Agenda

If you already have your badge, please head directly to the Exhibit Hall or Opening Keynote.

• Learn about local and women-owned businesses
• Author Signings & Meet and Greets
• Resume Review & Coaches Corner
• LinkedIn Makeover Workshops
• QVC & zulily Product Search
• Community Connection Pavilion
• Local Leader Meet-Ups
• Small Business & Social Media Roundtables

Take advantage of free one-on-one “speed coaching” sessions and/or get help perfecting your resume. Learn more. *Coaching and resume review will not take place during opening or luncheon keynote sessions.

CAREER PAVILION MINI-WORKSHOPS:

8:00 – 8:20 am: Effective Job Search Strategies

Speaker: Raquel Arredondo, assistant director, MBA/MS career services, Drexel LeBow College of Business
Without a plan, networking savvy, and the right tools, searching for a job can be an overwhelming process. Learn ways to focus your efforts and launch the right career for you.

11:00 – 11:20 am: Manage Your Digital Brand: Email Communications and Social Media Best Practices

Speakers: Lisa Litzinger-Drayton, director, communications, Drexel LeBow College of Business and Jonathan Hartley, assistant director, communications, Drexel LeBow College of Business
Technology continues to impact office dynamics and how we communicate in the workplace. Join this interactive discussion to ensure that you are communicating effectively and presenting a polished brand. *An encore session will be held at 3:30pm.

3:00 – 3:20 pm: Wake-Up Productive: How to Get More Done with a Daily Success Routine

Speaker: Jamila Payne, founder, Daily Success Routine
In this session you will learn strategies for crafting your ideal day. Learn proven principles for avoiding distractions, overcoming procrastination and creating more personal and creative time. Practice creating actionable steps for staying consistently motivated and achieving your goals.

3:30 – 4:00 pm: ENCORE | Manage Your Digital Brand: Email Communications and Social Media Best Practices

AARP PRESENTS:

12:30 – 1:00 pm: A Purse of Your Own: The 7 Wealthy Habits of Successful Women

Speaker: Deborah Owens, America’s Wealth Coach
This session is for any woman who knows she needs to secure her future. You’ve done all the right things; college, career and yet you still aren’t sure if you are leveraging all of your options.  Are you investing enough for retirement? Will your current strategy achieve the results you need? This session is sponsored by AARP and features America’s Wealth Coach™ Deborah Owens, media personality, financial Expert and author of the book A Purse of Your Own. In this session, she shares the seven wealthy habits that financially successful women use to turn their income into wealth. You will take the “What’s In Your Purse? Assessment” and discover if you are on track and what you need to do to create a purse of your own. *An encore session will be held at 4:00pm.

4:00 – 4:30 pm: ENCORE | A Purse of Your Own: The 7 Wealthy Habits of Successful Women

Watch live product pitches in front of a panel of experts from QVC and zulily.

7:40 – 8:00 am
or
8:00 – 8:20 am

Get your day started by learning all about our #PennWomen app! Conference staff will show you how to access the day’s schedule, full exhibitor listings, maps, speaker bios and local attractions. Plus you’ll see how to easily connect with fellow attendees using the handy networking feature.

Speaker: Wendi Aarons, social media director, Conferences for Women

about how to up your game on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and more. Bring your bestie, co-worker, boss, mentor or business partner to the #MoreThanMySelfie booth for the perfect pic that gets all the likes!

8:00 – 8:15 am: Sit Happens, So What Are You Going To Do About It? Find Out How One Woman Took Action

Speaker: Samantha Hand, government contracting & pricing compliance officer, Johnson & Johnson
Our bodies weren’t made to sit all day, however the sitting state is almost inevitable – in the car, at the desk, on the couch or in meetings. Sitting is what we do the majority of our days and doing it all day takes a toll on our bodies and can increase your risk for heart disease. But how do we avoid the urge to sit? Learn from Samantha Hand who took control of how much she was sitting and developed a plan to counteract its negative effects. By incorporating more movement into her workday, she upped her daily activity and lessened the amount of time she was sitting. She will share her strategies for making this change so you too can get your “sit” together.

8:15 am: Q&A with Samantha Hand

12:35 – 12:50 pm: How to Eat Healthy AND Happy: Cooking Demonstration

Speaker: William Ambrose, sous chef, Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
Being smart about what you eat and when you eat can make a big difference in your overall health. Join Bill Ambrose as he presents a cooking demonstration for a honey-glazed granola with dried cranberries recipe you can make at home. He’ll share tips on healthy eating, will help bust the myths and misinformation about food and provide you with sound building blocks for your personal approach to nutrition, while preparing this delicious granola that’s great for starting the day with a boost or just as a healthy snack!

