This article was originally posted on LinkedIn.
Recent Women of Leadership 3rd Annual Summit, ACG Event in NYC, January 20th, 2016- Key Takeaways
I want to share some of the insights gained from this sold-out conference held recently in NYC. The opening keynote was Diane Schumaker-Kieg, Global Head Economics and Strategy, Wells Fargo. She gave us a stirring overview of her career trajectory starting with building out her own research practice and then moving up the corporate ladder. She had great advice that resonated with both junior and senior level executives; one of the highlights included a discussion of the differences between sponsors and mentors.
Next on the agenda were two breakout sessions, Setting the Tone for the First 100 Days: Putting your Acquisition on the Right Track and Regulatory Update, What’s in Store for 2016. In the first session the focus was on the critical importance of assessing leadership talent in newly acquired portfolio companies while the second session provided a comprehensive review of the current regulatory context.
Another breakout session, Women Entrepreneur’s Spotlight: Why Investors are Taking Notice featured 25 year old Liz Wessel, Co –Founder and CEO of WayUp who has raised $9.1 million in VC funding. Her company is the “go-to” for college students and employers, matching talent with opportunities. Liz’s infectious energy and cogent business sense were an inspiration to all.
The last session I attended was The Evolving Consumer, Key Insights for 2016 which focused on the disruption taking place in traditional brick and mortar retailing coupled with a discussion of emerging marketing trends focusing on the millennial consumer. A full afternoon, topped off with wine and networking at the end of the day.