SPEAKERS (Please Check Back With Us As We Are Constantly Adding Speakers)
Ambassador Edita Hrda
Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Czech to the United Nations
Click here for Curriculum Vitae
Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Czech to the United Nations
Click here for Curriculum Vitae
Denise Evans
Vice President, Market DevelopmentIBM Corporation
Denise Evans is Vice President, Market Development for the IBM Corporation. In this capacity, she leads an organization responsible for developing IBM’s strategy for and marketing to Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and women owned businesses and IBM Suppliers in North America. Her focus also includes the strategy for and marketing to women owned, led and influenced businesses, globally.
Denise previously served globally as Director of e-Relationship Marketing for ibm.com, Director of Customer Loyalty for IBM Sales & Distribution and Director of e-business for IBM Enterprise Systems Group. Denise has served in numerous global leadership and executive positions in IBM marketing and sales for 36+ years. Her marketing experience includes customer and e-relationship marketing, customer loyalty, eBusiness on demand-now Smarter Planet, diversity marketing and social media marketing. Read more here.
Vice President, Market DevelopmentIBM Corporation
Denise Evans is Vice President, Market Development for the IBM Corporation. In this capacity, she leads an organization responsible for developing IBM’s strategy for and marketing to Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, and women owned businesses and IBM Suppliers in North America. Her focus also includes the strategy for and marketing to women owned, led and influenced businesses, globally.
Denise previously served globally as Director of e-Relationship Marketing for ibm.com, Director of Customer Loyalty for IBM Sales & Distribution and Director of e-business for IBM Enterprise Systems Group. Denise has served in numerous global leadership and executive positions in IBM marketing and sales for 36+ years. Her marketing experience includes customer and e-relationship marketing, customer loyalty, eBusiness on demand-now Smarter Planet, diversity marketing and social media marketing. Read more here.
Ahmad Alhendawi
UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth
Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan is the first-ever United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. He assumed office in February 2013. Mr. Alhendawi previously worked as a Team Leader for the World Bank funded programme to the League of Arab States on Institutional Development to Strengthen Arab Policy and Participation. Prior to this, he served as the Youth Policy Advisor in the League of Arab States in Cairo and as an officer in the Technical Secretariat of the Arab Youth and Sports Ministers Council. Past experience also includes serving as a Team Leader for the National Youth Policy Project in Iraq, a Youth Programme Associate at the Iraq office of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and as an Emergency Programme Officer at the non-governmental organization Save the Children. As a regional consultant, Mr. Alhendawi supported the Danish Youth Council's projects in the Middle East and North Africa.
Born in 1984, Mr. Alhendawi holds a Master’s degree in Advanced European and International relations, a diploma as “Policy Officer in European and International Organizations” from the Institut Européen in Nice, and a Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from the Al-Balqa Applied University in Jordan. Mr. Alhendawi is a strong youth advocate at the national, regional and international levels. He was among the cofounders of All Jordan Youth Commission and the Youth for Democracy Network at the Jordanian Commission for Democratic Culture which he headed. Internationally, he is a cofounder of the International Youth Council, based in New York. Mr. Alhendawi has written extensively on youth and civil society, including: “Working with Youth in the MENA Region, an Introductory Guide to NGO programming in Support of the Inclusion of Youth”, published by the Danish Youth Council and on the role of civil society in the Arab spring: A comparison between the role of social movements and NGOs in the Egyptian uprising. In addition, he is a recipient of the Youth Action Net Fellowship as a Young Social Entrepreneur by the International Youth Foundation in Washington DC.
UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth
Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan is the first-ever United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. He assumed office in February 2013. Mr. Alhendawi previously worked as a Team Leader for the World Bank funded programme to the League of Arab States on Institutional Development to Strengthen Arab Policy and Participation. Prior to this, he served as the Youth Policy Advisor in the League of Arab States in Cairo and as an officer in the Technical Secretariat of the Arab Youth and Sports Ministers Council. Past experience also includes serving as a Team Leader for the National Youth Policy Project in Iraq, a Youth Programme Associate at the Iraq office of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and as an Emergency Programme Officer at the non-governmental organization Save the Children. As a regional consultant, Mr. Alhendawi supported the Danish Youth Council's projects in the Middle East and North Africa.
