2023 Speakers
The 20th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women was held December 12, 2023. Below is a recap of the speakers. For 2024 speaker updates, please subscribe to our newsletter
Keynote Program | 10:15am - 1:15pm
Jacinda Ardern
Keynote Speaker
Prime Minister, New Zealand (2017-2023); Senior Fellow, Harvard University; Special Envoy, Christchurch Call to Action; Board Member, The Earthshot Prize
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DAME JACINDA ARDERN became the Prime Minister of New Zealand at just 37 years of age. During her time in office she faced the challenges of a live streamed domestic terror attack against ...
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Margaret Atwood
Keynote Speaker
two-time Booker Prize-winning Author of over 50 books, including The Handmaid's Tale
MARGARET ATWOOD has long been a literary titan, but “current events have polished the oracular sheen of her reputation” (The New Yorker). With her 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale adapted into a fifteen-time ...
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Dr. Joy Buolamwini
Keynote Speaker
Artificial Intelligence Expert, Artist & Founder, Algorithmic Justice League
DR. JOY BUOLAMWINI is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, a groundbreaking MIT researcher, a model, and an artist. She is the author of Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of ...
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America Ferrera
Keynote Speaker
Emmy, Golden Globe & SAG award-winning Actress, Director, Producer
AMERICA FERRERA is an award-winning actor, director, and producer known for her many iconic roles in TV and film including Ugly Betty, Real Women Have Curves, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Superstore, and ...
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Lulu Garcia-Navarro
Keynote Speaker
Award-winning journalist, Host of "The Interview" at NYT Magazine
LULU GARCIA-NAVARRO is a two-time Peabody Award-winning journalist with years of experience interviewing world leaders, authors, artists and people living on the front lines of a changing world. A longtime ...
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Radhika Jones
Moderator
Editor-in-Chief, Vanity Fair
RADHIKA JONES is the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair. She previously held senior editorial roles at The New York Times, TIME magazine (where she oversaw TIMEs Person of the Year and Time 100 franchises), and The ...
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Ellen McGirt
Moderator
Editor-in-chief, Design Observer
ELLEN McGIRT is an author, podcaster, speaker, community builder, and award-winning business journalist. She is the editor-in-chief of Design Observer, a media company that has maintained the same clear vision ...
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Special Guest Speakers
Joan Christel
Introduction
President, State Street Foundation
JOAN CHRISTEL is president of State Street Foundation and senior vice president ...
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Renee Connolly
Remarks
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer & Head, Engagement, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany & Massachusetts Conference for Women Board Member
RENEE CONNOLLY is the chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer and head of ...
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Brooke Forbes
Introduction
Head, Stock Plan Services & Non Qual, Workplace Investing, Fidelity
BROOKE FORBES is the head of stock plan services & non-qual in Fidelity’s ...
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Governor Maura Healey
Remarks
73rd Governor of Massachusetts
MAURA HEALEY is the state's first woman and first openly LGBTQ person elected to ...
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Marian L. Heard
Remarks
President & CEO, Oxen Hill Partners and Board Member, MA Conference for Women
MARIAN L. HEARD is the president and CEO of Oxen Hill Partners, a Boston-based ...
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Kathy Horgan
Introduction
EVP and Chief Human Resources & Citizenship Officer, State Street & Massachusetts Conference for Women Board Member
KATHY HORGAN is executive vice president and chief human resources and ...
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Julie Khani
Introduction
Corporate Vice President, Government Affairs & Corporate Communications, Hologic, Inc.
JULIE KHANI is corporate vice president, government affairs and corporate ...
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Kelli Kirwin
Host
Tackling Menopause to Boost Your Career Progression
KELLI KIRWIN is an award-winning and well-respected executive, currently ...
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Gloria Cordes Larson
Remarks
Former President, Bentley University and Board Member, MA Conference for Women
GLORIA CORDES LARSON is a respected lawyer, public policy expert, Boston business ...
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Linda Seah
Introduction
VP, General Manager, Emerging Asia, Hologic, Inc.
LINDA SEAH is vice president at Hologic, Inc. She oversees the company’s ...
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Karen Holmes Ward
Emcee
Director of Public Affairs & Community Services, WCVB Channel 5
KAREN HOLMES WARD is the Director of Public Affairs and Community Services for ...
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Michelle Wu
Remarks
Mayor of Boston
MICHELLE WU is the Mayor of Boston. She is a daughter of immigrants, Boston ...
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Session 1 Program Offerings | 8:45-9:45am
Tanya Alcorn
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: Getting to the Next Level
TANYA ALCORN is SVP, Sterile Injectables and Biotech Operations, at Pfizer. ...
