session Descriptions

  WIID 2021
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Session Descriptions
9:00 - 9:15 AM
Welcome
Scholarship Recipients
Sponsor Recognition

Main Stage 
Alyssa Richardson
Emcee

9:15 - 10:00
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Lunch Keynote: SC Ports Authority

Main Stage

Barbara Melvin will take the helm of the SC ports authority July 1, 2022, becoming the first female COO of a major port. She will give an update on the port, how they are growing to support our businesses, and her vision for the future. She will also speak to her journey to this position and her lessons learned.  ​
​ 
​
​Dr. Mary Thornley
Trident Technical College

​Dr. Barbara Melvin
SC Ports Authority

10:00-10:15 AM
Networking/ Break

  Breakout Session 1

10:15 - 11:15 AM
Influence the Outcome
​
Room A

​There has never been a better time to grow your influence. Using her Influence 90 Program, Betsy will show you how to grow your influence for high performance results for you and your team. Get a glimpse into her program and gain perspective into how to be an effective leader. 
Betsy Hayden
Awesome Focus


10:15 - 11:15 AM
SC Launch - Women Entrepreneurs
​
Room B 

​When women thrive in leadership roles, organizations benefit. Three executive women will share their past experiences professionally and personally to encourage others to enter the field of tech, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship and help those already in tech to thrive.


Molly Copple
SCRA -Panel Moderator
Patti Leahy
Enterprise Investors
Angela Ortiz
New Forge Tech
Jen Thorson
Modjoul



10:15 - 11:15 AM
526 Plan
​
Room C

Significant infrastructure investments are being planned to upgrade our aging highway system in SC.  SCDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are finalizing an Environmental Impact Statement for the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor Project in the Charleston Region of SC.  This project will be the largest infrastructure project in SCDOT’s history.  Near I-526’s interchange with I-26, the project is set in a densely developed area including four low-income, minority neighborhoods that have been historically impacted by multiple modes of transportation in the region.  Learn about the challenges, meaningful engagements and innovative solutions encountered in the process of building equity into this major interstate improvement project. 
Joy Riley
SC DOT

10:15 - 11:15 AM
Crisis Management: Communication in the Pandemic
​
Room D

Effective communication is crucial throughout a crisis. As Communications Specialist to 1500 associates at the Robert Bosch Charleston Plant - transparent, concise communication is key in keeping our associates trust. I will discuss our industry response to the COVID-19 crisis, my personal success factors for crisis communication, achievements and lessons learned. By sharing with you how I navigated my journey, I hope to provide you with the fundamentals on communicating during a crisis!
Mariah Fleming
Robert Bosch

11:15-11:45 AM 
Buffet Lunch
Conference Center Lobby and Main 
12:00- 1:45 PM
Keynote: Empowered Women, Empower Women
Main Stage 
​
An environment that lacks diversity can be isolating and do harm.   How do we create, maintain, and support a culture of empowerment for each other and for ourselves?  Learn about my journey to empowerment and a life’s work of empowering women.

LaVanda Brown
    ​YWCA Greater Charleston


12:45-1:00 PM
Networking/ Break

1:00- 1:45 PM
Afternoon Keynote: Wage Equality
Main Stage
​
The journey toward gender pay equality continues, and while we are making some progress, we still have a ways to go.  During this presentation we’ll discuss the current state of wage equality in the US and then, more importantly, talk about what organizations and individuals can do to continue closing the gap.


Katrina Thompson
DHG LLC



1:45-2:00 PM
Networking/ Break
Breakout Session 2

2:00-3:00 PM
A Leader's Mindset
Room A

Change. As professionals in the technology industry, we have chosen a career path where change is a common occurrence. Yet, how are some of us able to consistently flourish in this environment, proving resilient while others of us struggle? Why are some organizations thriving in ambiguity, using it to fuel innovation while other organizations falter? While many look to those answers in strategy and execution excellence, the true answer lies in our mindset. In this session, former Microsoft executive, Jamie Tozzi, will discuss the power of Growth Mindset at the personal, team and organizational levels. She will also share concrete tools for using our mindset to improve communication impact, create true customer obsession, and lead effectively at all levels. Jamie will also share examples of some of the successes and (let’s just call them) learning opportunities from her time at Microsoft that will demonstrate the power of these tools in action.  Whether you are a senior executive in your organization looking for strategies to build stronger culture in your organization or an early in career team member focused on growing your personal leadership, this session will encourage and motivate you to action.
Jamie Tozzi

2:00 - 3:00 PM
Women in Leadership: Why Companies Should Care
​
Room B

Research has shown that women in leadership bring enormous skills to the table. These can be measured financially, in employee retention rates, and in overall well being of the organization. Join three Charleston Women in Tech (ChsWIT) leaders as they present why companies should promote and invest in women leaders and what we as women can do to further ourselves in our companies.

​
​Jessica Brewer
3Together
Rachel Downing
AmplifiedAg
Jenny Schutzman
Liberty Mutual Insurance

2:00 - 3:00 PM
How to Create a Highly Functional Team
​
Room C

​Creating a highly functional team is an important part of success as an organization and as a company. As vital as this is, it is also one of the most daunting tasks most leaders take on. I want to share my experience as a Technical leader who led a team of 12 highly competent Techies with varied levels of experience. I am no expert and I don’t believe my ideas are novel but I believe I have figured out a good recipe for success.
Ullas Perez
The Boeing Company
​

2:00 - 3:00 PM

We Want You!

​Room D
Information privacy is one of the hottest professions in today's job market.  This frenetic interest in data protection opens a multitude of career opportunities across every industry. Consider this your invitation!  Get a glimpse into a day in the life of a privacy professional, the career paths available, and the impact of the profession on society.

Microsoft Teals Program
The Microsoft TEALS program pairs industry volunteers with high school teachers to help build sustainable CS programs for all students. The session will share how the program is developing the next generation of women in tech and how you can get involved.


Theo Wills
Kuma, LLC

Robin Willis
Microsoft TEALS

3:00-3:15 PM
Networking/ Break

3:15 - 4:00 PM
"Man" - el 
Main Stage 
We are pleased to announce the honorees for our 2022 "Man"-el. These men were nominated and chosen based on their proven record of supporting and empowering women in the workplace. Each has provided a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment. Hear from these men at our afternoon "Man"-el on the main stage. You don't want to miss it!
Alyssa Richardson
​Moderator

Dr. Nelson Akwari

​The Boeing Company
Dr. Todd Ashby

Charleston Southern University
Kevin Graham
​Volvo Cars
Rocco Tomasso

​The Boeing Company

4:00 PM
Social
Conference Center Lobby

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  • Home
  • About
    • Executive Committee 2022
  • Conference Schedule
  • Sessions
  • Speakers
  • "Man"-el
  • Sponsors
  • Scholarship
  • COVID-19