General Session: Pushing Your Envelope: How To Overcome The Self-Doubt Of Imposter Syndrome, Once And For ALL!

Maureen Z appala is an award-winning speaker, author and founder of High Altitude Strategies. Her past professional life includes almost 14 years as a NASA propulsion research engineer (aka “rocket scientist”). Today she works with high-performers to overcome the “Impostor Syndrome,” the secret self-doubt and internal voice that says “I’m not as smart as everyone thinks I am, and they’re about to figure it out!” Her “Fraud-Free Framework” strategies guide people to match their confidence to their competence, so they have more influence and enjoy the career they’ve worked for and deserve. She holds a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. She became the first female and youngest manager of NASA’s Propulsion Systems Laboratory. While most engineers are not known for verbal communication skills, Maureen has shattered that stereotype. In 2009 and 2020, she was in the top 10 of 30,000 contestants in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking contest. She’s the author of “Great Speakers are Not Born. They’re Built” and “Pushing Your Envelope: How Smart People Defeat Self-Doubt and Live With Bold Enthusiasm.” She also is co-author (with Jack Park) of “Buckeye Reflections: Legendary Moments from Ohio State Football. (Yes, she’s an Irish Buckeye.) After living in Ohio for over 40 years, Maureen moved to Las Vegas in August 2019. She has 2 college-age children and is an avid fitness fan and decorator-wanna-be.