IWL 2020

This week the Office of Professional and Workforce Development (OPWD) is preparing for the 3rd Annual Inspiring Women Leaders (IWL) Conference that starts Sunday, March 8 and lasts until Tuesday, March 10.

Made up of engaging presentations, panel discussions, interactive pre-conference workshops and social networking opportunities, IWL 2020 is hosted by the University of Florida Warrington College of Business, Office of the Chief Diversity Officer and the Office of Professional and Workforce Development.

Three years ago, OPWD launched IWL and in our inaugural year boasted over 150 attendees, representing a variety of universities, agencies, and companies in diverse management and leadership roles. Our first conference, unique in Gainesville, was a success. Moving into the second year, we partnered with Warrington College of Business and the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer to have almost 250 attendees coming together for professional development, engaging networking, and to participate in an interactive learning environment over two conference days of Keynote Speakers, Breakout Tracks, and panels related to leadership and focusing on diversity and inclusion.

This three-day event offers personal and professional development opportunities for engagement with women leaders from across the country through interactive keynote sessions, strategic sessions, and networking geared to develop leadership and business skills. Going into our third year, we are also offering Pre-Conference Workshops, which provide more integrative learning opportunities prior to the start of the conference.

Wellness, Resilience and Gender Intelligence for Leaders presented by David Lau; Power and Presence: What it Means to Lead With Impact! presented by Jennifer Web; and Storytelling For Business and Life presented by Taylor Williams make up the three pre-workshops available to attendees as well as the general public.

IWL 2020 is focusing on presence, purpose, and people to highlight areas of strength, leveraging diversity and creating belonging. In addition, we have partnered with the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce on a Diversity and Inclusion Award that will be presented to Info Tech on March 9 at the conference, and will lead into a diversity and inclusion panel with Anita Anantharam, Tara Blythe, Eric Godet, Sr., Stephanie Marchman and Barzella Papa.

Hosted at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center and aligned with Women’s Month and International Women’s Day, IWL encourages attendees to exchange ideas, build relationships, and create a stronger community of empowered leaders.

Keynote speakers include John Spence, Sherron Washington and Jennifer Magley. Visit the IWL website for details concerning the conference, and stay tuned to hear about how IWL 2020 went!