Born in 1984, Mr. Alhendawi holds a Master’s degree in Advanced European and International relations, a diploma as “Policy Officer in European and International Organizations” from the Institut Européen in Nice, and a Bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from the Al-Balqa Applied University in Jordan. Mr. Alhendawi is a strong youth advocate at the national, regional and international levels. He was among the cofounders of All Jordan Youth Commission and the Youth for Democracy Network at the Jordanian Commission for Democratic Culture which he headed. Internationally, he is a cofounder of the International Youth Council, based in New York. Mr. Alhendawi has written extensively on youth and civil society, including: “Working with Youth in the MENA Region, an Introductory Guide to NGO programming in Support of the Inclusion of Youth”, published by the Danish Youth Council and on the role of civil society in the Arab spring: A comparison between the role of social movements and NGOs in the Egyptian uprising. In addition, he is a recipient of the Youth Action Net Fellowship as a Young Social Entrepreneur by the International Youth Foundation in Washington DC.
Barri Friedman Rafferty
Senior Partner and CEO, North America
Ketchum
In her current role, Barri Friedman Rafferty leads Ketchum’s nine offices in North America as well as Ketchum Digital and Ketchum Sports and Entertainment (KSE). In addition, she oversees the complementary businesses, Access Communications and Harrison & Shriftman. She is also part of the nine-member Worldwide Executive Committee, which focuses on guiding the strategy, client service and performance of the agency. During her tenure at Ketchum, Rafferty has held several different roles to support the agency’s overall business goals, including overseeing the global brand marketing practice and running the New York, Atlanta and Dallas offices. She also oversaw specialty units such as digital, entertainment, sports, and multicultural.
Rafferty has a legacy of client service and continues to advise many of the agency’s largest clients, including Gillette, P&G, Frito-Lay, Weight Watchers, Ikea, Chase and Mattel. As a counselor, she specializes in integrated marketing, brand reputation and corporate reputation and has helped countless clients with award-winning campaigns, including “Tostitos Fiesta Bowl” for Frito Lay, Kodak’s Inkjet Launch and Maxwell House’s “Build a Home America”. Read more here.
Senior Partner and CEO, North America
Ketchum
In her current role, Barri Friedman Rafferty leads Ketchum’s nine offices in North America as well as Ketchum Digital and Ketchum Sports and Entertainment (KSE). In addition, she oversees the complementary businesses, Access Communications and Harrison & Shriftman. She is also part of the nine-member Worldwide Executive Committee, which focuses on guiding the strategy, client service and performance of the agency. During her tenure at Ketchum, Rafferty has held several different roles to support the agency’s overall business goals, including overseeing the global brand marketing practice and running the New York, Atlanta and Dallas offices. She also oversaw specialty units such as digital, entertainment, sports, and multicultural.
Rafferty has a legacy of client service and continues to advise many of the agency’s largest clients, including Gillette, P&G, Frito-Lay, Weight Watchers, Ikea, Chase and Mattel. As a counselor, she specializes in integrated marketing, brand reputation and corporate reputation and has helped countless clients with award-winning campaigns, including “Tostitos Fiesta Bowl” for Frito Lay, Kodak’s Inkjet Launch and Maxwell House’s “Build a Home America”. Read more here.
Liz Lyman
Chief Manager for Corporate Communications and CSR, Global Business Unit
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.
She was previously the Director of Executive Communications for Union Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of BTMU headquartered in San Francisco. Her varied background includes strong experience in the performing arts. Most recently, she was a member of the renowned professional choral group Woodley Ensemble and was a guest artist with Tallis Scholars during their recent U.S. tours to Washington, DC and New York.
In addition, Liz has sung with the Charleston Bach Soloists and Charleston Renaissance Ensemble in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Washington Bach Consort, in Washington, DC. As a much sought-after professional church musician, Liz was a member of the choirs of the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston and St. Paul’s K Street in Washington. Read more here.
Chief Manager for Corporate Communications and CSR, Global Business Unit
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.
