To support and celebrate women business owners, Bank of America hosted the third annual 2024 Women in Business Leadership Conference at the Newark Museum of Art in New Jersey on Wednesday, May 15. Designed to build connections and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, the conference highlighted the incredible work and accomplishments of women leaders while empowering them to continue to make an impact in their respective industries.
The Glass Half Full: Bank of America Hosts Third Annual Women in Business Leadership Conference
Following the event theme of “The Glass Half Full: Celebrating the Power & Progress of Women,” speeches, fireside chats and panel discussions at the event underscored the strides women are making as business leaders, professional investors and economic powerhouses. In addition to celebrating achievements, the conference encouraged attendees to continue breaking down barriers and driving progress in the face of social and economic challenges.
Catherine Milioti, Central New Jersey Business Banking Market Executive, delivered opening remarks to kick off the event. As a consistent supporter of the conference over the past three years, Milioti has led the New Jersey Women Owned Business Initiative Committee’s efforts to bring it to life each year.
Shortly following Milioti’s remarks came a presentation on the A.C.E. Model for Leadership Communication from Allison Shapira – a bestselling author, Harvard Kennedy School adjunct lecturer, Founder and CEO of Global Public Speaking, leadership communication speaker and former opera singer. Shapira shared motivation and instruction with attendees, discussing how best to leverage everyday communication to leave a positive impact on the people around them.
Another highlight of the conference came in a panel discussion between Cathy Choi, President of Bulbrite Industries, Erica Jain, Co-Founder & CEO of Healthie, and Jayne Millard, Co-CEO and Executive Chairman of the Board of Turtle & Hughes Inc., moderated by Carlina De Jesus, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Market Executive. Each leader shared their personal journey and imparted gems of advice that they themselves have learned throughout their careers as business leaders. Additionally, Nadira Khan, Private Bank Managing Director and Market Trust Executive, spoke specifically to how women can position themselves for financial empowerment.
The conference concluded with a fireside chat between Jennifer Hyman, CEO and Co-Founder of Rent the Runway, and Lindsey Stampone, Global Commercial Banking Market Executive. Hyman shared the challenges and successes she faced while working to transform the trillion-dollar fashion industry, including the introduction of “Closet in the Cloud,”– a program that allows women to rent, wear, return or keep an endless “closet” of designer clothes.
In reflecting on another conference filled with knowledge sharing and networking, Bank of America expresses our gratitude for the opportunity to support leaders who are true trailblazers. Along with the support of Cathleen Callahan, Managing Director, Northeast Region Executive and Executive Sponsor of the Northeast Women’s Initiative, we are proud to provide an experience for women leaders that encourages positive change year after year.
Bank of America remains committed to empowering women business owners. By highlighting the success of women in leadership roles and supporting them through the challenges they face, we are working to ensure that the glass is not just half full but overflowing with opportunities for women everywhere. Whether you’ve been in business for decades or are just starting out, Bank of America is committed to providing you with the resources necessary to build, sustain and grow your business.
To learn more about how we support women business owners, please visit https://business.bankofamerica.com/resources/women-business-owners.html.
6/24/24
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