We need our sense of humor more than ever.

As former Apple executive Hiroki Asai put it, “Fear kills creativity and humor is our most powerful tool to drive fear out of the system.”

Through humor, we are able to talk about topics that are otherwise difficult to talk about. Humor helps us connect more deeply with others, inside our organizations and out.

For nearly 20 years, Tom has drawn a weekly business cartoon called Marketoonist. In this talk, Tom will use cartoons and case studies to explore how humor is even more important in tough times, how humor can effectively show and share empathy, and how leaders can use appropriate humor without being tone-deaf. With cartoons and case studies, Tom will help us all tap into our innate sense of humor and unlock the power of laughing at ourselves.

The events and experiences of the past year and a half have thinned the veil between work and personal. What used to live in the compartmentalized bucket of "home" is now living and breathing at work.

This is universally true across the globe for us as leaders and for our teams and there is no clear "return to normal" on the horizon. So, how do we, as leaders, embrace this new normal and model vulnerability in our organizations?

 
In this interactive session, we will:

• Identify why vulnerability as a leader supports a healthy business
• Learn the power of vulnerable storytelling
• Explore how vulnerability deepens connections with ourselves and others
• Share the unique aspects of your individual stories

Difficult people. We all know them and, often, we need to work with them. Whether you collaborate with a control freak, manage an egomaniac, present to an interrupter, partner with a killjoy, or obtain buy-in from a passive team member, working with (difficult) others is no easy task.
 
In this interactive session, you will:

• Learn why difficult people behave the way they do

• Determine different approaches to help reframe the situation in order to move forward

• Create upfront strategies -- and boundaries -- to better handle difficult co-workers and stakeholders

Many of us think that if we put our heads down and work hard, our work will speak for itself. But it’s actually the opposite: to get ahead, WE have to speak for our work. But easier said than done. Led by Claire Wasserman, the author and founder of Ladies Get Paid, this workshop will give you the tools to take risks, be bold, and make sure your voice is heard. Key takeaways include:

1. Identify internal roadblocks (imposter syndrome and perfectionism) and how to combat them

2. Track and articulate your strengths and accomplishments

3. Find advocates and allies

4. Gain visibility and project authority

Lead Better. Achieve More. Be Unstoppable.
An event exclusively for Women CFOS & aspiring Women CFOs.

I hope you can join us at our next event - a "fireside chat" with Navy Seal, Entrepreneur, Author & Leader, Alden Mills to connect on his book, “Unstoppable Teams”.

In our time together, we will chat with Alden about his Unstoppable Teams & his thoughts on how to inspire, motivate & lead the people around you.

Alden has codified his most successful leadership practices in a framework called C.A.R.E.—detailed in Unstoppable Teams:

Connect, and you’ll build trust.
Achieve more, and you’ll create direction.
Respect others, and you’ll build an environment of continuous contributions.
Empower others, and you’ll create ownership within your team.

To no one’s surprise, Alden’s motto is, “To lead is to serve—and to serve is to care.”  He believes success is available to everyone, not just a chosen few. And he believes that your potential is much greater than you know. 

This workshop will help you to get past your fear of public speaking and make your presentations and talks truly memorable – for all the right reasons!

David Nihill has walked—and talked—in your shoes. David went from being deathly afraid of standing in front of an audience to performing stand-up routines, winning storytelling competitions in front of packed houses, and becoming one of the world’s leading experts on the usually not-so-sexy topic of public speaking.

In this highly energetic, engaging and funny workshop, David will share the techniques of the world’s best TED speakers. Audiences will learn:

How to craft a story and content that your audience will want to listen to.

• How and when to include the best parts of your presentation for greatest
  impact.

• How to deal with stage fright and flop sweat.

• How to avoid going blank on stage.

• How to master the two most important parts of your performance: timing and
  delivery.

• Tons of never heard before actionable tips to apply immediately in your next
  public speaking engagement.

