#TakeTheLead Breakfast
Hosted by STARZ

Meet fellow attendees and take in our beautiful views at Newsweek HQ: 1 WTC, 72nd Floor

Jennifer Cunningham, Editor In Chief, Newsweek

Launching a business is bold—but thriving as a female founder in today’s complex entrepreneurial ecosystem requires strategy, resilience, and community. In this empowering session, we’ll dive into the unique opportunities and challenges women face as they build, fund, and scale their ventures. Hear from trailblazing founders who are breaking barriers, redefining success, and paving the way for a more inclusive startup landscape.

Moderator:
Anu Duggal, Founding Partner, Female Founders Fund

Panelists:
Lo Bosworth, Founder, Love Wellness
Kristie D'Ambrosio-Correll, Founder, Dacora
Katie Sturino, Founder of MEGABABE, Author of Sunny Side Up and Body Talk, Body Acceptance Advocate

Across industries, women are leading innovation, driving growth, and reshaping the workplace. Yet, the journey toward equity at the executive table continues. This inspiring panel celebrates the progress made while focusing on the actionable steps still needed to ensure every woman is valued, elevated and compensated—equitably. From forward-thinking company policies to transformative leadership, training and advocacy, the conversation will center on building inclusive, supportive workplaces where all women can thrive.

Moderator:
Lauren Giella, Senior Reporter, Newsweek

Panelists:
Bonnie Barczykowski, CEO, Girl Scouts USA
Catherine Wragg, Chief People Officer, TriNet

The Future of Women’s Health: Connected, Personalized Care
Digital innovation is revolutionizing women's health, and Hers is at the forefront, breaking down barriers to make personalized, effective health care accessible to every woman, on her terms. This conversation explores how personalized treatment plans and a connected, online experience are addressing long-overlooked areas in women’s health—from mental wellness to hair loss—shaping a more responsive, equitable future for health care. With greater access to care, women can overcome the obstacles they face in society, communities and health care settings, transforming how they show up in life.

Moderator:
Kylie McCoy, VP of Brand Partnerships, Newsweek

Panelists:
Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Chief Medical Officer, Hers

Women in business are reshaping the way brands connect with customers. This session explores how female leaders and entrepreneurs are moving beyond traditional engagement tactics to build compelling narratives and value-driven experiences. By deeply understanding the needs of niche audiences, they’re creating emotional resonance that turns customers into passionate brand advocates. Join us to uncover how these changemakers are driving meaningful engagement and building loyalty in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.

Moderator:
Mandy Taheri, Weekend Reporter, Newsweek

Panelists:
Sarah Bishop, Vice President, Global Brand and Consumer Marketing, NFL
Alex Schinasi, Co-founder & President, Hulken
Jennifer Yue, SVP, Tapestry & Coach Strategy & Consumer Insights, Coach Collaborations and Coachtopia

Serving on a board is more than a title—it’s an opportunity to drive meaningful change, influence strategy, and leave a legacy of leadership. This empowering session is designed for women who currently serve on boards or aspire to join them. We’ll explore how to go beyond simply having a seat at the table to becoming a catalyst for transformation. Learn how to navigate board dynamics, advocate for inclusive governance, and contribute in ways that resonate long after your term ends. Through real-world insights and strategies from seasoned board members, you'll gain the tools and confidence to make your voice heard—and your impact unforgettable.

Moderator:
Beth Stewart, Founder and CEO, Trewstar

Panelists:
Sharda Cherwoo, Independent Board Director, The Carlyle Group, World Connect Corp.
Bridget Ryan Berman, Board of Directors, Asbury Automotive Group, Newell Brands, Tanger, Inc

Moderator:
Kylie McCoy, VP of Brand Partnerships, Newsweek

Panelists:
Sue Downes, CEO and Co- Founder, MyEyeDr.

The traditional metrics of leadership—title, tenure, and authority—are being redefined in today’s dynamic and inclusive work environments. In this transformative session, we explore how women are reshaping what it means to lead, not just by climbing the ladder, but by building new ones. Join a powerful conversation that highlights the evolving dimensions of success—empathy, resilience, collaboration, impact, and authenticity.

Moderator:
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, Senior Editor, Autos, Newsweek

Panelists:
Kelly Fanning, General Manager, North America, Clinique and Dermatological Brands
Melody Lee, Chief Marketing Officer, Mercedes-Benz USA
Allyson Witherspoon, Chief Marketing Officer, Nissan US

Hosted by MyEyeDr.

Join fellow attendees for a relaxed and informal Networking Lunch, designed to help you connect, collaborate, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

The future belongs to those who dare to dream big—and act boldly. This visionary session celebrates the power of women who are challenging the status quo, leading with purpose, and shaping what’s next across industries and communities. Together, we’ll explore how to cultivate a future-focused mindset, turn ambitious ideas into actionable strategies, and lead with courage in times of uncertainty. Featuring trailblazers who are redefining what’s possible, this session will inspire you to own your vision, amplify your voice, and build a future that reflects your values and your power.

