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Women Business Collaborative’s (WBC) Action for Impact (A4I) Annual Summit will take place virtually September 20-21, 2023.Â
Join us as we present the 2023 CEO Excellence in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards and the 2023 WBC Trailblazer in Gender Equity and Diversity Awards virtually September 20-21, 2023.
Join us to learn more from the dynamic leaders from all sectors who have made significant contributions to the advancement of gender equity and diversity within their companies and their communities at the Action for Impact Annual Summit.
This year’s virtual summit will feature a fully interactive platform allowing attendees to network and connect with each other, as well as share their ideas, innovations and impact in real time.
Register today to learn more from leaders across industries and sectors on how we are driving corporate purpose and equal position, pay and power for all women across business!
Brian Moynihan
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of America
Giovanni Caforio, MD
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb
Christine A. Leahy
Chair & President and CEO, CDW
David M. Cordani
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Cigna Group
Chuck Robbins
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Cisco
Linda Rendle
Chief Executive Officer, The Clorox Company
James Quincey
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Jennifer Rumsey
President and CEO, Cummins Inc.
Karen S. Lynch
President and CEO, CVS Health
Sophie Bellon
Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Sodexo
Time
Session
2:00P – 2:10PM
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND PURPOSE ACROSS THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE- ACTION FOR IMPACT
For the past four years, WBC 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 the next two days of reporting on progress towards our targets and the impact we are driving in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion across the business landscape.
- Gwen K. Young, Chief Executive Officer, WBC
2:30 – 2:35 PM
DIVERSE LEADERSHIP DRIVING BUSINESS
At a time where businesses are driving purpose and impact and recent political, policy, and judicial decisions have impacted the business landscape, join us as we hear from leaders as they share their thoughts on the future of diverse leadership and how it will continue to shape the business landscape.
- Tolu Lawrence, Managing Director and Head Corporate Impact, JUST Capital
- Dan Hesse, Chairman of the Board of Akamai Technologies, & WBC Board Director
 2:30 – 2:35 PM
CEO EXCELLENCE IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARDS OPENING REMARKS
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.
- Edie Fraser, Chair of Board, WBC
- Johanna (José) Zeilstra, CEO, Gender Fair, WBC Board Director
 2:35 – 2:50 PM
CEO EXCELLENCE IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARDS OPENING REMARKS
- Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors & CEO, Sodexo
- Giovanni Caforio, MD, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Bristol Myers Squibb
- David Cordani, Chairman & CEO, The Cigna Group
- Christine A. Leahy, Chair & CEO, CDW
- Karen S. Lynch, President & CEO, CVS Health
- Brian Moynihan, Chair of the Board & CEO, Bank of America
- James Quincey, Chairman & CEO, The Coca-Cola Company
- Linda Rendle, Chief Executive Officer, The Clorox Company
- Chuck Robbins, Chair & CEO, Cisco
- Jennifer Rumsey, President & CEO, Cummins, Inc.
3:35 – 3:50 PM
TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD PRESENTATION
- Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO, SHRM
- Interviewed by – Felicity Hassan, Founder and Executive Talent Consultant, The Find; WBC Board Director
3:50 – 4:30 PM
WOMEN CYBER TECH LEADERS – LEADING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Tech leadership is critical to the success of business. Top women technology leaders including CIOS, CTOs and CISOs and also leaders in Cyber, AI, Data analytics are more important than ever and critical to building profitable, purposeful, and inclusive business. Join us for a dynamic conversation about how corporate tech leaders are harnessing the power of technology and data to drive successful outcomes in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Aileen Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, Diversified Search Group
- Tali Bray, Executive Vice President, Technology Diversity, Community, & Sustainability, Wells Fargo
- Joyce Hunter, Executive Director, Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology
- Lauren Van Wazer, Vice President, Global Public Policy, Akamai Technologies
- Moderator – Mignona Cote, Chief Security Officer, NetApp
4:30 – 4:50 PM
WBC TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD PRESENTATION TO SYLVIA MATHEWS BURWELL
- Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President, American University
- Interviewed by – Betsy Fischer Martin, Executive Director, Women & Politics Institute, American University
4:50 – 5:35 PM
WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS DRIVING IMPACT
Join us for a conversation on the importance of working with women-owned businesses and how they are controlling capital and driving opportunity, particularly among business suppliers where 42% of new women business owners are African-American.
