2017 Conference

The 18th annual Women's Leadership Conference focused on the theme of "Exploring Politics and Policy in the 21st Century," exploring domestic and international issues facing our communities and women in today’s professional business world. A morning discussion was lead by Julie Smith, Senior Fellow and Director of the Strategy and Statecraft Program at the Center for a New American Security, and Dr. Lara Brown, an associate professor and interim director of the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) At the George Washington University to begin the conference. This was followed by four break-out sessions: “Grassroots Politics” by Jessica Kelly, GW alumna and Leadership & Programs Director at Running Start; “Facts vs. Fiction: How to Mindfully Consume and Disseminate News” by Nikki Usher Layser, Tina Plottel, Lauren Knoche, and Zach Elder, GW Libraries and faculty in GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs; “Fundraising for a Cause” by Nancy Bocskor, Founder of the Nancy Bocskor Company; and “Working Internationally” by Marilyn Yakowitz, GW alumna and president of KG USA, a 501(c) 3 charity.

The afternoon address featured a panel discussion moderated by Cynthia Steele Vance, founder of CSV productions and the Washington Luxury Channel while also a Mt. Vernon College for Women alumna. The panel included one of our members who discusses the topic of “Nasty News Challenges: Media Coverage in the Era of President Trump” to conclude the day: Gigi Schumm, Vice President and General Manager of Symantec’s Public Sector organization; Claritza Jiménez, GW alumna and digital video editor for The Washington Post; Chasity Cooper, communication strategist and journalist;  and Francesca Chambers, White House Correspondent for DailyMail.com. With representation from radio, print, television, and social media, the focus of this panel lead to conversation on the interplay of media platforms and coverage of politics and policy development through the lens of women.

Click here to see the GW Today article about the conference.