2023 Agenda (ARCHIVE)

• Women Owned Business Marketplace: Support and learn about women-owned business organizations. Click here for a full exhibitor listing!
• Learning Stage: Attend mini masterclasses featuring bite-sized actionable takeaways on leadership, career advancement, or personal development. Space is limited and first-come, first-served.
• Career Services: Sign up to meet with a career coach 1:1, meet with recruiters, and to have your resume reviewed. Sign-up in person in the Interactive Hall starting at 8:00 a.m!
• Networking and Meet-ups: Stop by the Career Connections Meet-Up area to participate in both structured and informal opportunities with peers, conference sponsors, and board members.
• Bookstore: Find books for purchase by authors speaking at the conference and participate in author book signings.

That’s a Good Question | Getting to the Next Level

Career growth took a back seat over the last several years. Now, women have significant ground to make up with a renewed focus on climbing the ladder. In this interactive session, based on our wildly popular Women Amplified podcast segment That’s a Good Question, the audience drives the conversation. Executive Mentors including Conference board members, senior professionals and community leaders will respond to LIVE attendee questions offering insights and lessons learned for how you can get a seat at the table and take the leap into a leadership role.

Moderator: Suevon Lee, Assistant Managing Editor, Education, WBUR

Executive Mentors

Speaker: Tanya Alcorn, SVP, Sterile Injectables & Biotech Operations, Pfizer

Speaker: Valerie Buckingham, CMO, Plume

Speaker: Amy Gross, SVP & Global Practice Leader, Private Equity and Merger & Acquisitions, Liberty Mutual Insurance

That’s a Good Question | Navigating Board Dynamics

Whether you are on the board for a local non-profit, corporate organization, the school committee or PTO, the role requires a unique set of skills to maximize your impact. Your fellow board members may have different agendas than you, more aggressive personalities and/or distinctive end-goals that make it challenging to contribute or advance the board’s goals. In this interactive session, based on our wildly popular Women Amplified podcast segment That’s a Good Question, the audience drives the conversation. Executive Mentors including senior professionals, community leaders and conference board veterans will offer insights for how to navigate the job skillfully, help your board succeed and learn how to secure a board position that leverages your background and expertise.

Moderator: Peggy Byrd, Chief Marketing Officer, The Boston Globe

Executive Mentors:

Speaker: Mary Anne Heino, CEO, Lantheus

Speaker: Justine Levin-Allerhand, Senior Partner, Flagship Pioneering

Speaker: Micho Spring, Former Chief Reputation Officer, Weber Shandwick and Founding Board Member, MA Conference for Women

Speaker: Laurie Dalton White, Founding Executive Director & Strategic Advisor, Conferences for Women

Essential Labor: What Caregivers Really Need from Workplaces

Domestic care and labor make all other work possible, yet workplaces have yet to find a solution to fully support caregivers. If “mothering” is among the only essential work humans do, why don’t we have a social safety net to support them? This session, designed for everyone – including and especially people who aren’t parents – will expand our understanding of what ‘mothering’ can and should look like. Acclaimed author Angela Garbes will explore assumptions about care, work and deservedness and offer strategies to help you imagine and achieve a more equitable and caring path forward.

Moderator: Alba Kiihl (KEEL), Head, Compliance Risk Testing Team at State Street Corporation

Speaker: Angela Garbes (gar-BEZ), Author, Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change & Like a Mother

Brought to you by: MA Conference for Women and State Street

That’s a Good Question | Managing Up

Relationships, productivity, accountability and consensus building are challenging to navigate in a hybrid workplace where interactions with managers are more limited. Now more than ever, the ability to manage up is key to increasing your influence.

In this interactive session, based on our wildly popular Women Amplified podcast segment That’s a Good Question, the audience drives the conversation. Executive Mentors including Conference board members, senior professionals and community leaders will respond to LIVE attendee questions offering insights and lessons learned for how you can increase your influence and propel your career to the next level.

Moderator: Shirley Leung, Columnist and Associate Editor, The Boston Globe

Executive Mentors:

Speaker: Monisha Dabek, Chief Commercial Officer & General Manager, USA, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. and Board Member, MA Conference for Women

Speaker: Natanja Craig Oquendo, Executive Director, Boston Women’s Fund

Speaker: Kim Peretti, Chief Customer Officer, Klaviyo

That’s a Good Question | How to Soar in STEM

The STEM community has historically had a lack of visible mentors and role models for women. While that is slowly changing, more change is needed. In this interactive session, based on our wildly popular Women Amplified podcast segment That’s a Good Question, the audience drives the conversation. Executive Mentors including Conference board members, senior STEM professionals and community leaders will respond to LIVE attendee questions offering insights and lessons learned for how to navigate the male-dominated STEM field.

