JLNO Invites You to Inaugural Women's Leadership Summit

Junior League of New Orleans Invites You to the Inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit

by Shanelle Joseph | Photos by Jessica Bachmann | WLS Presented by Ochsner Baptist

WLS Committee Members prepare for the inaugural Summit, which is presented by Ochsner Baptist.

Whether through the pursuit of voting rights, racial equality, or fair and equal pay in the workforce, women have made great strides in liberation and independence throughout history. Today, women in America have managed to garner leadership positions in nearly every profession within this country. As we progress into the 21st century, more and more women aspire to become business owners, mentors and leaders in various walks of life. The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) developed a Women’s Leadership Summit to continue our commitment to the vision of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, and meeting a growing demand for women leaders.

The idea for the event developed two years ago during a Women’s Leadership Conference Exploratory Committee meeting Co-Chaired by Evelyn Poitevent, who is now the Women’s Leadership Summit Committee Co-Chair. At the meeting, it was recommended that JLNO develop its very own women’s leadership event. Evelyn pitched the idea to JLNO’s Board of Directors, and after many meetings and diligent efforts by committee members, the Women’s Leadership Summit was ready to soar.

The inaugural Summit will take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, joining businesswomen of all sectors, female entrepreneurs, and women with an interest in and passion for helping their communities. Emily Schmidt, Women’s Leadership Summit Co-Chair, notes that the proceeds will directly benefit JLNO community efforts such as its Diaper Bank, Community Assistance Fund Scholarship Program, Women’s Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship, and several other community impact projects.

While selecting candidates to speak at the inaugural summit, Speaker Chair Amy Landry believed that reputation, diversity and relevance were the most important attributes. The WLS Committee sought potential speakers who garnered outstanding reputations as leaders in their organizations and communities. Accordingly,

TOP: WLS Co-Chairs Evelyn Sanders and Emily Liuzza finalize Summit details with Vice Chairs Susanna Ruddock and Crystal Miceli. MIDDLE: Vice Chair Susanna Ruddock and a Committee member organize Summit programming. BOTTOM: Co-Chairs Evelyn Sanders and Emily Liuzza practice for their WLS presentation. the schedule of panelists includes a robust cadre of business leaders, medical professionals, attorneys and entrepreneurs. Amy offers that each speakers’ experiences and backgrounds may effectively address and contribute to topics surrounding not only business and financial affairs, but also the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the offerings within the virtual Summit, attendees may choose from various break-out sessions encompassing the themes, Investing in Your Career, Investing in Your Community and Investing in You. Also scheduled is an Entrepreneurial Pitch Event where WE Fellowship finalists will pitch their ideas for a chance to win a generous package of in-kind services and support provided by JLNO. There will also be two additional panels addressing the pandemic, Leading in Times of Uncertainty and Focusing on Health in Light of COVID-19.

Among the 41 panelists slated to lead individual break-out sessions are Deborah F. Grimes, VicePresident and Chief Diversity Officer at Ochsner Health, Ileana Ledet, Vice-President of Policy with Greater New Orleans, Inc. and Dr. Shondra Williams, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Inclusiv Health Care. Ms. Phyllis Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor Enterprises L.L.C, will serve as keynote speaker to the event.

JLNO is certain that its Women’s Leadership Summit will create a space for a diverse group of women to network and make meaningful connections. As offered by WLS Co-Chair Emily, “We hope that diversity in our audience will inspire and unite women to do great things for our community.”

Ultimately, the League and its Women’s Leadership Summit Committee strive for a singular goal, which is to inspire women to do good for themselves and the communities in which they live while promoting JLNO’s mission and raising funds for its community projects. •

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT FAST FACTS

When is the WLS ? Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Where is WLS? Join us for the virtual Summit from anywhere. Check our website for the latest updates and details.

Who can attend WLS? All are welcome - women, men, League and non-League members

How do I register? To purchase tickets, visit www.jlno.org/wls