Working in silos, change will not occur. WBC convenes with our Partners, Champions, and Sponsors to move faster together toward our action initiative goals.
Join us for Our Annual Action for Impact Summit!
WBC’s Annual Action for Impact Summit unites thousands of attendees on a fully interactive platform, enabling participants to network, connect, and exchange ideas, innovations, and impact in real time.
WBC’s Annual Action for Impact Summit unites thousands of attendees on a fully interactive platform, enabling participants to network, connect, and exchange ideas, innovations, and impact in real time. Join us as we present the 2024 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards and the WBC Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards.
10:00-10:15 AM EST: WELCOME REMARKS
For the past four years, WBC has convened our community to highlight the ACTION being taken to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and purpose and the direct IMPACT it is having in making a difference. Join Gwen K. Young as she kicks off WBC’s annual summit and our impact as we work to advance all women in business.
Gwen K. Young, Chief Executive Officer, WBC
10:10 – 10:30 AM ET: IMPACT TALK-THE EVOLUTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
As the modern workforce evolves, it’s critical that businesses acknowledge the growing presence of artificial intelligence. The evolving AI landscape is poised to have significant ethical implications, change the conversation on the future of work and alter the course of business operations. It’s more critical than ever that diverse voices and experiences are at the table as organizations make decisions for the future.
Join our speakers to hear more about how companies can adapt to the presence of AI while ensuring that they remain committed to their values, purpose and employees.
10:30 – 10:32 AM ET: CEO EXCELLENCE IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARDS INTRODUCTION
The WBC CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Award recognizes corporate leaders whose efforts have made significant contributions to the advancement of diversity within their companies and increased opportunities for women in business roles.
Join us for Part One of our conversation with this year’s CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity award winners with opening remarks by WBC leadership.
10:32 – 11:05 AM ET: THE 2024 CEO EXCELLENCE IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
11:05 AM – 11:35 AM ET: BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
With the passage of recent legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act, we are seeing a clear commitment to building community infrastructures that are critical for the future. As the implications of these policies take shape in business, it’s important that leaders who reflect the communities in which a company operates have a seat at the decision-making table.
Join our speakers to explore how new policies and regulations are shaping the design and implementation of infrastructure and how businesses must be intentional in ensuring equitable access for all in decision-making.
11:35 AM – 11:55AM PM ET: TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD: DR. NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA
WBC is pleased to award Her Excellency, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), our Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award in recognition of her remarkable contributions to gender equity and diversity.
Join us for a conversation with Dr. Ngozi to hear about her remarkable achievements as a leader in world trade.
11:55AM-12:15PM ET: IMPACT TALK-WOMEN IN CLIMATE
Join us for an engaging fireside chat focused on the vital role of women in addressing climate change. Hear from trailblazing leaders and activists as they share their experiences, insights, and strategies for empowering women to drive meaningful action towards environmental sustainability. Discover how women are at the forefront of climate solutions, shaping policies, innovations, and grassroots movements to create a more resilient and equitable future for all.
12:15 – 12:45 PM ET: ENTREPRENEURS AND CAPITAL: THE CRITICAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
Women-owned and led businesses have a deep impact on today’s economy yet they receive only 2% of venture capital. At the same time, women represent only 12% of decision-makers across the capital landscape.
Join our panel as they examine the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs and hear strategies for fostering investment in women-owned enterprises and growing the number of leaders women in capital.
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM ET: THE 2024 CEO EXCELLENCE IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
The WBC CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Award recognizes corporate leaders whose efforts have made significant contributions to the advancement of diversity within their companies and increased opportunities for women in business roles.
Join us for part two of our conversation with this year’s CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity award winners.
1:15 – 1:45 PM ET: BREAKOUT PANELS
WOMEN OF COLOR IN LEADERSHIP
Women of color are often underrepresented in leadership and yet make up a significant portion of today’s workforce. Companies must ensure that they are meeting the needs and expectations of women of color in their workforce by recognizing the unique lived experiences and challenges faced by the varied identities that make up this group.
Join our speakers to hear about the experiences of women of color in the workforce and highlights of WBC’s Women of Color in Leadership report.
DIVERSITY IN THE STAFFING INDUSTRY
The staffing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that provides temporary, contract, and permanent placement employees to businesses in a variety of industries with a workforce that encompasses diversity in race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity and identity.