She was previously the Director of Executive Communications for Union Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of BTMU headquartered in San Francisco. Her varied background includes strong experience in the performing arts. Most recently, she was a member of the renowned professional choral group Woodley Ensemble and was a guest artist with Tallis Scholars during their recent U.S. tours to Washington, DC and New York.
In addition, Liz has sung with the Charleston Bach Soloists and Charleston Renaissance Ensemble in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Washington Bach Consort, in Washington, DC. As a much sought-after professional church musician, Liz was a member of the choirs of the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston and St. Paul’s K Street in Washington. Read more here.
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury
Former Under-Secretary General and High Representative of the United Nations
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, till recently the Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President, has devoted many years as an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and development and ardently advancing the cause of the global movement for the culture of peace that has energized civil society all over the world. As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under- Secretary-General, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time - peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
Ambassador Chowdhury’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”. Read more here
Former Under-Secretary General and High Representative of the United Nations
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, till recently the Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President, has devoted many years as an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and development and ardently advancing the cause of the global movement for the culture of peace that has energized civil society all over the world. As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under- Secretary-General, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time - peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
Ambassador Chowdhury’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”. Read more here
John Gerzema
New York Times Best Selling author, strategist and leadership consultant
John Gerzema is a pioneer in the use of data to identify social change and help companies anticipate and adapt to new trends and demands. An author, speaker and consultant, his books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, WSJ, USA Today, Fast Co. and many others. A Fellow with the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College, he studies leadership, innovation and social responsibility. As CEO of WPP’s BAV Consulting, John oversees the largest study of consumers in the world. A frequent columnist, his articles were chosen among Strategy & Business “Best of the decade” and his TED talks have been widely viewed. As an advisor for The UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign, his latest book, The Athena Doctrine explores the rise of feminine competencies and their impact on leadership, policy and progress. Tom Peters says, “The Athena Doctrine is a powerful book. Extraordinary research. Great storytelling. A message both timely and of monumental importance.”
All proceeds of the book support The UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign.
New York Times Best Selling author, strategist and leadership consultant
John Gerzema is a pioneer in the use of data to identify social change and help companies anticipate and adapt to new trends and demands. An author, speaker and consultant, his books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, WSJ, USA Today, Fast Co. and many others. A Fellow with the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College, he studies leadership, innovation and social responsibility. As CEO of WPP’s BAV Consulting, John oversees the largest study of consumers in the world. A frequent columnist, his articles were chosen among Strategy & Business “Best of the decade” and his TED talks have been widely viewed. As an advisor for The UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign, his latest book, The Athena Doctrine explores the rise of feminine competencies and their impact on leadership, policy and progress. Tom Peters says, “The Athena Doctrine is a powerful book. Extraordinary research. Great storytelling. A message both timely and of monumental importance.”
All proceeds of the book support The UN Foundation’s Girl Up Campaign.
Dr. Josephine Ojiambo
Chief of the Executive Board and External Relations Branch
United Nations Population Fund
Dr. Josephine Ojiambo is the new Chief of the Executive Board and External Relations Branch in the Information and External Relations Division (IERD) at UNFPA. Before this assignment, Dr. Ojiambo was immediate Former Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative at the Kenya Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where she notably engaged with a range of committees at the UN General Assembly on themes including international peace and security, development and humanitarian aid. At the United Nations, she provided inputs to processes related to MDGs, the Commission on Population and Development, South South collaboration, the review conference on the elimination of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, Arms Trade Treaty and development, and Global Governance among others. She has engaged quite extensively with other UN agencies, notably UNFPA and UN Women, in some of these processes. Read more here.
Chief of the Executive Board and External Relations Branch
United Nations Population Fund
Dr. Josephine Ojiambo is the new Chief of the Executive Board and External Relations Branch in the Information and External Relations Division (IERD) at UNFPA. Before this assignment, Dr. Ojiambo was immediate Former Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative at the Kenya Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where she notably engaged with a range of committees at the UN General Assembly on themes including international peace and security, development and humanitarian aid. At the United Nations, she provided inputs to processes related to MDGs, the Commission on Population and Development, South South collaboration, the review conference on the elimination of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, Arms Trade Treaty and development, and Global Governance among others. She has engaged quite extensively with other UN agencies, notably UNFPA and UN Women, in some of these processes. Read more here.
