2024 WLC Speakers

Read about our speakers and topics for WLC 2024!

PHYLLIS A. JAMES

Founding President & CEO, Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment 

  • PHYLLIS A. JAMES is Founding President and CEO of the Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment (“FWLE”), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established in May 2019 to help remedy one of America’s and the world’s most urgent needs – access by women and women of color to high-quality educational experiences that prepare them (as well as men) for leadership roles across society. With founding support from MGM Resorts International, FWLE seeks to expand the pipeline of women leaders through Las Vegas’ Women’s Leadership Conference (“WLC”) – one of the, if not the, premier women’s development conferences in the western United States, and other accessible programs.

    Ms. James has a distinguished multi-disciplinary career history as a lawyer and C-suite executive:

    · Seventeen (17) years at MGM Resorts – where she served as Chief Diversity and Corporate Responsibility Officer for more than a decade; as the principal management liaison to the parent corporation’s Board of Directors CSR/ESG Committee; and as head of Company litigation during most of her tenure. She played a seminal role in the evolution of MGM’s industry-leading CSR/ESG diversity and inclusion, philanthropy, and volunteerism initiatives into a cohesive business and social impact platform, embedding DEI values into the company’s culture and business operations.

    · Eight (8) years as Corporation Counsel (Chief Legal Officer) for the City of Detroit under Mayor Dennis W. Archer – where she served as lead lawyer for the City in several legacy economic revitalization projects (e.g., Comerica Park, Ford Field, Campus Martius downtown business district, and Detroit gaming industry); counsel for the Mayor’s Office, the Executive branch, and the City’s legislative branch (City Council); and Law Director for a department of approximately 100 lawyers.

    · Fifteen (15) years in private law practice, first as an associate and then as a partner specializing in complex commercial litigation, at the San Francisco-based firm of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman) – where she became the firm’s first African American partner.

    Beyond her executive and legal experience, Ms. James has served on several for-profit and non-profit boards of directors. She is a member of the Strategic Advisory board of algoface.ai, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence enterprise, and has served for almost two decades as a member of the MGM Grand Detroit, LLC board. Her most recent non-profit service includes the boards of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, Nevada Legal Services Inc. and previously the MGM Resorts Foundation.

    Throughout her career Ms. James has been active in numerous bar association and civic affairs and has received several recognitions for her legal accomplishments and civic contributions, including Outstanding Business achievement as One of the 2019 Most Powerful Women in Corporate Diversity (Black Enterprise Magazine); Human Rights Campaign – Las Vegas Equality Award for outstanding service to the LGBTQ community (2017); the National Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2016); and admission to the American Law Institute, the leading independent U.S. organization producing scholarly legal word (2015).

    Ms. James earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History and Literature from Harvard/Radcliffe College after having received the honors of Phi Beta Kapa junior year, the Captain Jonathan Fay Prize (then Radcliffe College’s highest honor for a graduating woman based on the graduate’s scholarship, conduct and character) and the Isobelle T. Briggs Fellowship for Graduate Study. She commenced her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Theodore R. Newman, Jr., then Chief Judge of the District of Colombia Court of Appeals.

KRYSTAL ALLAN

Communications Professional & Emcee

  • KRYSTAL ALLAN has proudly called Las Vegas home since 2011. In a city known for constantly evolving, Krystal has embraced the Vegas spirit of growth and change. In late 2023, she joined the Office of Communications for the city of Las Vegas. Krystal is ecstatic to serve the community in this new role. You can catch her reports on KCLV-TV, Channel 2 and the city’s social media platforms.

    Prior to her new role, Krystal worked in local news. For years, she was a familiar face on News 3 (the local NBC affiliate) and the CW. Southern Nevadans welcomed Krystal into their homes on some of the station’s top rated newscasts. She served in many roles but primarily worked as a morning/midday anchor and reporter.

    The daughter of two educators, Krystal is passionate about organizations championing children and education. She is a board member for Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada. The non-profit is the nation’s leading dropout prevention program and operates in 110 schools statewide. In addition, she loves reading, volunteering and mentoring children at local schools. 

    Krystal has received numerous professional accolades including an Edward R. Murrow award and multiple Emmy nominations. She’s also a Top 40 Under 40 honoree, Nevada Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, iHeartMedia Women Who Shine honoree, Top 100 Woman of Las Vegas and Woman of Distinction honoree. Born and raised in the Midwest, Krystal feels blessed to use her skills to serve the Las Vegas community. Hard work and humility is the motto that guides her each day.

SUE BHATIA

Chairwoman & Founder, Rose International, Inc.

  • SUE BHATIA is Founder & Chairwoman of Rose International.

