Business & Economy

UWF College of Business hosts eighth annual Women in Leadership Conference

The University of West Florida College of Business Executive Mentor Program hosted its eighth annual Women in Leadership Conference on Friday, March 11, reaching a sold-out crowd of more than 430 students, young professionals and executives in attendance, as well as over 300 who attended online via livestream.

UWF Women in Leadership speaker Dr. Deborah German, the vice president of health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida

The University of West Florida College of Business Executive Mentor Program hosted its eighth annual Women in Leadership Conference on Friday, March 11, reaching a sold-out crowd of more than 430 students, young professionals and executives in attendance, as well as over 300 who attended online via livestream.

“It’s incredible how this annual conference has grown and evolved over the years,” said Dr. Sherry Hartett, conference chair, author, professor and founder of the UWF College of Business Executive Mentor Program. “I’m so pleased that we had record-breaking attendance this year in-person and virtually. I truly appreciate all the fantastic speakers, sponsors and volunteers for making a difference. The attendees learned something new, met new people and left feeling energized, motivated and inspired.”

The conference educates the next generation of business leaders destined to positively impact the state of Florida, resonating with well-established career women and those just beginning their careers. Remarkably successful women, including CEOs from across the state, shared their stories through inspiring speeches and panels dedicated to both personal inspiration and practical application.

UWF President Martha D. Saunders welcomed the crowd before emcee Mayela Rojas Sanchez, co-founder/executive VP of Media Vista Group, introduced the morning keynote speaker, Dr. Deborah German, the vice president of health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida. German’s address, “Building the Life You Want, Achieving Career Success and Personal Happiness,” focused on how dreams and belief systems can support or sabotage efforts to achieve career and personal success.

“We make our greatest contribution to humankind and the world when we’re doing what we love,” German said. “Leadership is about those we lead. Without them there is no leader. The work of a leader enables each of those who follow us to achieve their fullest potential.”

This year’s conference featured numerous panel discussions for both in-person and virtual attendees. Morning sessions included “Leading with an Equity Lens,” where leaders representing a cross-section of industries shared their equity-centered approach to leadership and systems thinking. Kerry-Anne Royes, president and CEO for YWCA South Florida served as moderator. Panelists included:

  • Kim Aderholdt, vice president of Greater Pensacola Operations, Navy Federal Credit Union
  • Bemetra Simmons, president & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership
  • Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County
  • Kim Madison, senior vice president, associate general counsel, Strategic Property Partners LLC

Over lunch, attendees had the choice between a conference titled “Hitting the Pause Button: A Conversation about Career Transitions,” featuring Vivianne Bohorques, former COO of The Children’s Trust and Maria Hane, interim museum director of the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, or a DIY networking lunch in the Argo Galley.

The afternoon sessions included an in-person and virtual panel discussion titled “Climbing Up while Reaching Back,” focusing on critical strategies to purposefully and successfully climb the professional ladder along with the intersectionality of mentoring and lifting others to grow their own careers. Panelists included:

  • Juliet M. Roulhac, regional director of external affairs, Florida Power & Light Company
  • Shantel Davis, VP and group manager – Southeast Region, The Greenbrier Companies
  • Dr. Sherry Hartnett, author, professor, University of West Florida; and founder, College of Business Executive Mentor Program
  • Valerie Read, director, Universal Orlando Foundation and Universal Orlando Resort Community Relations
  • Tara Duhy, land use & real estate law practice group chair, Lewis, Longman, & Walker

Moderator Noelle Goulart, senior corporate director of marketing for Acute Care Hospitals, Orlando Health, presided over the final afternoon session for in-person and virtual participants, “Women Who Care: Leading with Purpose and Passion in the Healthcare Industry.” The panel was comprised of Barbara Fonte, vice president of managed care and population health for Jackson Health System, The Public Health Trust of Miami Dade County; Dawn Rudolph, president of Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital; and Amy Ruth, senior vice president for Human Services Group, CHRO and Guidewell/Florida Blue.

Virtual sessions throughout the day featured the following panelists:

  • Jeanette Yeager, vice president, Greatness Inc & 180 Communications
  • Sunem Beaton Garcia, president, Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Dr. Anna Lebesch, Senior VP, Strategy and Talent Development, JAXUSA Partnership
  • Tiffany Moore Russell, clerk of the circuit court, Orange County Clerk of the Court
  • Dr. Stacy Chambers, superintendent, Florida State University Schools
  • Tara Duhy, land use & real estate law practice group chair, Lewis, Longman, & Walker
  • Vivianne Bohorques, former COO, The Children’s Trust
  • Maria Hane, interim museum director of the Museum of Arts & Sciences, Daytona Beach, FL
  • Kerry-Ann Royes, president & CEO, YWCA South Florida
  • Shantel Davis, vice president & group manager, southeast region, The Greenbrier Companies
  • Kimberly Madison, senior vice president and associate general counsel, Strategic Property Partners, LLC
  • Bemetra Simmons, president & CEO, Tampa Bay Partnership
  • Valerie Read, director, Universal Orlando Foundation and Universal Orlando Resort Community Relations
  • Kaya Man, destination sales manager, Visit Pensacola
  • Jennifer McFarren, manager, corporate social responsibility, Navy Federal Credit Union
  • Allison Hill, president & CEO, Lakeview Center, Inc.
  • Emily Homan, digital marketing and sales manager, Cox Communications

The closing keynote, “Leading from Within,” was delivered by Gwen Graham, assistant secretary for legislation and congressional affairs for the U.S. Department of Education.

“Genuine leadership comes from within each of us, forged by the experiences of our lives,” Graham said. “Each of us has a unique life journey with experiences both good and bad that shape us into the people we are and will become and the leaders we are for our teams.”

For more information about the Women in Leadership Conference, visit uwf.edu/wilc