Name: WBC Action for Impact Summit
Start: 2024-09-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2024-09-25T23:59:59+00:00
Location: Virtual

September 25, 2024 • 10:00 AM • Virtual Event

WBC’s 2024 Annual Action for Impact Summit united thousands of attendees on a fully interactive platform, enabling participants to network, connect, and exchange ideas, innovations, and impact in real-time. We presented the 2024 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards and the WBC Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards below.

For more information on the separate VIP Event In the Arena: Women Leading Sports, click here.

2024 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards Recipients

2024 WBC Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award Recipients

2024 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards Recipients

2024 WBC Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award Recipients

Agenda & Panel Programming

ACTION FOR IMPACT SUMMIT WELCOME

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, Women Business Collaborative (WBC)

AI AT WORK: NAVIGATING ETHICAL FRONTIERS IN THE MODERN WORKFORCE

As the modern workforce evolves, it’s critical that businesses acknowledge the growing presence of artificial intelligence. The evolving AI landscape is poised to alter the course of business operations, change the conversation on the future or work and have significant ethical implications. Leaders on this panel discuss how companies can adapt to the presence of AI while ensuring that they remain committed to their values, purpose and employees.

Moderator: Emily Wilkins, DC Correspondent, CNBC
Miriam Vogel, President and CEO, EqualAI
Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO

CEO EXCELLENCE IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARDS 2024 - INTRODUCTION

Gwen K. Young, Chief Executive Officer, Women Business Collaborative (WBC)

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 one of our conversation with this year’s CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity award winners with opening remarks by WBC leadership.

Priscilla Almodovar, Chief Executive Officer, Fannie Mae
Priscilla Sims Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amalgamated Bank
Judy Marks, Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President, Otis Worldwide Corporation

EMPOWERING GROWTH: HOW WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE SHAPING THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

Women owned businesses continue to grow in both numbers and in terms of revenue. This diverse group of accomplished entrepreneurs will discuss the strategies they and their companies employed to build their businesses from the ground up. This panel will highlight the transformative impact of women in business and their contributions to a more inclusive and innovative economic landscape.

Moderator: Edie Fraser, Chair of Board, Women Business Collaborative (WBC)
Laura Fote, Founder and CEO, L&B Concepts
Sharon Reynolds, Founder, President, CEO, DevMar Enterprises, WBC Board Member
Deb Ward, Founder and CEO, UV BIOCLEAN
Diedre Windsor, Founder & CEO, Windsor Group LLC

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.

Her Excellency, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Interviewed by Gwen K. Young, Chief Executive Officer, WBC

2024 WBC WOMEN CEOS IN AMERICA REPORT

Women Business Collaborative and our partners are committed to not just reporting, but also galvanizing, energizing and motivating organizations to usher in more women to the C-Suite and then to CEO roles. There is reason for optimism as we see an increasing commitment to populate the C-Suite and the Board with more women – and it is happening. WBC, C200, Catalyst and Ascend discuss the data, strategies and realities of women CEOs across the business landscape.

Moderator: Kevin Cirilli, Founder, Meet the Future NOW
Jennifer McCollum, President and CEO, Catalyst
Anna Mok, President, Ascend Leadership
Gwen K. Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative (WBC)

CLOSING THE GAP: BOOSTING INVESTMENT IN 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. This panel will discuss strategies for fostering investment in women-owned enterprises and growing the number of women leaders in capital.

Moderator: Angela Dingle, CEO, WIPP
Nicole Cober, Founder, The BOW Collective
Denielle Finkelstein, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Unicorn
Josephine Moran, President & CEO, Ledyard National Bank
Lisa Roberts, Senior Executive Vice President, Head of US Markets, Wilmington Trust
Kelly Skalicky, President & CEO, Stearns Bank National Association

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.

Priscilla Almodovar, Chief Executive Officer, Fannie Mae
Priscilla Sims Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amalgamated Bank
Judy Marks, Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President, Otis Worldwide Corporation

BREAKOUT PANELS

ELEVATING VOICES: 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.

Moderator: Kimberly Lee Minor, CEO WOC Retail Alliance (WOCRA)
Purba Majumder, CEO, Cybervation
Victoria Holland, Congressional Delegate, United Keetoowah Band
Sandra Quince, Co-Chair and Board Member, Paradigm for Parity

BEYOND PLACEMENT: ADVANCING DEI IN STAFFING AND EMPLOYMENT

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.

Moderator: Kip Wright, Chairman, INSPYR Solutions and WBC Board Member
Megan McCann, CEO, McCann Partners and Board Member, Techserve Alliance Board
Joanie Bily, Division President, Employbridge & Chair of the Board of Directors, American Staffing Association (ASA)
Francesca Profeta, Research Analyst, Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)

BOARDROOM DIVERSITY: TRANSFORMATION IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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. Key leaders on this panel share insights, strategies, and success stories highlighting the profound impact of diversity in shaping the future of corporate governance.