    Sue Bhatia immigrated to America from India in the 1980s. Recognizing a need for IT recruiting solutions, she founded Rose International in 1993. Under her leadership, Rose has become one of the fastest-growing and most successful firms in the staffing and recruiting industry in the United States. Today, Rose International has offices and service delivery centers in the U.S. and India, with over 7,000 associates across the country, and was named a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor in both 2019 and 2020.

    Mrs. Bhatia attributes her company's rise to her immigrant mindset: she took total responsibility for her career, made success happen every single day, and never gave up when confronted with barriers as an Indian immigrant woman in Missouri. She faced adversity with poise and determination, paving the way for future generations of women, immigrants, and other people who, in the past, may have considered themselves outsiders.

    To that end, Sue Bhatia is committed to developing and promoting women and minority entrepreneurs around the world and Rose International is dedicated to building a stronger, more diverse labor force for the future. She previously served on the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Board of Directors. Mrs. Bhatia was also a member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s (NMSDC) Board of Directors and was the first female minority business owner to serve on the Board in this capacity. She represented the minority business enterprise (MBE) network at a White House Economic Summit in Washington D.C. and was part of the American delegation that participated in the B20 Summit in India. Additionally, Mrs. Bhatia spoke about adaptability and female empowerment at conferences all over the world, including twice at the World Export Development Forum (WEDF), in both China and Switzerland.

    Further, Mrs. Bhatia was awarded the Minority Business Leadership Award from the NMSDC and the National Entrepreneurial Success Award from the U.S. Small Business Association. The Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) inducted Sue Bhatia into their Staffing 100 Hall of Fame and named her to their Global Power 100 – Women in Staffing list for her influence in and commitment to the staffing industry, and she was also recently inducted into the Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Hall of Fame.

    Sue Bhatia holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Design from SPA, New Delhi, India, and a master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.

COURTNEY BURTON 

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • COURTNEY BURTON, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is a catalyst for professional and personal growth in individuals and teams. Her work centers on guiding leaders through organizational culture change initiatives, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and communication enhancement.

    With over 30 years of experience, she served as the Vice President of Sales at Curry Sales, responsible for driving strategic priorities, building and maintaining strong relationships with business partners and clients, and ensuring ongoing business growth. Prior to that role, Courtney led high-performing merchant and cross-functional teams at major retailers, such as Target, CVS, and Albertsons. During her tenure, she developed strong communication and collaboration skills and gained expertise in navigating complex business environments.

    Courtney's unique blend of business acumen and creative spirit is a powerful combination that she incorporates in her facilitation and coaching work. She has a deep passion and track record in equipping individuals and teams with the necessary tools to build stronger relationships, understand their strengths, and navigate interpersonal dynamics with grace and empathy. Leveraging this, Courtney coaches her clients to create cohesive and energized teams focused on achieving their goals. Her ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and inspire meaningful conversations has helped organizations create more positive and productive environments, fostering a sense of shared purpose and belonging.

    Courtney is an authorized partner and certified trainer for Wiley Brands: Everything DiSC® and Five Behaviors™, and a certified Adult Mental Health First Aider. She has a B.A. in Public Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

    Courtney also sits on the AARP-MN Volunteer Executive Council, focusing personal attention on assisting their Livable Community and Caregiver advocacy initiatives. And, she has been honoring her creative muse as a jazz vocalist for over twenty-five years.

ALISON CONIGLIARO-HUBBARD 

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • ALISON CONIGLIARO-HUBBARD, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, has over 26-years in global tech enterprise Sales and Product Marketing Leadership within large and mid-sized enterprises, such as Cisco, Brocade, Autodesk, Riverbed, and a start-up exit to Microsoft. Alison has driven and experienced business growth from a wide range of perspectives and was an integral part of the team that initially took the Cisco storage networking and data center business from $0-$1 Billion.

    Alison has developed a network that is vast and diverse, with long-term relationships from the C-suite to all business functions, crossing a variety of industries, interests, cultures and backgrounds. She is a bridge-builder and inspiring communicator, currently speaking on topics that include ‘Resilient Leadership through Adversity and Change’, ‘Mental Fitness for Those Who Lead’, and ‘The Power of Connection: Building Lifelong Networks’.

    A graduate of the University of Miami, Alison also holds advanced certifications from the International Coach Federation - ICF (ACC) and Co-Active Training Institute (CPCC), and from Cornell University in Women's Executive Leadership and Diversity and Inclusion. She has a lifelong passion for whole wellness, incorporating her ‘Four Pillars of Wellness’ into her leadership coaching, and is a certified holistic wellness coach and former fitness trainer.

BRANDI HARLEAUX

CEO, South Post Oak Recycling Center

  • BRANDI HARLEAUX stands as a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and purposeful leadership. As the CEO of South Post Oak Recycling Center (SPORC) and a trailblazer in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Brandi embodies the spirit of innovation, empowerment, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her story is one of breaking barriers, fostering inclusion, and inspiring women to claim their rightful place at the helm of success in business and beyond. 

