Women's Executive Forum 2021 Session Information

To kick off the day wellness expert Dr. Kim Bercovitz will lead us through a mindfulness exercise focused on setting your intention for the day. Then, together we will launch into a small group ice breaker activity for a high energy program start!

Dr. Kim will join us again at 2 p.m. for a few yoga stretches for the desk athlete to help us refocus in the afternoon.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Kim is a health behavior scientist and professional speaker on a mission to make wellness easy and accessible. She leverages the virtual event as a “teachable moment” to make this happen.

With her EAT/SLEEP/MOVE/BREATHE approach to self-care, Dr. Kim created a Virtual Wellness Lounge to help meeting participants be in the best frame of mind and body for virtual and hybrid events. The Lounge is equipped with a video micro-break library; video lessons and worksheets about self-care, healthy eating and sleep hygiene; and a wellness resource center.

Dr. Kim has a Ph.D. in Community Health from the University of Toronto where she was an adjunct professor and is a former National Cancer Institute of Canada postdoctoral fellow. She worked at renowned Toronto teaching hospitals, consulted to pharmaceutical companies and health organizations, and taught chronic disease exercise classes.

Outside of academia, Dr. Kim is a 200-hour Yoga Alliance accredited yoga instructor, American College of Sports Medicine accredited pole walking instructor, BoneFit trained (Osteoporosis Canada), and trained in diabetes and older adult exercise, wellness coaching, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Dr. Kim is a SHRM (Society for Human Resources Management) Recertification Provider and EIC (Events Industry Council) Preferred Provider. Byte-Size Wellness Academy has been approved by both organizations to offer professional development and continuing education credits.

Session Sponsored by:
Byte-Size Wellness with Dr. Kim

Whatever you call them, having a personal board of directors (PBOD) is essential to business and career success. Developing your PBOD will help you grow your business, advance your career, and guide your decision-making process. Join us to identify who you need on your PBOD to set yourself up for success.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss how your goals impact who should be on your PBOD and why
• Measure the impact and influence of your PBOD
• Examine when to shift members on and off your PBOD

Session Sponsored by:
Travel Portland

We are excited to honor Mary Lynn Fayoumi, President & CEO of HR Source as the 2021 Woman of Influence. Join us as Mary Lynn shares her career journey, lessons learned along the way, and advice for women in the association industry.

About the Speaker:

Mary Lynn Fayoumi, CAE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is the President and CEO of HR Source, a Chicago-based employers’ association with over 1100 member organizations. She is a highly respected speaker, trainer and advisor and an accepted authority on a variety of workplace issues including culture, employment trends, and HR management. Countless organizations have benefited from her expertise during her twenty plus years at the association.

Mary Lynn is a prolific writer, quoted and published regularly in a variety of industry publications. She currently serves on the World at Work Board of Directors and is Past Chair of the Board of Directors for both the Association Forum of Chicagoland and the Employer Associations of America. She is also an Advisory Board Member of the Community Memorial Foundation. Mary Lynn was honored by Crain’s Chicago Business as a Notable Leader in HR in 2020.

Mary Lynn is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Industrial Relations/Human Resources. She also holds an MBA with honors from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Session Sponsored by:
Bank of America & Innerworkings

The global pandemic has taught us many things including the critical to need to uncover and manage potential risks that could jeopardize the future financial health and wellbeing of the organizations we lead. The same is true for you and your personal well-being. As you focus on creating a sound future for your association, it is essential that you also focus on yourself and prioritize creating your sound personal future to ensure you’re making the most of this one precious life. Join this engaging session and learn strategies to fulfill your dreams and help create the kind of world you want to live in.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss essential steps all women can take to be in control of our money and fuel our life’s purpose
• Develop a framework to prepare both your organization and yourself for future financial stability
• Recommend steps you can take to own your financial power and align your finances with your future

About the Speaker:

Barbara is a Principal of CAP STRAT, and Founder of the CAP STRAT Women’s Forum. She primarily focuses on business development and raising awareness of CAP STRAT’s investment advisory and asset management services for institutions and individuals.  

Barbara also co-leads their Women's Forum initiative, developing programing, conducting programs, and using it as a vehicle to support, empower and advocate for women, especially to own their voice and power over their financial resources so they can enjoy success and fulfillment in all aspects of life. 

Barbara has been identified as one of Chicago's Most Influential Women by the Chicago Business Journal and has been recognized for her community service and leadership. She has always been involved as an active contributor, volunteer, and leader in various organizations. She currently is a Board Member of the Women in Entrepreneurship Institute at DePaul, and she is Vice Chair of Women Leaders in Philanthropy for the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation.   

