2023 WLC Speakers
Read about our speakers and topics for WLC 2023!
PHYLLIS A. JAMES
Founding President & CEO, Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment
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PHYLLIS A. JAMES is Founding President and CEO of the Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment (“FWLE”), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established in May 2019 to help remedy one of America’s and the world’s most urgent needs – access by women and women of color to high-quality educational experiences that prepare them (as well as men) for leadership roles across society. With founding support from MGM Resorts International, FWLE seeks to expand the pipeline of women leaders through Las Vegas’ Women’s Leadership Conference (“WLC”) – one of the, if not the, premier women’s development conferences in the western United States, and other accessible programs.
Ms. James has a distinguished multi-disciplinary career history as a lawyer and C-suite executive:
Seventeen (17) years at MGM Resorts – where she served as Chief Diversity and Corporate Responsibility Officer for more than a decade; as the principal management liaison to the parent corporation’s Board of Directors CSR/ESG Committee; and as head of Company litigation during most of her tenure. She played a seminal role in the evolution of MGM’s industry-leading CSR/ESG diversity and inclusion, philanthropy, and volunteerism initiatives into a cohesive business and social impact platform, embedding DEI values into the company’s culture and business operations.
Eight (8) years as Corporation Counsel (Chief Legal Officer) for the City of Detroit under Mayor Dennis W. Archer – where she served as lead lawyer for the City in several legacy economic revitalization projects (e.g., Comerica Park, Ford Field, Campus Martius downtown business district, and Detroit gaming industry); counsel for the Mayor’s Office, the Executive branch, and the City’s legislative branch (City Council); and Law Director for a department of approximately 100 lawyers.
Fifteen (15) years in private law practice, first as an associate and then as a partner specializing in complex commercial litigation, at the San Francisco-based firm of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman) – where she became the firm’s first African American partner.
Beyond her executive and legal experience, Ms. James has served on several for-profit and non-profit boards of directors. She is a member of the Strategic Advisory board of algoface.ai, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence enterprise, and has served for almost two decades as a member of the MGM Grand Detroit, LLC board. Her most recent non-profit service includes the boards of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, Nevada Legal Services Inc. and previously the MGM Resorts Foundation.
Throughout her career Ms. James has been active in numerous bar association and civic affairs and has received several recognitions for her legal accomplishments and civic contributions, including Outstanding Business achievement as One of the 2019 Most Powerful Women in Corporate Diversity (Black Enterprise Magazine); Human Rights Campaign – Las Vegas Equality Award for outstanding service to the LGBTQ community (2017); the National Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2016); and admission to the American Law Institute, the leading independent U.S. organization producing scholarly legal word (2015).
Ms. James earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History and Literature from Harvard/Radcliffe College after having received the honors of Phi Beta Kappa junior year, the Captain Jonathan Fay Prize (then Radcliffe College’s highest honor for a graduating woman based on the graduate’s scholarship, conduct and character) and the Isobelle T. Briggs Fellowship for Graduate Study. She commenced her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Theodore R. Newman, Jr., then Chief Judge of the District of Colombia Court of Appeals.
PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN
Founder & CEO, Patranya Media LLC
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PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN is the Founder & CEO of Patranya Media LLC, a full-service media consulting agency based in Las Vegas, Nevada. A three (3)-time Emmy Award-winning TV journalist, Patranya integrates 20 years of experience as a broadcaster to help her clients amplify their voices and refine their corporate messaging. Through her agency Patranya works as a media strategist, public speaking coach, content creator, and event speaker. Patranya also teaches media and journalism classes at UNLV & College of Southern Nevada. A native of Thailand, Patranya is active in the AAPI community and is passionate about promoting the importance of diversity and inclusion in both businesses and nonprofits.
JOYEL CRAWFORD
Senior Consultant, Leading Women
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Before beginning her consulting career JOYEL CRAWFORD supported professionals within all functional groups for 18 years at Verizon Wireless. She worked in Employee Relations, EEO/AA, Staffing, Professional Mentoring, and Learning & Development Training throughout her tenure there. She was a Manager of Management and Employee Development in charge of leadership development programs for more than 20,000 employees.
