2023 Agenda – Day 1

• Learning Stage: Attend mini masterclasses featuring bite-sized actionable takeaways on leadership, career advancement, or personal development. Full schedule will be available in our digital program book closer to the event. 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.
• Networking: Participate in both structured and informal opportunities with peers, conference sponsors, and board members.

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: Suzanne St. John-Crane, CEO, American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley

Executive Mentors:

1. Holly Martinez, Executive Director, California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
2. Shannon Nash, CFO, Wing, a drone delivery company & an Alphabet subsidiary and Board Member, Netscout, Sofi Bank & Lazy Dog Restaurants
3. Andrea Robertson, Managing Director, United Airlines

That’s a Good Question: Navigating the Tech Workplace

The tech 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 tech professionals and community leaders will respond to LIVE attendee questions offering insights and lessons learned for how to navigate the male-dominated tech field.

Moderator: Kari Hall, Meteorologist, NBC Bay Area

Executive Mentors:

1. Jamie Domenici, Chief Marketing Officer, Klaviyo
2. Sujata Kosalge, VP, Engineering, Core Data, Google
3. Hayley Tabor, VP, Global Industries, Dell Technologies

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: Lauren McGoodwin, Founder, The Career Contessa

Executive Mentors:

1. Iman Abbasi, CHRO, PLUME
2. Stacey Kauffman, Regional Vice President, Audacy
3. Courtney Lansing, Managing Director, Commercial Strategy & New Products, Alaska Airlines
4. Hillary Weingast, VP, Deputy General Counsel and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Juniper Networks, Inc.; President, CA Conference for Women

Emcee: Janelle Wang (juh-NELL), Anchor, NBC Bay Area

Remarks: Mary Bui Pham, VP, Business Technology, Indeed and Board Secretary, California Conference for Women

Introduction/Remarks: Teena Piccione, Global Transformation Operations Executive, Google
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joy Buolamwini (BOLLUM-wee-nee), Award-winning Researcher, Poet of Code and Author, Unmasking AI

Introduction/Remarks: Sharon Mandell, SVP, Chief Information Officer, Juniper Networks
Keynote Speaker: The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern (juh· SIN· duh AAR·dern), 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

Standard Lunch
Greens & Grains Bowl (with Chicken & Tzatziki)
Dessert: Raw Tiramisu or Lime-Mango Bar (vegan & gluten-free)

Alternate Lunch (Vegan & Gluten Free)
Greens & Grains Bowl
Dessert: Raw Tiramisu or Lime-Mango Bar (vegan & gluten-free)

Emcee: Janelle Wang (juh-NELL), Anchor, NBC Bay Area
Remarks: Santa Clara Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor

Introduction/Remarks: Hillary Weingast, VP, Deputy General Counsel & Head, Corporate Social Responsibility, Juniper Networks, Inc. and Board President, California Conference for Women

Keynote Speaker: Kristen Kish, Chef/Partner of Arlo Grey, Host of Bravo’s Top Chef, Producer & Author
in conversation with Kim Severson (SEE-ver-son), Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times Reporter; Four-time James Beard award recipient Food Writer; Author

Introduction/Remarks: Rebecca Stone, SVP, Customer Solutions Marketing, Cisco and Board Member, California Conference for Women
Keynote Speaker: Viola Davis, Award-Winning Actress, producer, and NYT Best-selling Author
in conversation with Ivy McGregor, Global Impact Leader and Executive Director, BeyGood

Leading Flexible Teams to Do the Best Work of Their Lives

The way we work has changed and the new expectation from our team members is for more flexible work. As a result, successful leaders are redesigning every aspect of how work gets done, from defining how they measure organizational success to reskilling managers to ensure a level playing field for all employees. In this session, Helen Kupp will offer a blueprint for using flexible work to unlock the potential of your people and outline the steps necessary to build the new principles and guardrails to empower flexible, high-performing teams. Attendees will walk away knowing how to lead with purpose, manage differently, and establish principles and outcomes for truly flexible teamwork.

Speaker: Helen Kupp, Author, How The Future Works

Host: Helen Miller-Montana, Consultant, North America Regional HR Social Media & Community Professional, Dell Technologies

Executive Spotlight: Nasim Afsar, Chief Health Officer & SVP, Oracle

Creating Cultures of Growth

Every organization has a dominant mindset embodied in its philosophies and practices. It is only when we challenge ourselves to reshape this collective mindset that we can break through cultural conditioning and transform ourselves, our teams and the organization. In this insightful session, Dr. Mary Murphy will share why organizations which have a growth mindset inspire deeper learning, spark collaboration, spur innovation, and build trust necessary for risk-taking and inclusion. Attendees will walk away with strategies for creating a culture where everyone’s mindset can grow and contribute to a team’s success.

Speaker: Dr. Mary C. Murphy, Professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University; Founding Director, Summer Institute, Stanford University; Author, Cultures of Growth; Founder and CEO, Equity Accelerator

Host: Hannah Wu, Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, ServiceNow

Reframing Failure into Success: Embrace the Near Win

Failure is unpleasant but can be a foundation to future success by providing insight into the current situation as well as guiding us to make more informed decisions for our future decisions. By reframing failure as a stepping stone to success, organizations and individuals alike can create an environment that encourages innovation, risk-taking, and resilience – and jettison old cultural beliefs and the stereotypical notions of success. Best-selling Author and Harvard professor Sarah Lewis will share a roadmap for adopting a growth mindset, embracing the almost-failures (and the near-wins) and strategies that will push us forward on our path to success.