Moderator: Danae Bucci, Reporter, WCVB Channel 5

Executive Mentors:

Speaker: Kim Binette, Managing Director, Head, IT Program Management Office, State Street Corporation

Speaker: Lori Lebson, Senior Vice President, North America Medical Affairs, the US businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Speaker: Jennifer Schneiders, Division President, Diagnostic Solutions, Hologic, Inc.

Token or Trendsetter? Reframing How We See Our Power at the Table

Token or trendsetter? This is a question that many underrepresented leaders—especially BIPOC women with complex, intersectional identities—must contend with. In this presentation, CWB Executive Director Yaro Fong-Olivares will explore how her experiences with race, ethnicity, sexuality, and immigration have shaped her leadership and ultimately shifted her mindset from feeling tokenized to feeling empowered and unique. Participants will explore how to navigate what’s next after reaching unprecedented leadership positions in their companies. The session reviews the research behind being “the only one” and provides tools for shifting power dynamics in the workplace by reframing how Latinx employees, and all others, see themselves.

Speaker: Yaro Fong-Olivares, Executive Director, Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women & Business, Bentley University

Small Group Peer Networking Meet-Up

Effective networking is a mix of give and take and these peer-to-peer Meetups are designed to do just that (and also take the intimidation out of networking). The Meetup is led by a facilitator who will guide participants through a series of prompts that will foster conversation and idea exchange. Everyone has the chance to “give” and to walk away with new insights, perspectives and connections. 

Facilitator: Kellie Wardman, Executive Coach & Senior Consultant

Cisco Talent Professional: speaker coming soon

Emcee: Karen Holmes Ward, Director, Public Affairs & Community Services Host, Executive Producer, CityLine, WCVB Channel

Board Member Remarks: Gloria Cordes Larson, Former President, Bentley University and Board Member, MA Conference for Women

Remarks: Maura Healey, 73rd Governor of Massachusetts

Introduction and/or Remarks: Brooke Forbes, Head, Stock Plan Services & Non-Qual, Workplace Investing, Fidelity
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joy Buolamwini (BOLLUM-wee-nee), Artificial Intelligence Expert, Artist & Founder, Algorithmic Justice League

Introduction and/or Remarks: Joan Christel, President, State Street Foundation
Keynote Speaker:  The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern (juh· SIN· duh ARR·durn), Prime Minister, New Zealand (2017-2023); Senior Fellow, Harvard University; Special Envoy, Christchurch Call to Action; Board Member, The Earthshot Prize
in Conversation with Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Opinion Section Host & Writer, The New York Times, podcast Host, First Person & former NPR Journalist

Board Member Remarks: Marian Heard, President & CEO, Oxen Hill Partners and Board Member, MA Conference for Women

Standard Lunch
Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich on Multigrain
Cape Cod Chips
Seasonal Fruit Salad
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pie

Alternate Lunch (Vegan & Gluten Free)
Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Cranberry, Butternut Squash, & Kale
Cape Cod Chips
Seasonal Fruit Salad
Peppermint Brownies

Introduction and/or Remarks: Kelli Kirwin, Senior Director, Global Software Sales, Cisco and Board Member, MA Conference for Women
Introduction and/or Remarks: Renee Connolly, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer; Head, Innovation HR Engagement & Inclusion, The US businesses, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Board Member, MA Conference for Women

Keynote Speaker: Margaret Atwood, two-time Booker Prize-winning Author of over 50 books, including The Handmaid’s Tale
in Conversation with Radhika Jones (ruh- DEE- kuh), Editor-in-Chief, Vanity Fair

Remarks: Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston

Introduction and/or Remarks: Julie Khani, Corporate Vice President, Government Affairs & Corporate Communications, Hologic, Inc

Keynote Speaker: America Ferrera, Emmy, Golden Globe & SAG award-winning Actress, Director, Producer
in Conversation with Ellen McGirt, Editor-in-chief, Design Observer

Cultivating Creativity and Collaboration in Workplace Culture

Many employees have spent the past few years in home office setups. And while studies show that short term productivity has not suffered, and in fact even gone up, creativity and collaboration have taken a hit. When leaders prioritize creativity and give their teams time and space for creative ideation, productivity, performance, and retention increase. In this interactive session, bestselling author Eve Rodsky will share actionable ways to build a culture of intentional creativity that allows teams to create time to tap into their unique expression, making it a must-have, and not an optional skill relegated to the bottom of to-do lists. Rediscover the art of collaboration and innovation to drive business results, create happy and fulfilled teams and help your employees get their mojo back.