    With over 25 years of entrepreneurial brilliance, Brandi has navigated the challenges and triumphs of leading a second-generation family business to unprecedented heights. Under her stewardship, SPORC has not only become Houston’s most trusted metal recycling company but also a symbol of sustainable success and community impact. Her leadership during the uncertain times of the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic showcased her unwavering commitment to her team, retaining 100% of her employees and expanding her staff by 25% amid crises. 

    A visionary at heart, Brandi leverages her unique blend of passion, intellect, and experience to drive positive change, advocating for women’s empowerment and diversity in the workplace. Her journey from excelling in Fortune 500 companies to spearheading SPORC’s strategic direction illuminates the path for aspiring women leaders, demonstrating that with courage and conviction, no ceiling is too high to shatter. 

    Honored with prestigious awards, including the 2023 Texas Small Businessperson of the Year and the 2020 ISRI Young Executive of the Year, Brandi’s accomplishments are a beacon of inspiration. Her recognition as a mentor at The University of Houston Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship and the Lakewood Church Business Ministry underscores her commitment to nurturing the next generation of women leaders, empowering them with the tools and confidence to excel. 

    As an accomplished scholar, Brandi holds a B.S. in psychology and business administration from the University of Houston, an M.S. in industrial organizational psychology from California State University, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She also holds certificates in leadership and family transitions from UCLA. She is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, a Windsor Castle Leadership Fellow, and has a certificate in financial management for the family office from Pepperdine University. 

    Brandi’s life philosophy – that business is a vehicle for making a significant impact – resonates deeply with those striving to make a difference. Her advocacy for anti-human trafficking and autism awareness further exemplifies her dedication to leveraging her platform for the greater good, embodying the essence of purpose-driven leadership. 

    Brandi’s story is a powerful reminder that when women support women, the impossible becomes possible, and the path to success is paved with the milestones of those who dare to dream and lead with heart.

ALANA HILL

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • ALANA HILL, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is an international change leadership expert, inspiring professionals to lead change in themselves and others to create inclusive, resilient, and competitive organizations. She is a passionate energy industry veteran who has paved the way for women leaders, with a focus on women of color.

    During a colorful career in the energy industry working with the international technology corporation SLB (formerly Schlumberger), she not only managed multiple change initiatives, but she also learned to drive an 18-wheeler! Her experience as an engineer and project manager in talent development has provided real‐world insight into how people and teams can excel.

    With over 25 years of cross-functional leadership and training expertise, Alana has worked with global Fortune 500 corporations, small technology companies, and non-profits to help individuals and organizations accomplish their goals by utilizing sharp analysis, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills development.

    Alana holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and currently resides in Houston, TX.

    Alana is also the author of “What’s Your Catalyst? The Power of Managed Change,” where she guides her readers to discover how purpose and passion will give them greater influence and impact on the world around them.

ORZSE HODI

President, Dole Packaged Foods USA

  • ORZSE HODI, originally from Hungary, is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the Food and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, where female leadership is rare. As the President of Dole Packaged Foods USA, she has been instrumental in transforming the company, driving the brand's growth with record-breaking results, advancing diversity and inclusion, and supporting sustainability initiatives. 

    Orzse’s leadership education is grounded in her bachelor’s degree (with honors) in commerce from McMaster University and an MBA from Henley Business School (United Kingdom). Her career advancement included positions at Maple Leaf Foods, Foster Farms, and the fresh bakery division of Grupo Bimbo Bakeries in the USA with executive roles in Marketing, Innovation and Sales Strategy. 

    Also a talented entrepreneur, Orzse established a successful marketing consulting business, empowering business owners with strategic marketing solutions. Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to fostering growth and innovation have been pivotal in both her consulting endeavors and corporate roles. 

    At Dole, Orzse has advanced sustainability and nutritional initiatives, including the Dole Promise, which aims to create access to good nutrition, reduce processed sugar in products and achieve zero fruit loss. Her support of diversity and inclusion is evident in the US Leadership Team she guides, which has 50% female representation ‒ a first for Dole! 

    Orzse’s career reflects her commitment to driving positive change in the food industry, emphasizing nutrition and consumer well-being. Her leadership philosophy focuses on team empowerment, clear communication, and strategic vision to achieve business success. Balancing her professional achievements with a dedication to family life, she advocates for work-life integration and support networks for personal and professional fulfillment. 

MELONIE JOHNSON

President & COO, MGM National Harbor

  • MELONIE JOHNSON is the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MGM National Harbor. In her leadership role, Johnson provides strategic direction and oversees daily operations of the property. She is committed to supporting the local Prince George’s County community and is dedicated to fostering an engaged and diverse local workforce.