Joyel has facilitated leadership development courses and has been a keynote speaker for numerous businesses and organizations, such as the U.S. Senate, NASA JPL, The New York Times, ESPN, Intuit, NYC Mayor’s Office, Morgan Stanley, Hewlett Packard, Aramark, various chapters of SHRM, NJACP, SHFM, and many other notable industries, organizations, and higher education institutions.
Joyel received her bachelor’s degree from Elon University and her master’s degree in management from Fairleigh Dickenson University, and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC). She also holds PHR, SHRM-CP (retired), DISC, and Birkman Assessment certifications.
Joyel also hosts a podcast called “Career View Mirror®.” She is the author of the Amazon Bestselling book “Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career,” which was ranked #1 in New Releases.
JESSE FERRELL
Managing Partner, JessTalk Speaking & Coaching Firm
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JESSE FERRELL is an International Speaker & Master Success Coach for JessTalk Speaking & Coaching Firm. He attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and studied Fine Arts and Business & Hotel Administration. He worked in the hospitality industry for 36 years.
Jesse is a Managing Partner at JessTalk Speaking & Coaching Firm, and has been energizing audiences for the past 30 years.
LISA FERRELL
Master Success Coach, JessTalk Speaking & Coaching Firm
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LISA FERRELL, Master Success Coach and Strategist, runs Lisa Listen, a division of JessTalk Speaking & Coaching Firm that primarily focuses on helping women improve the quality of their lives globally! Lisa attended the University of Utah and brings 35 years of broadcast television, radio, and outdoor sales and marketing advertising experience.
SUSAN GAMBARDELLA
President, Kimberly-Clark Professional™ North America
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SUSAN GAMBARDELLA joined Kimberly-Clark Professional™ as President of North America in February 2020. She is responsible for leading Kimberly-Clark Professional’s largest region, spearheading a transformational growth strategy that accelerates North America’s financial, strategic, and operational results. Kimberly-Clark Professional partners with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces, helping to make them healthier, safer and more productive. Key brands in this segment include Kleenex, Scott, WypAll, KleenGuard, and Kimtech.
In June 2022 Gambardella was named one of “The Top 50 Women Leaders of Georgia for 2022” by Women We Admire for her significant contributions and achievements in the industry, as well as her tenacity, strength, and resilience. Gambardella was also honored at Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Women of Influence” awards in October 2022, for being a proven leader, trailblazer, business builder and advocate.
For more than three decades Gambardella has been instrumental in building strong teams and delivering significant results. She spent 27 years with The Coca-Cola Company and held senior leadership positions, including the Chief of Staff to the CEO, as well as marketing, customer and general management roles, both domestically and globally. Gambardella began her career in Procter & Gamble’s General Management Training Program.
In addition to her role leading Kimberly-Clark Professional North America, Gambardella serves on the board of BevSource (Shore Capital) and the national boards of directors for Girls, Inc. and the University of Connecticut Foundation.
Gambardella holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut and executive education certifications from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Gambardella and her husband Mark are the parents to two thriving young adults and live in Atlanta, GA and Martha’s Vineyard.
DETHRA GILES
CEO & Founder, ExecuPrep
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DETHRA GILES is a four-time TEDx speaker, ranked a Top 100 Influencer by Engagedly Inc, recognized among HR Gazette’s HRchat Pod Top 22 HR experts, and host of the “Happily Ever Employed” podcast. She is known as the CEO Maker and the Cubicle to Corner Office Empress. Her unique blend of advanced education and industry experience has earned her the title “university tested and industry approved.” She leads ExecuPrep, an international performance optimization firm that works with companies to improve their performance, productivity, and profit. You can hear Dethra every week on a nationally syndicated radio show where she shares insights on how to navigate personal and professional success.
Dethra’s clients have included Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, Kaiser Permanente, The National Basketball Association, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Salvation Army. According to Dethra, none of this matters if she can’t impact a life. She often says about her work, “Motivation is not what people need, because motivation is a fading emotion; they need impact. Impact takes a feeling and turns it into an action. Actions change lives and companies. I provide formulas so people can take action.” Dethra has impacted people and audiences around the world, from coaching senior executives at multibillion dollar organizations to delivering keynotes at some of the largest global conferences.
