Internationally acclaimed author Margaret Wheatley will discuss how to better thrive in transition with business, community and higher education leaders at a conference Sept. 22 at DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

The conference is designed to support the increasing number of people who are experiencing significant transitions in their work lives, largely due to the economic downturn. The conference’s morning sessions will include a panel of people sharing stories of how they are thriving in transition, followed by a number of workshops to help participants rediscover their capacities to flourish in times of change and uncertainty.

Marisa Alicea, dean of DePaul’s School for New Learning (SNL), will introduce Wheatley, the luncheon’s keynote speaker and afternoon workshop facilitator. Wheatley is co-founder and president emerita of The Berkana Institute, a charitable global foundation that works to strengthen communities by building on the wisdom and wealth already present in their people, traditions and environment.

“Human beings can get through any circumstance as long as they’re together,” said Wheatley, who is the author of four books, including “Leadership and the New Science.” “The greatest untapped resource of this time is each other, with our vast potential for creativity and generosity.” Wheatley’s numerous articles have been published in professional and popular journals.

“We were seeing an extraordinary number of people at our programs this past year who had either recently lost a job or were fearful that they might soon be downsized,” said Pamela Meyer, director of SNL’s Center to Advance Education for Adults (CAEA), which is organizing the event. “They were coming to our programs, not only for the content, but because they needed to connect with colleagues and get inspiration. We decided to dedicate an entire day to this significant need and help people rediscover their strengths, capacities and resources to survive and thrive.” CAEA engages diverse communities to improve adult education practice by providing a venue for researchers and practitioners to study the most effective and imaginative strategies for curriculum, teaching and mentoring of adults.

The afternoon workshop with Wheatley will be an exploration, conversation and celebration with women and men from business, community-based organizations and higher education. Wheatley will seed the conversation by describing the impact that people are having in communities around the world and then lead participants in an inquiry about their own leadership. Participants will then break into small groups to encourage, provoke and inspire one another so that the conversation can continue after the event.

Following the afternoon workshop, CAEA will host a networking reception at  which Wheatley will sign copies of her recent books, “Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future” and “Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time.”

Given Wheatley’s profile and the timeliness of the topic, the CAEA expects the conference to sell out. Seating is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to register at their earliest convenience.

Cost to attend the conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the DePaul Conference Center, 8th floor, is $25 for the morning session and keynote only, $125 for the keynote and afternoon workshop, and $140 for the entire day. Sponsorship opportunities are also available starting at $500. For more information, visit www.snl.depaul.edu/caea or call (312) 362-6508.

The conference is made possible in part by donations from the Mason Parson Family Foundation, Bertram Scott and Elizabeth Fender.