Take The Lead Power Up Conference Ignites Inspiration and Action
On stage at the Power Up Conference (L to R) Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president, Take The Lead; Julie Uhrman, co-founder, Angel City FC, winner of Leading Company Award; Vada Manager, 2022 Leading Man Award winner.
The energy was electric as the Take The Lead Power Up Conference kicked off on Women’s Equality Day, Saturday, August 26th, with a lineup that promised to fuel finding the power within, ignite change, and celebrate women's equality. The theme of the event, "Lead YOUR Intention" set the tone for a powerful day of panels, speakers, and discussions that left attendees feeling invigorated and ready to take on the world.
This fourth annual Power Up Conference was held in Los Angeles at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center. It centered on achieving intersectional, gender parity in leadership across all sectors. The opening hit song "Get It Girl" courtesy of Laura Bell Bundy, fired the participants up for an unforgettable day.
The morning sessions were a whirlwind of inspiration, starting with hearty welcomes from conference chair Laura Vega and her daughter Elle who delivered a land acknowledgment. Take The Lead cofounder and president Gloria Feldt shared energizing reasons why honoring the date is so important. Felicia Davis, founder of The Black Woman's Collective, ignited and inspired the crowd with her call to Power Up for Women's Equality Day.
The excitement continued with the presentation of the 2023 Alexander Barbanell Leading Man Award to Darnell Moore the Vice President of Inclusion for Content and Marketing at Netflix. Moore questioned why there were not more men in the room. He continued to say to the young women in the audience that “the work of establishing equality is not yours to do by yourself.” That moment was followed by an engaging fireside chat where Darnell and Vada Manager, the 2022 Honoree, shared their insights and experiences as leading men.
A variety of concurrent sessions delved into critical topics. The "Big Pivot" panel, moderated by Major General U.S. Army (Ret) Peggy Wilmoth, explored the reinvention of careers after the military. Amanda Huffman and Alicia Chin Greer shared their stories of transition and growth. In the Ballroom, the "Women Build Wealth: Why, How, and Now" panel highlighted wealth-building strategies, featuring Laura Nix Gerson, Jorgi Paul, Sherry Bass, and Catherine Scrivano.
The Entrepreneur's Journey panel started with an upbeat video introduction from Liz Elting, with Diana Dixon leading a discussion on the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. Along with Vidhi Data & Jevin Hodge, this panel illuminated the path to success. Simultaneously, the "Women's Health Lifecycle" panel, featuring Carissa Smith, Sophia Yen, and Eva Goicochea, shed light on crucial health considerations and policies, including reproductive and sexual health, birth control, menopause, and much more.
The pinnacle of the morning was the Leading Company Award, presented to Angel City Football Club and CEO Julie Uhrman, kicked off with a video that knocked our inspirational socks off with its visionary message for bringing gender equality to sports players and the business of sport. The subsequent "50 Women Can and Do in Media and Entertainment" panel showcased the achievements of trailblazing women in the field. Dr. Nancy O'Reilly introduced the panel, where previous program participants Alicia Ontiveros, Jyoti Sarda, Rachel Feldman, Rosser Goodman, and Keisha McKinnor shared their journeys and insights.
After a well-deserved lunch break, City of Tempe, AZ Councilmember Berdetta Hodge, and Former Washington DC Secretary of State Sherryl Newman presented the Certificate of Recognition from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The afternoon session commenced with the Leading Media Award presented to Ms. Magazine and accepted by Ms. Executive Editor, Kathy Spillar. This paved the way for a series of roundtables, where attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions led by accomplished moderators.
The event's climactic moments arrived as Felicia Davis guided participants through the roundtable takeaways, fostering connections and commitment. The day concluded with heartfelt remarks, appreciation, and the presentation of the Leading Woman Award. President Barbie was honored to receive the Leading Woman Award accompanied by the remarkable high school volunteers.
As attendees gathered for the evening's concert and awards ceremony, the sense of camaraderie was palpable. Hosted by Aly Palmer, the event featured performances by BETTY, Kathleen Turner, MILCK, and Marina Arsenijevic. Following her performance, Kathleen Turner remarkably accepted the Wear the Shirt Award. Award from last year’s winner Suzanne Lerner. The lively entertainment created an atmosphere of celebration and unity.
The Take The Lead Power Up Conference undoubtedly lived up to its promise, providing a platform for women to amplify their voices, showcase their accomplishments, and connect with fellow change-makers. As attendees left the event, they carried with them not only unforgettable memories but also a renewed sense of purpose to continue leading the charge toward equality and for Take The Lead to expand its proven programs that enable women to embrace their power and Lead THEIR Intentions.