    A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Melonie’s gaming and hospitality career spans nearly 25 years, during which she held key leadership positions at major properties throughout the United States. Johnson has been with MGM Resorts since 2015, most recently serving as President & COO of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa prior to her return to MGM National Harbor in 2022, which she had led from December 2017 through May 2020. Before making her move to the East Coast, Johnson started her MGM Resorts career with Gold Strike Casino Resort in Mississippi. She has consistently worked to nurture a service-oriented employee culture and developed strategic plans that ensured properties met both their short and long-term goals.

    Melonie’s decades of leadership experience at regional gaming properties -- along with her financial expertise and strategic thinking -- has served her well in a number of high-profile gaming positions including, Assistant General Manager at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia, CFO/Interim General Manager at Hollywood Casino Aurora in Illinois and as Regional Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Finance for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, among other roles.

    Melonie and her husband Mark share six children and six grandchildren.

JULIA LAZZARA

President, Leading NOW

  • JULIA LAZZARA, President of Leading NOW, joined the company after a distinguished 23-year career leading B2B sales teams across diverse channels in the consumer products industry. A proven results-oriented leader, Julia is passionate about forging mutually beneficial and lasting partnerships with her clients. With expertise in strategy and business development, Julia, as President, oversees Leading NOW’s client relationships and operations globally.

    Julia held sales leadership roles at General Mills, ConAgra Foods, and Lamb Weston. She built high-performance sales teams and established a winning track record with her expansive customer base. Across Retail Grocery, Bakeries and Foodservice, Convenience Channels, Wholesale Distribution, and E-commerce, Julia’s strategic customer portfolio included the Albertsons Companies, Ahold, Kroger, Whole Foods, Target, AWG, HEB, and Amazon. In these roles, she consistently delivered creative solutions to her customers, posted strong top and bottom-line growth, and expanded distribution for major consumer brands and retailer branded programs.

    Most recently, Julia led the rapidly growing Wine segment for Berlin Packaging, the leading full-service supplier of rigid packaging to the consumer products industry. Her leadership resulted in strong double-digit growth at 10X the industry average. Julia’s effective cross-functional collaboration among product design, brand marketing, global supply chain, quality services, finance, and operational teams was essential in achieving business outcomes and elevating the customer experience for over 1,400 customers in the U.S. Wine Industry. Her customers included the top 25 U.S. wineries, and leading Direct to Consumer (DTC) companies.

    In her role at Leading NOW, Julia has been an invited mainstage speaker at major industry events such as the Restaurant Leadership Conference (RLC), Outlook Leadership, and Convenience Store Women (CSW) to present important aspects of Leadership Development to C-Suite level industry leaders.

    Julia is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame/Mendoza College of Business and completed an Executive Leadership Certification from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. She currently resides in Napa, California.

ANNE LEETS

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • ANNE LEETS has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be effective in a global organization – achieve sales, profit and distribution targets; develop global brand strategy; build teams; lead change; and accomplish large-scale corporate initiatives.

    Her leadership and operational experience in Sales, Marketing, Operations and Training was developed while she held Director and Vice President positions at Fortune 500 companies with iconic brands. She was also successful in General Manager and Company President roles. Throughout her career, she consistently led national teams to record results, despite significant economic challenges, reorganizations, downsizing and corporate takeovers. Her coaching effectiveness is enhanced by her hands-on experience in highly competitive and fast-paced corporate as well as entrepreneurial environments.

    The powerful combination of her rich diversity of experience and passion for supporting the success of others makes Anne an insightful and innovative coach, facilitator, and leadership strategist. Practical, engaging, and results-oriented, Anne helps leaders navigate workplace challenges and changing business and political landscapes, and leverage their emotional intelligence to enhance communication, influence, team performance, organizational and leadership effectiveness.

    With her extensive leadership experience, Anne has developed polished, engaging and inspirational presentation and facilitation skills. Her genuine and dynamic style connects with many types of audiences on today’s most important leadership topics.

    Anne also leads The Leets Consortium and has worked with clients in all functional areas and at all organizational levels, including the C-Suite, and in a wide range of businesses.

CHRISTINE MADDELA

Founder & Managing Partner, Storyville RD

  • CHIRSTINE MADDELA is a lifelong storyteller. She’s a veteran broadcast journalist and media coach who now puts her decades of experience to work for her clients. That’s how Storyville Road was born. Storyville Road specializes in full-service video production and public speaking/presentation coaching.