Join us for a conversation with industry leaders on how they are working to strengthen DEI in their organizations and the industries they support.
BRINGING INCLUSION TO THE BOARDROOM
Diverse board leadership can have a transformative impact on the decisions made by the senior leadership of a company and the evolution of organizational culture. Inclusive boards drive innovation, foster creativity, and enhance decision-making processes by bringing a range of perspectives and experiences to the table.
Join our panel as they share insights, strategies, and success stories highlighting the profound impact of diversity in shaping the future of corporate governance.
DEVELOPING ROBUST PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP
As the overall number of women elevated to the C-Suite continues to be slow, especially for women of color, it’s critical that businesses outline actionable strategies to move women into the c-suite and inevitably into CEO roles.
Join our panel to hear actionable strategies and organizational initiatives aimed at breaking barriers and cultivating women for executive roles. Explore how fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the leadership journey not only benefits individuals but also drives organizational success and innovation.
1:45 – 2:15 PM ET: TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD: Vernā Myers
WBC is pleased to award Vernā Myers, Founder and President of the Vernā Myers Company our Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award in recognition of her remarkable contributions to gender equity and diversity.
Join us for a conversation with Vernā to hear about her remarkable achievements as a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion.
2:15 – 2:35 PM ET: IMPACT TALK- ALLYSHIP IN THE WORKPLACE
Allyship plays a critical role in building inclusive workplaces and cultures that foster belonging. Being an effective ally requires an intentional commitment to creating and nurturing relationships across the organization.
Join our panel for a conversation on what effective allyship looks like in companies and how leaders can create positive change in their organizations and with their colleagues.
2:35 – 3:05 PM ET: WOMEN IN TECH: LEADING THE EVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGY
Tech leadership is critical to the success of business. Top women technology leaders including CIOS, CTOs and CISOs as well as leaders in cyber, AI, data analytics are more important than ever as companies transform their technological capabilities to meet the needs of the future.
Join us for a dynamic conversation about how corporate tech leaders are harnessing the power of technology and data to drive successful outcomes in their organizations.
3:05 – 3:25 PM ET: TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD #3
WBC is pleased to award Lucy Sanders, Founder and Executive in Residence at The National Center for Women in Technology (NCWIT), our Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award in recognition of her remarkable contributions to gender equity and diversity.
Join us for a conversation with Lucy to hear about her remarkable achievements as a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion.
3:25 – 3:45 PM ET: IMPACT TALK-CREATING A CULTURE OF TRUST AND BELONGING
More than ever, building a workplace grounded in trust is critical to the success of a business. This is even more important as companies look to their companies to provide stability for them in an increasingly turbulent landscape.
Join our speakers to hear more about how to build a culture of trust in belonging in the workplace as organizations move into the next evolution of the workplace.
3:45 – 4:15 PM ET: WOMEN IN ENERGY: POWERING THE FUTURE
As the workforce evolves, the energy sector’s evolving landscape must include the contributions of women in leadership. Bringing women leaders to the table and can advance the work of these critical companies as they move into the future.
Join our panel as they explore the critical roles women play in shaping the future of energy production, distribution, and innovation. Explore how companies in this industry are overcoming challenges, driving diversity, and unlocking the full potential of women leaders.
4:15 – 4:35 PM ET: TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD #4/IMPACT TALK
4:35 – 5:10 PM ET: ENSURING RETENTION THROUGH AN INTENTIONAL COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION
The current landscape of the workplace requires companies to be intentional in all aspects of building company culture and their operations. Without a strong commitment to equitable and inclusive employee engagement strategies and practices, organizations cannot retain strong talent, lose competitive advantage and are less likely to increase their customer base.
Join our speakers to hear how companies are transforming their operations and their organizational narrative to meet the expectations of the next generation of talent and consumers.
5:10 – 5:45 PM ET: REVOLUTIONIZING CEO LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
The world is evolving and companies must be prepared to expand their definition of leadership. As this evolution takes shape, women are uniquely positioned to step into leadership roles and move companies into the future. Women-led companies are known to grow faster, generate more revenue, and have higher stock prices. They also tend to have a more diverse employee base which contributes to a happier workforce, further benefiting the bottom line.
Join our panel to hear how women in CEO roles are leading their companies into the next generation and what businesses should be doing to ensure women, especially women of color are represented in their c-suite and CEO leadership.
Register for this year’s Rethinking and Accelerating Women’s Leadership in Business Forum!
