Jamaican-born educator and leadership coach Dr Karren Dunkley, who was in 2016 named among the seven best principals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, will share her strategic life plan when she addresses women at A New You Empowerment Boot Camp in Mandeville, Manchester, on Saturday.

Known for her leadership skills, which have led to places being oversubscribed at Parkway Centre High School in Philadelphia, for which she is principal, Dr Dunkley was the only Jamaican among the seven principals who were named for the principal’s award from the Christian R and Mary F Lindback Foundation in the United States last year.

A release from the organisers of the seminar said the award is given in recognition of principals in the district “who have made significant leadership and humanitarian contributions to his/her students, staff and community”.

An international speaker, Dr Dunkley is expected to address women at the Empowerment Boot Camp/Seminar, on ‘How to Develop a Life Plan — How to Get What You Want in Life.

The event, which is being staged by SUPHER (Sisters United for Prayer, Healing, Empowerment & Restoration) at the Lester & Mavis Reid Hall at Mandeville New Testament Church, is sponsored by the Jamaica Observer and aims to transform the inner and outer woman.

Founder of SUPHER Marie Berbick and Image Consultant/Essence Cover Girl Althea Laing will facilitate the event, with presentations from Dr Dunkley, anti-ageing physician Dr Sandra Knight, former CEO of the Child Development Agency Carla Francis Edie, and Bishop Romeon Facey.

“We are aiming to achieve complete renewal for women who want to achieve their goals but are being hampered by personal or professional setback. The event will encompass presentations and exercises aimed at dealing with the inner and outer woman, getting women to discover their gifts, refocus, build confidence, re-energise, and bounce back from setback,” Berbick explained.

While Dr Dunkley will focus on developing a life plan, the release said Berbick’s presentation will focus on helping women to identify their gifts, and rebranding themselves. Dr Knight will look at health and wellness, skincare and body aesthetics while Francis Edie is expected to present on building self-esteem and belief in self, and Bishop Facey will teach women how to ‘Bounce back from Setback — Breaking Spiritual Barriers’.

“There are many hurting women who need more than regular counselling and physical help to get back on their feet. Bishop Facey has an anointing for working with hurting women.

“We have brought Bishop Facey on-board to provide guidance to participants who may be struggling to bounce back from any kind of setback. He will bring a different, but very important, perspective that is often ignored in the rebuilding process. Sometimes the struggles we face have spiritual aspects that are often ignored and thus the cycle keeps being repeated in our lives. Many people are not aware of this, so bishop will open the eyes of the participants to that reality and prophesy to them as the Lord leads,” Berbick said.

Co-facilitator Laing said the day’s activities will be geared towards helping women to take charge of their lives and get past issues that have damaged their confidence, and distracted and weighed them down, including unhealthy relationships.

“In addition, we will focus on the importance of image and its role in building confidence,” she said. “Many women are able to feel empowered when they choose an assortment of colours or outfits which enhance their God-given beauty, allowing them to glow and accept who they are amidst the negative situations of life. We will focus on building a wardrobe on a small budget by identifying wardrobe essentials and accessories.”

According to the release, participants will be treated to makeovers and a fashion show.

“This event will be an eye-opener to many who participate,” Berbick said.