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May 1-3 in Seattle, Washington

Host Partner:

There’s never been a better time to be a woman in supply chain! The 2019 AWESOME Symposium will explore ways to make the most of this time – to reach beyond and achieve more in our own careers and to advance women’s leadership. We’ll hear from and interact with outstanding women – in supply chain and in other fields – as we focus on reaching out, reaching up, reaching in, reaching back, and reaching across.

Here are a preliminary schedule and some of the sessions and activities of the 2019 Symposium.

(Sessions and events will take place at the Sheraton Grand Seattle and/or Starbucks sites. Specific locations to be announced)

REGISTER before January 18 and receive a $200 savings on the Symposium fee. Please see your emailed invitation addressed from Ann Drake, Founder of AWESOME, for registration link. Senior-level supply chain women meeting the AWESOME criteria can contact Mary Cline (mary.cline@awesomeleaders.org) for more information.

Wednesday, May 1
8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Best Practice Sharing Session

Partners and Champion Sponsors will participate in a facilitated discussion about critical supply chain challenges and strategies for addressing them.

(This is a private session for representatives of participating companies who have been designated and invited)

We are able to accept one more company to join as a Champion Sponsor and take part in this session. For more information, contact Tracy Drake (tracy.drake@awesomeleaders.org)

10:00 am – 3:45 pm
General Check-in for Symposium participants & Pre-Symposium activities

Please plan to join us for all or part of this time to re-connect with other AWESOME leaders, make new connections, and enjoy Pre-Symposium activities. This time before the Symposium officially begins will be time well-spent and you won’t want to miss the fun.

Mid-afternoon – evening Symposium officially begins

Opening Remarks & Introductions
Up Close Conversations / Out in Front talks with Inspiring Women Leaders
Reception at the Starbucks Reserve

This Starbucks Reserve is the original of our Host Partner’s premium stores. On a normal day, this is where Starbucks partners and the public mingle to enjoy the coffee bar, the cocktail bar, and delicious items, such as pastries and pizza, from the Princi bakery. But this will be no normal day. Our reception will be especially AWESOME!

Thursday, May 2
8:00 am – 12:00 noon Sessions Include:

Reaching Beyond & Achieving More – Personal Stories from Successful Supply Chain Women

In this signature element of the AWESOME Symposium – a panel of leading women in supply chain sharing leadership lessons – this year’s line-up of accomplished women will talk about how they are reaching beyond to achieve more in multiple dimensions of their life and career. Their stories provide valuable insights for all who want to maximize their leadership performance and impact.

Out in Front with Jane Stevenson, author of “Women CEOs Speak”

Vice Chairman, Board & CEO Services, Korn Ferry
As the co-author of the book Breaking Away: How Great Leaders Create Innovation that Drives Sustainable Growth, and a project leader for the Korn Ferry Institute’s research on women CEOs, Jane will talk about why supply chain is a great foundation to build a career to CEO and how companies can proactively close the innovation and gender gaps simultaneously. She’ll inspire us to reach up to the top leadership levels.

Reaching Across: Engaging Men as Advocates for Change

Featuring Bonnie Fetch, author of “(Un)Skirting the Issues: A Guide for the Well-Intentioned Man in Today’s Workplace”
Executive Director, Cummins Distribution Supply Chain
Achieving gender parity in supply chain leadership will happen only if men and women are both working toward that objective. Bonnie Fetch will begin the session with research and practical insights about unconscious bias, stereotypes, and ingrained expectations that affect women today. She’ll then moderate a mixed-gender panel discussion about what works and what doesn’t.

Making Waves #1

In this engaging, interactive working session, participants will share their experience and generate new ideas about reaching beyond and achieving more.

12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
Luncheon and AWESOME Legendary Leadership (ALL) Awards

Each year, AWESOME presents the ALL Award to two outstanding women leaders who have advanced in supply chain leadership roles and who serve as role models and inspiration to other women. Watch for soon-to-be-announced 2019 ALL Award Honorees.

1:30 pm – 5:30 pm Sessions Include:

Talent Strategies and 2019 Women in Supply Chain Research Insights

Today’s successful supply chain leaders require different types of skills, and the competition for top talent grows ever more fierce. Dana Stiffler, VP Research, Gartner, will present, based on her research, key strategies for attracting, developing and retaining the best talent for the future, as well as highlights from the AWESOME / Gartner 2019 Women in Supply Chain Research.

Making Waves #2

The brainstorming discussion about reaching beyond and achieving more continues.

More sessions to be announced


Here are some of the additional leaders who will be featured:

    • Sarah Pfaff, Principal, EY and AWESOME Advisor
    • Maria Nieradka, former Sr. VP, Global Supply Chain, Biogen
    • Laura Ying, VP Purchasing, Kohler Kitchen & Bath
    • Peter Anderson, Vice President, Global Supply Chain & Manufacturing Cummins, Inc.
    • Betsey Nohe, VP, Supply Chain, Morton Salt
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Closing Reception

REGISTER before January 18 and receive a $200 savings on the Symposium fee. Please see your emailed invitation addressed from Ann Drake, Founder of AWESOME, for registration link. Senior-level supply chain women meeting the AWESOME criteria can contact Mary Cline (mary.cline@awesomeleaders.org) for more information.

Friday, May 3
Seattle is a contemporary, exciting city filled with major attractions and surrounded by unmatched natural beauty. AWESOME will offer several opportunities to experience the local sights, explore some hidden treasures, and continue networking with your peers. We hope you will extend your stay in Seattle and take advantage of these opportunities. Some options will end before noon to allow for afternoon flights.

There will be an additional cost for Friday’s activities and registration will take place separately. Look for additional announcements soon.

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