    Christine was named one of 24 women around the country to receive the 2023 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Award by the Women Presidents Organization. She is also the recipient of the 2024 Nevada Spirit Award and 2023 WRMSDC Engagement Award for her involvement with and service to fellow diverse-owned businesses throughout her region. Storyville Road was named 2023 WRMSDC Supplier of the Year: Class 1 and 2022 “Rising Star MBE Award”. Maddela was a featured speaker at NMSDC’s 2022 national conference where she presented “The Science of Storytelling: Building Your Brand.” She was named one of VEGAS INC’s “40 Under 40” and recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada as a “Rising Star” in entrepreneurship and winner of the Woman of Distinction Grant. She has received numerous Regional Emmy® Awards, Edward R. Murrow® Awards, and National Press Photographers Association Awards for her work. The National Bar Association also named her one of 19 finalists in the country for the 2017 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts.

    Christine has served as a news anchor, reporter, and national correspondent all over the country including in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Nashville, Washington D.C. and El Paso, TX.

    She’s a proud graduate of The University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

    Christine is active in the Las Vegas community and serves on the Nevada Corporate Giving Council, Southern Nevada’s Industry Sector Partner for Creative Industries, Vice President of the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)-Pacific Southwest Chapter, NATAS National Emmy Awards Committee, Advisory Board for the annual Philanthropy Leaders Summit, Raiders Den entrepreneurial summer camp advisor, Community Advisory Board for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, and video production advisor for Doral Academy’s Career and Technical Education program.

DR. LUANA MARQUES

Clinician, Bestselling Author, Speaker, and Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

  • Radiating an energetic blend of personal charisma and scholarly depth, DR. LUANA MARQUES has emerged as a powerful force in the global speaking circuit. She is known for her captivating presence and dynamic storytelling that weaves together the threads of her personal journey and professional expertise to inspire transformation in her audiences.

    Dr. Luana’s personal story of overcoming adversity, trauma, and poverty while growing up in Brazil provides authenticity and depth to her message. Today, as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Past President of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and bestselling author, Dr. Luana is a paragon of resilience, determination, and boldness.

    Through decades of work as a researcher, clinician, author, and speaker, Dr. Luana has been relentless in her goal of equipping everyone, everywhere with skills to thrive. True to her mission, Dr. Luana is devoted to igniting action. Everyone who attends her events leaves with a personalized plan to overcome challenges and make their next bold move toward what matters most. Dr. Luana’s hidden superpower comes through during Q&A’s, where she meets people where they are and provides them with tools to get unstuck in real-time. Dr. Luana’s commitment to actionable insights sets her apart, leaving her audiences inspired and armed with science-backed tools for change.

    Her latest critically acclaimed book, Bold Move, A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power, is a testament to her ability to translate complex scientific insights into actionable strategies. Whether she's addressing a roomful of CEOs, community leaders, or corporate teams, she empowers them with science-backed tools that they can implement immediately to catalyze change.

    Dr. Luana's influential work has been recognized in numerous high-profile platforms, including The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, BIG THINK, Forbes, The New York Times, Good Morning America, and Face the Nation. She is also often featured in the top podcasts such as 10% Happier and The Mel Robbins Podcast.

    Dr. Luana lives outside of Boston with her husband, David, and their son Diego.

JUSTIN PATTON

Executive Coach, International Speaker, Award-Winning Author and Founder, The Trust Architect Group

  • As the founder of The Trust Architect Group, JUSTIN PATTON works with leaders on how to build trust in themselves, with others, and across the organization. He studied body language from a former FBI agent, published four books, and has expertise in communication, leadership presence, and how to build a culture of trust that keeps bringing people back for more. Justin has a dynamic, high-energy style and often receives the highest ratings at conferences.

VANESSA PHIPPS

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • VANESSA PHIPPS, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, has over 20 years of successful executive and management development learning facilitation, combined with a strong background in compliance and global equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) consulting.

    Prior to joining Leading Women, Vanessa served as the interim Chief Diversity Officer at the ACLU in New York City. She has continued to serve as a partner to organizations whose mission aligns with her unwavering commitment to racial, gender, and economic equity, including the ACLU’s affiliate offices in Kansas, Montana, and Louisiana. She also supports the mission and vision of the Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA) through her efforts to recruit and develop talent that will sustain a strong organizational and “human relations” infrastructure.

    Her corporate experience in the compliance and ED&I space began at Aventis Pharmaceuticals (now Sanofi, U.S.) where she honed her skills by building a talent planning process in partnership with Executive Leadership ‒ resulting in a measurable commitment by C-Suite leaders to identify and promote diverse talent in their respective division’s talent and succession planning goals.

    She also managed the launch of the first Women’s and the first African American Employee/Business Resource Groups at the organizations and directed the submission process for the Working Mother Top 100 award, leading to the companies garnering the honors for the first time.

    Earlier in her career, Vanessa designed a development process for an employer that supported high performing individual contributors, many of whose approach to work and definitions of success were not always in concert with those of their respective leaders.