12:50 pm: Q&A with William Ambrose

2:45 – 3:10 pm: Power Up: A Practical Approach to Managing Your Energy at Work and Home

Speaker: Ron Joines, VP and global medical director, environment health, & safety team, GSK
No other meal earns more time, attention and effort than a meal shared among loved ones to celebrate the holidays! While this time of year is often viewed as a threat to our waistlines, the holidays can teach us how to recover a simple, but lost skill: how to eat. From thoughtful shopping and menu planning, to reviving those cooking skills and savoring the love and laughter that each bite provides, the holidays resurface important practices that can be adopted all year long to promote optimal health and wellbeing.

3:10 pm: Q&A with Ron Joines

3:30 – 3:45 pm: Trust Your Gut While Minding Your Manners – Learning to Maintain Healthy Digestion

Speakers: Karen Sudders, clinical oncology dietitian, Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
Sarah Fulcher, speech and language pathologist, Cancer Treatment Centers of America
The key to ensuring overall health and well-being can lie in your gut. This session will focus on the possible health benefits of popular probiotic supplements for digestion, the immune system and in helping to prevent bowel conditions that can really upset your system. Learn how simple dietary intervention, behavioral management strategies and tips on how fast you eat a meal and how much you eat can all have an impact on healthy digestion

3:45 pm: Q&A with Karen Sudders

At the Luncheon Keynote session, refer to your printed badge for your table assignment.

Opening Keynote Lineup:

Tamala Edwards, news anchor, 6abc

Adam Grant, Wharton’s top rated professor, recognized as one of HR’s most influential international thinker and best-selling author

Annie Clark, groundbreaking political organizer, inspiration for The Hunting Ground

Chris Boerner, president and head, U.S. commercial, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Anita Hill, pioneer for civil and women’s rights, professor, Brandeis University and author, Speaking Truth to Power

Annie Clark
Anita Hill

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and shatter the glass ceiling
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Hall D

The most effective leaders are not necessarily born leaders, but share a number of traits that inspire others to follow their lead. Led by leadership expert Courtney Lynch, this panel of women has made it to the top of their organizations and will share the four traits of leadership that helped them become the influential leaders they are today. Learn how credibility, authenticity, emotional resolve and confidence will help you find your voice, improve your leadership skills and impact others.

Thought Leader: Courtney Lynch, author, Spark and Leading from the Front

Panelists:
Linda Dillman, chief information officer, QVC
Aria Finger, CEO, dosomething.org
Anuja Singh, systems engineering manager, NYC & LI, government and education, Cisco Systems
Nina Tassler, advisor, former chairman, CBS Entertainment and author, What I Told My Daughter

Moderator: Celeste Warren, VP, HR and global diversity & inclusion center of excellence, Merck

CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Designed for the mid/senior level professional with significant experience looking for advice around professional skills and job advancement
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Ballroom A

Women do the lion’s share of helping, mentoring, and office housework. Adam Grant, Wharton’s top-rated professor and coauthor with Sheryl Sandberg of the New York Times series on women and work, will explore how to contribute to others without sacrificing yourself. Using surprising studies and actionable cases, Adam will cover how to be generous without burning out and getting burned, so that no good deed goes punished

Speaker: Adam Grant, Wharton’s top-rated professor, recognized as one of HR’s most influential international thinkers and best-selling author

Moderator: Laura Biernacki, VP, cash management, PA sales officer, Beneficial Bank

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: Designed for Millennials and newer professionals entering or re-entering the workforce
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
MR 201

Whether you are trying to ace a job interview, sign a new client or promote your business, it is critical to sell yourself. Oftentimes, professionals fall into the trap of regurgitating bullets about their past jobs instead of sharing the value they can offer as a result of their experiences. Bringing together a diverse group of powerhouse women, this interactive session will share best practices and lessons learned from experts around branding and selling yourself professionally. From portraying a physical presence to speaking the language, attendees will walk away armed with the ability to position your value, not just your résumé.

Thought Leader: Shama Hyder, CEO of The Marketing Zen Group and author, Momentum: How to Propel Your Marketing and Transform Your Brand in the Digital Age

Panelists:
Luvvie Ajayi, award-winning writer, digital strategist and author, I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual
Michele Ruiz, entrepreneur and marketing expert
Molly Watson, COO, Tierney

Moderator: Marilyn Russell, host, Ben FM Mornings and Woman of the Week

TRANSITIONS: Offering expertise for maneuvering career and life transitions
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
MR113

This session is for anyone facing the daunting question of what comes next – whether your perfect-on-paper job has hit a plateau, you are considering taking on a new role, are moving into a new company or industry, or even starting or folding your own business. By taking your priorities into account and leveraging what is already working, you can cut through confusion and move more quickly in a new direction with greater growth, meaning and purpose. This session will feature women from the front lines who can share real-life stories of success and help you avoid the common mistakes so you can position yourself for a successful transition into Career 2.0.

