February 19, 2021 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University will host a free career development webinar for students, alumni, and the community. Crush Your Career Webinar is March 23, 6:30-7:15 p.m. and will feature former top Chick-Fil-A executive, author, and keynote speaker Dee Ann Turner.
Turner has more than three decades of leading teams and coaching staff members at Chick-fil-A and has made it her mission to help others build fulfilling careers. She will share from her own experiences and speak on topics from her new book “Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job and Launch Your Career” aboutfinding a job, preparing for an interview, conquering the first 90 days, managing work relationships, adding value to your team, and more.
“Now more than ever our students need every advantage in the current job market,” said Belhaven University President Dr. Roger Parrott. “We are honored to host Dee Ann! She has accumulated many years of experience working in a multi-billion-dollar company and has earned a special insight into career development with a proven track record of success. I believe everyone who attends will gain practical applications and valuable foreknowledge that can prepare them in their current job or on their way into a new career.”
Belhaven University officials decided to open the free event to the public and its alumni. “We believe this event is too important to keep to ourselves, and this is another way the University can invest in our alumni and the surrounding community,” said Vice President for University Enrollment and Marketing Dr. Kevin Russell. “At Belhaven, our mission is rooted in helping others find their career and calling, and this webinar is an added bonus that is sure to inspire and inform everyone who attends.”
Those who register for the webinar will get the first chapter of her new book, “Crush Your Career,” and those who attend will receive a discount code to purchasethe entire book. There will also be a drawing for a free career consultation with Turner.
Turner is a 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Prior to retirement in 2018, she was Vice President, Talent and Vice President, Sustainability for Chick-fil-A, Inc. Selected as the company's first female officer in 2001, she was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A's well-known culture and talent systems.
During her long career, she worked closely with Chick-fil-A's founder, S. Truett Cathy, and other key leaders as an architect of their organizational culture. Turner was responsible for thousands of selections of Chick-fil-A Franchisees and corporate staff members. Additionally, she led Talent Management, Staff Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Culture and Engagement. Most recently, Turner launched and led the sustainability function focusing on Chick-fil-A's strategy to implement sustainable practices at the then $10.5 billion company.
Today, she leads her own organization, Dee Ann Turner & Associates, LLC, writing books, speaking to over 50 audiences per year and consulting and coaching leaders globally. She is the author of the best seller, “It's My Pleasure: The Impact of Extraordinary Talent and a Compelling Culture.” Her latest book is “Bet on Talent: How to Create a Remarkable Culture and Win the Hearts of Customers” and was released in September 2019, and her new book, “Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job and Launch Your Career” will release in March 2021.
She is a graduate of Clayton State University with a degree in management. She also completed executive education courses at Emory University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia's Darden Business School. She is a 2009 alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.