Moderator: Belen Gomez, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Communications, Equilar
Singleton McAllister, Of Counsel, Husch Blackwell LLP
Mercedes Romero, Chief Procurement Officer, Primo Water & Independent Director at JB Sanfilippo and Marinemax
Angela Sun, Public Company Director, The Western Union Company, Cushman & Wakefield, Apollo Portfolio Company, Maxim Crane
Kamilah Thomas, Chief People Officer, Avaya & Public Company Director at Mastercraft

PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP: ADVANCING WOMEN INTO THE C-SUITE

As the overall number of women elevated to the C-Suite continues to be slow, especially for women of color, it is 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.

Moderator: Gracie Lozano, Vice President, Senior HR Business Partner, USAA
Rashmi Chaturvedi, President, Kaygen
Simone Jentsch, VP Operations, Programs & Enablement, Akamai Technologies
Tai Koottatep, Director and General Manager, Worldwide B2B Payments & Lending, Amazon
Georgina Mayback, Managing Director & New York Tri-State Division Executive, Bank of America

TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD

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 their remarkable contributions to gender equity and diversity.

Award Recipient: Vernā Myers, President, The Vernā Myers Company
Fireside Chat Moderator and Award Presenter: Gwen K. Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative (WBC)

TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD

WBC is pleased to award Charles Johnson, President of SodexoMagic our Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Award in recognition their remarkable contributions to gender equity and diversity.

Award Recipient: Charles Johnson, President, SodexoMagic
Fireside Chat Moderator and Award Presenter: Gwen K. Young, CEO, Women Business Collaborative (WBC)

ALLYSHIP IN ACTION: TRANSFORMING WORKPLACE CULTURE

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.

Moderator: Fabrice Houdart, Executive Director Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors
Helen Dietz, Managing Director – Total Wealth Management, Partner, Aspiriant
Maureen Howard, Vice President Equality & Inclusion, P&G
Gavriella Schuster, CEO, Gavriella Schuster, LLC

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP: HARNESSING THE POWER 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.

Moderator: Johanna Jones, President and CEO, ITSMF
Jo-Anna Rubin-Berman, Vice President of US HR Shared Services, Munich RE
Jennifer Bryant, Senior Director, Chief of Staff, Associate Experience and Engagement, Capital One
Jennifer Jones, USLI Chief Operating Officer, Genworth Financial

TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD: LUCY SANDERS

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.

Lucy Sanders, Founder and Executive in Residence at The National Center for Women in Technology (NCWIT)
Interviewed by Gwen K. Young, Chief Executive Officer, Women Business Collaborative (WBC)

TRUST AND TRANSFORMATION: BUILDING A CULTURE OF BELONGING IN THE WORKPLACE

More than ever, building a workplace grounded in trust is critical to the success of a business. This is even more important as employees look to their companies to provide stability for them in an increasingly turbulent landscape. Building a culture of trust in belonging in the workplace is critical as organizations move into the next evolution of the workplace.

Moderator: Dr. Rachel-Yvonne Talton, Founder and CEO, Synergy
Dr. Joy Dettorre, Global D&I Leader, IBM
Chloe Lemelle, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Diversity, AT&T
Nathan C. Pierce, Culture & Diversity Engagement Specialist, Tata Consultancy Services – TCS

LEVERAGING INCLUSIVE GROWTH THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY

As sustainability strategies shape the future of our world, it is essential to prioritize inclusive growth in this agenda. As the world changes quickly, ensuring that economic progress benefits everyone — especially those most vulnerable — is key to fostering a more resilient and equitable world. Hear from trailblazing leaders who are driving transformation in their industries, as they share experience, insights, and practical strategies to create meaningful change from within.

Moderator: Balaji Ganapathy, Chief Social Responsibility Officer and Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Tata Consultancy Service and WBC Board Member
Tequila Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Reworld Waste
Marika McCauley Sine, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mars Petcare and Board Member, WBC

IMPACT TALK: THE SCIENCE OF TURNING IMAGINATION INTO REALITY

Tiffany Norwood, Founder & CEO, Tribetan

INCLUSION: TRANSFORMING OPERATIONS TO MEET THE REALITIES OF TODAY’S BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

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.

Moderator: Amy LaBella Rossi, Vice President, Lead Business Execution Consultant Commercial Banking Diverse Segments, Wells Fargo
Tracy Gee, Chief People Officer, NACD
Ashley Marchand Orme, Director of Equity and Stakeholder Leadership, Just Capital
Ryan Mitchell, Global Director – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, CBRE