Thought Leader: Jody Greenstone Miller, founder & CEO, Business Talent Group and one of Fortune Magazine’s Ten Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs

Panelists:
Raquel M. Arredondo, assistant director, MBA/MS Career Services, Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business
Jenny Blake, author, Pivot: The Only Move that Matters is Your Next One
Caroline De Marco, VP, regional accounts, GlaxoSmithKline

HEALTH & WELLNESS: Offering strategies for managing and improving your physical, mental and emotional well being
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
MR 103

Women are leaders, breadwinners, and caregivers. We’re leaning in so much we’re about to fall over. To take the edge off, many women pop a pill, eat something sugary, have a drink, or spend mindless time online. These activities quickly become patterns that take an enormous toll on women’s bodies and natural hormonal balance. According to Dr. Julie Holland, women are made to be moody which is a strength—not a weakness even though our culture tells us otherwise. This enlightening session will explore:

– The pros and cons of the drugs you’re being offered, as well as some surprising and highly effective, individual, natural therapies that can help you press the reset button in your own bodies and minds;
– How medicating away our natural moods can have devastating consequences for women in many areas of your lives including sex, relationships, sleep, eating, focus, balance, and aging; and
– The natural moods and fluctuations of a woman’s body and how when used properly, moodiness is a power that can be used to create a better and more balanced life at every stage.

Speaker: Dr. Julie Holland, psychopharmacologist and author, Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You’re Taking, The Sleep You’re Missing, The Sex You’re Not Having, and What’s Really Making You Feel Crazy

Moderator: Kathy Lentini, director, energy & marketing services, PECO

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
MR 204

“Having it all” has become the subject of countless books, articles, debates, and social media commentary, with passions running high in all directions. Many now believe this to be gospel truth: Any woman who wants to advance in a challenging career has to make sacrifices. And with such a wide spectrum of priorities, workloads and resources for women, it is impossible to define “life balance” for all. But, what if there was a recipe for giving you more time in your day? Time management expert Laura Vanderkam will share seven time management strategies that may make a difference between just hanging on and possibly feeling like you are “having it all.”

Speaker: Laura Vanderkam, author, I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time

Moderator: Ashley Primis, executive editor, Philadelphia Magazine

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Ballroom B

Mallika Chopra, the daughter of spirituality guru Deepak Chopra, has been steeped in questions of purpose, fulfillment, and enlightenment for her entire life. As she looked to answer these questions, she struggled with the challenges of guilt and finding balance and serenity as her to-list multiplied by the second. Her tipping point led her to authoring Living with Intent, which is a chronicle of her search to find more meaning, joy and balance in life. In this session, Mallika Chopra will share her personal journey – successes and failures) and provide a practical road map for how we can all move from thought to action to overcome. Attendees will leave both inspired and armed with solid tools to make positive changes for living a life of intent.

Speaker: Mallika Chopra, founder and CEO, Intent.com, author, Living with Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy

Moderator: Nydia Han, reporter and anchor, WPVI-TV 6abc

YOUNG WOMEN’S PROGRAM: Designed for high school junior and senior girls
Session I: 10:00 – 11:00 am
MR 108

Every day, we are bombarded with messages that lead us to question who we are. Meet Emily Greener, founder of I AM THAT GIRL, which advises young women to be the best version of each of us. In this inspirational and interactive session, attendees will learn how to collaborate instead of compete and contribute as much as they consume, so they can better navigate the world.

Speaker: Amanda Slavin, CEO & founder, CatalystCreativ and advisory board member, I AM THAT GIRL

Moderator: Sofiya Ballin, features reporter, The Philadelphia Inquirer/ Philly.com

Jenny Blake
Adam Grant
Julie Holland
Shama Hyder
Courtney Lynch
Michele Ruiz
Nina Tassler

Yoga & Meditation | 11:00 am – 11:30 am and 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm

Speaker: Michelle Higgins, instructor, Yogawood
Local expert Michelle Higgins is a non-profit community engagement manager by day and New Jersey yoga instructor by night. She’ll share tips and tricks for integrating yoga and meditation practice into your daily life. Come as you are! Mats and chairs will be provided. Athletic attire is not required.

I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time | 12:40 pm – 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Speaker: Laura Vanderkam, author, I Know How She Does It
Laura Vanderkam is the author of I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time. Based on a time diary study of 1,001 days in the lives of professional women and their families, she takes a practical approach to the question of how people combine work and family while enjoying their own sweet time too.

Stay for an exclusive book signing!