Moderator:
Jennifer Cunningham, Editor in Chief, Newsweek

Speaker:
Cathy Engelbert, Commissioner, WNBA

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant frontier—it’s a powerful tool reshaping how we work, lead, and innovate. In this forward-looking session designed for women at the intersection of technology and leadership, we’ll explore how to strategically harness AI to elevate performance, optimize decision-making, and drive transformational outcomes. Learn how women are not only adapting to AI but leading its application in ways that exceed expectations across industries. From practical tools to bold case studies, discover how you can integrate AI into your workflow, enhance your leadership presence, and shape the future of work with confidence and creativity.

Moderator:
Jennifer Cunningham, Editor in Chief, Newsweek

Panelists:
Christel Buchanan, Founder and CEO, ChatAndBuild
Melissa Faulkner, Chief Information Officer, Skanska USA
Miruna Sasu, President and CEO, COTA, Inc

Wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership strategy. In this honest and energizing session, we’ll explore how women who prioritize their mental, physical, and emotional well-being are not only healthier, but also more focused, innovative, and influential in the workplace. From managing burnout to setting boundaries and cultivating resilience, this session offers personal stories that illuminate the connection between wellness and high-impact leadership.

Moderator:
Katherine Fung, Senior Reporter, Newsweek

Panelists:
Kim Boyd, MD, Chief Medical Officer, WeightWatchers
Danielle DuBoise, Co-Founder, Sakara
Evelyn Webster, CEO, SoulCycle

Women are the backbone of the health care industry—leading innovations, shaping policy, delivering care, and driving change at every level. We will shine a light on the trailblazing women transforming health care today and building a healthier tomorrow. From navigating leadership in complex systems to championing equity in patient outcomes and workplace culture, hear from women making bold moves in medicine, biotech, public health, administration, and beyond.

Moderator:
Alexis Kayser, Health Care Editor, Newsweek

Panelists:
Heather Farley, MD, MHCDS, FACEP, Chief Well-being Officer, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina
Rhonda Jordan, SHRM-SCP, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Virtua Health
Stacey E. Rosen, MD, FAHA, Executive Director, Katz Institute for Women's Health, Northwell - and - Volunteer President, American Heart Association
Jannine Versi, Co-Founder & CEO, Elektra Health

As a new generation of executives step into the boardroom, some of them are finding themselves more alone than ever—not only are they the only woman in the room, they are also the youngest person there. In this panel, these Gen Z leaders will explore their unique paths to early career success and how they navigate generational gaps across industries.

Moderator:
Katherine Fung, Senior Reporter, Newsweek

Panelists:
Lucy Guo, Founder & CEO, Passes
KaLeigh Long, Founder & CEO, Westin Elements
Daniella Pierson, Founder & CEO, The Newsette and CHASM

In today's fast-paced business landscape, creativity is more than a buzzword—it's a strategic asset. But how can organizations encourage innovation without losing sight of profitability? This session explores practical approaches to cultivating a culture of creativity that drives tangible business results.

Moderated by:
Mandy Taheri, Weekend Reporter, Newsweek

Panelists:
Chloe Coscarelli, Chef & Owner, Chloe.
Allison Stransky, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics America
Tanya Taylor, Creative Director & Founder, Tanya Taylor
Nicole Wegman, Founder & CEO, Ring Concierge

Moderator:
Kylie McCoy, VP of Brand Partnerships, Newsweek

Speaker:
Alison Hoffman, President, STARZ Networks

For decades, women leaders have been told they can — and should — "have it all": a thriving career, a perfect family, personal wellness, social impact, and more. But beneath this ideal is a damaging myth that places unrealistic expectations on women, sets them up for burnout, and obscures the systemic barriers they face.

In this honest session, we’ll dismantle the myth of "having it all" and explore how women can redefine leadership, success, and fulfillment on their own terms. We’ll discuss:

• Why the "have it all" narrative persists — and who it truly serves
• How women leaders are challenging perfectionism and productivity culture
• Ways to thrive by aligning with values, setting boundaries, and embracing imperfection
• What inclusive workplaces and support systems must look like for women to flourish

Moderator:
Jennifer Cunningham, Editor in Chief, Newsweek

Speaker:
Indra K. Nooyi, Former Chairman & CEO, PepsiCo

To wrap up, we’ll deliver five cutting-edge insights from the event, designed to move you from inspiration to IMPACT.

Speakers:
Jennifer Cunningham, Editor in Chief, Newsweek
Katherine Fung, Senior Reporter, Newsweek

Hosted by Hers

We encourage all attendees to stay for a drink, take in the beautiful views of the 72nd Floor at 1WTC - and get to know the inspiring women in the room.