Forward 2021

The WLF 2021 will continue to bring inspiration and transformation to all women in a safe space.
The 2021 agenda will continue to have an array of workshops. However, we will focus on workforce 
development by bringing you workshops to improve your personal brand and an opportunity to 
interview for a job. We can’t wait to see you move FORWARD!

Who doesn’t love swag?!

Each attendee will receive FORWARD Swag with ticket purchase. All Access attendees will receive a Swag Envelope full of fun and useful items to help you get the most out of your WLF event experience. Items include a full color printed event workbook, FORWARD pen, WLF mask, and more. VIP All Access guests will receive a Deluxe Swag Box with even more goodies. Student ticket holders will receive a WLF mask and materials to download.

Women Leadership Forum Agenda
Forward!

Thursday, March 18 - Listen

Attendees will interact and engage with our keynote speaker panel discussion @the Pearl roundtable, choose from an array of workshops, interact with our vendors in the Connection Villages, and network with women from a variety of backgrounds.

7:30 – 8:00am —  VIP Coffee and Tea with Colette
8:00 – 8:25am — Opening Remarks
8:25am — Welcome, Moderator Sheela Murthy
8:30am — Poetry by Sovel Cunningham (UK)
8:50 – 10:30am — Keynote Conversation with April Ryan
10:30 – 10:50am — Break – Lotus Fitness
10:50 – 12:00pm — Panel Discussion @ The Pearl
12:00 – 1:30pm — Break for Lunch and enjoy the Connections in the Village filled with Vendors, Sponsors, and Networking
1:30 – 2:45pm — *Workshop Set 1
3:00 – 4:15pm — *Workshop Set 2
4:30 – 5:30pm — Networking Happy Hour

Meet The Pearl, Panelists

The Pearl - Panel Discussion

Our panelists will have an insightful discussion on women moving forward in 2021 and how they have learned to lead being their authentic self. They will share their journeys – triumphs and hurdles – that make them the women that they are today. You’ll walk away with tangible, actionable advice as well as support resources.

We are fortunate to hear from: Jennifer Marana, Nury Mena, Barbarajean Shaneman and many more.

Meet the Panelists and Facilitators

Workshops

Attendees will have the opportunity to hop in and out of breakout sessions on Thursday. Topics include Personal Relationships, Business Building Blocks (English and Spanish), navigating COVID, Job Readiness and Personal Finances, and much more!

  • You’re Asking the Wrong Questions:
    Demystifying Budgeting, Taxes and Investments
  • Wellness Strategies for Women in Leadership
  • Relationship Cookbook: Ingredients for Successful Partnerships in Home and Business
  • Women Coloring Social Justice
  • Stand Out Resume – The Competition Stops Here!
  • Finding your Passion and Purpose to Embrace Yourself to become the Best Leader
  • Unmute Yourself! Get Your Mind Right & Ignite Your Life
  • Girl Get Your Money Right
  • Face it! Strategies for Video Interviewing
  • Moving Your Business Forward
  • Health and Wellness
  • Networking – TBD
  • Communication
  • What You Need to Know About Taxes

Meet the Breakout Session Facilitators

Big Interview

From the minute you purchase your ticket you will get full access for 1 year to the Big Interview platform. Big Interview prepares you to ace the interview and win the job!
Learn More

Friday, March 19 - Learn

12:00pm — Welcome, Logistics and Various Introductions
12:15 – 1:30pm — STORY 4WARD: 4 Steps to Successfully
Sharing Your Story, Increasing Your Impact, And Achieving Your
Ultimate Goals. Attendees will be guided through the process
of mind mapping in the WLF writing workshop. Your facilitator

You’ll discover proven techniques to:

  • Know your “HERstory” and be able to share it so the world will listen.
  • Mind map your content so your message reaches the hearts and minds of your ideal audience.
  • Write quickly and eectively without having to write a single word.
  • Write at least 500 words in 5 minutes or less.
1:30 – 2:30pm — Break
2:30 – 4:00pm — Internship Fair featuring MPT, Fulton Bank, and Featherstone Foundation

Student Internship

2:30pm — Attendees will learn about MPT internship opportunities available for students or career changing adults. Join us on Facebook Live as we discuss what it takes to interview for, apply and succeed in an internship program. Co-host include: Featherstone Foundation (Scholarship), MPT (Host/Employer) and Fulton Bank (Management Program)

Virtual Happy Hour

VIP All Access attendees have access to our evening happy hour session where we engage with a special guest, let loose with DJ Sway, and even mix up the WLF signature cocktail or mocktail.
5:30 – 6:30pm — VIP will have the opportunity to chat with our Moderator, Sheela Murthy about her latest book release

6:30 – 8:00pm — VIP Happy Hour with DJLa, Connection Village including Artists Ruth Hardy and Jokeeta Johnson, Chef Felicia Covel. Learn how to make drinks with bartender-ess, Aimee of Sassy Shots and Iced Coffee with Four Acres. Don’t forget the desserts with Rosie Eats!

 

Be sure to stop by the Connection Village on Thursday and Friday.

Shop with unique vendors, learn about our sponsor resources, enjoy music and live art demonstrations,
and learn the ways of successful networking. 

Meet the Vendors
Become a Vendor

Saturday, March 20 - Jobs

The final day of the conference focuses on workforce development. Attendees will learn valuable lessons in job readiness and have the opportunity to record their elevator pitch for a recruiter that best matches their skill set. 

8:00am — Welcome, Logistics and Various Introductions
8:30 – 9:30am — Workforce Development Panel Discussion
9:45 – 11:15pm — Recruiter appointments
11:15 – 11:30am — Closing Remarks

Meet the Recruiters

Align Staffing, Express Pros and more

10:00am – 4:00pm — Entrepreneur/Small Business Roundtable

Tickets

FORWARD WLF Scholarship – The WLF has acquired special funding, through the generous support of our individual and corporate sponsors, for a limited number of scholarship tickets. Scholarships will be awarded to fifty women who aren’t able to make the financial commitment for the WLF ticket. In order to qualify for a scholarship you must complete this APPLICATION no later than January 13, 2021 at 5pm. Scholarship recipients will be notified via email no later than February 1, 2021.