Barbara received her B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, from Boston College and studied at London School of Economics and Faculte des Lettres in France; and received a Business Certificate in Finance from the Professional Program of New York University. Barbara has received the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and PLANSPONSOR Retirement Professional (PRP) designations.

We are at a turning point in the association industry where CEOs must be bold and take risks to ensure the security of their association's future success. In this session, Wylecia Wiggs Harris, PhD, CAE, will share how she implemented changes to improve her organization and who she leaned on for guidance throughout the process. With a combination of an informal group of advisors and a formal advisory council, Dr. Harris developed new strategic initiatives to achieve organizational goals. Learn how you can confidently make the changes needed at your organization and discuss pain points with fellow CEOs.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss how to surround yourself with a support system when in the CEO role
• Describe how to align internal stakeholders when making an organizational change
• Explore strategies for dealing with uncertainty

About the Speaker:

Hailed as an innovative leader with a vision for transformative growth, Wylecia Wiggs Harris, PhD, CAE, is the Chief Executive Officer for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the leading voice for health information management, impacting one billion patient visits each year through health data integrity and best practices.

Dr. Harris holds a Ph.D. in organizational development from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota; a master of management degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; and both a bachelor and honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She is an ASAE-certified executive director, and a member of HIMSS, Chief, ASAE, Association Forum and other organizations. She is a member of the Associate Board Council for the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs. As an acclaimed speaker, Dr. Harris has spoken at numerous global events including Frontiers Health 2020, Operation: Health, mHealth Israel and the GCC eHealth Workforce Development Conference.

Dr. Harris's commitment to diversity is evident in her approach to ensuring an accurate reflection of representation across race, gender, and underrepresented populations. She has proactively addressed issues within the work environment to bolster equity and inclusion. As AHIMA's CEO, Dr. Harris created new standards, instructing staff to hire the most qualified individuals that AHIMA could afford, and a corresponding directive to open the pool of opportunity to a diverse candidate pool. Now, three years later, there is diversity in the C-suite as well as in VP and director-level positions.

With an interest in authentic and transformation leadership, Dr. Harris coaches and mentors aspiring leaders interested in pursuing C-suite opportunities. Dr. Harris was nominated for the Most Powerful Women in Healthcare IT by Health Data Management in 2018 and 2019.

Session Sponsored by:
BMO Harris

In this interactive workshop, Shanita Akintonde, professor, author, and branding expert will share time-tested business and leadership best practices that she has delivered to audiences spanning from San Diego to South Africa. Through video clips, short stories, and interactive exercises, participants will learn to put the Art of ROARR into action. That is, determined to create breathing room to bloom. Learn time-tested strategies that when properly applied, can propel the personal and/or professional lives of women.

Learning Objectives:

• Recalibrate obstacles and reimaging opportunities
• Revolutionize rhetoric and rewrite rules
• Reject oppression and regain respect

About the Speaker:

Shanita Baraka Akintonde is a firecracker communicator propelled by love. Born in Stuttgart, Germany and raised on Chicago's south side, these days she is a professor, podcast host, author, newspaper columnist, wife and mother who is a BIG believer in the power of women - all that they are and more importantly, what they can DO.

Session Sponsored by:
Synchronicities

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to success in the association industry but there are many ways to set yourself up to achieve your career goals. In this panel discussion we’ll hear from three women who are on very different career paths. They will share their experiences navigating toward their own personal version of success. They’ll share vulnerabilities they’ve had to face on their journey as well as advice for other female executives.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss how to make the most of the challenges you face and turn them into opportunities for growth
• Assess when it is time to move on to the next step in your career
• Explore how to harness your confidence and stand out amongst the crowd

About the Moderator:

Jacqualine Price Osafo, MBA, CAE, is the director of membership and development for the Water Quality Association (WQA).  She has extensive experience in membership, educational design, volunteer management, and sponsorship. She has served and continues to serve in leadership capacities, such as; liaison to the board of directors, member of the association leadership team, numerous committees and task forces, and up to ten special interest groups.  At WQA Jackie changed membership model and benefits for the first time in the history of the association, and developed and deployed the first Business Operations Education program. And at ASGE, Jackie transitioned the Society from an association management company to a stand-alone and increased membership by 97%.

Jackie previously served as chair of the Membership Committee and Forum Forward. During the time period of 2009 to present, Jackie has presented industry related topics globally.  She received the Association Forum’s Professional Achievement Award and is an ASAE 2018-2020 Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) scholar.  Jackie is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).  She earned her MBA from the University of IL at Urbana-Champaign and her BA from DePaul University.