Speaker: Eve Rodsky (ROD-skee), Creative Leadership expert and New York Times best-selling Author, Find Your Unicorn Space

Host: Brandis Russell, VP/GM Converse North America, Converse

Stress Proof: Leading with a Limitless Mindset

It is well-known that over the past few years, stress levels have been dramatically on the rise.  In this highly engaging presentation, Columbia University Professor Dr. Modupe Akinola will share her research on how to better understand and maximize all this stress. By recognizing the sources of stress and its impact on performance, organizations and individuals can harness and manage it to produce positive outcomes. Dr. Akinola will offer new tools for understanding how work cultures provoke stress and how to counteract its harmful effects. By adopting the right mindset about stress, acknowledging stressful situations and viewing those situations as enhancing rather than debilitating, we can reframe our approach and turn negative situations into competitive advantages.

Speaker: Dr. Modupe Akinola, (Muh-DOO-peh Ack-in-OH-la) Faculty Director of the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics, Columbia University

Host: Jill Calabrese Bain, Managing Director, Small Business, Specialty Banking & Lending, Bank of America

How to Advocate for Yourself and Others

The ability to advocate for yourself or others can be complicated, especially in the workplace. In this session, we will explore advocacy and what it takes to be a pioneer for change. After initial remarks, a panel of leaders on the frontlines will share their experiences and insights around diversity and belonging initiatives so you feel ready and confident to advocate for yourself and others.

Thought Leader: Carol Fulp, CEO, Fulp Diversity and Founding Board Member, MA Conference for Women

Panelists

Speaker: Dominique Brewer, Head of Culture & Engagement, U.S. Business Unit, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Speaker: Kristy Lilas, VP, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, GoDaddy
Speaker: Melissa Shore, VP, Employee Experience, UKG

Host: Julia McCarthy, EVP & Head, Client Experience, State Street

Next Move, Best Move: A Strategic Approach to Lasting Career Decisions

Over the last several years, professionals have reprioritized what’s important to them and taken a different approach to their careers. Whether you are content at your current level, seeking advancement or looking to try something completely new, the process to figure out what’s right for you can be daunting. In this session, career expert Kimberly Brown will offer a framework to help you create a career strategy and determine what’s right for you short-and-long term. Learn how to regain control so you can take a strategic approach for making your next best move – even if that means you stay put.

Speaker: Kimberly Brown, Career & Leadership Expert and Author, Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning into a Career You’ll Love

Host: Karen Catlin, Managing Director, Sales Effectiveness, United Airlines

Executive Spotlight: Charlotte Streat, VP, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Business Advisor, Liberty Mutual Insurance

Reclaim Your Time: A Tool to Revive Your Career

According to researcher and author Jenny Odell, the clock we live by was built for profit and converted into productivity, not people. An all work and no play mentality doesn’t just lead to burnout; it can consume your mental capacity and actually stall your career. This session will offer a cerebral exploration of productivity and offer a brand-new practical approach outside the typical narratives of efficiency for experiencing time. Odell will help you slow down and reset so you can better navigate boundaries, bolster a more humane life and free up mental space to reinvigorate your sense of purpose and ultimately your career.

Speaker: Jenny Odell (oh-DELL), Writer, Artist & best-selling Author, Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock

Host: Jessica Gregory, Sr. Manager New Product Supply Chain, DePuy Synthes,  Johnson & Johnson

Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World

The loneliness epidemic has been on the rise for decades and the pandemic along with the continuation of remote work has further exacerbated the issue resulting in significant impacts on overall health and wellbeing. Now more than ever, people need socialization and spaces to foster relationships and find a sense of belonging. In this fireside chat, successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Soulcycle Julie Rice will explore the power of community and her latest phenomenon Peoplehood. With a mix of research and real-life experiences, you will learn ways to create new relational habits, exercise listening and empathy muscles and forge strong and meaningful connections to support your best physical and emotional wellbeing.

Moderator: Tiziana Dearing, Host, Radio Boston, WBUR

Speaker: Julie Rice, Co-founder, Peoplehood & Co-founder, SoulCycle

Host: Andrea Diieso, Director, Workplace Experience, Rapid 7

Executive Spotlight: Traci Wade, GVP, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Oracle

Cultivating Creativity and Collaboration in Workplace Culture

Many employees have spent the past few years in home office setups. And while studies show that short term productivity has not suffered, and in fact even gone up, creativity and collaboration have taken a hit. When leaders prioritize creativity and give their teams time and space for creative ideation, productivity, performance, and retention increase. In this interactive session, bestselling author Eve Rodsky will share actionable ways to build a culture of intentional creativity that allows teams to create time to tap into their unique expression, making it a must-have, and not an optional skill relegated to the bottom of to-do lists. Rediscover the art of collaboration and innovation to drive business results, create happy and fulfilled teams and help your employees get their mojo back.