Carole Robin taught interpersonal skills to MBA candidates in her legendary Stanford Graduate School of Business course Interpersonal Dynamics (affectionately known to generations of students as “Touchy-Feely”) and has coached and consulted hundreds of executives for decades.

In Connect, Carole shows readers how to take their relationships from shallow to exceptional by cultivating authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty, while being willing to ask for and offer help, share a commitment to growth, and deal productively with conflict.

“It’s never been clearer that meaningful relationships are critical to a fulfilling and healthy life. Connect shows us that by learning to connect with ourselves we can more easily build thriving relationships.”—Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global

The Imposter Syndrome is the phenomenon where high achieving people doubt their skills, talents or accomplishments and experience the persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. To combat the fear of being exposed, “imposters” feel the constant need to appear capable, competent and successful - underneath they are never satisfied with their success but instead are insecure, anxious and full of self-doubt and criticism. 

Over 70% of women experience the Imposter Syndrome. And it is more prevalent in situations where one is not a member of the dominant group or culture they find themselves in. 

This Imposter Syndrome creates a lonely, unsatisfying place that will keep you from your authentic power, leadership and impact. It can thwart your career trajectory by not seeking better opportunities or cause your management style to be less effective due to micro-management, perfectionism and lack of confidence. Whatever way the Imposter Syndrome is affecting you, given what’s happening in the world, we do not have the luxury to hide behind the false belief that we are imposters.

It’s critical that each of us offer what is truly ours to offer.

During this interactive workshop Michael gave participants:

• A path to the cure for the Imposter Syndrome

• An opportunity to free up the energy wasted worrying that you will be “found out”

• Tools to develop the self-confidence and freedom to fully and powerfully express your unique gifts & talents at work and in the world.

Elizabeth Kurfess - Thank You. Our strong, committed & vulnerable community of female c-suite leaders today discussed Personal Values & Leadership.

We dove deep in "Values Based Leading" and these words above are the personal values important to our community of leaders.

Event Description: Showing up as an Empathetic Leader

As a full time working mom of two little ones, I understand how many hats that women leaders wear (in and out of the office walls).

Listening to the women CFOs this morning sharing ideas and learning from one another, I remain committed to the growth of this community. It is my belief that we evolve and learn as leaders with a village of support.

Thank you Corey Ponder for leading us today. It was another fantastic event.

Event Description - The Power of Your Voice:

Two years ago I proudly returned to Woodruff Sawyer. With its abundance of female executives, one of the primary reasons I returned is Woodruff's dedication to female leadership.

With Woodruff's support, I am building a Women CFO community - bringing together female CFOs from Boston to Seattle to the San Francisco Bay Area. We share learnings, listen to each other and continue to grow - both professionally and personally as leaders.

Kim Sobel Morrow led our community on the Power of Your Voice. Reminding us how to show up as leaders. This event was phenomenal - thank you.

Event Description: Vanessa Loder was absolutely phenomenal, leading our community of Women in Finance on the topic, “How to Lean In Without Burning Out”.

The topic couldn’t come at a better time as a majority of female leaders are juggling jobs, families and homes...what are strategies we can learn to keep resilient (avoiding the burn out) before grabbing that glass of wine or bag of chips??

Learning to say “no”, outsourcing with no guilt, and determining what are your “non-negotiables” - these are all tools I am taking with me following today’s event.

Event Description: "Returning to Work Post-Pandemic". Our community of Women CFO's filled up two screens for our fascinating and insightful discussion with Al-Husein Madhany. Although we have continued our gatherings virtually, the power of community and relationships has never been more essential.

Thank You all for showing up & continuing to lead!

Event Description: What an honor it was to be surrounded by such inspiring and accomplished women at our February Women CFO event - “How to Get A Seat on the Board”. I am in awe of this growing and committed community of women executives.

Karen Boone Kelly Kennedy Margot McShane - thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. #womenonboards

Event Description: Women in Leadership - A Conversation on Power, Purpose & Practice.

Speaker, Coach, Author: Paige Nolan

Attendees: Women CFOs of VC Firms