Rethinking and Accelerating Women’s Leadership in Business Forum
May 15 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
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.
- Gwen K. Young, CEO, WBC
- Andrea (Andi) Simon, CEO, Simon Associates Management Consultants (SAMC)
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.
- Carolyn Heller Baird, Global Research Leader – Customer Experience and Design IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV)
- Christine Bongard, CEO & Cofounder, The WIT Network
- Ross Hodges, Global Head of Emerging Technology, Cushman & Wakefield
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.
- Joyce Brocaglia, CEO, Executive Women’s Forum and DSG Managing Director, Executive Women’s Forum
- Lakshmi Eleswarpu, Global CIO, Sanofi
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
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.
- Subha Barry, President, Seramount
- Kim Box, Independent Director 8 Executive, Advisor, KBI Advisors
- Margo Georgiadis, Co-Founder & CEO, Montai
- Andrea Silbert, President, Women’s Power Gap/Eos Foundation
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.
- Michele Ashby, CEO, ACE LLC
- Jeannie Diefenderfer, Independent Board Director, DigitalBridge Group, Inc. & Irth, Inc.
- Heather Spilsbury, CEO, 50/50 Women on Boards
- Jolawn Victor, Board Director & Advisor, Jebbit
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.
- Felicity Hassan, Founding Partner, TheFind & WBC Board Director
- Khalil Smith, Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement, Akamai Technologies
- Leela Wilson, Chief Revenue Officer, Catalyst Inc.
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.
- Rachel Talton, CEO, Synergy
- Alison Richmond, Senior Vice President, Marketing Services, ClearEdge
- Dawnita Wilson, Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, WETA/NewsHour Productions
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
- Gwen K. Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative
- Edie Fraser, Chair of Board, WBC
- Cid Wilson, President and CEO, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR)
Speakers
Carolyn Heller Baird