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and shatter the glass ceiling
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Ballroom B

You believe strongly in your opinion and your choices reflect those individual, personal tastes. Right? Wrong. Other people’s behavior has a huge influence on everything we do at every moment of our lives, from the mundane to the momentous. Even strangers have a startling impact on our judgments and decisions. But social influence doesn’t just lead us to do the same things as others. In some cases we conform, or imitate others around us. But in other cases we diverge, or avoid particular choices or behaviors because other people are doing them. Wharton professor and top-rated 2014 conference speaker Jonah Berger is back to share his business and social science research that will help us to learn the subtle, invisible influences behind our choices as individuals. By understanding how social influence works, we can decide when to resist and when to embrace it—and how we can use this knowledge to make better-informed decisions and exercise more control over our own behavior.

Speaker: Jonah Berger, professor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and author, Invisible Influence

Moderator: Nancy Hesse, interim president & CEO, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Eastern Regional Medical Center

CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Designed for the mid/senior level professional with significant experience looking for advice around professional skills and job advancement
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
MR 201

The stats are staggering and while we have taken steps in the right direction, progress remains slow. Impacting real change will require a top down and bottom up approach. The most effective leaders navigate highly diverse teams, being aware of any unconscious bias – all with an eye toward innovation and profitability. Using real-world examples from workplaces who are making strides, this interactive discussion will explore what leaders at all levels can do to contribute to the overall movement including:

– How to deal with unconscious bias in yourself and team members;
– How to measure, motivate and reward the best teams;
– What types of metrics optimize innovation; and
– What actionable steps you can take to immediately impact positive change for your team and organization.

Thought Leader: Robin Hauser Reynolds, documentary filmmaker, CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap

Panelists:
Rachel Jacobs, SVP, head of key accounts, wirehouse channel, Delaware Investments
Monica McKee, VP, HR, global manufacturing & supply, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Elena Richards, minority initiatives & talent management leader, office of diversity, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Rachel Sklar, co-founder, Change The Ratio & TheLi.st and author, The 10 Habits of Highly Successful Women

Moderator: Patrick Hardy, executive creative director & EVP, Tierney

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: Designed for Millennials and newer professionals entering or re-entering the workforce
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
MR 113

Making a decision to “push the boundaries,” whether it is starting your own company or joining a start-up can be overwhelming. If you have dreamed of being an entrepreneur, but not sure you are ready for the gamble, this panel of experts can help you navigate your fears and assess the risks involved. Learn the best practices of these seasoned entrepreneurs, so that are prepared for the challenged and armed to achieve success.

Thought Leader: Meridith Dennes, co-founder, Project Eve

Panelists:
Yasmeen Hassan, global executive director, Equality Now
Leila Janah, CEO, Sama & LXMI, award-winning social entrepreneur and co-author, America’s Moment
Amanda Slavin, CEO & founder, CatalystCreativ and advisory board member, I AM THAT GIRL

Moderator: Karen Koenig, VP, cash management, NJ senior sales officer, Beneficial Bank

TRANSITIONS: Offering expertise for maneuvering career and life transitions
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
MR 103

Every day, in every part of our lives, we face an increasing number of choices. Our futures depend not just on the results, but on how well we handle making these hard choices and the serious scrutiny that comes with them. But is a woman’s experience issuing a tough call any different from a man’s? Men and women approach decisions differently, though not necessarily in the ways we have been led to believe. And despite popular misconceptions, women are just as decisive as men — though they may pay a price for it. Cognitive psychologist Therese Huston will to break open the myths as to how we decide and then lead a discussion with a panel of decision makers about how to improve decision-making skills, create options, make optimal choices and ensure that others will take your decisions seriously.

Thought Leader: Dr. Therese Huston, author, How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not, and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices

Panelists:
Jill Calabrese Bain, managing director and small business executive, Bank of America
Trudy Bourgeois, CEO, The Center for Workforce Excellence and author, Her Corner Office and The Hybrid Leader: Blending the Best of the Male & Female Leadership Styles
Colleen Pietrobono, principal, EPM advisory, Ernst & Young

Moderator: Fereshtah Thornberg, SVP, global relationship management, State Street Corporation

HEALTH & WELLNESS: Offering strategies for managing and improving your physical, mental and emotional well being
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Ballroom A

Women are maxed out, addicted to being busy, and overwhelmed.  Keeping busy at all costs is the cultural status quo, but the drive to do more is impacting our families, our work, and our health. Women process burnout differently than men and the result of our busyness is not only a lack of time, but also exhaustion, stress, anxiety, guilt, fear, social comparison, inauthenticity and physical illness. This panel of experts will not only provide you with tips to avoid burnout, but also specific strategies to live with intention, help you manage the stress, find more time in your day and ease the pressure when you can’t avoid being busy.

