It took 51 years to create virtual reality, 25 years to create the Internet, and 2 weeks to launch ChatGPT. Creative innovators can accomplish anything. So why are we waiting another 132 years to close the gender gap?
RSVP to see the inspirational and impactful sessions we have planned for our community of creative, cultural leaders and rising stars. It’s time to move from good intent to intentional innovation and together, we will close the gender gap in the workplace.
Open to all.
Date & Time:
Saturday, March 11 | 9AM - 7PM CT
Sunday, March 12 | 9AM - 7PM CT
Location:
Waller Creek Boathouse
74 Trinity St.
Austin, TX 78701
This year, upskill training is a prominent retention strategy, one that shows an organization cares about growth, development and continuous learning. Additionally, essential skills like interpersonal communication, empathy, problem solving and collaboration are recognized as invaluable tools that set leaders apart. In this session we’ll hear lessons learned from leaders who have shifted their focus to skills development.
Maria Vilchez Lowrey, Chief Growth Officer, Direct Digital Holdings
Micah Gebreyes, Senior Manager, Editorial Content, Greenhouse Software
Tanu Grewal, VP Marketing, Innovation and Ecommerce, ALEN USA
W. Joe DeMiero, US Chief Executive Officer, UM
Michelle Fine-Smith, SVP, Global Consumer Partnerships, Variety
Meg Jones, Senior Director, Partnerships and Programming, The Female Quotient
You’re invited to Dolphin Tank: Austin by Springboard Enterprises in partnership with The Female Quotient. Springboard’s Dolphin Tank brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in technology. Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.
https://sb.co/event/dolphin-tank-at-sxsw-2023/
Panel of Judges:
Anna Consani, Head, Community, Goodwater Capital
Ashley R. Balla, Partner, Halogen Ventures
Rakia Reynolds, Founder and Executive Officer, Skai Blue Media (SBM)
Randall Clark, Partner, Gunderson Dettmer
Shelley Zalis, CEO, The Female Quotient
Presenting Companies:
Carole Spangler Vaughn, CEO, Eisana
Marissa Huggins, Co-Founder, Spontivly
Carolyn Treviño Jenkins, Co-Founder and CEO, We Are Here
Join thought leaders from brand marketing, agencies, and media publishers as they share the value and importance of connecting brand equity to a clearly defined purpose. Our panelists will delve into the need for authenticity when communicating brand purpose and the importance of aligning marketing efforts with partners whose brands share similar values.
Alexis Schwartz, Executive Director, Head, Purpose Partnerships, The Guardian US
Michelle Diedrick, Vice President, Field Marketing Central Division, Spectrum
Maria Weaver, President, WMX, Warner Music Group
Aliah Davis-McHenry, Executive Director, Global Corporate Marketing and Creative, Bristol Myers Squibb
Caroline Dettman, Chief Marketing and Creative Officer, The Female Quotient
We know EVPs are much more than just a company branding tool, they’re vital to attracting and retaining top talent. But are monetary and non-monetary benefits enough in today’s work climate? In this conversation we’ll learn how EVPs impact the overall employee experience in today’s transformed workplace.
Join us for an informative and enlightening session on "Trans in Tech and Texas" as we explore the challenges and opportunities facing the transgender community in the tech industry, in Texas and in the nation today. This session will bring together experts from the tech industry and the advocacy community to share their experiences and insights, and discuss how we can work together to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace. Don't miss this opportunity to broaden your understanding, make valuable connections, and support the trans tech community across the country.
Mega-brands with large budgets historically dominated the traditional TV ad space. But, with the rise of Connected TV (CTV), brands of any size can gain a competitive edge in capturing consumer attention. In this conversation, hear from MNTN and The HoneyPot Company as they discuss how CTV not only lets challenger brands compete with blue-chips, it offers top-tier brands the chance to tap into agility that’s normally reserved for nimble growth brands.
