, to think outside the box, and to be brave.

That was the message of the Leadercast 2015 Live Simulcast “ hosted May 8 by the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Leadercast theme was — The Brave Ones.”

It was held in the R.D. Scinto Auditorium in Shelton.

Leaders from business, sports, and politics were featured in the daylong simulcast from Atlanta, Ga.

In addition two Connecticut residents addressed the Shelton audience.

Woodbury resident Donna Palomba spoke with great emotion about being assaulted in her home in 1993 as her two children slept, a traumatic event that changed her life forever.

Palomba said she was re-victimized by police when a rumor surfaced she had made up the story about the rape to cover up an affair.”

The case took seven years to go to trial. Palomba just before the trial started she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.

She was known as Jane Doe throughout her journey through the judicial system. In 2007 she founded the nonprofit JaneDoeNoMore.org to offer advocacy and support to survivors of sexual assault, and to train them in public speaking.

Paloma said, what started as a whisper when I could barely speak has grown into a roar, and there’s no stopping us now.”

Entrepreneur Larry Janesky, the founder of Basement Systems in Seymour, spoke about bravely overcoming obstacles in his life.

Last June a fire destroyed Janesky’s multimillion-dollar mansion in Middlebury. Soon after, his father passed away.

Dealing with the tragedies gave him a new perspective, he said.

Since then Janesky established a scholarship fund for low-income children in his native Bridgeport, and he and a crew of 120 volunteers spent a day rehabilitating Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Janesky said.

When bad things happen you have to keep going,” Janesky said.

The simulcast from Atlanta was co-hosted by personalities Bill and Giuliana Rancic, who have their own reality show on the E! network, Giuliana & Bill. 

Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, 17, a 2013 Nobel Peace Prize winner, was interviewed.

Yousafzai said she was passionate about advocating for children’s right to an education even before she was shot at age 15 by the Taliban while on a school bus in her native Pakistan. She credits her father for being a big influence in her life.

My father treated me equally with my four brothers,” Yousafzai said.

She said her life circumstances and experiencing terrorism firsthand pushed her to become an activist.

Yousafzai said to the brave ones are those leaders who fight for what is just and true.”

She has established The Malala Fund, which is dedicated to promoting education for girls. She urged people not to wait for someone else to take action.

Denver Broncos’ Quarterback Peyton Manning said decision-making is the currency of leadership in sports, education, government, and health care.”

He said people cannot be afraid to work on their weaknesses and accept honest feedback.

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell said Leadercast gives people a day to stop and pause, and grow.”

He said Palomba and Janesky were examples of leaders who channeled tragedy into something positive.”

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