Thought Leader: Paula Davis-Laack, stress and resiliency expert 

Panelists:
Mallika Chopra, founder and CEO, Intent.com, author, Living with Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace and Joy
Sandy Immerman, head, IT project and vendor management offices, Shire Pharmaceuticals
Laura Vanderkam, author, I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time

Moderator: Claire Biermaas, VP, divisional marketing and customer experience, AmerisourceBergen

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT: Offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
MR 204

Planning for your financial future is not easy. Do you invest safely knowing that the money will be there, but might not be quite enough? Or do you invest more aggressively in the hopes that you have more money to spend later in life? America’s most trusted financial advisor Jane Bryant Quinn will share how to turn your retirement savings into a steady paycheck that will last for life. By showing you strategies for squeezing higher payments from your assets—your monthly income, your Social Security account, home equity, savings and retirement accounts, she will show you how the right moves will not only raise the amount you have to spend, they’ll stretch out your money over many more years.

Speaker: Jane Bryant Quinn, best-selling author, How to Make Your Money Last: The Indispensable Retirement Guide

Moderator: Amy Buckman, public relations and special events, Philadelphia Media Network

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Hall D

Lisa Nichols is no stranger to transformation. Her own story is extraordinary – she transformed her life from a single mom on public assistance to a millionaire entrepreneur. Her own struggles have been the inspiration behind her bold mission to teach others that it is possible to do the same. Using her signature systems, Lisa will guide you through this interactive workshop, teaching you how to accomplish unfathomable goals and tap into your own potential. Get ready to have your norm disrupted and move out of your comfort zone to find success and prosperity in your both personal and professional life.

Speaker: Lisa Nichols, New York Times best-selling author, personal transformation guru, and life coach

Moderator: Sharrie Williams, anchor, WPVI-TV 6abc

YOUNG WOMEN’S PROGRAM: Designed for high school junior and senior girls
Session II: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
MR 108

“Follow your gut” is advice easy to give, but harder to follow. How do you know when following your intuition will lead you to happiness and success? In the session, super stars in their industries will share with you the reasons why fostering your passions, seeking purpose in your chosen interest and taking the road less traveled is often the most rewarding, despite (and because of) the hiccups and failures you may encounter on the way. 

Thought Leader: Aria Finger, CEO, dosomething.org

Panelists:
Luvvie Ajayi, award-winning writer, digital strategist, and author, I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual
Madhavi Bhasin, global partnerships director, Technovation
Darlene Cavalier, founder, SciStarter

Luvvie Ajayi
Jonah Berger
Trudy Bourgeois
Mallika Chopra
Therese Huston
Lisa Nichols
Jane Bryant Quinn
Rachel Sklar

Keynote Luncheon Lineup:

Monica Malpass, news anchor, 6abc

Leslie Stiles, board president, PA Conference for Women

Tracy Brown, director, global service provider marketing, Cisco Systems

Abby Wambach, 2015 World Cup Champion & ranked Time’s “100 Most Influential People 2015”

Joanne Ryder, executive vice president & chief administration officer, Beneficial Bank

A Conversation on “Feminism 2.0” featuring Mindy Kaling, actor, producer, director and best-selling author, Why Not Me?, moderated by Lesley Jane Seymour, media entrepreneur & respected editorial leader

Abby Wambach

TRANSITIONS: Offering expertise for maneuvering career and life transitions
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Hall D

No matter your age, life stage, bank account balance, or career level, you can learn how to pivot strategically into your next opportunity. Career change doesn’t have to be a crisis, and plateaus don’t have to be a problem. In fact, if change is the only constant, now more than ever as it relates to our economy, it behooves us all to get better at it. Your best chance of success lies right under your feet. By doubling down on what is already working, you can cut through confusion and move more quickly in a new direction. Pivoting is a mindset and a skillset, and it is one we can all get better at. This workshop will resonate with anyone facing the question of what comes next by providing a methodical plan to move forward, one that you can cycle through as many times as necessary. This interactive workshop focuses on Jenny’s Pivot Method, a 4-stage process that will teach you how to:

– Identify your existing strengths, interests and experiences, and define your version of success.
– Scan the horizon for new opportunities, skills, people and opportunities, without falling prey to analysis-paralysis or compare-and-despair.
– Reduce risk by running small experiments that can provide feedback and help determine next steps in your career trajectory.
– Launch with confidence, bolstered by the skills and methodology to adjust seamlessly and continuously as you move in your new direction.

Speaker: Jenny Blake, author, Pivot: The Only Move that Matters is Your Next One

Moderator: Loraine Ballard Morrill, director, news & community affairs, Philadelphia, iHeartMedia

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and shatter the glass ceiling
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Ballroom B

Are leaders born or made? Leadership has nothing to do with positional authority and everything to do with how well you influence outcomes and inspire others. This session shares action-oriented practices that allow you to lead and impact change even if you are not “in charge”. Dive deeper with leadership expert Courtney Lynch, who will draw on her personal experience and share the core behaviors of influential leadership: credibility, authenticity, emotional resolve and confidence. You will walk out of the room knowing how to use your voice and project power, even when you are not the designated leader in the room!