Interacting with Dethra means you will walk away with one of her many formulas for results: a formula that will help you develop actionable strategies, optimize your performance, and eliminate distractions. Get ready for information that will cause a change in behavior that will change your life!
NICOLE GIONET
Senior Consultant, Leading Women
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Having 30 years of extensive international human resources experience, NICOLE GIONET began her career with the Government of Canada and moved to the telecommunications industry in 1997. She has worked, lived, and experienced the cultural diversity of four countries – Canada, Belgium, China, and France.
Prior to joining Leading Women, Nicole was the leading IP Networking, Broadband Access, and Cloud Technology Specialist for Alcatel-Lucent (acquired by Nokia in January 2016). Headquartered in Paris, France, Alcatel-Lucent’s (14.bn€ and 55,000 employees around the globe) main customers were the top telephone, cable, and internet service providers around the globe.
As Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Nicole led the HR function during the most significant cultural, financial, and operational transformation in Alcatel-Lucent’s history. She led the modernization of the company’s HR function, adapting its operating model, systems, and processes to meet the global and diverse footprint of the company; outsourcing all transactional activities to a third party; re-empowering people managers; and placing talent and leadership at the core of company priorities – all while reducing the overall HR cost by 20% and workforce by 30%.
Nicole is widely known for her track record as a leader, and her exceptional ability to establish trust and respect as well as build collaborative relationships with clients, senior management, colleagues, and staff for positive outcomes.
Nicole completed an Executive Management Development program for Women at Carlton University in Ottawa, Canada. She is a certified Business Coaching Advantage Practitioner (BCAP) and a registered Corporate Coach (RCC).
Nicole is fluent in both French, her native language, and English.
MELONIE JOHNSON
President & COO, MGM National Harbor
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MELONIE JOHNSON is the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MGM National Harbor. In her leadership role Johnson provides strategic direction and oversees daily operations of the property. She is committed to supporting the local Prince George’s County community and is dedicated to fostering an engaged and diverse local workforce.
A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Melonie’s gaming and hospitality career spans nearly 25 years, during which she held key leadership positions at major properties throughout the United States. Johnson has been with MGM Resorts since 2015, most recently serving as President & COO of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa prior to her return to MGM National Harbor in 2022, which she had led from December 2017 through May 2020. Before making her move to the East Coast, Johnson started her MGM Resorts career with Gold Strike Casino Resort in Mississippi. She has consistently worked to nurture a service-oriented employee culture and developed strategic plans that ensured properties met both their short and long-term goals.
Melonie’s decades of leadership experience at regional gaming properties ‒ along with her financial expertise and strategic thinking ‒ has served her well in a number of high-profile gaming positions, including Assistant General Manager at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia, CFO/Interim General Manager at Hollywood Casino Aurora in Illinois, and Regional Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Finance for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, among other roles.
Melonie and her husband Mark share six children and six grandchildren.
TIM KEMP
Senior Consultant, United Kingdom, Leading Women
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TIM KEMP is a global expert on diversity and gender dynamics with over 35 years experience as a Learning and Development specialist. Tim is also the Chair of Leading NOW’s Center for Diversity & Inclusion.
Tim brings his extensive experience delivering learning events to cross-cultural teams across Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), the Caribbean, Malaysia and the Americas. He has broad expertise in the areas of leadership, HR effectiveness, change management and web-based learning, and has been an advisor and coach to CEOs and strategic leaders in a variety of sectors and industries. With UNICEF he designed and delivered its global Management Masterclass, which has trained more than 1,100 leaders and managers around the world.
Tim has worked as a senior consultant to Korn Ferry, as a learning and development advisor to the Council of Europe, and as a Program Director with Corporate Learning Solutions. Tim’s skills include developing programs for web-based learning, delivering blended learning programs, and designing tailored courses and materials for a range of professionals who need to be able to train others in specific job-related skills.
Tim is currently a faculty member of Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) Academy in Eastern and Central Europe for the award-winning Mini MBA Program, for which he delivers modules on Leadership and People Management as well as masterclasses on the Evaluation of HR, L&D Effectiveness and Talent Retention.