    Before relocating to New Orleans, Louisiana, Vanessa served as the Board President of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR New Jersey), an organization that provides ongoing professional development for the Association’s HR and business members, university students and Women- and Minority-owned Businesses.

    She holds a B.S. in Human Services and Sociology from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.

KELLY LOCKWOOD PRIMUS

Chief Executive Officer, Leading NOW

  • KELLY LOCKWOOD PRIMUS was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in December of 2020 after successfully transitioning the merger of Leading Women into Leading NOW’s stable of brands. In her role as CEO, Kelly oversees strategy, research development and client relationship management to help Leading NOW’s clients reach their global diversity goals. A frequent speaker on the topics of Cultural Dynamics in the Workplace, Gender Dynamics, and Leadership, Kelly has been invited to deliver keynotes, plenary sessions, and workshops, and has moderated panel discussions for multiple industry events.

    Prior to taking the role of CEO at Leading NOW, Kelly was CEO & President for Leading Women, joining that organization in 2013. Before joining Leading Women, Kelly was a member of the executive team for WFF, a national non-profit women’s leadership organization. As Vice President for Marketing & Communications, Kelly was instrumental in returning the organization to prominence in the foodservice industry as the authority for women’s leadership development and drove participation in the organization’s live and virtual events to “sell-out” status.

    Prior to working in leadership development organizations, Kelly was a member of the executive team at Primo Water, a publicly held CPG company, in the role of Vice President, Marketing & Communications. Recruited pre-IPO, Kelly was challenged with articulating the brand promise, creating the brand communication strategy and instituting integrated marketing campaigns to drive retailer and consumer brand preference. Within less than a year, the organization went public, had acquired multiple new retail partners including Walmart, and the company’s products were featured in leading trade publications as a product category to watch.

    A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Kelly also participated in Executive Leadership Programs at Boston College and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

VEENA PURI

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • VEENA PURI, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is a seasoned executive with a rich background in leadership and transformative business strategies. She has a relentless commitment to driving organizational success and fostering positive people-centric change. Veena brings a wealth of expertise with over 25 years of strategic thought leadership and operational depth supporting large-scale transformations in a variety of industries ‒ notably in the Retail, Foodservice, Healthcare, Distribution, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Technology sectors.

    After a lengthy career in the foodservice industry with companies including PepsiCo, Yum Brands, Aramark, and Board service with the Women’s Foodservice Forum, Veena discovered her love of consulting and especially enjoys problem resolution. She has led initiatives involving workplace culture, learning capability development, and diversity, equity and inclusion programming implementation. Veena has also led numerous change management projects including agile IT transformations, operations transformations, M&A/divestiture integrations, and HR, Finance and Commercial operating model redesign.

    Whether embarking on a business transformation, establishing new organizational capabilities or refining an operating model, Veena has a proven ability to navigate complex business scenarios. She consistently partners with leaders to understand their unique needs and develop effective solutions. In essence, Veena continues to shape the landscape of organizational efficiency and leadership excellence, combining a wealth of experience with a forward-thinking approach that defines the pinnacle of consulting in today's dynamic business environment.

    Veena holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh with a concentration in Marketing & Strategic Planning and currently resides in Dallas, TX.

SELENA REZVANI

Consultant, Award-Winning Speaker, and Bestselling Author on Leadership & Self-Advocacy 

  • SELENA REZVANI is a highly regarded consultant, speaker, and author on leadership and self-advocacy. Named by Forbes “the premier expert on standing up for yourself at work,” her most recent book, “Quick Confidence” (Wiley, May 2023), was an instant Wall Street Journal bestseller. She also authored bestseller “Pushback: How Smart Women Ask – and Stand Up – for What They Want” (Jossey-Bass, 2012) ‒ all about ways to make your voice heard and negotiate your needs at work – which was honored with an Axiom Business Book Award. She published her first book, “The Next Generation of Women Leaders,” in 2009.

    With more than 500,000 followers on social media, Selena creates daily video content on leadership and has been recognized by The Washington Post and Bloomberg, as a LinkedIn Top Voice, and as a “Fast Company top career creator.” Her experience and success in the leadership arena make her a frequent resource for news media and an in-demand business speaker. She has been quoted, interviewed, and profiled by CareerBuilder, The Wall Street Journal, Oprah.com, The LA Times, Marie Claire, NBC television, and ABC television. Notably, Selena wrote an award-winning column on women and leadership for The Washington Post. In 2018, she gave a TEDx talk entitled “Interrupting Gender Bias Through Meeting Culture,” which received a Croly Journalism Award. Today she writes for NBC’s “Know Your Value.”