- Melissa Adams, Global Supplier Diversity Executive, UPS
- Lauren Herring, CEO, Impact Group
- Kelly Kolar, President, CEO, Kolar Design
- Theresa Harrison, Founder and President, George Street Services
- Moderator – Sharon Reynolds, President & CEO, DevMar Products, WBC Board Director
5:35 – 5:45 PM
IMPACT TALK: CULTURE AND TRANSFORMATION
- Kitty Chaney Reed, VP, Chief Leadership, Culture & Inclusion Officer, IBM
5:45 – 6:30 PM
WBC HAPPY HOUR BREAKING GLASS CEILINGS – WOMEN LEADING IN SPORTS
Community, inclusion, and purpose are all elements that resonate with women – as fans, consumers, and athletes. Join the WBC for our Virtual Happy Hour with key women leaders in the sports industry who are turning a traditionally male-dominated industry on its head.
- Angela Henderson, Professional Athlete Investment Advisor
- Jasmine Maietta, CEO Founder, Round21
- Jaia Thomas, Founder & CEO, Diverse Representation
- Sara Toussaint, Co-Owner, NC Courage
- Moderator – Laura Waters-Brown, Director, The Collective at Wasserman
Time
Session
11:00 – 11:05PM
WELCOME REMARKS – ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPACT
Today, across our nation and the globe, great leaders are driving corporate purpose from talent to brand and community. As part of this is putting diversity, and accountability at the heart of business — building more transparent organizations through direct accountability. As the leading alliance driving equity across the business landscape WBC believes that by working faster together, we build both accountability and impact.
- Gwen K. Young, Chief Executive Officer, WBC
11:05 – 11:12 AM
CEO EXCELLENCE IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARDS OPENING REMARKS
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.
- Edie Fraser, Chair of Board, WBC
- Dan Hesse, Chairman of the Board of Akamai Technologies, WBC Board Director
11:12 – 12:12 PM
THE 2023 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 honorees:
- Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors & CEO, Sodexo
- Giovanni Caforio, MD, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Bristol Myers Squibb
- David Cordani, Chairman & CEO, The Cigna Group
- Christine A. Leahy, Chair & CEO, CDW
- Karen S. Lynch, President & CEO, CVS Health
- Brian Moynihan, Chair of the Board & CEO, Bank of America
- James Quincey, Chairman & CEO, The Coca-Cola Company
- Linda Rendle, Chief Executive Officer, The Clorox Company
- Chuck Robbins, Chair & CEO, Cisco
- Jennifer Rumsey, President & CEO, Cummins, Inc.
12:12 – 12:27 PM
IMPACT TALK – LATINA LEADERSHIP
WBC believes that leadership representation of all women is a critical component to achieving parity. Join us for a conversation with the leadership of leading Hispanic and Latina organizations across business and industries.
- Patricia Mota, President & CEO, Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement
- Jacquelyn Puentes, Vice President External Affairs, Comcast NBCUniversal
- Cid Wilson, CEO and President, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility
- Moderator – Esther Aguilera, Senior Advisor to Altura Capital and ALPFA, WBC Board Director
12:27 – 12:47 PM
WBC TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD PRESENTATION TO JOHN W. ROGERS, JR.
- John W. Rogers, Jr.,Founder, Chairman, Co-CEO & Chief Investment Officer, Ariel Investments
- Interviewed by – Shibani Joshi, National Business & Technology Journalist
12:47 – 1:20PM
COURAGEOUS CEOs DRIVING IMPACT
Purposeful leadership is not just about making statements, but about listening and taking action. Critical leaders of corporate purpose and impact driven companies will discuss what it means to be courageous leaders.
- Paul Hudson, CEO, Sanofi Melinda Whittington, President and CEO, La-Z-Boy
- Priscilla Sims Brown, CEO, Amalgamated Bank
- Moderator – Lakshmi Eleswarpu, Global Chief Information Officer, Sanofi, WBC Board Director and Gwen K. Young, CEO, WBC
1:20 – 1:25 PM
IMPACT TALK: WOMEN CEOS LEADING IN 2023
- Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO, Catalyst
- Anna Mok, Co-Founder, President and Board Chairman, Ascend Leadership
1:25 – 2:10 PM
WOMEN CEO AND BOARD LEADERS
Having more women fill CEO roles and taking board positions is critical to corporate success. 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.
