SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After careful consideration and monitoring of public health advisories, Bryant University has announced that the 2020 Women’s Summit® will move forward as a virtual conference on Wednesday, June 10. More than 1,000 women and men from around the region are expected to gather virtually for the 23rd annual Summit.
“Although we held out hope that postponing the Women’s Summit until June 10 would allow us to gather together as we have for the past 22 years, we have followed the governor’s guidelines and believe this new format is the safest alternative for our Women’s Summit community,” says Kati Machtley, Director of the Women’s Summit®.
“We all need to ‘Expand Our Vision’ to meet the many challenges ahead. To navigate these changes, women must be at the table.”
“We are undergoing a dramatic shift in the way that we think, live, and work as a result of the recent pandemic. This change is resulting in a greater dependence on technology for business, commerce, education, lifestyle, and recreation,” says Machtley. “We all need to ‘Expand Our Vision’ to meet the many challenges ahead. To navigate these changes, women must be at the table.”
“The most exciting news is that with the virtual format of the 2020 Women’s Summit, we will post recordings of all 22 breakout sessions and two keynote addresses which we will make available to our attendees from June 15 to July 1, 2020. That will allow them to view every session during the two weeks following the Women’s Summit,” says Machtley.
This year’s theme remains “2020: Expand Your Vision,” where keynote speakers will share inspiring stories of how seeing beyond the horizon (and in one case, the stratosphere), enabled them to achieve success and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Modeling great flexibility, the Women’s Summit® speakers and sponsors are working with the co-chairs and committee members to make the transition to a virtual platform a success. This year's featured keynote speakers are:
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Opening Keynote: Laura K. Ipsen, President and CEO of Ellucian®, the leading provider of software and services built to power higher education. Ipsen is a 25-year Silicon Valley veteran who has previously held leadership roles and worked to drive transformation at Oracle, Microsoft, and Cisco Systems.
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Power Plenary Speaker: Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer, Target. Ward achieved success through her ability to lead through change. She served on the board of directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service under two Presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
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Luncheon Keynote Speaker: Mae Jemison, M.D., first woman of color in space, and Founder and President of the Jemison Group and 100 Year Starship®. Jemison, an audacious and pioneering polymath, is a leading voice for science, social responsibility, and education. Today, she is paving the way for human interstellar travel.
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Closing Keynote Speaker: Susan David, Ph.D., CEO of Evidence Based Psychology, is one of the world’s leading management thinkers and an award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist who has authored the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book “Emotional Agility.” Her TED talk on the topic went viral in its first week of release.
One of the longest-running and most popular conferences held in New England, the Women's Summit® has sold out nearly every year. Notable keynote speakers over the years include: Viola Davis, Arianna Huffington, Geraldine Ferraro, Jane Pauley, Suze Orman, Sherron Watkins, Mary McDonnell, Mika Brzezinski, Carla Harris, Soledad O'Brien, Geena Davis, and Sally Krawcheck.
More Women’s Summit® 2020 highlights
In addition to the four inspiring keynote speakers, the Women’s Summit will also feature 22 virtual breakout sessions and panel discussions, led by presenters who are experts in their fields. These educationally enriching sessions include topics on leadership, communication, finance, entrepreneurship, personal branding, diversity, health and wellness, technology, and career advancement. All of these sessions plus two keynote addresses will be available to those who attend the Women’s Summit until July 1, 2020.
Find out more
For more information on registration, speakers, breakout sessions, and sponsors, visit https://wsummit.bryant.edu.
