Schedule

Wednesday, February 21, 2024
7 p.m. Author Talk
7:50 p.m. Audience Q&A
8:15 p.m. Book Signing & Drinks-Only Reception

Vanessa Patrick, Associate Dean for Research and Bauer Professor of Marketing at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business, joins Asia Society Texas for an exploration of personal growth and empowerment as she discusses her new book The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life.

Drawing from her own experiences and scholarly research, Patrick illuminates the emotional and psychological dimensions of decision-making and the path to reclaiming control and fostering personal resilience. Her work uncovers the opportunity to recognize the liberating potential of the "no" response that allows for boundaries to be set, priorities to be honored, and a renewed sense of self-fulfillment to be embraced.

Through a personal and introspective lens, Patrick aims to lead attendees on a path of self-discovery, shedding light on the transformative power of saying "no" and the profound impact it has on personal development and well-being.

Books will be available for purchase onsite, and a book-signing will follow the program.

About the Speaker

Vanessa Patrick, PhD. is an award-winning researcher and teacher and the author of the book The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life.

She is a regular speaker at both academic and practitioner conferences, including the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce annual conference, the Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy, the Association of Consumer Research conference, the Society of Consumer Psychology conference, the NAWMBA Annual Gender Diversity Conference and the Women of Color Coalition. She has published dozens of research articles in top-tier academic journals in psychology, marketing, and management, and popular accounts of her work have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Los Angeles Times, Business Week, Fast Company, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Washington Post. In her research, she investigates strategies to achieve personal mastery and inspire everyday excellence in oneself and others and is a pioneer in the study of everyday consumer aesthetics. In 2012, she was named one of the top 50 most productive marketing scholars worldwide by the DocSig of the American Marketing Association. She was appointed as a Fulbright Specialist by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and served in this role by visiting the Institut Teknologi Bandung in Indonesia in November 2022.

She is the Associate Dean for Research and Executive Director of Doctoral Programs (PhD and DBA). She holds an endowed chair and is a Bauer Professor of Marketing at the Bauer School of Business at the University of Houston.

About the Moderator

Rita Touma is a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager focusing on delivering key banking solutions to healthcare, education, and not-for-profit entities in Houston, South Texas, and Louisiana. Based in Houston, Rita has over 25 years of diversified financial services experience in various roles including marketing and sales, strategic and technology development, and relationship, product, and program management. Prior to joining Bank of America in 2018, Rita was a Managing Director leading national sales, marketing, and business development for a growing healthcare technology company focused on revenue cycle management and patient and provider portals. Prior to that role, Rita was with JPMorgan Chase for 20 years, holding key roles in investment banking, treasury services, government banking, and commercial banking in both New York City and Houston. 

Rita earned her Master of Business Administration from the Columbia Business School in 2002, and a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in Finance and Management, with a minor in Political Science from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Rita is FINRA Registered, holding Series 7 and 63 security licenses. Rita is active in local non-profit organizations in Houston, serves on committees at the Asia Society Texas Center and the Greater Houston Partnership, and is a leader in the Bank of America Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Asia Society hosts today's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect Asia Society views.

Business and Policy programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Bank of America, Muffet Blake, ExxonMobil, and United Airlines. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, The Brown Foundation, Inc., bp America, and Houston Endowment Inc. Generous funding provided by Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Regions Bank, and Stephanie and Frank Tsuru. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in public programming.

Business & Policy Presenting Sponsors

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.