About the Panelists:

Sharon Newport serves as Interim Chief Executive Officer for DHI - Door Security + Safety Professionals and Executive Director for Door Security & Safety Foundation, having served both organizations for over a decade. Sharon’s career has focused on opportunities to be a change leader and storyteller in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., working as a documentary television/film producer and actor for over a decade, including several series for The History Channel, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Sharon has also been invited to facilitate for other associations and their boards, deliver keynotes, and provide executive coaching. A particularly proud moment was keynoting at the inaugural African Society of Association Executives Annual Conference in Nairobi, Kenya along with several association colleagues from the U.S. supporting the launch of this important organization. Sharon enjoys serving as a volunteer in the association community, currently serving on ASAE’s ForesightWorks Advisory Group and leading diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for colleagues and clients at SmithBucklin. Sharon has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, an Executive Certificate from Georgetown University in Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership and her B.F.A. from the State University of New York, Purchase College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Sharon is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and is an ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Program Scholar.  Sharon is a native Washingtonian who enjoys being back in her hometown with her family.

Natasha Bethea is a dynamic association professional, thought leader, and champion committed to the advancement of African American women in today’s competitive workforce. She is the Director of Marketing and Membership at the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) where she leads the strategic direction for ITI’s brand awareness and membership activities. Ms. Bethea also serves on ITI’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) work team where she promotes empowerment and accountability, pushing her team to develop programs and resources that ensure an equitable workplace for all. Ms. Bethea’s work in the association space is highly recognized. In 2018, she was selected as a Forty Under 40 Award recipient by the Association Forum of Chicagoland. In 2019, Ms. Bethea was named one of the 2019-2021 Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) Scholars by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Whether it’s in the board room or in the community, Ms. Bethea remains an advocate committed to bringing several seats to the table with her, raising the profile of women of color across sectors. She serves as the Vice President of Membership for the Metropolitan Washington, DC Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBWDC). As a board member, Ms. Bethea joins 40 other powerhouse women in advocating for Black women and girls in the District of Columbia, promoting leadership development and gender equity. In addition to her work with NCBWDC, Ms. Bethea serves as a board member for the Association for Women in Communications Washington, DC Chapter, supporting the work of women professionals in communications. Ms. Bethea earned her M.S. in Nonprofit and Association Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her B.A. from Howard University. Most recently, Ms. Bethea became a mother to a beautiful baby girl, Nuri Sade, whom she is dedicated to further instilling leadership and empowerment.

Heather Pownall, MBA, CPC, CAE is a certified professional coach and founder of The Confidence Labs, which helps people beat self-doubt and build more confidence so they can achieve more of what truly matters to them in work and life. Heather also hosts a podcast, The Truth about Confidence, which explores the science and art of confidence and spotlights inspiring stories of women's challenges and triumphs. Over the past 15 years, Heather has worked in corporate communications, led marketing for a renewable energy start-up, directed global business development for an international organization for accountants, and served as Chief Development Officer for an association that advocates for women in the science and STEM professions. In addition to leading The Confidence Labs, Heather is currently a strategy consultant for a global cybersecurity organization. Heather holds an MBA from North Carolina State University and is also a proud graduate of the ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Scholar Program, which is driving greater diversity and inclusion in the next generation of nonprofit leadership.

Session Sponsored by:
Visit Omaha

Participate in this action-packed working session, where you will experience a simple, stress-free Life Hack to uncover your potential blind spots and roadblocks. We live in a world where answers are far more important than questions. Yet as 2020 showed us, there are times when answers are hard to come by. While many of us seek solutions less complex than COVID’s cure, we still shy away from asking the tough questions. And too often we don’t create a process to invite questions from others and listen with an open mind. Regrettably, this nearly universal discomfort with uncomfortable questions creates blind spots for all of us. Drawing on research from MIT, this Life Hack delivers results in just 6-minutes. You’ll be glad to have this one in your tool-kit!

Learning Objectives:

• Experience a simple 6-minute, scientifically proven practice to uncover blind spots and remove roadblocks
• Exercise your new capability by applying this method to help others in your breakout group address roadblocks
• Consider existing challenges where you can use this practice to create breakthroughs for your organization and in other areas of your life

Chris Broderick is the founder and president of B.near Global, a People & Culture consulting group. A seasoned management consultant and former Fortune 100 HR executive, Chris’ focus is squarely on maximizing performance for people and companies. As an early adopter of NLP and machine learning techniques, she pioneered real-time insight into workplace issues. As an entrepreneur, Chris married her research findings on high performance with research on human connection, collaboration, innovation, and business growth — helping people and companies do their best work and reach their highest potential now. 

Her organization is focused on people and culture in organizations, as they have developed a framework around truth, trust, and optimism to help people and organizations perform at their peak.  

Click here to learn more about Chris or reach out to her at chris.broderick@bnearglobal.com.

Session Sponsored by:
Barnes & Thornburg