4th Annual JHU Women in Business Affinity Conference Agenda

Agenda

8:30am-9:30am

Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:30am-10:15am

Keynote Speaker
Alicia Rodriguez

Bringing it Together: Finding your pathway to FIERCE
Woman, mother, sister, professional, artist, daughter, leader…each woman is made up of multiple roles and identities. Our keynote speaker will introduce the concept of conscious living and share the story of her journey to becoming FIERCE. Beginning with her adventures in an Ecuadorian rainforest and leading to her role as a successful entrepreneur and leadership advisor; writer, storyteller, and mentor Alicia Rodriguez will leave you leave inspired and ready to begin your personal journey to finding your FIERCE.

10:30am-11:30am

Breakout Session I

(Choice of four)

Career
Take A Seat:
Using Board Participation to Propel Your Professional Self 

Speaker: Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow
Boards play a significant role in the success of a business but, despite research which demonstrates that boards with higher levels of gender diversity outperformed the others in return on equity, sales, and invested capital by more than 40% (across most industries), female representation on boards continues to hover around 20%.

In this session, Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow will share the significance of her experiences as a board member as they relate to her professional growth and success. She will discuss how to position yourself for a board appointment, lead a dialogue highlighting the many benefits of board service, and help you determine if a seat on a board can help you reach your professional goals.

Professional Development
A Powerful Pitch 

Speaker: D. Yvonne Rivers
We’ve all heard that saying, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” When it comes to business, this impression is often shared through a pitch. Whether you are pitching yourself as an asset or collaborator, selling your venture's value proposition, or persuading an audience to gain broad buy-in to a concept, the ability to “pitch” is an invaluable tool to have at the ready. Your delivery can be the difference between winning big or striking out. Join Yvonne Rivers for this interactive session to learn how to develop and deliver a razor sharp pitch so the next time you find yourself on the mound you’ll be sure to hit your mark!

Personal Branding
“Hello. It’s me.”
Using Your Personal Brand to Move You from New to Known

Speaker: Abby Kohut
From McDonald’s to Apple, you’re familiar with big business branding. A brand is what organizations use to identify themselves in the market and plays an integral role in how consumers feel about a company. But what about you? Each and every one of us has a personal brand that can drive us to reach our goals or set up road blocks along the way.

Join Abby Kohut as she shares her story of reinvention. From recruiter to motivational speaker and career counselor, Absolutely Abby is on a mission to get one million people back to work. Whether you’re looking for a career wake-up call or just need a little guidance on how to put your best foot forward, let her guide you on your path to career domination!

Finance
Get Fiscally Fit: Focus on Financial Wellness 
Speaker: 
Jania Stout
We all know the importance of keeping your body healthy, but what about your wallet? Financial wellness is not only as important as your physical health, but can contribute to it. Join Jania Stout for a nuts and bolts session focused on developing a financial strategy and increasing your financial confidence – the underpinnings of financial health. Learn how to flex your fiscal muscles to achieve long and short term goals, enhance your financial security, and manage the life changes that might come your way in 2016 and beyond.

11:45am-12:45pm

Breakout Session II

(Choice of four - repeat of first sessions)

Career
Take A Seat:
Using Board Participation to Propel Your Professional Self 

Speaker: Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow
Boards play a significant role in the success of a business but, despite research which demonstrates that boards with higher levels of gender diversity outperformed the others in return on equity, sales, and invested capital by more than 40% (across most industries), female representation on boards continues to hover around 20%.

In this session, Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow will share the significance of her experiences as a board member as they relate to her professional growth and success. She will discuss how to position yourself for a board appointment, lead a dialogue highlighting the many benefits of board service, and help you determine if a seat on a board can help you reach your professional goals.

Professional Development
A Powerful Pitch 

Speaker: D. Yvonne Rivers
We’ve all heard that saying, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” When it comes to business, this impression is often shared through a pitch. Whether you are pitching yourself as an asset or collaborator, selling your venture's value proposition, or persuading an audience to gain broad buy-in to a concept, the ability to “pitch” is an invaluable tool to have at the ready. Your delivery can be the difference between winning big or striking out. Join Yvonne Rivers for this interactive session to learn how to develop and deliver a razor sharp pitch so the next time you find yourself on the mound you’ll be sure to hit your mark!

Personal Branding
“Hello. It’s me.”
Using Your Personal Brand to Move You from New to Known

Speaker: Abby Kohut
From McDonald’s to Apple, you’re familiar with big business branding. A brand is what organizations use to identify themselves in the market and plays an integral role in how consumers feel about a company. But what about you? Each and every one of us has a personal brand that can drive us to reach our goals or set up road blocks along the way.

Join Abby Kohut as she shares her story of reinvention. From recruiter to motivational speaker and career counselor, Absolutely Abby is on a mission to get one million people back to work. Whether you’re looking for a career wake-up call or just need a little guidance on how to put your best foot forward, let her guide you on your path to career domination!

Finance
Get Fiscally Fit: Focus on Financial Wellness 
Speaker: 
Jania Stout
We all know the importance of keeping your body healthy, but what about your wallet? Financial wellness is not only as important as your physical health, but can contribute to it. Join Jania Stout for a nuts and bolts session focused on developing a financial strategy and increasing your financial confidence – the underpinnings of financial health. Learn how to flex your fiscal muscles to achieve long and short term goals, enhance your financial security, and manage the life changes that might come your way in 2016 and beyond.

1:00pm-2:00pm

Networking Lunch
followed by
Food For Thought - Health, Wellness and Community Outreach

2:00pm-2:30pm

Community Outreach Partners

My Sister’s Circle exposes at-risk girls to opportunities and experiences that empower them to define success for themselves, make intentional decisions about their future, and become self-sufficient young women. We will hear from three JHU Women in Business Affinity members who are engaged with this amazing organization and who will share their personal stories.

2:30pm-3:15pm

Closing Session  Wellness
Meditation and Mindfulness is a Basic Right

Speaker: Jasmine Chehrazi, founder of Yoga District and Yoga Activist
Founded on the belief that access to mindfulness resources is not a luxury, but a basic right. Yoga District is dedicated to making yoga accessible to everyone through a variety of class types and practices. Yoga District is tied closely with Yoga Activist (the non-profit arm of Yoga District), which offers web-based resources, training, and classes to communities who might not otherwise participate in yoga. During our closing session, join Jasmine as she discusses her community-based business model and ends our day with meditation and mindfulness.

 3:15pm-3:30pm

Closing Remarks / Summary