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This half-day virtual forum showcases preeminent women and men leaders working to ensure women can and will lead in business. The goal of the forum is to showcase the trends, transformations, and innovations within WBC Initiatives.

Agenda & Panel Programming

Panels are organized into three tracks throughout the day.

11:00-11:15 AM EST


Opening Fireside Chat

A welcome chat to gear up for a day filled with transformative insights and valuable connections.

Track A – Women in STEM

11:15 AM-12:00 PM  EST


Women’s Leadership in Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence profoundly impacts today’s workforce, and this evolving landscape disproportionately affects women. As artificial intelligence takes center stage, it’s critical that women play a profound role in leadership and decision-making. Join our speakers to learn more about how businesses are innovating to meet the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence while ensuring women’s voices have a seat at the table.

12:05-12:50 PM EST


Women’s Leadership in Cybersecurity

We continue to see an ever-expanding variety of threats to our security, and ensuring there are a multitude of voices at the decision-making table is key to success. Shaping your leadership team with diverse technology leadership is critical to building profitable, purposeful, and inclusive businesses while ensuring that the organization is poised to meet the future. Join us for a dynamic conversation about the important role women play in the ever-evolving technology landscape.

12:55-1:40 PM EST


Women’s Leadership in Science and Biotech

As innovation continues to shape the biotech industry, it’s more important than ever that diverse leaders are at the helm of these organizations. Education and raising awareness about opportunities in the science and biotech sector play crucial roles in ensuring that leaders in these companies reflect the communities in which they operate. Join our panel of experts to gain insights into overcoming challenges, fostering diversity, and driving innovation for women in science and biotech.

  • Andrea Bowens-Jones, Ph.D., Director, Corporate Initiatives (Workforce & Affinity Alliances), NCWIT
  • Gabby Everett, Director of Business Operations and Strategy + Site Head, BioLabs Pegasus Park
  • Stephanie Oestrich, Managing Director, Myeloma Investment Fund
  • Smita Pillai, SVP, Talent Development, Inclusion & Innovation Culture, Regeneron

Track B – Women in the Workplace

11:15 AM-12:00 PM EST


Entrepreneurs Building Business

Women-owned businesses play a critical role in the economic landscape, yet they are often underfunded and under-resourced. It’s more important than ever for women entrepreneurs to shape the future of the business landscape. Join us for a conversation on the significance of collaborating with women-owned businesses and how they are leveraging capital to drive opportunities.

  • Jill Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL)
  • Sharon Reynolds, Founder and CEO, DevMar Products LLC & WBC Board Director
  • Janna Ronert, Founder & Chairwoman, Board Image Skincare
  • Laura K. Taylor, Senior Vice President, WBENC Strategic Financial Services and WBE Engagement Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

12:05-12:50 PM EST


Women CEO Leadership

Diversifying business leadership roles is critical to corporate success. Women-led companies are known to grow faster, generate more revenue, and achieve higher stock prices. Additionally, they tend to foster a more diverse employee base, leading to a happier workforce and further enhancing the bottom line. Join our panel to hear from women CEOs and corporate board members about the policies and practices organizations are implementing to ensure diverse leadership at the CEO level.

12:55-1:40 PM EST


Women Leading Boards

Building an inclusive workplace starts at the top of a company’s leadership, and board directors play a critical role in guiding decisions that impact a business’s day-to-day operations. Ensuring that boardrooms comprise a diverse set of experts and perspectives is a top priority for companies. Join our panel of board leaders to learn more about the importance of diverse leadership in the boardroom.

Track C – Corporate Purpose

11:15 AM -12:00 PM EST


Leading through Talent

As the landscape of the workforce continues to change, finding and retaining great talent isn’t just the job of the HR team. By acknowledging leaders have a collective responsibility in nurturing talent and driving sustainable success, companies can be more effective in building strategies that work for their employees. Join our panel to explore the ways that businesses can prioritize people-focused talent strategies, foster inclusive cultures and build an effective pipeline to leadership.

12:05-12:50 PM EST


Commitment Through Your Brand

The relationship between corporate purpose and brand identity is intricate and often interconnected. Join our panel to discuss how a cohesive purpose can strengthen brand authenticity, resonate with consumers, and drive sustainable growth, highlighting the pivotal role of purpose-driven branding in today’s competitive marketplace.