Speaker: Courtney Lynch, author, Spark and Leading from the Front

Moderator: Alison Young, board member, PA Conference for Women

Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
MR 201

Whether you are content on a corporate path, wanting something more entrepreneurial or feeling the urge to make a change every few years, your career goals are your own and can’t be defined by someone else’s idea of success. How do you structure a career that takes into account your own priorities? And how do you brand yourself to either advance internally or be on the radar as someone others should want to hire? Career expert Sarah Brown will lead this discussion with two executives who have had very different career paths and can share with you what their priorities were and how their career has both met those goals and failed to meet an expectation. They will share their stories so that you can learn from their experiences.

Thought Leader: Sarah Brown, creator, the Book of You™ & author, Let Your Personality Be Your Career Guide

Speakers:
Gina Clark, EVP and CMO, AmerisourceBergen
Courtney Goodrich, managing director, global technology, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

LEADERSHIP: Designed for a seasoned or aspiring leader looking to climb the ladder and shatter the glass ceiling
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
MR 113

By engaging men in advocating for more equal workplaces, we’re creating better leaders, stronger businesses, more fulfilling lives for both women and men as well as establishing a business imperative required at all levels from all managers. The stats are staggering, in terms of where women stand in the workplace even after all this time, and will need an all hands on deck approach to make the changes necessary for equality. Yet, while progress is slow, it is critical to understand that advancements are being made and this forward movement is not being solely spearheaded by women. This session will bring together top female and male CEOs from the greater Philadelphia area to share their firsthand experiences and contributions for achieving gender equity within their organizations. Together we will:

– Identify methods in which women can form closer ties and partner with male counterparts to work together more effectively;
– Illustrate tangible strategies in the workplace for the handling of personnel management, hiring and promotions so all employees are on an equal playing field; and
– Demonstrate practical steps in which you can build a business case internally to engage men as advocates to impact positive change and equity within your organization.

Join us for a glass of wine and an honest discussion about gender partnership. (Includes Wine Networking Reception)

Thought Leader: Robin Hauser Reynolds, documentary filmmaker, CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap

Panelists:
Ilya Bonic, senior partner & president, talent business segment, Mercer
Gerry Cuddy, president & CEO, Beneficial Bank
Carol Eggert, VP, military and veteran affairs, Comcast Corporation
Dawn Zier, president and CEO, Nutrisystem

Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
MR 204

In today’s competitive environment, it is important to stand out, step up and get noticed – not only to climb the ladder, but to take control of your own career. So how can you ensure that the choices you make each day result in the career growth you deserve while preventing the negative perceptions you DON’T deserve? This panel of honest and accomplished women will offer specific insights from their current experiences in the workplace, will share their tactics for survival and growth and identify the pitfalls to avoid so that you can succeed.

Thought Leader: Dr. Therese Huston, author, How Women Decide: What’s True, What’s Not, and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices

Panelists:
Caroline Loew, vice president, R&D, planning & strategy, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Marisa Co, VP, R&D business insights & analytics, Bristol Myers-Squibb

Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
MR 107

Reaching your career goals is tough enough, but ascending in an industry in which there are not many women in executive level positions can seem unattainable.  In non-traditional work environments for women, how do you network to find a mentor and build an internal alliance?  This session will help you diversify your networking mindset and introduce you to opportunities for networking that may not have been previously on your radar.  The panelists will share their tips for building allies within an organization and their strategies for networking internally so you are noticed by your employers when a promotion is on the line.

Thought Leader: Kelly Meerbott, leadership coach and speaker

Speakers:
Sabrina Brooks, senior marketing manager, PECO
Kim Fraites-Dow, CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
Charisse Lillie, fellow & VP, community investment, Comcast Corporation & EVP, Comcast Foundation

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT offering advice to help you enhance your life, grow and create more positive personal experiences outside of the workplace
Session III: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
MR 103

Lisa Nichols is no stranger to transformation. Her own story is extraordinary – she transformed her life from a single mom on public assistance to a millionaire entrepreneur. Her own struggles have been the inspiration behind her bold mission to teach others that it is possible to do the same. Using her signature systems, Lisa will guide you through this interactive workshop, teaching you how to accomplish unfathomable goals and tap into your own potential. Get ready to have your norm disrupted and move out of your comfort zone to find success and prosperity in your both personal and professional life.

Speaker: Lisa Nichols, New York Times best-selling author, personal transformation guru, and life coach

Moderator: Suzanne L. Quigley, board member, PA Conference for Women

Join this roundtable and discover the best way to build a personal brand that highlights your professional uniqueness and gets you your “unfair share” of business building attention. You will leave the session with nuts-and- bolts knowledge that you can immediately implement. Learn about key steps to creating a personal brand, using social media to promote your brand and understanding how unconscious bias can impact your brand. Bonus: one randomly selected participant, from each session, will receive The Little Book of BIG PR: 100+ Quick Tips to Get Your Small Business Noticed, as autographed by the author, Jennefer Witter.

