1331 BAR & LOUNGE (JW Marriott)

Gather in the JW Marriott Lounge for Food & Drinks on your own

Join us for a casual awe-inspiring scenic walk at your own pace with fellow PCCW members from the JW Marriott down the Washington Mall to the Lincoln Memorial and back (one hour walk). Get your blood flowing and energized for the day's sessions!

Time for committee members to meet one another in person and connect to discuss committee-specific upcoming events and initiatives. Meet-up time will be set and shared by your committee's leadership.

Let's start the day by capturing the memory and energy of PCCW Symposium 2026!

Kickoff PCCW Symposium 2026: 35 Years of Bold! with a presentation from Cornell historian Corey Ryan Earle '07 on the history of pioneering women at Cornell, from the early years of coeducation through the women's suffrage movement and beyond. Bring your questions on Cornell history, traditions, and trivia for the Q&A.

Tova Friedman GP'27 is one of the youngest Holocaust survivors, a title she carries with both honor and sorrow. Born in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland, Tova was one of only five children from her hometown to survive the atrocities of the Nazi regime, during which more than 1.5 million Jewish children were murdered.

At 83, Tova wrote her memoir, The Daughter of Auschwitz, which became a New York Times Best Seller and has been translated into more than 15 languages. Tova is dedicated to educating younger generations about the Holocaust, and alongside her grandson Aron Goodman, she co-founded TovaTok, a social media platform aimed at sharing Holocaust education and spreading her story to a global audience. With over half a million followers and more than 100 million views, TovaTok has become a vital resource for raising awareness of the Holocaust's horrors and its lasting impact.

Tova just released a new book, The Girl Who Lived to Tell Her Story, targeted at young adults. The book features a 12-year-old Tova sharing her life story with a childhood friend, bringing her experiences to a new generation of readers.

Join Dr. Britney Schmidt, Professor of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy at Cornell University, for an inspiring session that bridges the worlds of climate science and planetary exploration.

This session will highlight how robotic innovation, international collaboration, and field science are reshaping our understanding of Earth and the potential for life beyond our planet.

Wrap up the day with connection, conversation, and a touch of celebration! Join us to network, share insights, or simply unwind. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be available.

Join us for a dynamic conversation on defiance, the power of no and why it is one of the most essential tools for ethical, effective, and human-centered leadership. Dr. Sunita Sah, a leading expert on decision-making, critical thinking, leadership, defiance, and negotiation skills, will explore how saying no can help leaders uphold their values, reduce bias, and build cultures of trust and accountability. In conversation with Michelle Vaeth '98, Associate Vice President, Alumni Affairs and Development, this session will offer practical insights for navigating pressure, aligning your values and actions, and leading with greater clarity and conviction. Participants will also gain tools for using small, manageable opportunities to practice standing firm, preparing for difficult conversations, modeling responsible leadership, and fostering environments where principled dissent is supported.

Since its inception in 1992, the PCCW Grants Program has awarded over $3 million in funding to support faculty research, and staff, faculty, and student-led programs and events that enrich the Cornell community.

In this session, you'll hear firsthand from Affinito-Stewart Grant faculty recipients as they reflect on how the grant they received shaped their Cornell journey. You'll also gain insight from a Leadership Grant staff recipient, who will share the transformative impact of the grant on today's students. Following, we will close by reflecting on our shared Symposium 2026 experience.