Tim’s work with organizations including The Economist, Salesforce, Nokia, GSK, Vanguard, Allianz Global Investments, UNICEF, Dell, Deloitte, AT Kearney, Microsoft, Shell, and Fischer Scientific has enabled those organizations to identify and minimize barriers to inclusion.
Tim holds a MBA from London Business School with a focus on organizational behavior and change, a MA from the Institute of Education at the University of London, a Diploma In Adult Learning from Oxford University, and a BA from the University of Alberta, Canada. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows at St George's College, Windsor Castle, and a visiting Lecturer Professor at Rome Business School.
ALISON LAZENBY
Senior Consultant, United Kingdom, Leading Women
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ALISON LAZENBY brings over three decades of cross-industry business experience to her consultancy. A change and leadership expert, Alison’s strengths are simplifying complex issues, building relationships, and collaborating with clients to bring their change aspirations to life.
Prior to joining Leading Women Alison was Managing Director of Leadership Development at Root Inc. Her focus for the past 15 years has been helping leaders at all levels of an organization ‒ from front-line supervisors to seasoned C-suite executives ‒ spearhead change initiatives and deliver breakthrough results by empowering, inspiring, and engaging their team members. The principles of DEI are threaded through all her leadership work, and she is devoted to helping organizations unleash the power of human potential in all its myriad forms. A particular focus for Alison has been to raise consciousness of and modulate bias, celebrate diversity, and create inclusive workplace cultures that foster a sense of belonging for all contributors.
Alison is a skilled facilitator and mentor and relishes working with small groups and individuals to unlock insights, galvanize thinking, and spur results-focused action. Her past clients include Novartis, Cleveland Clinic, Synopsys, United Rentals, XPO Logistics, Fossil, Verizon, Giant Eagle, and Northwestern University.
Alison is also a frequent guest speaker and panelist at conferences, including ATD, Training, HCI Global Talent Forum, The Conference Board, Consero, SHRM, and local ATD events.
Born, raised, and educated in England, Alison worked as an executive in Europe for 15 years, developing brand equity and building distribution for Diageo’s iconic brands (Archers, Smirnoff, Malibu, Cinzano, Gilbey’s Gin, and Bombay Sapphire) before settling in the United States. She now resides in England.
RYAN LEAK
Motivational Speaker & Author, Ryan Leak Group LLC
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RYAN LEAK is an author, executive coach, and motivational speaker who inspires more than 50,000 people every single month. As CEO of the Ryan Leak Group, he trains more than 15,000 leaders every year in organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams. His viral Surprise Wedding story has been featured on “Good Morning America,” the “Today Show,” and various other media outlets. He is the author of the USA Today best-selling book, “Chasing Failure: How Falling Short Sets You Up for Success.” His most recent book, “Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate Your Personal and Professional Development,” is a Wall Street Journal Best Seller.
Ryan is married to Amanda and the assistant coach for his son’s basketball team.
ANNE LEETS
Senior Consultant, Leading Women
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ANNE LEETS has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be effective in a global organization ‒ achieve sales, profit and distribution targets; develop global brand strategy; build teams; lead change; and accomplish large-scale corporate initiatives.
Her leadership and operational experience in Sales, Marketing, Operations and Training was developed while she held Director and Vice President positions at Fortune 500 companies with iconic brands. She was also successful in General Manager and Company President roles. Throughout her career, she consistently led national teams to record results, despite significant economic challenges, reorganizations, downsizing and corporate takeovers. Her coaching effectiveness is enhanced by her hands-on experience in highly competitive and fast-paced corporate as well as entrepreneurial environments.
The powerful combination of her rich diversity of experience and passion for supporting the success of others makes Anne an insightful and innovative coach, facilitator, and leadership strategist. Practical, engaging, and results-oriented, Anne helps leaders navigate workplace challenges and changing business and political landscapes, and leverage their emotional intelligence to enhance communication, influence, team performance, organizational and leadership effectiveness.