- Jillian Evanko, CEO and President, Chart Industries
- Tonie Leatherberry, Board Director, American Family Insurance
- Singleton McAllister, Counsel, Husch Blackwell LLP
- Moderator – Emily Wilkins, Washington Correspondent, CNBC
2:10 – 2:30 PM
WBC TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD PRESENTATION TO CINDY PARLOW CONE
- Cindy Parlow Cone, President, U.S. Soccer
- Interviewed by – Julie Foudy, ESPN Reporter, two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion & two-time Olympic Gold Medalist
2:30 – 3:00 PM
WOMEN LEADING SCIENCE AND BIOTECH
Join us as we hear from women leaders in science and biotech on how they and their organizations are increasing more diverse leadership across the biotech industry.
- Rakhi Agarwal, VP, Global Head of Supplier Diversity and Risk, Sanofi
- Poorna Srinivasan, Geologist, Petroleum Systems Modeling Team, Aramco Americas
- Stephanie Oestrich, Managing Director Investment Fund of the MMRF, Galecto
- Dr. Nkem Okeke, CEO, Medicalincs
3:00 – 3:30 PM
C-SUITE LEADERSHIP IN DEI AND DRIVING PURPOSE
DEI has been on the agenda for several years and businesses have committed to the importance of this to driving corporate impact. Join us as we discuss best practices for growing the commitment to DEI across the entire C-Suite.
- Reggie Humphrey, Director of DEI Operations in the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, General Motors
- Alexis Dennard, Assistant Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability, AT&T
- Lori Holt, Chief Operating Officer, The Executive Leadership Council
- Moderator – Dr. Rachel Talton, CEO and Founder, Synergy International Limited, Inc.
3:00 – 4:10 PM
IMPACT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
PANEL 1: WOMEN LEADING BOARDS
The U.S. ranks 19th worldwide in terms of the percentage of board seats held by women. So while progress has been made on board diversity and inclusion – much work still remains. From intentionally appointing diverse talent to ensuring new perspectives inform how you respond to internal and external stakeholders – join us for a conversation with thought leaders on how we can continue to make progress on inclusive leadership across the board.
- Betsy Berkamer-Credaire, Chief Executive Officer, 50/50 Women of Boards
- Ozzie Gromada Meza, Acting President and CEO, Latino Corporation Directors Association
- Jennifer Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer, Women Corporate Directors Foundation
- Moderator – Marta Ronquillo Newhart, APCO Worldwide International Advisory Counsel, former CCO and Brand Officer for Westinghouse, Johnson Controls, and Boeing
PANEL 2: WOMEN OF COLOR: BUILDING THE PIPELINE
Diverse teams bring substantial value to organizations, yet we know that women, particularly women of color remain vastly under-represented in senior leadership roles. Join us for a conversation on how these diverse women leaders are working to build a pipeline within their organizations to grow diversity in leadership.
- Subha Barry, CEO, Seramount
- Heather Choi, Partner & Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Baker Botts LLP
- Ana Dutra, CEO, Mandala Global Advisors & WBC Board Director
- Ripa Rashid, Head of Inclusion and Diversity, Managing Director, TD Cowen
- Moderator – Rohini Anand PhD, DEI Advisor, Author, Board Member & Esteemed Speaker
PANEL 3: 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.
- Joanie Bily, Vice Chair, American Staffing Association
- Teresa Delibert, Chairwoman, National Association of Personnel Services
- Sona Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer, TechServe Alliance
- Francesca Profeta, Research Analyst, Staffing Industry Analysts
- Sunny Ackerman, President, Americas SThree Staffing Solutions
- Moderator – Kip Wright, CEO, Inspyr Solutions, WBC Board Director
PANEL 4: DRIVING PAY EQUITY
Pay equity is a critical piece of building out gender equity, pathways to leadership and diverse leadership. Join us for a conversation on the latest innovations in pay equity and how organizations are continuing to commit to and manage pay equity.
