WINnovation 2022

On September 16, WALTER hosted WINnovation at The Umstead Hotel & Spa. This annual event, now in its eighth year, celebrates local female leadership and the themes of innovation, diversity and mentorship through storytelling.

The evening kicked off with guests attending workshops on professional and personal development. They were led by Kristine Sloan, executive director of Leadership Triangle, Sarah Glova, CEO of Reify Media, and Sharon Delaney McCLoud, director of corporate communications at UNC Health.

Guests then enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks on the terrace outside before sitting down for a three-course dinner in the ballroom. During dinner, each of the WINnovation speakers delivered their talks. Architect Zena Howard, principal and global cultural and civic practice chair at Perkins&Will, spoke about harnessing the power of history and place through her work. North Carolina Museum of Art director and CEO Valerie Hillings spoke about rising through the curatorial ranks to manage and reimagine The People’s Collection. Rex Health Ventures managing director Anita Watkins spoke about her pivot from government relations to venture capitalism, an industry where women are underrepresented and underfunded. And North Carolina poet laureate Jaki Shelton Green told the story of a talisman that has been passed through her family for generations, and how it relates to her call to give voice to her people and bring poetry to those with limited access to the arts. The panel discussion touched on the balance between obligations of work and family, and the responsibility of women to lift up other women. Guests left feeling inspired and energized.

The evening would not have been possible without our partner Bank of America, sponsor Diamonds Direct and workshop sponsors UNC Health, Wegmans and Duke Fuqua School of Business. Thank you also to our table sponsors, Women Business Owners Network of the Triangle, Truist Wealth, City of Raleigh, The Tiffany Circle at American Red Cross, Hutchison Law and Designed for Joy. We appreciate your support!