With her extensive leadership experience, Anne has developed polished, engaging and inspirational presentation and facilitation skills. Her genuine and dynamic style connects with many types of audiences on today’s most important leadership topics.
Anne also leads The Leets Consortium and has worked with clients in all functional areas and at all organizational levels, including the C-Suite, and in a wide range of businesses.
COL. NICOLE MALACHOWSKI
United States Air Force (Ret.)
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COL. NICOLE MALACHOWSKI, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes: a jet fighter pilot, a leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame. She even has a Star Trek Federation starship named after her, the USS Malachowski (NCC-1619)! Nicole’s distinguished 21-year Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams but came to an end when a devastating tick-borne illness left her struggling greatly to speak or walk for almost nine months. Drawing on stories from her career and personal life, Nicole inspires audiences to rethink the challenges they face every day – and urges them to go beyond resilience and become resurgent.
Nicole was sixteen years old when she took her first solo flight. While in high school she joined the Civil Air Patrol and participated in Air Force Junior ROTC. Nicole’s professional career began when she earned her commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1996. Following graduation she attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Columbus AFB, MS and began her career as a pilot. Competitively selected to fly combat aircraft, she was among the first group of women to fly modern fighter aircraft.
As a career pilot she served in combat as an F-15E Flight Commander, Evaluator, Instructor Pilot and Flight Lead. Over her 21-year career, Nicole achieved the rating of Command Pilot with more than 2,300 flight hours in six different Air Force aircraft. She was also selected to fly as Thunderbird #3 with the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron – the first woman to fly on any Department of Defense military jet demonstration squadron. Nicole served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E fighter squadrons and flew more than 188 combat hours, including her proudest moment as a fighter pilot: leading the first fighter formation to provide security for Iraq’s historic democratic elections in 2005.
On the ground, Nicole was a White House Fellow, class of 2008-2009, where she served on the Presidential Transition Support Team (PTST) while assigned to the U.S. General Services Administration. The White House Fellows Foundation and Association awarded Nicole the 2019 IMPACT Award for demonstrating both remarkable achievement and transformational contributions in her field, as well as a sustained commitment to the White House Fellows program.
Nicole also served two high-level staff assignments at the Pentagon – one in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD P&R) as well as the Secretary of the Air Force Office of International Affairs (SAF/IA). Further, she served as the Executive Director of the White House’s national “Joining Forces” initiative where she directly advised former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on all topics relating to service members, veterans, and military families, including employment, education, mental health, veterans’ homelessness, and more.
Nicole has been recognized with several honors for her consistent contributions to community service. As she continues to recover from her neurological tick-borne illness, she embraces any opportunity to educate others about her medical journey, and gains energy from educating others about this growing epidemic. She is on the Board of Directors at the Liv Lyme Foundation and is a Patient Advisory Board Member of The Dean Center for Tick Borne Illness. In November 2020 Nicole was announced as one of 2020’s “Mighty 25” by We Are The Mighty for her passionate advocacy on behalf of veterans’ health. The Mighty 25 is a recognition bestowed each year to changemakers in the veteran, active duty, and military family space.
Nicole earned a Master of Arts, with honors, in National Security Policy from American Military University and a second Master of Arts, with highest distinction, in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. While there she earned the Admiral Stephen B. Luce Award as the class honor graduate, the first Air Force officer in the history of the Naval War College to do so.
Nicole was born in Santa Maria, CA and graduated high school in Las Vegas, NV. She and her husband Paul have twin children, son Garrick and daughter Norah. Paul is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former F-15E Evaluator Weapons Systems Officer.
SANDRA MORGAN
President, Las Vegas Raiders
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Sandra Douglass Morgan has more than two decades of leadership experience in the sports, gaming, legal and corporate sectors. She has served as a chief regulator, director, attorney, and advisor to integrated resorts, casinos, and telecommunications companies. No stranger to historic firsts, Sandra was named President of the Las Vegas Raiders by Owner Mark Davis in July of 2022, making her the first Black female team president in the National Football League’s history. Having an adept understanding of the community as a native Las Vegan, Sandra accepted the role with the vision of making the city the sports capital of the world.
