Local Profile’s 23rd annual Women in Business Summit, presented by Baylor Scott & White Health, was hosted on Sept. 13, 2024, at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel.
This year, over 600 powerhouse women dressed in “business with pizzazz” from various sectors including global enterprise, non-profit, small business and government gathered to celebrate, unite and empower each other to turn big ideas into reality.
The day began with networking and mimosas, presented by Ryan. Guests had the opportunity to meet new people and catch up with old friends while enjoying complimentary headshots, watercolor paintings, makeup and hair touch-ups and more.
The main event kicked off with a very special guest: Shammah Joy. She kicked things off with her song “BEST DAY EVER” which echoed Local Profile Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rebecca Silvestri's own “Best Day Ever” mantra.
This year’s theme, “Big Ideas,” inspired audience members to think big in every aspect of their lives. People Operations Executive Melody Lenox’s keynote address shared her anagram of LIVE: Lead, inspire, value and empower. She asked the audience to think about how they live and what impact it has. “It’s about how I am showing up every day,” Lenox said. “My leadership doesn’t start when I get into the office. My leadership starts when I open my eyes at home.”
The first panel featured Angela Hutson, SVP and chief accounting officer at BSWHealth; Sharon Ramage, founder of The Ramage Law Group; Lisa Clawson, SVP and market manager for private wealth at Bank of Texas; and Tatsumi Paredes, senior manager of diversity and inclusion at Toyota. The panelists offered wisdom from top leaders in their corresponding industries. Each speaker discussed pushing when it gets hard, not letting the “nos” dictate their lives and learning from mistakes.
“Sometimes you don’t know what will work until it doesn’t,” Ramage said. “ You don’t have to know how it will turn out at the end before you take action.”
Following the panel, the second keynote speaker, former CMO of Smoothie King Marianne Radley, spoke of being a woman in a heavily male beverage industry. Despite the challenges she faced, she quickly made a name for herself, dominating leadership roles. Radley said having confidence in herself is the biggest reason for her success.
“Believe in your abilities and trust your instincts,” she said. “This will empower you to take on new challenges.” She urged the audience to silence their inner critic and have faith in what they can accomplish. “Your worth is not defined by the people around you, it's what you bring.”
The final speakers of the day, Ginny Kissling, global president and COO at Ryan; Nora Gomez, CMO of Nebraska Furniture Mart; and Hedy Popson, president and CEO of Productions Plus; Beth Garvey, president, CEO and chair of BGSF, spoke on innovation and cultivating big ideas.
During the panel, the women discussed surrounding themselves with support systems that can not only give advice, but provide them with the tools to be successful. “They are the ones who get you where you are,” Gomez said. “They have the faith that you can do it.”
The group also spoke about being a support system and mentor for those who may otherwise not have one. “Sometimes just getting that first person a job can not only change their life, but a generation,” Garvey said. “It comes down to the power of knowing that what we do every day can change the trajectory of someone’s life, their family’s and often the community.”
The day ended with happy hour at Bulla Gastrobar for wine, paella, relaxation and even more networking.
To learn more about North Texas’ women in business, check out Local Profile’s women’s issue here.
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