Speaker: Eve Rodsky (ROD-skee), Creative Leadership expert and New York Times best-selling Author, Find Your Unicorn Space

Host: Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer, Target

Stress Proof: Leading with a Limitless Mindset

It is well-known that over the past few years, stress levels have been dramatically on the rise.  In this highly engaging presentation, Columbia University Professor Dr. Modupe Akinola will share her research on how to better understand and maximize all this stress. By recognizing the sources of stress and its impact on performance, organizations and individuals can harness and manage it to produce positive outcomes. Dr. Akinola will offer new tools for understanding how work cultures provoke stress and how to counteract its harmful effects. By adopting the right mindset about stress, acknowledging stressful situations and viewing those situations as enhancing rather than debilitating, we can reframe our approach and turn negative situations into competitive advantages.

Speaker: Dr. Modupe Akinola, (Muh-DOO-peh Ack-in-OH-la) Faculty Director of the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics, Columbia University

Host: Morgan Steacy, VP, New England Account Management, National Grid

Navigating Age in a Multigenerational Workplace

There are five different generations of employees in the workforce and for the first time in history, grandparents and grandchildren may find themselves working side-by side in an office. This session will explore the importance of and the ways to harness an age-diverse workforce. After initial remarks from the thought-leader, a panel of professionals will share their experience around navigating age in a multigenerational workplace. Learn tips to bridge the divide, address generational conflict and biases, and create a culture of inclusion where age is celebrated and respected.

Thought-Leader: Carolina Caro, Leadership & DEI Speaker, Coach, Consultant and Trainer

Panelists:

Dorothy “Dottie” Barr, SVP, Manufacturing & Technical Operations, Lantheus

Nathalie Grenache, SVP, People & Culture – Global Specialty Care and North America, Sanofi

Pushpinder Toor, VP & General Manager, Arbortext Business Unit, PTC

Host: Liz Korbel, Sr. Manager, Talent Management, New Balance Athletics, Inc.

Next Move, Best Move: A Strategic Approach to Lasting Career Decisions

Over the last several years, professionals have reprioritized what’s important to them and taken a different approach to their careers. Whether you are content at your current level, seeking advancement or looking to try something completely new, the process to figure out what’s right for you can be daunting. In this session, career expert Kimberly Brown will offer a framework to help you create a career strategy and determine what’s right for you short-and-long term. Learn how to regain control so you can take a strategic approach for making your next best move – even if that means you stay put.

Speaker: Kimberly Brown, Career & Leadership Expert and Author, Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning into a Career You’ll Love

Host: Stacey Taylor, VP Finance Operations & Procurement, Ocean Spray

Reclaim Your Time: A Tool to Revive Your Career

According to researcher and author Jenny Odell, the clock we live by was built for profit and converted into productivity, not people. An all work and no play mentality doesn’t just lead to burnout; it can consume your mental capacity and actually stall your career. This session will offer a cerebral exploration of productivity and offer a brand-new practical approach outside the typical narratives of efficiency for experiencing time. Odell will help you slow down and reset so you can better navigate boundaries, bolster a more humane life and free up mental space to reinvigorate your sense of purpose and ultimately your career.

Speaker: Jenny Odell (oh-DELL), Writer, Artist & best-selling Author, Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock

Host: Shannon Gath, Chief Information Officer, Teradyne

Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World

The loneliness epidemic has been on the rise for decades and the pandemic along with the continuation of remote work has further exacerbated the issue resulting in significant impacts on overall health and wellbeing. Now more than ever, people need socialization and spaces to foster relationships and find a sense of belonging. In this fireside chat, successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Soulcycle Julie Rice will explore the power of community and her latest phenomenon Peoplehood. With a mix of research and real-life experiences, you will learn ways to create new relational habits, exercise listening and empathy muscles and forge strong and meaningful connections to support your best physical and emotional wellbeing.

Moderator: Tiziana Dearing, Host, Radio Boston, WBUR

Speaker: Julie Rice, Co-founder, Peoplehood & Co-founder, SoulCycle

Host: Fleurette King, DEI Strategic Partnership Leader, Cisco

Executive Spotlight: Marissa Poole, US GM, Dermatology, Respiratory and Gastroenterology, Sanofi

• Women Owned Business Marketplace: Support and learn about women-owned business organizations. Click here for a full exhibitor listing!
• Learning Stage: Attend mini masterclasses featuring bite-sized actionable takeaways on leadership, career advancement, or personal development. Space is limited and first-come, first-served.
• Career Services: Sign up to meet with a career coach 1:1, meet with recruiters, and to have your resume reviewed. Sign-up in person in the Interactive Hall starting at 8:00 a.m!
• Networking and Meet-ups: Stop by the Career Connections Meet-Up area to participate in both structured and informal opportunities with peers, conference sponsors, and board members.
• Bookstore: Find books for purchase by authors speaking at the conference and participate in author book signings.