2024 Events
Throughout every year, WIL hosts a variety of events, panel discussions, and best practice sharing sessions.
Small Talk Can Be the Biggest Talk We Do!
We are all familiar with small talk...but how do we make big talk? Not boasting, bragging, or talking big, but having deep, genuine, and meaningful conversations.
Whether networking excites you or makes you a bit nervous, this session is for you! Anne Gardner Darku with Norton Healthcare shared her expertise and showed us how to turn your small talk into BIG talk!
Return to the Office
Best Practice Sharing Session
We started this best practice sharing series in 2022 just as many were returning to the office after the pandemic. It's been great to hear from everyone over the past ~two years to see how you've been managing through these changes. As everyone settles into their appropriate work styles, companies adjust office space, and many are embracing (while some are not) a hybrid or back into the office environment, we shared how things are going!
Resilience Reduction Strategies
Best Practice Sharing Session
Michele Clark, with GE Appliances, kicked off this discussion sharing her expertise on tools and techniques we can utilize. This session provided a great opportunity to collaborate on Resilience Reduction Strategies, specifically, what tools and techniques are you using or working to incorporate at the workplace so that Women Don’t Have to BE SO Resilient. This includes everything from setting expectations with people leaders, implementing programs or benefits, or leveraging your Employee and Business Resource Groups to host and support specific cultural changes or ways of working.
The Language of Allyship: Why Pronouns Matter
Natalie Snyder, a PRIDE Champion with GE Appliances, led a fun and educational event exploring the power of inclusive language such as pronouns to create safe spaces for ALL individuals. Learn how to use language to uplift and support our LGBTQ+ community by becoming a better Ally through inclusive communication. We celebrated the importance of pronouns and build a more inclusive world! Everyone hopefully walked away with tangible ways to show their Allyship with the proper use of pronouns.
WIL Virtual Coffee Connections
The Five Cs of Resilience
WIL Coffee Connections is a twist on your traditional networking event. While networking is often seen as formal or stuffy, Coffee Connections sets out to make your experience less daunting and more casual, just like having a virtual cup of coffee with colleagues. Click here to see the notes we captured!
This unique virtual opportunity provides a way for you to grow your professional network that will help support your long-term goals, develop relationships, explore new conversations and learn new things. Our first session included some fun ice breakers, networking, and the Five Cs of Resilience.
Empower & Elevate: Supporting Our Black Colleagues Best Practice Sharing Session
We gathered to celebrate National Black Business Month and share best practices around how we are supporting our Black colleagues. The history of Black Business Month can be traced back to the year 2004 and centers around empowering Black business owners, especially given the unique challenges faced by minority business owners. We shared how we are supporting our black colleagues within our companies to ensure they beat the odds as we foster a culture of inclusivity. Our discussion ranged from setting expectations with people leaders to implementing programs to leveraging your Black Employee Resource Groups to educate and lead the changes needed at your company.
Unseen Realities: Shifting from Stigma to Empowerment for Invisible Disabilities & Differences Panel Discussion
We hosted an enlightening conversation about invisible disabilities and differences, where we explored their impact and discuss strategies for self-advocacy and supporting others. Our panelists shared their personal stories related to invisible disabilities and differences and provide us insight on how best to support and advocate for them.
WIL Fall Conference
Our flagship event was hosted on Oct 30 at GE Appliances this year. It was a full afternoon of learning and inspiration for those that joined us online and in person! Sharnika Glenn, VP of Human Resources with UPS Airlines, shared her story then we had a full afternoon of breakout sessions with topics ranging from AI to health and fitness to leadership!
WIL Virtual Coffee Connections
Brewing Holiday Resilience
Projects and parties and people, oh my! Do you get stressed during the holidays? For this session, we hosted an engaging holiday-themed discussion where participants shared what they specifically do in preparation for and throughout the holiday season. Click here to see some of the tips we captured!
WIL Coffee Connections is a twist on your traditional networking event. While networking is often seen as formal or stuffy, Coffee Connections sets out to make your experience less daunting and more casual, just like having a virtual cup of coffee with colleagues.