    Selena addresses thousands of professionals each year, including such clients as Accenture, The Clinton Foundation, Harvard University, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, P&G, SAP, The World Bank, Under Armour, and many others. She also provides strategic consulting for clients on inclusion strategies with a focus on the advancement of women.

    Selena received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Social Work degrees from New York University, and has an MBA from Johns Hopkins, where she received the Edward Stegman CPA Memorial Award for Academic Excellence.

    Selena is based in Philadelphia where she lives with her husband Geoff and 11-year-old boy-girl twins.

JUANNY ROMERO

CEO & Founder, Mothership Coffee Roasters

  • I’m JUANNY ROMERO, CEO and founder of Mothership Coffee Roasters, and I’m a bold MOTHER, a supersonic boss, a fearless woman of color, and a child of immigrants.  

    You see, at Mothership, we believe in challenging the norm, in the power of nurturing ideas and putting our all into everything we embark on. It's evident you're riding the same wave, pioneering new paths with every project you tackle. Your vibrant energy and creative spark are precisely what the world desperately needs, and I’m excited to see the heights you'll soar to next.  

    Drawing from my own journey, I understand the grit it takes to turn obstacles into stepping stones. Born to immigrant parents, I learned early on that innovation isn't just about new ideas; it’s about resilience, about making the most of the cards we're dealt, and always, always looking forward. It’s this blend of creativity and perseverance that has shaped Mothership Coffee Roasters from the ground up. 

    Our philosophy has stayed rooted in our ethics for sustainable sourcing, farming, and people-friendly practices - from where each bean was born, to the cup in your hands. Perfecting a roast in flavor so as to highlight the region it came from is our goal, and we put countless hours into testing and tasting our beans. In our bakery, we focus on delivering rustic-style, handmade items from scratch, with ingredients from high-quality producers whose origin ethics match our own. 

    At Mothership Coffee, we’re passionate about what we do and we know you are, too. We believe in the power of coffee to uplift and connect. So, join us! Let’s spread the joy of connection, one cup at a time.

SUSAN SLY

A.I. CEO, Entrepreneur, Investor, and Board Member

  • SUSAN SLY was voted as one of the top female entrepreneurs in Artificial Intelligence in 2023. She is the CEO and founder of ThePause.AI, former Co-CEO and Co-Founder of an AI-driven retail and healthcare computer vision company, a tech investor, and podcast host of the highly acclaimed show “Raw and Real Entrepreneurship.” She has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox, Lifetime Television, The CBN and The Morning Show in Australia, and has been quoted in MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, Forbes, and more. She is a graduate of MIT Sloan School of Management.

    As a highly acclaimed keynote speaker, Susan has spoken for MIT, NVIDIA, HPE, Intel, and Lenovo, and has shared the stage with Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, Robert Kiosaki, and more. Susan has served as a distinguished guest speaker at prominent events such as the National Restaurant Association, MIT Sloan, Executive Next Practices Institute, Forbes Roundtable, Corenet Global, The Big Data and AI Summit, HPE Discover, The Edge AI Summit, and various others.

    In 2022, Susan was honored to receive the Rosalind Franklin Society Award in Science and a nomination for the Rising Star in AI from Venture Beat.

    Susan has completed the Boston Marathon 6X and placed Top 10 in the Pro Division of the Ironman Triathlon in Malaysia. Susan is passionate about philanthropy and has dedicated a significant amount of time and money working to liberate girls from trafficking and invest in education to support women and girls who have survived trauma and abuse both domestically and overseas.

    Susan is the mother of four children and resides with her husband in Scottsdale, Arizona.

DANIEL STANE

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • DANIEL STANE, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is an international expert in developing conscious and inclusive leaders and organizations. He has fifteen years’ experience in consulting and the design and facilitation of leadership, diversity, inclusion, and organizational change programs focused on raising employee engagement, innovation & collaboration among mid- to senior-level leaders and their teams in global organizations. He has consulted and facilitated for such clients as Microsoft, Diageo, Expedia, 3M, British Airways, Altria, Cisco, Accenture, Nestle, Maersk, PayPal, and Shell.

    Daniel has a deep interest and track record in improving gender, generational and culture balance through awareness of individual and corporate unconscious bias, and building a more mindful and sustainable approach to leadership and decision-making.

    With over 20 years of business experience, he draws on front-line career success as a senior commercial leader within one of the world’s largest multinationals, Linde Group, as well as executive positions in a number of SMEs (small and midsize enterprises).

    Daniel has published many articles on leadership and diversity and inclusion, and has contributed to a recent book on Global Inclusion with a chapter focused on innovation and employee engagement.

    Daniel holds an honors degree in International Business and a post-graduate diploma in strategic marketing. He works in English (native), French, and Czech. He is based in London, UK.