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Kim Binette
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: How to Soar in STEM
KIM BINETTE is a thought-leader with over 25 years’ experience in the financial ...
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Danae Bucci
Moderator
That's a Good Question: How to Soar in STEM
DANAE BUCCI is a reporter for WCVB Channel 5’s award-winning NewsCenter 5 team. ...
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Valerie Buckingham
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: Getting to the Next Level
VALERIE BUCKINGHAM is the chief marketing officer at Plume. She has worked at the ...
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Peggy Byrd
Moderator
That's a Good Question: Navigating Board Dynamics
PEGGY BYRD heads the marketing, audience engagement, and customer service ...
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Natanja Craig Oquendo
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: Managing Up
NATANJA CRAIG OQUENDO brings an unwavering passion for community solutions, her ...
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Monisha Dabek
Executive Mentor |That’s a Good Question
Managing Up
MONISHA DABEK, chief commercial officer and general manager, USA, is an ...
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Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares
Learning Stage ...
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Angela Garbes
Speaker
Essential Labor: What Caregivers Really Need from Workplaces
ANGELA GARBES is the author of Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change, ...
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Amy Gross
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: Getting to the Next Level
AMY GROSS, a member of the Liberty Mutual team since 2004, launched the ...
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Mary Anne Heino
Executive Mentor
That’s a Good Question
MARY ANNE HEINO has 30 years of diverse pharmaceutical industry experience and ...
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Alba Kiihl
Moderator
Essential Labor: What Caregivers Really Need from Workplaces
ALBA KIIHL is the head of compliance risk testing at State Street, leading a ...
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Lori Lebson
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: How to Soar in STEM
LORI LEBSON is senior vice president, North America medical affairs at the US ...
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Suevon Lee
Moderator
That's a Good Question: Getting to the Next Level
SUEVON LEE is the assistant managing editor of the education team at WBUR. Before ...
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Shirley Leung
Moderator
That's a Good Question: Reinventing Your Career Portfolio
SHIRLEY LEUNG is an award-winning columnist at The Boston Globe, where she ...
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Justine Levin-Allerhand
IExecutive Mentor
That's a Good Question: Navigating Board Dynamics
JUSTINE LEVIN-ALLERHAND, PhD, is a senior partner at Flagship Pioneering, a life ...
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Kim Peretti
Executive Mentor| That's a Good Question: Managing Up ...
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Jennifer Schneiders, PhD
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: How to Soar in STEM
JENNIFER SCHNEIDERS, PhD, serves as president of Hologic’s diagnostic solutions ...
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Micho Spring
Executive Mentor
That's a Good Question: Navigating Board Dynamics
MICHO SPRING is an experienced reputation strategist, senior crisis counselor, ...
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Kellie Wardman
Facilitator
Small Group Peer Networking and Career Connections Meet Up
KELLIE WARDMAN is a leadership and executive coach supporting individuals, ...
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Laurie Dalton White
Executive Mentor
That’s a Good Question: Navigating Board Dynamics
LAURIE DALTON WHITE is the founding executive director of Conferences for Women, ...
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Session 2 Program Offerings | 1:45 - 2:45pm
Dr. Modupe Akinola
Speaker
Stress Proof: Leading with a Limitless Mindset
DR. MODUPE AKINOLA is an associate professor of management at Columbia Business ...
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Dominique Brewer
Executive Mentor
That’s a Good Question
DOMINIQUE BREWER joined Takeda in 2016 and is currently the U.S. business unit ...
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Kimberly Brown
Speaker
Next Move, Best Move: A Strategic Approach to Lasting Career Decisions
KIMBERLY BROWN, she/her/hers is a career + leadership expert whose mission is to ...
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Jill Calabrese Bain
Host
Stress Proof: Leading with a Limitless Mindset
JILL CALABRESE BAIN is a small business executive at Bank of America and is ...
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Karen Catlin
Host
Next Move, Best Move: A Strategic Approach to Lasting Career Decisions
KAREN CATLIN joined United Airlines in 1986 as a sales representative. During her ...
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Tiziana Dearing
Moderator
Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World
TIZIANA DEARING is the host of Radio Boston on WBUR, and has contributed to a ...
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Andrea Diieso
Host
Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World
ANDREA DIIESO is a workplace experience leader with a love for fostering employee ...
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Crysta Dungee
Panelist
Unlocking the Power of AI: Practical Insights for Everyday Use
CRYSTA DUNGEE is a values-driven and action-focused leader who has dedicated her ...
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Carol Fulp
Thought-Leader
How to Advocate for Yourself and Others
CAROL FULP is president and CEO of The Partnership, Inc., New England’s premier ...