Speaker: Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Lewis, John L. Loeb Associate Professor, Humanities and Associate Professor, African & African American Studies, Harvard University; Author, The Rise

Host: Laurie Dalton White, Founding Executive Director and Strategic Advisor, Conferences for Women

Creating Workplaces that Work for Everyone

Facilitating collaboration and creating connections among employees is tough. And employees are requiring more from companies in terms of purpose, flexibility and career growth. So how do organizations create a sense of belonging and team unity in this changing environment while honoring employee’s individual needs? This panel led by Carolina Caro explores how to create inclusive environments and sustainable cultures that truly welcome and maximize each employee’s talent and diversity. This panel of experts will share strategies for accountability and inclusive leadership to engage and retain valuable team members.

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

Host: Jyoti Mehra, EVP, Human Resources, Gilead and California Conference for Women Board Member

Panelists:

1. Curran Brugger, VP, Talent, Development & Inclusion, Gilead
2. Erika Evearitt, Chief Development Officer, Silicon Valley Education Foundation
3. Tina Jones, Sr VP, Global Human Resources, Cadence
4. Cynthia Pham Stark, Director, Alphabet Regulatory Response, Investigations & Strategy, Google and Board Member, CA Conference for Women

Transform & Glow: Mastering the Art of Self-Healing

In the current, frenetic climate, self-care is more essential than ever, but few of us have the tool kit necessary to nurture ourselves. Stripped of her job and grappling with resurfaced traumas during the pandemic, Tara Schuster faced a reckoning that led to radical self-healing. Sharing her time-tested strategies, Tara will address the root causes of anxiety and how to navigate through trauma to move beyond feeling emotionally drained and directionless and find a purpose greater than yourself. This workshop offers access to the self-care superpowers needed to reclaim your authentic self and reignite your inner light. Prepare to be empowered and come ready to glow!

Speaker: Tara Schuster, best-selling Author, Former VP, Client Development, Comedy Central

Host: Melissa Phan, SVP, National Client Outreach & Integration Manager, Bank of America

Leading Flexible Teams to Do the Best Work of Their Lives

The way we work has changed and the new expectation from our team members is for more flexible work. As a result, successful leaders are redesigning every aspect of how work gets done, from defining how they measure organizational success to reskilling managers to ensure a level playing field for all employees. In this session, Helen Kupp will offer a blueprint for using flexible work to unlock the potential of your people and outline the steps necessary to build the new principles and guardrails to empower flexible, high-performing teams. Attendees will walk away knowing how to lead with purpose, manage differently, and establish principles and outcomes for truly flexible teamwork.

Speaker: Helen Kupp, Author, How The Future Works

Host: Tina Weinberger, People Partner, Cisco

Creating Cultures of Growth

Every organization has a dominant mindset embodied in its philosophies and practices. It is only when we challenge ourselves to reshape this collective mindset that we can break through cultural conditioning and transform ourselves, our teams and the organization. In this insightful session, Dr. Mary Murphy will share why organizations which have a growth mindset inspire deeper learning, spark collaboration, spur innovation, and build trust necessary for risk-taking and inclusion. Attendees will walk away with strategies for creating a culture where everyone’s mindset can grow and contribute to a team’s success.

Speaker: Dr. Mary C. Murphy, Professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University; Founding Director, Summer Institute, Stanford University; Author, Cultures of Growth; Founder and CEO, Equity Accelerator

Host: Jade Hernandez, Reporter/Anchor, Audacy

Reframing Failure into Success: Embrace the Near Win

Failure is unpleasant but can be a foundation to future success by providing insight into the current situation as well as guiding us to make more informed decisions for our future decisions. By reframing failure as a stepping stone to success, organizations and individuals alike can create an environment that encourages innovation, risk-taking, and resilience – and jettison old cultural beliefs and the stereotypical notions of success. Best-selling Author and Harvard professor Sarah Lewis will share a roadmap for adopting a growth mindset, embracing the almost-failures (and the near-wins) and strategies that will push us forward on our path to success.

Speaker: Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Lewis, John L. Loeb Associate Professor, Humanities and Associate Professor, African & African American Studies, Harvard University; Author, The Rise

Host: Sandrine Piret-Gerard, SVP, US Commercial, Gilead

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, Carolina Caro will explore advocacy, insights and best practices for developing inclusion in the workplace. A panel of leaders on the frontlines will share their experiences around allyship and effective language that create an environment that makes speaking up a lot easier. Walk away with the confidence to assert yourself and become a pioneer for positive change.

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

Panelists:

1. Teri Foy, SVP, Cancer Immunology & Cell Therapy TRC, Bristol Myers Squibb
2. Sirma Tzoutzova, Regional VP, Fidelity Private Wealth Management
3. Amanda Wade, Global Head, Human Resources, MedTech Innovation & Robotics, Johnson & Johnson

Host: Laurie Dalton White, Founding Executive Director and Strategic Advisor, Conferences for Women

Transform & Glow: Mastering the Art of Self-Healing

In the current, frenetic climate, self-care is more essential than ever, but few of us have the tool kit necessary to nurture ourselves. Stripped of her job and grappling with resurfaced traumas during the pandemic, Tara Schuster faced a reckoning that led to radical self-healing. Sharing her time-tested strategies, Tara will address the root causes of anxiety and how to navigate through trauma to move beyond feeling emotionally drained and directionless and find a purpose greater than yourself. This workshop offers access to the self-care superpowers needed to reclaim your authentic self and reignite your inner light. Prepare to be empowered and come ready to glow!

Speaker: Tara Schuster, best-selling Author, Former VP, Client Development, Comedy Central

Host: Sandra Cervantes, Anchor, Telemundo 48

• Learning Stage: Attend mini masterclasses featuring bite-sized actionable takeaways on leadership, career advancement, or personal development. Full schedule will be available in our digital program book closer to the event. 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.
• Networking: Participate in both structured and informal opportunities with peers, conference sponsors, and board members.

Grab a friend and enjoy a live DJ set plus tasty snacks!