Michelle Patterson
President and CEO of Women Network and California Women's Conference
Michelle Patterson’s name conjures up many credits – visionary, author, acceleration executive, founder, passionate, talk show host and dynamic speaker. She is a woman of many dimensions. Today, Michelle Patterson is Executive Director of the Global Women Foundation, a 501(c) (3) public charity that serves to provide support, leadership and advocacy for women’s initiatives around the globe. The charity, which started almost ten years ago as a local festival supporting 22 charities, has grown into a global movement for women.
Ms. Patterson is also the Founder, President and CEO of Women Network LLC, a digital media company giving women a voice to share their message. WomenNetwork.com’s “umbrella platform” shines a light on organizations and corporations who empower women and bring them together as a community to experience “We are Better Together.” The online digital network provides women resources, tools and advice to achieve their full potential. Read more here.
President and CEO of Women Network and California Women's Conference
Michelle Patterson’s name conjures up many credits – visionary, author, acceleration executive, founder, passionate, talk show host and dynamic speaker. She is a woman of many dimensions. Today, Michelle Patterson is Executive Director of the Global Women Foundation, a 501(c) (3) public charity that serves to provide support, leadership and advocacy for women’s initiatives around the globe. The charity, which started almost ten years ago as a local festival supporting 22 charities, has grown into a global movement for women.
Ms. Patterson is also the Founder, President and CEO of Women Network LLC, a digital media company giving women a voice to share their message. WomenNetwork.com’s “umbrella platform” shines a light on organizations and corporations who empower women and bring them together as a community to experience “We are Better Together.” The online digital network provides women resources, tools and advice to achieve their full potential. Read more here.
Michaela Walsh
Founding President, Women's World Banking
Author, "Founding A Movement"
Michaela Walsh is activist, scholar, mentor, educator, and author. She was a pioneer woman manager with Merrill Lynch in Beirut, Lebanon, in the ’60s, first woman Partner of Boettcher in the ’70s, and in 1980 became Founding President of Women’s World Banking. Michaela has maintained a vibrant commitment to education and service. As an Adjunct Professor at Manhattanville College she created the Global Student Leadership program.
Board appointments have included Synergos Institute, Union Theological Seminary, and advisory roles in a wide range of governmental and social-justice organizations in the United States, Asia and Africa. She was Chairperson of the 59th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference in 2006. She received the Woman of Vision Award of the National Organization for Women, the UN Development Program’s Paul G. Hoffman Award for outstanding work in development, and in 2012 was honored by Women’s Funding Network for changing the face of philanthropy. Michaela was recognized in 2013 by the New York Women's Bond Club for the Isabel Benham Award, given for exceptional dedication to the advancement of women, and also received the CPI award. Michaela is a member of IMPACT Leadership 21's Global Advisory Council.
Founding President, Women's World Banking
Author, "Founding A Movement"
Michaela Walsh is activist, scholar, mentor, educator, and author. She was a pioneer woman manager with Merrill Lynch in Beirut, Lebanon, in the ’60s, first woman Partner of Boettcher in the ’70s, and in 1980 became Founding President of Women’s World Banking. Michaela has maintained a vibrant commitment to education and service. As an Adjunct Professor at Manhattanville College she created the Global Student Leadership program.
Board appointments have included Synergos Institute, Union Theological Seminary, and advisory roles in a wide range of governmental and social-justice organizations in the United States, Asia and Africa. She was Chairperson of the 59th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference in 2006. She received the Woman of Vision Award of the National Organization for Women, the UN Development Program’s Paul G. Hoffman Award for outstanding work in development, and in 2012 was honored by Women’s Funding Network for changing the face of philanthropy. Michaela was recognized in 2013 by the New York Women's Bond Club for the Isabel Benham Award, given for exceptional dedication to the advancement of women, and also received the CPI award. Michaela is a member of IMPACT Leadership 21's Global Advisory Council.
