Home Depot’s Sabrina Green led a Women of Power and Vision panel discussion at the 15th annual Possible Woman Leadership Conference.
“These women are leaders in the community as it relates to giving back. They are taking the opportunity to make sure that they are lifting other women up,” said Green, the director of global diversity and inclusion, in opening her remarks.
The theme for this year’s event was “Believe. Begin. Become. Possible Woman 2011.” Panelists Kathy Betty, owner of the Atlanta Dream; Amy Medendorp, EVP diversified commercial line of business at SunTrust Banks Inc.; Hala Moddelmog, president of Arby’s; Maria Peninger, SVP of Avon; and Debbie Sessions, partner with Porter, Keadle, Moore LLP, collectively agreed that their faith, family and friends have played an integral role in their success and achievement of their greatest accomplishments to date.
The Possible Woman Conference was presented to promote educational opportunities for women and to connect young women who are returning to school to pursue nontraditional roles or occupations with female trailblazers. The organization’s foundation provides scholarships for women in need who are returning to school to pursue nontraditional roles or occupations and connects them with women trailblazers in these industries. Scholarships were presented at an awards dinner at Maggiano’s Buckhead the evening before the conference. Recipient, Jasmine St. Bernard majoring in conflict resolution and legal studies at Brenau University, says the organization feels like family. “It’s such an honor to receive this scholarship,” she said.
The keynote address was delivered by sports agent Molly Fletcher, founder of MWF, LLC and Fletcher Digital, who offered insight on the importance of connecting with people with whom you’d like to develop a fruitful relationship.
The luncheon keynote, Moira Forbes, publisher of ForbesWoman and associate publisher of ForbesLife, encouraged the women to use their influence to make an impact. “We need to take action and take risks, no matter where the chips fall. Be willing to see yourself outside of the way you’ve known yourself for years. Allow setbacks to fuel future successes,” she said.
The more than 600 attendees didn’t walk away empty handed. Avon had a swag bag filled with girlie goodies. BLUE MedSpa’s founder, John Stupka, gave away wellness packages to a few lucky winners and panelists. IKEA’s Deidra Cunningham drew names for a host of door prizes and ensured every participant received a glass vase. –yvette caslin
