Local Profile’s 23rd annual Women in Business Summit, presented by Baylor Scott & White Health, is set for Sept. 13, 2024, at Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel.
This year, over 600 powerhouse women from various sectors including global enterprise, non-profit, small business and government will gather to celebrate, unite and empower each other to turn big ideas into reality.
Tickets are selling out quickly! Buy your ticket here.
One of Local Profile's esteemed speakers,Tatsumi Paredes, is the senior manager, diversity and inclusion at Toyota North America. She is responsible for providing executive-level consultation to leaders, partnering with them to develop strategies to advance diversity and inclusion across the organization. She is also an expert in diversity and inclusion identifying and implementing best practices.
Paredes has 25 years of automotive industry experience. She is a change agent skilled in marketing, branding, communications, culture building, education and team member development. She has a passion for leading highly engaged teams that bring innovative ideas to life. Her experience prior to DEI include human resources, marketing and brand and customer service. Paredes earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in communications from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
What idea has impacted you the most in your field?
My background is rooted in marketing, branding and communications. I also have several years of HR experience. It was by chance that I entered the diversity and inclusion space six years ago. My biggest learning was taking small acts of inclusion training. Inclusion is a business imperative. In the course we learned that every interaction is a moment of truth. The more we can help each other feel like we matter — that we belong — and that someone cares about us as human beings, the better we will collaborate, come up with new ideas and achieve goals that sometimes seem impossible. So, take the time to invite that new person to grab coffee. Send a handwritten note to express gratitude. Make a few good friends at work. By learning about inclusive behaviors, it has made me a better leader and a better person overall.
How do you deal with setbacks?
Setbacks are learning opportunities. Being able to sit down and give some thought as to what I could have done better, is a learning moment for me. It helps me be better and better. In addition, I remind myself that there may also be several factors beyond my control. For whatever reason, the stars did not align this time, but I stay positive because I know there will always be opportunities in the future.
What do you do when an idea strikes?
I love brainstorming and coming up with new and innovative ideas. When I have a new idea, I will go to two or three people I trust and ask them for their honest feedback. If they like it, I ask them to lean in and help me make the idea become a reality.
What was the most difficult decision you’ve made in your career so far?
As a mother of two wonderful boys, I made a conscious decision when they were young that I was no longer open to positions with heavy travel. At the time it was a difficult decision because I felt like that would put me at a disadvantage since I was not as flexible as my peers. Fast forward 15 years, I can confidently tell you that it did not slow down my professional growth. In fact, it stretched me to seek out roles in departments that I had not considered before. So yes, I still moved up the career ladder plus I was able to attend school plays, basketball practices and be present with my family. No regrets!
What is the biggest mistake you see women making when advancing their careers?
I do not believe in competing with each other. If anything, we need to help each other advance in our careers. And once one of us gets to that next level, we have a responsibility to pull others up with us through coaching, mentoring and sponsoring.
How do you define success?
My good friend and mentee has often said “success is the fulfillment of purpose.” Success is feeling good about being able to make a difference — big or small.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Trust your gut. This advice has never failed me.
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This isn't just an event—it's a movement! Join over 600 powerhouse women from various sectors including global enterprise, non-profit, small business and government as we celebrate, unite and empower each other to turn BIG IDEAS into reality.
Seize this opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. You deserve to be among the North Texas community's leading ladies, shaping BIG IDEAS and making an impact that reverberates far beyond the summit.
Speakers & Panelists
- Marianne Radley, CMO, Smoothie King
- Melody Lennox, People Operations Executive
- Ginny Kissling, Global President & COO, Ryan
- Nora Gomez, CMO, Nebraska Furniture Mart
- Hedy Popson, President & CEO, Productions Plus
- Beth Garvey, President, CEO & Chair, BGSF
- Angela Hutson, SVP, Chief Accounting Officer, BSWHealth
- Sharon Ramage, Founder, The Ramage Law Group
- Lisa Clawson, SVP, Market Manager Private Wealth, Bank of Texas
- Tatsumi Paredes, Senior Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, TOYOTA
Expect:
- Networking: Sip mimosas while forging invaluable connections during our morning networking session. Don't forget to strike a pose at our photobooth and capture the moment with watercolor portraits, painted live!
- Speaker Sessions: Hear from influential speakers and engage in thought-provoking panel discussions centered around BIG IDEAS.
- Post-Event Celebration: Wrap up the day on a high note at our post-event happy hour hosted at the trendy Bulla Gastrobar.
Schedule
10 - 11:30 a.m. Mimosas & Networking with live water color portrait artist, Kiss-N-Teller, photobooth and more!
11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Seated Lunch
- Keynote Addresses with Marianne Radley, CMO at Smoothie King and Melody Lennox, People Operations Executive
- Two Powerhouse Panels featuring esteemed local female leaders
- Coffee Break & Networking
3 p.m. Happy Hour at Bulla Gastrobar