Dr. Keith Merron
Senior Executive Consultant
Barbara Annis and Associates
Keith Merron is a Senior Executive Consultant at Barbara Annis and Associates. As an organization effectiveness and executive development specialist, he has more than 30 years of experience assisting executives and managers in business, government, and education. In partnership with his clients, he has successfully conducted over 25 large-system strategic, cultural and technical change efforts resulting in a measurable increase in organizational productivity, employee performance, and employee satisfaction. His work has positively impacted American Express, Hewlett-Packard, Freddie Mac, AmeriGroup Corporation, MedCath, Wang Laboratories, General Public Utilities, WorldCorp, California State Automobile Association, Endocare, The Healthcare Financial Management Association, as well as over 200 other companies and organizations. Read more here
Senior Executive Consultant
Barbara Annis and Associates
Keith Merron is a Senior Executive Consultant at Barbara Annis and Associates. As an organization effectiveness and executive development specialist, he has more than 30 years of experience assisting executives and managers in business, government, and education. In partnership with his clients, he has successfully conducted over 25 large-system strategic, cultural and technical change efforts resulting in a measurable increase in organizational productivity, employee performance, and employee satisfaction. His work has positively impacted American Express, Hewlett-Packard, Freddie Mac, AmeriGroup Corporation, MedCath, Wang Laboratories, General Public Utilities, WorldCorp, California State Automobile Association, Endocare, The Healthcare Financial Management Association, as well as over 200 other companies and organizations. Read more here
Corinne Woods, Director
United Nations Millennium Campaign
Corinne Woods currently serves as Director of the UN Millennium Campaign, which supports citizens’ efforts to hold their governments accountable for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and leads the outreach to citizens and stakeholders to get their voices and concerns to feed into the Post-2015 global development agenda.
Previously, she worked at UNICEF as Senior Adviser on the HIV/AIDS Global Campaign Coordination, she helped create the award winning SHUGA soap opera and harness new innovations around early infant diagnosis. Prior to that, she was Chief of Advocacy and Partnerships in India where she led the UNICEF’s largest country operation in emergency response communications for the Tsunami and the campaign on malnutrition.
Corinne was Senior Advisor on the United Nations Special Session on Children, a General Assembly meeting focused on gaining new commitments for children from governments. In this role, she designed and built a global movement for children through the media and civil society, she also developed and implemented the “Say Yes for Children” campaign, which received 95 million pledges and was spearheaded by Nelson Mandela and the UN Secretary-General.
From 1994-1999, Corinne served as Head of Communication for Save the Children UK. She advocated for a range of policy and behavioral changes in the field of health through her roles at the UK Health Education Authority and at Munro and Forster Public Relations.
Corinne studied Philosophy.
United Nations Millennium Campaign
Corinne Woods currently serves as Director of the UN Millennium Campaign, which supports citizens’ efforts to hold their governments accountable for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and leads the outreach to citizens and stakeholders to get their voices and concerns to feed into the Post-2015 global development agenda.
Previously, she worked at UNICEF as Senior Adviser on the HIV/AIDS Global Campaign Coordination, she helped create the award winning SHUGA soap opera and harness new innovations around early infant diagnosis. Prior to that, she was Chief of Advocacy and Partnerships in India where she led the UNICEF’s largest country operation in emergency response communications for the Tsunami and the campaign on malnutrition.
Corinne was Senior Advisor on the United Nations Special Session on Children, a General Assembly meeting focused on gaining new commitments for children from governments. In this role, she designed and built a global movement for children through the media and civil society, she also developed and implemented the “Say Yes for Children” campaign, which received 95 million pledges and was spearheaded by Nelson Mandela and the UN Secretary-General.
From 1994-1999, Corinne served as Head of Communication for Save the Children UK. She advocated for a range of policy and behavioral changes in the field of health through her roles at the UK Health Education Authority and at Munro and Forster Public Relations.
Corinne studied Philosophy.