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Jessica Gregory
Host
Reclaim Your Time: A Tool to Revive Your Career
JESSICA GREGORY is a senior manager of new product supply chain at DePuy Synthes, ...
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Kristy Lilas
Panelist
How to Advocate for Yourself and Others
KRISTY LILAS is vice president of diversity, inclusion and belonging at GoDaddy. ...
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Julia McCarthy
Host
How to Advocate for Yourself and Others
JULIA McCARTHY is executive vice president and head of client experience for ...
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Jenny Odell
Speaker
Reclaim Your Time: A Tool to Revive Your Career
JENNY ODELL is a writer and artist whose work centers around the power of ...
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Julie Rice
Speaker
Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World
JULIE RICE is an entrepreneur best known for co-founding the fitness phenomenon, ...
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Eve Rodsky
Speaker
Cultivating Creativity and Collaboration in Workplace Culture
EVE RODSKY realized that simply identifying the issue of unequal labor on the ...
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Nancy B. Rosedale
Learning Stage ...
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Brandis Russell
Host
Cultivating Creativity and Collaboration in Workplace Culture
BRANDIS RUSSELL is Converse’s GM/VP of North America, where she oversees ...
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Melissa Shore
Panelist
How to Advocate for Yourself and Others
MELISSA SHORE (she/her) is an integral part of UKG's people leadership team, ...
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Charlotte Streat
Executive Spotlight
Next Move, Best Move: A Strategic Approach to Lasting Career Decisions
CHARLOTTE STREAT is VP, DEI business advisor – investments & corporate ...
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Michelle Vetovis
Learning Stage
Navigating to Your True North: Small Steps, Monumental Wealth
MICHELLE VETOVIS is the global co-chair of Fidelity's Women's Leadership Group ...
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Traci Wade
Executive Spotlight
Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World
TRACI WADE is group vice president, global head of diversity and inclusion at ...
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Kellie Wardman
Facilitator
Small Group Peer Networking and Career Connections Meet Up
KELLIE WARDMAN is a leadership and executive coach supporting individuals, ...
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Session 3 Program Offerings | 3:15 - 4:15pm
Dr. Modupe Akinola
Speaker
Stress Proof: Leading with a Limitless Mindset
DR. MODUPE AKINOLA is an associate professor of management at Columbia Business ...
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Dorothy Barr
Panelist
Navigating Age in a Multigenerational Workplace
DOROTHY BARR serves as the senior vice president, manufacturing and technical ...
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Kimberly Brown
Speaker
Next Move, Best Move: A Strategic Approach to Lasting Career Decisions
KIMBERLY BROWN, she/her/hers is a career + leadership expert whose mission is to ...
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Carolina Caro
Thought-Leader
Navigating Age in a Multigenerational Workplace
CAROLINA CARO specializes in developing conscious leaders that create inclusive ...
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Tiziana Dearing
Moderator
Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World
TIZIANA DEARING is the host of Radio Boston on WBUR, and has contributed to a ...
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Shannon Gath
Host
Reclaim Your Time: A Tool to Revive Your Career
SHANNON GATH is an award-winning senior technology executive with over 25 years ...
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Deborah Glasser
Learning Stage ...
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Nathalie Grenache
Panelist
Navigating Age in a Multigenerational Workplace
NATHALIE GRENACHE is SVP, People & Culture, Global Specialty Care and North ...
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Jamie Haney
Executive Mentor
That’s a Good Question
JAMIE HANEY is general counsel North America and head of legal specialty care GB ...
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Jenny Odell
Speaker
Reclaim Your Time: A Tool to Revive Your Career
JENNY ODELL is a writer and artist whose work centers around the power of ...
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Marissa Poole
Executive Spotlight
Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World
MARISSA POOLE is US GM of dermatology, respiratory, and gastroenterology at ...
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Julie Rice
Speaker
Rebuilding Relationships in a Disconnected World
JULIE RICE is an entrepreneur best known for co-founding the fitness phenomenon, ...
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Eve Rodsky
Speaker
Cultivating Creativity and Collaboration in Workplace Culture
EVE RODSKY realized that simply identifying the issue of unequal labor on the ...
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Stacey Taylor
Host
Next Move, Best Move: A Strategic Approach to Lasting Career Decisions
STACEY TAYLOR is a seasoned leader with a track record of consistently driving ...
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Pushpinder Toor
Panelist
Navigating Age in a Multigenerational Workplace
PUSHPINDER TOOR is the vice president and general manager of PTC’s Arbortext ...
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Laysha Ward
Host
Cultivating Creativity and Collaboration in Workplace Culture
LAYSHA WARD is an accomplished C-suite executive with thirty years of leadership ...
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