Prior to her joining the Raiders, Sandra served as Chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. As the chief regulator for Nevada’s dominant billion-dollar gaming industry, Sandra led the passage and implementation of cashless wagering regulations, ensured that gaming licensees adopted policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment, and led a team of 400 employees in five cities across the state of Nevada. The Las Vegas native was the first person of color and the second woman to serve as Chair in the state’s history. Sandra also served as a Commissioner on the Nevada State Athletic Commission and was the first Black City Attorney in the State of Nevada when she was the chief legal officer for the City of North Las Vegas, where she served from 2008 to 2016.
Sandra was previously with Covington & Burling, LLP and served as an advisor to the State of Nevada’s COVID-19 task force charged with finding solutions for access to personal protection equipment, virtual education options, and expanding testing capabilities so that the state could reopen its doors to tens of millions of visitors from across the globe.
Widely recognized for her business acumen, unflappable leadership, and support for local causes focused on children and philanthropic initiatives for women and girls, she is the recipient of the UNLV Boyd School of Law’s Distinguished Service Alumni Award and the Corporate to Community Connector award from the National Urban League Young Professionals. She was honored as one of the most influential “Women in Business and Politics,” receiving an award from the Urban Chamber of Commerce in 2015 along with the Ladies of Distinction Award in 2013 from Olive Crest, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting abused and neglected children. In 2012, Sandra was named Attorney of the Year by the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association which recognized her commitment to serving the local community, especially communities of color.
Sandra has served on a variety of nonprofit boards and is currently the vice chair of Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee, which will take place at Allegiant Stadium in 2024, marking the first time Las Vegas, and the state of Nevada will host one of the most-watched annual sporting events in the world. Additionally, Sandra serves on the Board of Directors of Allegiant Travel Company (NYSE: ALGT) and Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF). She is also a member of the State Bar of Nevada and the District of Columbia Bar.
Sandra graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Political Science and holds a Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The daughter of a retired U.S. Air Force Veteran, she currently resides in Las Vegas with her husband Don, a former NFL safety, and their two children.
VANESSA PHIPPS
Senior Consultant, Leading Women
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VANESSA PHIPPS has more than 20 years of successful executive and management development learning facilitation, combined with a strong background in compliance and global equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) consulting.
Prior to joining Leading Women Vanessa served as the interim Chief Diversity Officer at the ACLU in New York City. She honed her skills in compliance and EDI at Aventis Pharmaceuticals (now Sanofi, U.S.). There she built a talent planning process in partnership with executive leadership that resulted in a measurable commitment by C-Suite leaders to identifying and promoting diverse talent as part of their respective divisions’ talent and succession planning goals. She also managed the launch at Aventis of the first Women’s and the first African American Employee Business Resource Groups.
Further, she managed the respective submission processes for the Working Mother Top 100 awards at Aventis, Sanofi and Horizon BCBSNJ, resulting in each company garnering honors for the first time.
Earlier in her career Vanessa designed for an employer a development process that supported high-performing individual contributors, many of whose approaches to work and definitions of success were not always in concert with those of their respective managers.
Vanessa is Board President of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR New Jersey), an organization that provides ongoing development and networking opportunities for the Association’s HR and business members, university students and Women-owned and Minority-owned Businesses. NAAAHR New Jersey also supports sponsoring corporations in defining and refining their EDI mission, goals, and execution.
In addition Vanessa sits on the board of the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair, New Jersey which, since 1982, has fought to combat food insecurity, provide client medical screenings and offer a variety of outreach and support resources for local and surrounding communities.
Vanessa holds a B.S. in Human Services and Sociology from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.
USHA PILLAI, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant, Leading Women
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DR. USHA PILLAI is a specialist in strategy, critical thinking, change management, outsourcing, and project/program management. With more than 20 years of experience as a leader and scientific professional in a global setting, Usha brings a holistic, integrated perspective to every engagement.