Speaker: Jennefer Witter, CEO and founder, The Boreland Group

Khanh had a change of heart, while dutifully following her immigrant parents’ dream to become a doctor. She had almost completed four years as a biology major, when she made a gut decision to switch to fashion design and has never looked back. What do you need to make your own dream a reality and create a successful business? Find out what it takes in terms of time, focus and how to incorporate your personal philosophy into your product and your business management. Join this conversation and merge your personal and professional passions.

Speaker: Khanh Nguyen, CEO and designer, Nhã Khanh LLC and winner, FGI Emerging Designer in Texas

It’s all about the hustle! When you run a small business, you wear many hats. You’re in charge of making sure the world knows who you are and what you do. You’re also responsible for figuring out exactly how to do that in a way that serves and protects you, your time, work and energy. In this interactive roundtable discussion, we’ll discuss prioritization, how to use energy management to maximize your productivity and why you need a reverse to-do list. We’ll also touch on personal branding, storytelling and determining where you should be spending your time (online and off) to grow your business and brand. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view and download a free personal branding checklist.

Speaker: Jessica Lawlor, communications consultant and founder of the Get Gutsy Blog

Download Lawlor’s Personal Branding Checklist

Did you know there are over $50 billion in grants and sponsorships available for business growth, education, technology training and more…every year. In 2015, from the federal government alone, over $2.9 billion was unused. This is your opportunity to find out whether your business matches to funding and keys to a successful proposal. Tiffanie Stanard is at the cusp of launching a search engine and marketplace that simplifies the discovery process for funding, resources and partnerships. Get the inside scoop on the best approach, focused on the Philadelphia market. Walk away from this roundtable with specific next steps and tap into a lesser known funding source.

Speaker: Tiffanie Stanard, serial entrepreneur, media personality and technology influencer

Every business is looking for affordable marketing but how do you know what is most effective for you and your business? This interactive roundtable will help you analyze your business needs, recognize your identity and your target audience(s), and then identify which marketing strategies can work for you without breaking your budget. Together we will address the spider web of connections on the internet to increase SEO, determine the value of your business and yourself, and determine regional differences in marketing. Discussions will also include: Website designs and content, Online business listings, social media, email marketing, networking, press releases, and article writing/white papers.

Speaker: Maria Novak, president and owner, Marketing Solutions & Business Development

Everyone has a story to tell and that story is the secret to engagement, whether it’s selling others on your idea, your business or yourself. Discover the key elements of a story and how to make them work into the pressure of time limit. Join this discussion and explore ways to make intellectual and emotional ties and even drum up laughter. “Professional” doesn’t have to mean “droll.” Achieve an instant audience connection.

Speaker: Hillary Rea, founder, Tell Me A Story

Healthy women make more money and have a higher rate of success in business. Our most valuable asset is our health and to go to the next level in business we must protect it. This interactive roundtable discussion is for you if you lack the energy needed for your daily tasks, feel less confident because of your weight, are overwhelmed by stress, or can’t seem to find the time to squeeze healthy habits into your schedule. Together we will discover strategies you can begin to implement immediately to give your body and business a boost.

Speaker: Attiyah Blair, CEO, speaker and health & wellness expert

One of the most valuable tools we have is a customer story. It works face-to- face and will work, given the right approach, online as well. You can draw from existing for profit interactions, and even from nonprofit work. Together, we’ll uncover the best ways for you to cultivate, curate and craft stories. Leverage your online presence to reinforce your current audience and bring in more customers.

Speaker: Dresden Shumaker, writer at CreatingMotherhood and project manager for Mingl Marketing and Roberts Resource

Your employees are some of the most valuable assets of your business. Understanding people and setting them up for success is as critical as understanding a balance sheet or the market you serve. For many of us, it can be complex and time intensive.  Join this interactive discussion, with teacher, coach and business leader, Denise Monahan as she shares proven tactics to help you identify, develop, and motivate the essential behaviors that drive results for employees, from back office to front line sales staff. Maximize your business potential by nurturing skillsets and behaviors that create and achieve shared goals. Walk away with a clear set of next steps for your employees and your business.

Speaker: Denise Monahan, SVP, corporate banking group, PNC Bank

You have so many goals for your business and for yourself as a business owner. With those aspirations come challenges, many unique to women entrepreneurs. Join Jill Calabrese Bain for a discussion of women business owners’ common hopes and fears, and their need for economic empowerment and professional advocacy at home and around the world. Bring your questions and prepare to share your experiences, because, truth is, you’re not alone. Jill will moderate the conversation, sharing insights from her personal experience and those of the female small business owners she works with daily, as well as revealing findings from the Bank of America Women Business Owner Spotlight (available on our app – PAConfWomen).

