Women in Business Symposium 2023

Event Details

Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Brookfield Conference Center

7:30-8:10 AM – Networking & Breakfast 8:10-10:00 AM – Welcome & Program 10:20-12:00 PM – Breakout Sessions

Women in Business Symposium

Join us for this half-day symposium filled with valuable insights to help you take your career and leadership skills to the next level. Hear a panel of women from a range of industries discuss
their journeys, attend breakout sessions to go deeper on important topics, network with women from
across the southeastern Wisconsin business community and join in celebrating the 2023 Woman
Executive of the Year.

Woman Executive of the Year

Cathy Jacobson, President & CEO, Froedtert Health

The morning started with Cathy Jacobson, the 2023 Woman Executive of the Year. Cathy joined Froedtert Health in 2010 and has been CEO since 2012. In addition to helping Froedtert navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, she is leading the organization’s merger with ThedaCare and is the first woman to chair the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

Keynote Conversation

The program continued with the keynote conversation featuring Julie Brandt from Johnson Controls. Julie is president of Building Solutions North America, a $10 billion business that provides building systems, energy efficiency services and smart-building solutions. She joined JCI in early 2023 after nearly three decades with Otis Elevator, including leadership roles around the world.

Julie Brandt, President, Building Solutions North America, Johnson Controls

Moderator: Caroline Krider, Senior Vice President & Milwaukee Market Leader, Global Industrials & Services, U.S. Bank

Panelists

Following the keynote, Kathy Thornton-Bias from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee led a panel discussion with women leaders from across southeastern Wisconsin. The panel brought together perspectives from corporations, entrepreneurs, nonprofits and technical backgrounds.

Dr. Stacia Thompson, Executive Director, Sherman Phoenix Foundation (1)
LaVay Lauter, Director Talent Development, Senior Vice President, Baird (2)
Tiffany May, Vice President Preconstruction, Berghammer Construction Corporation (3)
Melissa Tashjian, President and Founder, Compost Crusader (4)

Moderator: Kathy Thornton-Bias, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (5)

Breakout Sessions

10:20AM – BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Curating your next career steps

Attendees heard a panel of women share how they thought through the next steps in their career, including evaluating whether to take on bigger roles, stepping aside and returning when the time is right, starting a new business or retiring only to find a new project and challenge.

Molly Mulcahy, Global CMO, Wilson Sports (8)
Joy Vertz, Owner, Drybar (9)
Kathleen O’Leary, Transition and Culture Strategist, Food+Farm Exploration Center (10)

Moderator: Isioma Nwabuzor, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary, Modine Manufacturing Company (11)

Understanding and supporting your younger workforce

This session presented perspectives from across generations that helped leaders understand what new entrants to the workforce are looking for and how to help them thrive in the workplace.

Deajah Scott, Enterprise Compliance intern, Northwestern Mutual (12)
Alexa Lopez, Sr. Software Engineer, Accenture Technology (13)
Jessica Hanson, Director of Finance – Commercial Operations, Milwaukee Tool (14)

Moderator: Allison Wagner, Founding Executive Director, All-In Milwaukee (15)

Lessons learned on the road to leadership

Women who have climbed their own ladder to leadership shared what they’ve learned along the way, providing attendees with insights to propel their own journey and advice to help avoid critical mistakes

Samantha Maldonado, CEO/Founder/Owner, Chaska Consulting (16)
Erica Gumieny, Owner, Pivotal Point Consulting, LLC (17)
Tammy Belton-Davis, Founder and Principal, Athena Communications, LLC (18)

11:15AM – BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Adding to your mental health toolbox

Experts shared tangible things attendees can add to their toolbox as they navigate challenges in life and work.

Meg Galarza, Owner, YogaOne Studio (19)
Dr. Michelle Braun, Neuropsychologist, Ascension – Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (20)

Moderator: Jennifer Bartolotta, Founder & Emotional Fluency Guide, Bartolotta & Associates (21)

The power of connection

This session highlighted the importance of making connections to advance your career and attract and retain talent to your organization. Topics included mentorship, sponsorship, community involvement, and internal and external networking.

Alexandra Don, Senior Attorney, Antonopoulos Leonhard Group LLC (22)
Jamie Andrzejewski, Founder & Owner, Nourish Natural Products (23)

Moderator: Kim Chisholm, COO, Modern Sprout (24)

Presented By

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Interested in sponsoring an event? To reap the benefits of the ultimate in-person marketing opportunity contact Linda Crawford, Director of Sales, to discuss opportunities. Event sponsorships are limited.

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