Prior to joining Leading Women Usha held various positions with increasing responsibilities and complexities at Pfizer, Inc., where she effectively leveraged her broad scientific knowledge, excellent global business acumen, and strong network of global resources to achieve and often exceed business goals. She led strategic planning and outsourcing, introduced change management, and partnered on organizational redesign and strategy. Following Pfizer’s acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals Usha served as an internal consultant responsible for coordinating plans for integrating King’s research portfolio into Pfizer. There she introduced innovative platforms fostering external partnerships, and since has amassed more than seven years of experience executing and managing strategic alliances. One of her current engagements is with the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven, where she is working to establish a Bioscience Clubhouse dedicated to fostering science entrepreneurship.
In 2010 Pfizer selected Usha as a Global Health Fellow. She spent six months in Ghana working with Family Health International, a global non-profit organization. During her Ghana tenure she utilized many of her leadership skills to quickly assess her environment and engage team members not only to contribute their skills and talents to, but perhaps most importantly, to “own” the program. She successfully led the team in development and implementation of long-term sustainability plans, thereby decreasing future dependence on donor funds. Usha also authored “Lessons Learned from Ghana,” a report detailing the successes and challenges of the program that makes it easily transferable to meet the health care challenges of developing nations.
Usha is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the Bombay College of Pharmacy, India; an Executive Masters in Technology Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and a Ph. D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She also trained as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Usha is a member of the board of directors for the Garde Arts Theater in New London, CT.
JULIE ROSEN
Brand President, Bath & Body Works
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JULIE ROSEN joined Bath & Body Works as its Brand President in September 2020, and has oversight of the long-term, strategic direction of the brand’s product, including leading the marketing, design and merchandising functions and delivering the profit-and-loss statement for the business.
Prior to joining Bath & Body Works, Rosen served as President of Ann Inc., part of the Ascena Retail Group, with responsibility for Loft, Loft Outlet, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory and Lou & Grey.
Rosen has a deep merchant background and a breadth of leadership experience across merchandising, design, planning, production, marketing, and stores. She began her career at Banana Republic and took on progressively larger roles within the merchant team for the brand and Gap. After running her own consulting firm with clients that included Nike, Theory and Bare Escentuals, she returned to Banana Republic as Executive Vice President for North America, with responsibility for a $2 billion book of business and the global product assortment.
Rosen is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
MARILYN SHERMAN
Hall of Fame Speaker
Moderator, Women Presidents & CEOs Roundtable
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Hall of Fame business keynote speaker Marilyn Sherman has spent the last 25 years delivering high content motivational programs to clients in diverse markets. She knows how to inspire people to live their ‘dash’ and get the most out of life. With inspiring suc-cess stories backed with proven methods for implementation, audiences walk away with immediate take-home value. Her “SEAT of Success" keynote reminds people to change their seat to change their life. No more settling for balcony seats or even seats in general admission. It’s time to join other high-performers in the front row.
Forbes.com named her latest goal-setting book as one of the top leadership books for new managers. There's a reason why she's on several top speaker lists, and top key-noters in the industry! She is proud member of the National Speaker's Association Speaker Hall of Fame. Her programs have been described as inspiring, motivational, content-rich and life-changing.
She is a graduate of Washington State University and for the last 18 years has called Las Vegas her home. For more information and free Front-Row Friday videos delivered to your inbox, visit Marilyn’s website.
GRETCHEN SUSSMAN
Strategic Advisor & Principal Consultant, Leading Women
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GRETCHEN SUSSMAN honed her keen business sense through diverse career positions spanning 30 years, gaining all-encompassing experience in strategy creation and deployment, revenue optimization, leadership development, and change management.
Gretchen’s decades of executive experience developing high-performing teams, successfully leading transformations, and delivering exceptional results across multiple business sectors and industries make her a valuable asset to the business and clients of Leading Women, where she develops the firm’s program content.
Prior to joining Leading Women Gretchen successfully led key IPO (Initial Public Offering) initiatives for two start-up companies; pioneered online commerce and international expansion for a North American logistics company; renovated the strategy, organizational structure and customer partnerships for two global B2B organizations; reinvented the volunteer and revenue model for a premier leadership development association; and led the retail and hospitality practice for a change management consultancy ‒ while advising senior management teams of Fortune 500 companies around culture, talent, and business transformation.