Carl Murrell
Representative to the United Nations
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States
Carl Murrell is the Representative to the United Nations for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. His Office engages in the discourses that focus particularly on the advancement of women, race unity and human rights. Mr. Murrell serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of Organizations of the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Mr. Murrell has served as Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women Sub-Committee on Violence Against Women. He also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations Associated with the UN Department of Public Information. He has also served as Co-Chair of the Values Caucus at the United Nations since 2001.
Before joining the NGO community, Mr. Murrell worked in the private sector in a number of fields including computer software design and mortgaged-back securities investing. He is keenly interested in human development and transformation. Mr. Murrell, a native New Yorker, is married and has 3 adult children.
Representative to the United Nations
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States
Carl Murrell is the Representative to the United Nations for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. His Office engages in the discourses that focus particularly on the advancement of women, race unity and human rights. Mr. Murrell serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of Organizations of the United Nations Association of the United States of America. Mr. Murrell has served as Vice-Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women Sub-Committee on Violence Against Women. He also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations Associated with the UN Department of Public Information. He has also served as Co-Chair of the Values Caucus at the United Nations since 2001.
Before joining the NGO community, Mr. Murrell worked in the private sector in a number of fields including computer software design and mortgaged-back securities investing. He is keenly interested in human development and transformation. Mr. Murrell, a native New Yorker, is married and has 3 adult children.
Leslie Grossman
CEO Coach, Vistage International
Author, LINK OUT and Co-founder, Women's Leadership Exchange
Vice-Chair, IMPACT Leadership 21 Global Advisory Council
Leslie Grossman is a leadership and business development strategist, and advocate for women leaders. A CEO coach and group facilitator with Vistage International, the largest and most influential global CEO organization, in 2002 Grossman created and co-founded Women’s Leadership Exchange, a national organization that produced more than 100 conferences with the mission to create more women leaders in the world by fostering the success of women entrepreneurs. Previously, she was founder and CEO of integrated marketing agency Communications/Marketing Action, whose clients included many national brands in the business, fashion, and entertainment sectors.
She is author of the leadership book Link Out: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connectors (Wiley, 2013), and Sellsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market: Women Business Owners and Executives (WPE Press, 2005) and recently presented a TED Talk on The Value of Having An Entourage. In 2012 Grossman toured Japan on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, speaking to women about the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and was rated as “one of the best speakers of the year.” Read more here.
CEO Coach, Vistage International
Author, LINK OUT and Co-founder, Women's Leadership Exchange
Vice-Chair, IMPACT Leadership 21 Global Advisory Council
Leslie Grossman is a leadership and business development strategist, and advocate for women leaders. A CEO coach and group facilitator with Vistage International, the largest and most influential global CEO organization, in 2002 Grossman created and co-founded Women’s Leadership Exchange, a national organization that produced more than 100 conferences with the mission to create more women leaders in the world by fostering the success of women entrepreneurs. Previously, she was founder and CEO of integrated marketing agency Communications/Marketing Action, whose clients included many national brands in the business, fashion, and entertainment sectors.
She is author of the leadership book Link Out: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connectors (Wiley, 2013), and Sellsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market: Women Business Owners and Executives (WPE Press, 2005) and recently presented a TED Talk on The Value of Having An Entourage. In 2012 Grossman toured Japan on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, speaking to women about the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and was rated as “one of the best speakers of the year.” Read more here.
MacDella Cooper
The MacDella Cooper Foundation
Born in Monrovia, Liberia in the late 1970s, MacDella Cooper was one of the thousands of refugees who fled Liberia after the eruption of a civil war in 1990. After leaving the war-torn Liberia and residing in Ivory Coast, at the age of 16, Ms. Cooper and her two older brothers landed in the embattled streets of Newark, New Jersey where Cooper attended Barringer High School. Graduating 3rd in a class of 1,200 students, Ms. Cooper received a full academic scholarship to The College of New Jersey, despite her rough past and hard road.