The past three years have placed a significant strain on senior leaders, with many reporting high levels of burnout and feelings of inadequacy, with 63% of leaders saying they don’t make time for their personal well-being. Given the current work climate, today’s leaders need essential skills like resilience, confidence, compassion and fearlessness to forge ahead and empower their teams. But what does resilience really look like in a modern leader? Join Shelley Zalis and Evy Poumpouras, former Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service and bestselling author, as they discuss how resilience is the key to truly great leadership.
Post-pandemic, we are seeing more companies take a hard stance on ESG initiatives like ethical supply chains, decarbonization and workforce diversity, but how are they measuring progress and planning for the long term? Join us as we talk with today’s top ESG leaders on their strategies, winning technology and plans for execution.
As the world becomes more aware of the importance of authentic representation of diverse communities, it’s important to understand not only the changing composition of the population but also the way creators and audiences identify with the world around them. Consumers expect to see their racial/ethnic group authentically reflected in both society and entertainment. How are creators perceiving their experiences on platforms with regard to their identities? In this discussion, we will explore how platforms can foster a great sense of inclusivity.
Female-founded startups in Austin have raised over $2.8 billion since early 2020, making it one of the top metros in the nation for women-owned businesses. At the same time, women in the corporate world with the new post-pandemic option to work remotely are relocating to the state’s capital. With its thriving tech scene, low cost of living and long roster of economic development initiatives in the works, it’s no wonder. Join us as we discuss how the city has transformed.
Wendi Power, Sr. Sales Director, South Central, SXM Media
Angela Vanscoy, Audit & Assurance Partner, Accounting & Reporting Advisory, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Sheena Paul, Chief Operating Officer & Head, Legal Strategy, World Class Holdings
Rajaa Grar, Chief Revenue Officer, GURU Organic Energy
Jessica Roberts, Global Business Head of Industry, Entertainment, Meta
Meg Jones, Senior Director, Partnerships and Programming, The Female Quotient
Leaders Unboxed: How the Girl Scouts Cookie Program is Building the Next Generation of Female Executives
Girl Scouts are not only the source behind the delicious box of Thin Mints you purchase every year; they are entrepreneurs in the making. For more than a century, Girl Scouts has set the foundation for young girls to later become our most successful leaders and business owners. We’re speaking with Girl Scouts and leaders part of the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world to share how the experience has impacted their lives and inspired them with the skills to lead in school, extracurriculars, and beyond.
Sierra Fernandes, Product Programs Senior Director, Girl Scouts of Central Texas
Ruth Clark, Daisy Girl Scout Troop Member, Troop Number 44134
Zoë "River" Peña, Girl Scout Ambassador, Girl Scouts of Central Texas
Julia Alvarado, Girl Scout Senior, Girl Scouts of Central Texas
Amber Coleman-Mortley, Sr. Director, Community and Culture, The Female Quotient
Join Shelley Zalis and Angelic Vendette, Global Head of Marketing for Alo Yoga, for a conversation about the path to wellness through movement and mindfulness, and what companies and leaders can learn from the transformative power of yoga. This discussion will be followed by an experiential sound bath led by Alo expert Nicole Rutsch.
Women-led startups receive just 2% of all VC funding. The lack of funding for women entrepreneurs is not only a missed investment opportunity (female-led startups generate 63% more value for investors) but a foregone chance to maximize the brainpower we will need to build solutions and harness technologies for the planet’s next billion people. Join us as we unpack the unique challenges women face on their journeys to launch new companies and get interest from VCs and explore how we can reverse the trend.
Companies can drive culture. Workers and consumers alike want businesses to take a stand on social issues that are important to them. While some business leaders have taken a public stance on abortion access, others may be quiet supporters. The corporate world is finding that bold leadership is not only respected, but celebrated. Join us at the Female Quotient Equality Lounge to hear from Planned Parenthood’s corporate engagement director and business partners from across the country, as they discuss how companies can lead in a world where reproductive freedom is at risk.