Speaker: Jill Calabrese Bain, managing director and small business executive, Bank of America

Download the handout “2016 Spotlight on Women”

Join recent Emmy-award nominated Crissle West, as she shares her journey from being a novice tweeter, to using this medium to create a successful entertainment career. Learn key tips for building a following, getting the most out of your posts and moving beyond the Twitter platform. Whether you are a new user or Twitter veteran, Crissle will help you determine the best way to leverage Twitter, showing spontaneity and authenticity, while being mindful of your impact.

Speaker: Crissle West, writer and cohost of hit comedy podcast The Read and go-to authority on the topics of race, gender, celebrity, and social media

You’ve got a website, you’ve started your social media accounts, but, now what? Kristen Chase can help you maximize that engagement. This interactive roundtable will explore common issues that small, growing brands encounter, and provide fixes and workarounds to help you reach your audience. We’ll examine websites, blogs, and social media accounts to provide do’s and don’ts that can be applied to your own brand.

Speaker: Kristen Chase, blogger, author and co-publisher/CEO, CoolMomPicks.com

Blogging gives you a platform to present your voice to the world — attend this roundtable and learn how to find your voice and your authentic point of view! And once you do, figure out how to maintain that authenticity as you attract more readers and even sponsors. Together we will explore ways to maximize reach, while staying true to yourself.

Speaker: Paige Wolf, author, Spit That Out! and owner, Paige Wolf Media and Public Relations

With 450+ million members globally, and two new users every second, LinkedIn has become the most powerful professional network available to us today. This interactive roundtable discussion will explore the ways in which leveraging LinkedIn and social selling techniques can build power networks, open more doors, and maximize acquisition. Bobbie’s unique “old-school” meets new “new-cool” approach will bridge the gap between on-line social networking and face-to- face social networking, building tangible relationships, converting more prospects, and increasing retention.

Speaker: Bobbie Foedisch, founding partner & chief social selling officer, All About Leverage LLC

Instagram has become the app of choice for many looking to promote their business, blog or passion. Learn the best way to leverage this image-based social network, incorporating it into your social media strategy and optimizing the way you engage personally and professionally. Please bring your phone with you and you’ll be able to optimize in an instant!

Speaker: Kristin Kane Ford, director, social media, Kane Partners

If you’re using social media to build your personal and professional brand, this session is your key to knowing what is or what isn’t working. Join Liz as we walks you through Google analytics, so that you can see which of your platforms are working and what can be improved, from your website to your twitter account. Join this conversation and make a habit of checking your progress, tracking your leads and improving your connectivity.

Speaker: Liz Lockard, SEO small business coach and founder, Liz Lockard Media

Social media is intended to elicit action. Do you want someone to follow you, sponsor you, take political action or raise the flag for a particular cause? Join this roundtable and hear not one, but two perspectives on how to weave together a combination of social media elements, like a blog, Facebook page, tweets, posts and even broadcast that generate a response and develop an advocacy mindset. Together we will outline what to think about when creating a social media plan customized to your objective.

Speaker: Molly Washam, senior social media strategist, Blue State Digital

Everyone knows that content is king but we’re here to tell you personality makes the queen! Media is forever changing. Are you up on the latest gadgets for going LIVE? From the top apps to the best products, branding expert Joey Fortman will help you find the easiest way to bring your brand to the LIVE video market. Increase traffic, reach & make more money with your blog.

Speaker: Joey Fortman, media personality, founder & president, Real Mom Media

How many social media channels are you on? How often do you post? When should you automate and when should you address comments individually? If these questions are keeping you up or creating unrealistic expectations in your life then join this roundtable. Noted Pathfinder, Monica Cost will provide the tools to help you understand your own personal model, assumptions and thought process so that you can use social media to build a brand that maintains your balance, while optimizing your personal and professional goals.

Speaker: Monica Cost, chief pathfinder & brand strategist, MCE LLC and author, The Things I Used to do to Sneeze: How to live an authentic life

Jenny Blake
Sarah Brown
Courtney Lynch
Lisa Nichols
Laura Vanderkam

Special thanks to our sponsors Fine Wine & Good Spirits for hosting this wine and spirits tasting in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #408) from 4:00 – 5:00 pm. Be sure to stop at the Fine Wine & Good Spirits booth for your complimentary wristband before the event.

Monica Cost
Kristen Chase
Jennefer Witter
Paige Wolf

The end of Conference Day is just the beginning! Connect with us on your favorite network: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or join our email list to receive updates, original articles and news about year-round events – including free monthly teleclasses.