Prior to founding MCF in 2004, Ms. Cooper was the Marketing and Events Coordinator for Jones Apparel Group, where she alongside the Creative Services team developed comprehensive marketing strategies for the Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Jones New York and several other fashion brands including Eredi Pisano and Duca Sartoria. She also directed the marketing and event planning initiatives for the New York Independent Film and Music Festival. Today MacDella Cooper is known as "Liberia's Angel" for starting the MacDella Cooper Foundation, a non-for-profit charity that provides educational opportunities and basic necessities for abandoned children in Liberia. In 2010, Cooper opened the MCF Academy, a boarding school for orphans in Liberia. The MCF Academy is the first tuition-free boarding school that houses up to 200 students. The Academy provides a better quality of living in an environment that is safe, secure and conductive for learning. Ms. Cooper hopes the Academy will raise future leaders who take pride in their nation and themselves.
The MacDella Cooper Foundation
Born in Monrovia, Liberia in the late 1970s, MacDella Cooper was one of the thousands of refugees who fled Liberia after the eruption of a civil war in 1990. After leaving the war-torn Liberia and residing in Ivory Coast, at the age of 16, Ms. Cooper and her two older brothers landed in the embattled streets of Newark, New Jersey where Cooper attended Barringer High School. Graduating 3rd in a class of 1,200 students, Ms. Cooper received a full academic scholarship to The College of New Jersey, despite her rough past and hard road.
Prior to founding MCF in 2004, Ms. Cooper was the Marketing and Events Coordinator for Jones Apparel Group, where she alongside the Creative Services team developed comprehensive marketing strategies for the Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Jones New York and several other fashion brands including Eredi Pisano and Duca Sartoria. She also directed the marketing and event planning initiatives for the New York Independent Film and Music Festival. Today MacDella Cooper is known as "Liberia's Angel" for starting the MacDella Cooper Foundation, a non-for-profit charity that provides educational opportunities and basic necessities for abandoned children in Liberia. In 2010, Cooper opened the MCF Academy, a boarding school for orphans in Liberia. The MCF Academy is the first tuition-free boarding school that houses up to 200 students. The Academy provides a better quality of living in an environment that is safe, secure and conductive for learning. Ms. Cooper hopes the Academy will raise future leaders who take pride in their nation and themselves.
Runa Magnusdottir
Co-Founder, BRANDit
Leadership & Personal Branding Speaker
RUNA MAGNUSDOTTIR a life-time entrepreneur, the creator two EU Awarded Personal Branding Programs dedicated to help fast-forward thinking entrepreneurs to build their own empires by branding their uniqueness.
Born and raised in Iceland, founder of Connected Women & the co-founder of BRANDit, a founding & Steering Committee member of ATL Europe, the Association of Transformation Leaders in Europe and the vice-chairman of FKA the Association of Women Business Leaders in Iceland. As a passionate advocate for gender equality, Runa is a sought after inspirational teacher & speaker, empowering women entrepreneurs worldwide to build up their business by leading with authenticity, clarity & confidence.
Runa has been interviewed & quoted in the media worldwide such as: Forbes.com, Oprah's Best Life Series - The Times of Malta, Icelandic Business Magazine, The Economic Update, Malta, Passion for Business Magazine, Sweden, the Blue Wing – Finnair Magazine, Positively Pittsburgh, Just Fearless Radio, USA just to name a few.
Co-Founder, BRANDit
Leadership & Personal Branding Speaker
RUNA MAGNUSDOTTIR a life-time entrepreneur, the creator two EU Awarded Personal Branding Programs dedicated to help fast-forward thinking entrepreneurs to build their own empires by branding their uniqueness.
Born and raised in Iceland, founder of Connected Women & the co-founder of BRANDit, a founding & Steering Committee member of ATL Europe, the Association of Transformation Leaders in Europe and the vice-chairman of FKA the Association of Women Business Leaders in Iceland. As a passionate advocate for gender equality, Runa is a sought after inspirational teacher & speaker, empowering women entrepreneurs worldwide to build up their business by leading with authenticity, clarity & confidence.
Runa has been interviewed & quoted in the media worldwide such as: Forbes.com, Oprah's Best Life Series - The Times of Malta, Icelandic Business Magazine, The Economic Update, Malta, Passion for Business Magazine, Sweden, the Blue Wing – Finnair Magazine, Positively Pittsburgh, Just Fearless Radio, USA just to name a few.