Provocative new research from TheLi.st, Berlin Cameron and Benenson Strategy Group reveals that we’re facing a workplace wellness crisis that is sabotaging women’s success: Loneliness. Please join our panel of experts and business leaders as we unpack the problem and look ahead to solutions to shore up the support women need to succeed and thrive.
Jennifer DaSilva, Executive Director VMLY&R, President, Berlin Cameron and LLShe, and Founder, Connect4Women
Ann Shoket, CEO, TheLi.st and Founder, New Power Media
Natalie Lupiani, Vice President, Benenson Strategy Group
Julia Collins, CEO and Founder, Planet FWD
Princess Nwosu, Senior Social Lead, Microsoft 365 Consumer Marketing Organization
As tens of thousands of tech workers have been laid off over the past several months, data shows women, especially women of color, have been disproportionately affected. How do we have the backs of these displaced women? And how can employers go about boosting morale among their remaining workforce, all while bracing for uncertain times ahead? Join us for a discussion with today’s top leaders as they navigate an unprecedented time.
Pamela Culpepper, Managing Partner, Leadership Advisory Practice, Hanold Associates LLC
Donald Knight, Chief People Officer, Greenhouse Software
Jill Koziol, Co-Founder and CEO, Motherly
Santhi Ramesh, Chief Commercial Officer, Wells Enterprises, an independent operating division of THE FERRERO GROUP
Caroline Dettman, Chief Marketing and Creative Officer, The Female Quotient
As we know, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade this year, eliminating a woman’s constitutional right to abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years, a decision that will—and certainly already has—transformed American life. Right here in Texas, the decision of a suit seeking to ban government-approved abortion medications nationwide will be announced any day. Join us as we hear stories and strategies from leaders who are at the forefront of the fight for basic healthcare and reproductive rights.
Laura Brounstein, Acting Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Center for Reproductive Rights
Maya Rupert, Interim Chief of Government and External Relations, Center for Reproductive Rights
Monica Cepak, Chief Marketing Officer, Wisp
Amy Merril, Co-Founder and Digital Director, Plan C
Kevin Williams, Vice President, Digital Products, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Emily Ewell, CEO & Co-Founder, Pantys
As the pace of innovation in automation and AI accelerates at a thrilling pace, these technologies will transform the very nature of many businesses. But what will win with consumers? And will these technologies preserve the inclusivity and equality measures that brands have worked so hard to build? This panel will discuss the potential AI and automation can achieve in marketing communications, as well as watch outs.
With Black History Month in February transitioned to Women’s History Month in March, we are seeing how companies and brands are trying to better balance their commitment to equality and the marketing of these milestones to both internal and external audiences. With Asian Pacific Islander Month in May, Pride Month in June and Juneteenth coming up quickly, join us to discuss how companies can avoid marketing pitfalls and best support and communicate these cultural milestones authentically to all audiences.
Orlando Reece, Global Head, Sales, Insider
Tiffany Johnson, Global Business Development Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Startups
Lola Vinson, Communications Director, Every Texan
Keisha Townsend-Taitt, Chief Inclusion Officer, GSD&M
Zee Clarke, Author, Black People Breathe; Mindfulness, Breathwork, Racial Healing
2023 may be the biggest year yet for women in sports, with all eyes on the Women’s World Cup, the launch of the first 24/7 women’s sports network, and the fight for pay equity in sports making daily headlines. The increase in viewership of women’s sports is mostly due to women fans, and this audience is racially diverse, young, enthusiastic, passionate, and a major target of most brands. Join us as we talk about the growth of investment opportunities in women’s sports, and the integral part media plays.