- Maria Colacurcio, CEO, Syndio Noreen Farrell, Executive Director, Equal Rights Advocates
- Emily Sweet, Vice President of Social Impact, OpenComp
- Aniela Unguresan, Founder of Edge Certified Foundation
- Moderator – Nichole Barnes, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Pinterest
PANEL 5: BUILDING DIVERSE PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP
While things are moving in the right direction, the year-to-year increase in the overall number of women elevated to the C-Suite continues to be slow, especially for women of color. Join this panel of women leaders for a conversation on how we can galvanize, energize and motivate organizations to usher in more diverse women to the C-Suite and then into CEO roles.
- Shannon Bayer, Principal Consultant & Vice President, Revenue, Linkage
- Lina Klebanov, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for North America, TCS
- Dr. Rosina Racioppi, Ed.D., President & CEO, WOMEN Unlimited, Inc.
- Elissa Sangster, CEO, Forté Foundation Sandra Quince, CEO, Paradigm for Parity
- Moderator – Dara Klein, Managing Director, Kaplan Partners
4:10 – 4:16 PM
WBC TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD PRESENTATION TO THE HONORABLE JANET YELLEN
- Janet Yellen, The Honorable 78th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Introduced by – Gwen K. Young, CEO, WBC
4:15 – 4:25 PM
IMPACT TALK: TURNAROUND TIME – THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN YOUR EMPLOYEES
When Oscar Munoz became CEO of United Airlines in 2015, a number of issues—tortured union contract negotiations, challenging financial circumstances, frayed relationships with customers—meant that the company needed to turn itself around, and fast. Munoz immediately embarked on a listening tour, meeting with thousands of employees and customers—only to have it cut short when, 37 days into the job, he suffered a near-fatal heart attack. In his new book, Turnaround Time, Munoz credits both his recovery from his ensuing heart transplant and the revival of the airline to the support of employees and customers around the world.
- Oscar Munoz, Executive Chairman and Former CEO, United Airlines
- Interviewed by Kevin Cirilli, Atlantic Council Visiting Media Fellow
4:25 – 4:30 PM
IMPACT TALK: CAREGIVING AND THE CARE ECONOMY
Caregiving is a critical piece of an organization’s approach to building. Come hear more about the importance of caregiving and the Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers.
- Jennifer Klein, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Gender Policy Council
4:30 – 5:00 PM
DRIVING CORPORATE ACTION FOR IMPACT
Corporate action for impact is critical to the success of business and the work of the WBC to drive equal position, pay and power for all women in business. Join this panel to discuss the impact corporations across industries are driving impact in their workplace, with their stakeholders and across their communities. Join us for an in-depth conversation on the strategic innovations accompanied by tangible and practical tools and programs driving corporate purpose.
- Justina Nixon-Saintil, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, IBM
- Annalisa Esposito Bluhm, Vice President, CEO and Leadership Communications, Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Amantia Muhedini, Sustainable & Impact Investing Strategist, GWM, Chief Investment Office Americas, UBS
- Jamie Georgas, Executive Managing Director, Mid Atlantic, CBRE
- Moderator – Fern Johnson, CTO Vice President, Infrastructure & Operations, PepsiCo
5:20 – 5:40 PM
WBC TRAILBLAZER IN GENDER EQUITY AND DIVERSITY AWARD PRESENTATION TO CYNT MARSHALL
- Cynt Marshall, Chief Executive Officer, Dallas Mavericks
- Interviewed by – Dana Larson, Anchor/Reporter for Bally Sports, Dallas, Texas
5:40 – 5:45 PM
INDUSTRY FOCUS: DEI IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY
The insurance industry, like many financial services sectors, has an historic reputation for being white, middle-aged, and male. As the corporate world continues to embrace the opportunity for change through DEI initiatives and reap the rewards from a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
- Jomil Guerrero, Chief Diversity Officer, New York Life Insurance
- Marta Pateiro, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – USIR Businesses, Prudential Insurance
- Debra Dunn, SVP Property General Manager, USAA
- Moderator – Margaret Resce Milkint, Global Insurance Practice Leader, Diversified Search Group
CLOSING CELEBRATION: FASTER TOGETHER
- Gwen K. Young, Chief Executive Officer, WBC
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