As an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Gretchen quickly connects purpose, strategy, and actions with the necessary behavioral shifts to bring about immediate and lasting performance improvement for companies and the people who lead them. She is a skilled facilitator and requested speaker on the topics of gender equity, DEI, and leadership.
Gretchen attended the University of Wisconsin ‒ River Falls; earned an Executive Leadership Certification from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management; and is a certified Executive Coach.
JAN SWARTZ
Executive Vice President, Strategic Operations
Carnival Corporation & plc
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Jan leads strategy and innovation, external affairs, corporate marketing, and destination development for Carnival Corporation & plc., one of the world’s largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of world-class cruise line brands including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn. Reporting to the CEO, Jan also oversees the corporation’s Alaska-Yukon Land Operations, including nine wilderness lodges, private islands and scenic tourist trains and rail cars.
Jan brings to the role vast experience driving business performance in highly complex global environments, having delivered category growth, operational excellence, and best-in-class service for more than 3 million guests annually across four of Carnival Corporation’s nine global cruise lines as the chief executive supervising Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and P&O (Australia). For almost three decades with the company, first as a management consultant with Bain & Company working with Princess Cruises, Jan has been instrumental in setting strategy and leading the commercial activities for Carnival Corporation brands, including all aspects of domestic and international sales, global marketing and public relations, commercial planning, yield management, and customer service, and spanning all customer segments, sales channels, and go-to-market systems.
Among Jan’s many accomplishments, she spearheaded the company’s expansion in Asia by opening offices in Japan, China, Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. She also led the way in guest experience innovation on Princess Cruises through Ocean Medallion® – a free, encrypted, quarter-sized, wearable device that enables everything from faster boarding and touch-free stateroom access to chatting with shipmates and ordering food and drinks on-demand for delivery anywhere on the ship, and much more.
Roles and chronology
2023 – Present
Executive Vice President, Strategic Operations2020 – 2023
Group President, Holland America Group, overseeing Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises (Australia)2016 – 2020
Group President, Princess Cruises & Carnival Australia2013 – 2016
President, Princess Cruises2009 – 2013
Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Customer Service, Princess Cruises2004 – 2009
Senior Vice President, Customer Service & Sales, Princess Cruises and Cunard2001 – 2004
Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, Carnival Corporation & plc1999 – 2000
CEO, MGX Media1992 – 1999
Management Consultant, Bain & CompanyCorporate and charitable leadership
Jan is a member of the board of directors for MGM Resorts International serving on the Finance and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees. She has also served in various international advisory board roles including marketing committee chairperson for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry trade association. Jan’s leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic is featured in a best-selling Harvard Business School case study, and she has lectured at Harvard Business School, Kellogg, University of Virginia, University of Southern California, and Loyola Law School, among others.
Jan founded The Goodness Web (TGW), a 501(C)(3) nonprofit focused on supporting youth mental health by accelerating systemic change through a unique social venture capital model. In 2023, Jan was selected as a finalist for the Young President Organization’s Impact Award recognizing members who drive significant, sustainable, and scalable impact.
Personal and educational background
Jan earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Virginia.
She and her husband live in the Los Angeles and are the proud parents of two amazing young women attending college.
QUENDRIDA WHITMORE
Senior Consultant, Leading Women
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Quendrida Whitmore gained her extensive career experience leading teams in the retail industry for more than 25 years. Her career journey started with Target Corporation, where she served in various areas of the organization, specifically, as a buyer in merchandising, director in loss prevention, and senior director in operations. She subsequently moved to Ross Stores, where she was promoted to regional vice president of operations. She then became a senior vice president in hospitality and operations with WeWork as Head of Community, in the United States, Canada, Peru, and Costa Rica.
Quendrida received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, her master’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas Woman’s University, and her EdD (Doctor of Education) degree from the University of Southern California with a focus on Organizational Change and Leadership.
A 2023 Executive-in-Residence at Boston University School of Hospitality, Quendrida is also a certified coach having earned her CPCC (Certified Professional Career Coach certification) from Co-Active Training Institute. A member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality and Women in Retail Leadership Circle, Quendrida speaks frequently at their respective conferences.
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