Ashly Robinson, Head, Original Development and Production, The Players' Tribune
Sandy Lutton, Chief Revenue Officer, Pivotal Moments Media
Erin Ryder, Lead Creative Producer, Prime Video US Sports
Angella Goran, CEO, Team Captain and Founder, TAPanGO Technologies
Cassidy Lichtman, Director, Volleyball, Athletes Unlimited
Caroline Dettman, Chief Marketing and Creative Officer, The Female Quotient
While there’s been an increase in commitments from the VC industry to support minority-owned startups, momentum has slowed down. In this panel, leaders from Capital Connect will discuss current trends in private capital markets, and the unique challenges that minority founders face in the VC industry. Learn why prioritizing financial inclusion in the VC industry can open new opportunities for all, and how firms and investors can help close the investment funding gap.
The pandemic era brought us a flourish of entrepreneurial activity and a new business boom, but the economic downturn has created a very different environment for startup founders and the venture capitalists who fund them. Are big billion dollar raises and “super founders” with unicorn status a thing of the past? Join us as we talk about some of the creative ways entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are doing business in 2023.
Brand ethos, core values and mission are more important to consumers than ever before, and the responsibility to convey these intangibles rests largely on Design departments. Who better to lead this critical work than women? Join us as we talk with some of the most formidable women in design who will determine how the future of the industry will be shaped.
Ruthie Underwood, VP, Creative Design, Shinola
Maria D'Amato, Executive Creative Director, GSD&M
Megan Trinidad, Vice President, Executive Creative Director, R/GA
Lisa Bennett, Vice President, Global Brand and Head, Dell Blue, Dell Technologies
Denise Sante, VP, Executive Producer, Edelman
Caroline Dettman, Chief Marketing and Creative Officer, The Female Quotient
More than 1 million women in the United States experience menopause each year, and menopausal women are the fastest growing demographic in the workforce. Yet the general population remains uneducated about perimenopause and menopause, and this stage of life is riddled with myths, stigmas and misinformation. In this conversation we'll discuss how it's time to support —not shy away from—women over 40, allowing them to age with confidence and thrive during this transitional phase.
What does it look like to create and to find your space in what can sometimes feel like a sea of sameness? Hear from leaders with diverse experiences who are getting candid about the intersection of their personal and professional journeys to making an impact while bringing their full selves to their work.
A multigenerational workforce is key to growth, even though most companies don't currently include age diversity in their DEI initiatives. Age diversity can boost employee retention and productivity just like gender and racial diversity, and it gives organizations a competitive edge. Join us as we talk about the unique needs of the multigenerational workforce and what employers are doing to make sure employees thrive at every age.
A new, groundbreaking survey and annual report exploring where gender and ethnicity intersect. What is the cost and benefit to topline revenue when a company does or doesn't have an inclusive environment for women overall and women of color specifically? What is the value in salary they attribute to an inclusive environment? Which segments of female workers track with men, and which ones don't, and why? This discussion disaggregates Women by ethnicity, age, and income--a comparison and contrast. Discover nuances of the working female economy you knew about but didn't have action-based data to quantify. Learn the differences between valuing and seeing diversity when it comes to gender.
Richard Lui, News Anchor, MNSBC/NBC News
Anna Mok, Private Equity & Asia Pacific Leader, Deloitte
Joanna Burkey, CISO, HP
Dr. Angela Anderson, US Head Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Strategy and Operations, Novartis
Julie M. Wennah, Digital Civil Rights Lawyer and Associate General Counsel and Product Lead for Civil Rights, Meta
Join Shelley Zalis and Natasha Trindall, General Manager and Nicole Rutsch, Mindfulness Coach for ALO Moves for a conversation about the Alo Moves platform, how wellness can transform workplaces, and they key to keeping a wellness routine. This discussion will be followed by a breathwork and tapping session led by Alo expert Nicole Rutsch.
Diversity is vital for the survival of the metaverse. Without the voices of underserved communities in the Web3 conversations, it’ll become just another echo chamber. How is the tech community making sure whole groups of people won’t be othered, but encouraged and heard instead? In this conversation we’ll explore what Web3 will do differently to make it safe for everyone.
