On May 9th, 2025, Lisa Frazier and Jessica Valsi from the Battelle Center attended the 2025 Ballam Symposium hosted by The Women’s Place at Ohio State University. This year’s theme, “Create,” encouraged participants to explore creativity as a source of leadership and personal growth.
The event brought together women from across campus for a day of networking, reflection, and hands-on activities. Award-winning poet Maggie Smith inspired attendees with her thoughts on creativity and possibility during the keynote address.
Throughout the day, tables were stocked with playdough, markers, and other materials to spark imagination. Embracing the creative spirit, Lisa sculpted a sparkly purple dinosaur that quickly became the mascot for her table.
Joining Lisa and Jessica was Lauren Doocy, a postdoctoral scholar from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, representing the Battelle Center’s connection to Ohio State’s academic community. Lisa also took the opportunity to reconnect with friends from the 2023–24 Women’s Place Staff Leadership Series, including Megan Sayres from the Office of Faculty Affairs and Melissa Metz from Facilities Operations and Development.
The Battelle Center values events like the Ballam Symposium as important opportunities to celebrate and support the talented women making a difference across Ohio State and beyond.