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 FORWARD pen, door hangers, 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
10:35 – 10:50am — Energy Break with 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 Session 1
3:00 – 4:15pm — *Workshop Session 2
4:15 – 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: Sheela Murthy, Jennifer Marana, Nury Mena, Barbarajean Shaneman-Robinson, Rachel Druckenmiller, and Bernadette Taylor.

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, navigating COVID, Job Readiness and Personal Finances, and much more!

  • You Are Your Greatest Asset
  • 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!
  • Women in Leadership (in the Post COVID 19 World)
  • Lo Que Necesita Saber De Impuestos y Fraudes (Solo espagnol)
  • 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
  • Watering Your S.E.E.D.S. to Health & Wellness
  • Communicate with Power, Pop, and Presence

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

11:00am — Thursday Rewind
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 effectively without having to write a
    single word.
  • Write at least 500 words in 5 minutes or less.
1:30 – 2:30pm — Break
 

Student Internship

2:30 – 4:00pm — Internship Fair featuring Maryland Public Television, Fulton Bank, and Featherstone Foundation, Maryland Apprenticeship Program, and Lockheed Martin. Attendees will learn about MPT internship opportunities available for students or career changing adults. Join us on Facebook Live (@forwardwlf) for this, free and open to the public event, as we discuss what it takes to interview for, apply and succeed in an internship program. 

Career Conversation

4:00 – 5:30pm — Join a Career Coach and HR Consultant as they share with you the nuances of navigating the work environment. Learn about creating core values, establishing boundaries and leadership development. Understand the options you have in the workplace and your rights as an employee. This is an open forum for participants to guide the conversation to address burning concerns or workplace issues 

Virtual Happy Hour

We invite VIP All Access attendees to our evening happy hour session where we engage with a special guest, let loose with DJ La, 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 DJ La, 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 Black 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

Small Business Round Table - Surviving COVID

9:00 – 10:30am — Small Business Round Table
Panelists include representatives from M&T Bank, Maryland Department of Labor, E Suite Academy, Empire Global Ventures, Medical Solutions, Department of Commerce, and more.
10:30 – 11:00am — Forward WLF Wrap-Up

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.