12:55-1:40 PM EST


Elevating Supplier Diversity

Elevating supplier diversity is critical to fostering equitable economic growth and empowerment. Join our panel of experts as they discuss strategies for increasing opportunities for underrepresented businesses, driving innovation, and creating a more inclusive marketplace.

  • Alexis Dennard, Assistant Vice President, Mass Markets Supply Chain, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability, AT&T
  • Kelly Kolar, President & Founder, Kolar Design
  • José Zeilstra, CEO, Gender Fair & WBC Board Director

1:40-1:50 PM EST


Closing Remarks

Speakers

Gwen Young 1X1 1 e1632007754474

Gwen K. Young

CEO, Women Business Collaborative
Edie Fraser

Edie Fraser

WBC Chair of Board
Michele Ashby

Michele Ashby

CEO, ACE LLC
Sara Attarzadeh

Sara Attarzadeh

Sr. Manager, Vulnerability Management & ASM, DocuSign
Carolyn Heller Baird

Carolyn Heller Baird

Global Research Leader - Customer Experience and Design, IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV)
Subha Barry

Subha Barry

President, Seramount
Marcela Berland

Marcela Berland

Marcela Berland, President, Latin Insights
Christine Bongard

Christine Bongard

CEO and Cofounder, The WIT Network
Andrea Bowens-Jones, Ph.D.

Andrea Bowens-Jones, Ph.D.

Director, Corporate Initiatives (Workforce & Affinity Alliances), NCWIT
Kim Box

Kim Box

Independent Director, Executive, Advisor, KBI Advisors
Joyce Brocaglia

Joyce Brocaglia

Founder and CEO, Alta Associates & Executive Women's Forum & BoardSuited
Alexis Dennard

Alexis Dennard

Assistant Vice President - Mass Markets Supply Chain, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability, AT&T
Jeannie Diefenderfer

Jeannie Diefenderfer

Independent Board Director, DigitalBridge Group, Inc. & Irth, Inc.
Lakshmi Eleswarpu

Lakshmi Eleswarpu

SVP, Global Chief Information Officer, Sanofi & WBC Board Director
Gabby Everett

Gabby Everett

Director of Business Operations and Strategy + Site Head, BioLabs Pegasus Park
Margo Georgiadis

Margo Georgiadis

Co-Founder & CEO, Montai
Felicity Hassan

Felicity Hassan

Founding Partner of TheFind & WBC Board Director
Ross Hodges

Ross Hodges

Global Head of Emerging Technology, Cushman & Wakefield
Jill Johnson

Jill Johnson

CEO, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Kelly Kolar

Kelly Kolar

President & Founder, Kolar Design
Jonathan Kone

Jonathan Kone

Head of Sales, LHH Recruitment Solutions, US
Dr. Melissa Moreno

Dr. Melissa Moreno

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Lindsay Corporation
Stephanie Oestrich

Stephanie Oestrich

Managing Director, Myeloma Investment Fund
Smita Pillai

Smita Pillai

SVP, Talent Development, Inclusion & Innovation Culture, Regeneron
Reynolds sharon BoD Pic

Sharon Reynolds

President/CEO, DevMar Products & WBC Board Director
Alison Richmond

Alison Richmond

Senior Vice President, Marketing Services, ClearEdge
Janna Ronert

Janna Ronert

Founder & Chairwoman of the Board, Image Skincare
Andrea Silbert

Andrea Silbert

President, Women's Power Gap/Eos Foundation
Andrea Simon

Andrea Simon

Founder and CEO, Simon Associates Management Consultants (SAMC)
Khalil Smith

Khalil Smith

Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement, Akamai Technologies
Heather Spilsbury

Heather Spilsbury

Chief Executive Officer, 50/50 Women on Boards
Dr. Emily Springer

Dr. Emily Springer

CEO & Principal Consultant, TechnoSocio Advisory
Rachel Talton

Rachel Talton

CEO, Synergy International Limited, Inc.
Laura K. Taylor

Laura K. Taylor

Senior Vice President, WBENC Strategic Financial Services and WBE Engagement, WBENC
Jolawn Victor

Jolawn Victor

Board Director & Advisor, Jebbit
Cid Wilson

Cid Wilson

President and CEO, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR)
Dawnita Wilson

Dawnita Wilson

Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, WETA/NewsHour Productions
Leela Wilson

Leela Wilson

Chief Revenue Officer, Catalyst Inc
José Zeilstra

José Zeilstra

CEO of Gender Fair & WBC Board Director