ALICIA TAYLOR

Owner, Mortgage Solutions LLC

  • ALICIA TAYLOR, a Las Vegas, NV native, boasts over three decades of experience in the mortgage lending and real estate sector, demonstrating a consistent history of success. In 2004, she established Mortgage Solutions LLC, a comprehensive mortgage banker/brokerage firm, followed by the founding of Clear Sky Realty LLC, a specialized real estate agency, in 2014. Alicia is also an avid cigar enthusiast; in 2022 she co-founded Smokin’ Bullet Cigars and procured her first line of cigars.

    Widely recognized as a seasoned and esteemed business professional, Alicia has been featured in prominent local and national business publications, including INC Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. She is sought after for her insightful perspectives on the mortgage and real estate industries, and her ability to explain complex financial matters in a simple and easy to understand manner.

    A seasoned leader accustomed to the limelight, Alicia's accomplishments include selection from a pool of over 19,000 candidates to participate in the inaugural season of the Oprah Winfrey Network 'OWN', where she secured 3rd place finish. With a fervent dedication to promoting financial stability among Americans, Alicia engages with audiences directly, delivering speeches to various organizations on the significance of financial independence.

    Alicia has been called a “Modern Renaissance Woman” by her peers. She thrives in male dominated industries, yet remains a ‘Girls Girl’. Whether she is holding a financial seminar for students at her alma mater UNLV, in New York on Wall Street ringing the bell as an advocate for small business, or hosting a cigar cut & light for her brand, Alicia is always representing excellence in her business ventures.

    Alicia served twelve years as a Legislative appointee to Nevada's Mortgage Advisory Council 'MAC,' where she contributed her expertise to shaping legislation impacting the mortgage lending sector in the state. Despite her demanding schedule, Alicia remains committed to her mission of empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures, recognizing that financial empowerment is a crucial step towards overall life mastery.

DR. QUENDRIDA WHITMORE

Senior Consultant, Leading NOW

  • DR. QUENDRIDA WHITMORE, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, gained her extensive career experience leading teams in the retail industry for more than 25 years. Her career journey started with Target Corporation, where she served in various areas of the organization, specifically, as a buyer in merchandising, director in loss prevention, and senior director in operations. She subsequently moved to Ross Stores, where she was promoted to regional vice president of operations. She then became a senior vice president in hospitality and operations with WeWork as Head of Community, in the United States, Canada, Peru, and Costa Rica.

    Quendrida received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, her master’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas Woman’s University, and her EdD (Doctor of Education) degree from the University of Southern California with a focus on Organizational Change and Leadership.

    A 2023 Executive-in-Residence at Boston University School of Hospitality, Quendrida is also a certified coach having earned her CPCC (Certified Professional Career Coach certification) from Co-Active Training Institute. A member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality and Women in Retail Leadership Circle, Quendrida coaches and speaks frequently at their respective conferences.

GENEA WILSON

CEO, East Bay Ambulatory Market at Sutter Health

  • GENEA WILSON is the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater East Bay Ambulatory Division, also known as Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation at Sutter Health. Genea has oversight for approximately 730+ employees and over 600 physicians in partnership with the Sutter East Bay Medical Group. Genea partners with her medical group and hospital CEO colleagues to promote medical, surgical and primary care growth while relentlessly striving to improve patient experience, access to care and the development of her staff. Genea models the Sutter Health mission of putting our “Patients first and people always” as evidenced by her annual top box employee satisfaction scores averaging in the 90th percentile or better for her direct reports and her organization. She is a servant leader with experience leading service line operation management, large scale system-wide deployments, business development, and strategic implementation. 

    Genea joined Sutter Health as an Administrative Fellow in 2009 at Sutter Delta Medical Center, where she was the Manager of the Outpatient Care Unit and the Wound Care Center. Genea was also on Sutter’s first lean team, previously known as the Sutter Operating System as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Leader. She was promoted to Senior Strategy Implementation Manager where she was responsible for the implementation of large-scale strategic initiatives to support the achievement of Sutter Health’s system-wide strategic plan, such as the implementation of the Sutter Shared Services (S3) Contact Center and the Health Information Exchange (HIE). In 2015, Genea returned to patient care operations as a Director of Operations at Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Silicon Valley. A few years later she became the Service Line Executive for the Continuum of Primary Care at Sutter Bay Medical Foundation with oversight for clinics within four bay area counties. In her tenure, Genea has earned experience in primary care, women’s health, hospital medicine, medical and surgical subspecialty service lines. 

    Genea is a 2020 alumna of the Harvard Business School where she won the strategy competition in her cohort of 93 international executive leaders in the Executive General Management Program. She earned a Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration from California State University Northridge. She is a former adjunct professor in the Master of Health Administration program at USC, an experienced board member and enjoys spending quality time with her two children and husband. 

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