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This was my first ever S.H.E. Summit and it definitely won’t be my last. This long anticipated event was held at the 92Y space in New York city. S.H.E. is a two-day summit with a respectable list of speakers, see list here. I went on Friday as it was the day I could arrange best with my husband and two kids. But what is S.H.E Summit? She Helps Empower was founded by Claudia Chan with the belief that if women are exposed to a diversity of female role models, confidence-building stories and strategies, tools for personal and professional growth, and the significance of supporting each other–then they are more likely to reach their full potential and transform our culture for the betterment of all women and the world.
As I arrived on Friday morning, Latina journalist Soledad O’Brien, French fashion designer Catherine Malandrino, Rachel Sklar and Claudia Chan were all on stage discussing “Breaking Barriers – How to Remove the Can’t from the Conversation”. The topic was deep and one that brought a lot of discussion, soul searching, questions of gender and in leadership, a CAN DO attitude. I was in full on observation mode and in deep in thought, listening and self analyzing. The 92Y room was a packed house of diverse ladies from different age groups/ professions, I was so impressed to see so many faces engaged in this conversation, nodding, tweeting and smiling.
The best way I’d describe my time at S.H.E. Summit, it was an empowerment meeting of the minds for women and by women. The topics ranged from leadership, career, innovation, tech, self care, confidence, wealth management, motherhood, social good to the sciences. While I sat and watched these phenomenal speakers, I met attendees from very different backgrounds who like me, were interested to get insight from the speakers and learn a thing or two. One lady I chatted to was a social worker, another one was a journalist, there were some very established professionals as well as younger ones, fresh out of college, bright-eyed and asking questions and very mature, full of ideas and hope. This was the kind of event, I’d have loved to gone to as a young university graduate but alas, I made it a few years later and armed with a different kind of life career/ insight.
But that wasn’t everything on offer at SHE Summit. To keep everyone happily nourished, there was a superb array of Luna Bar snacks, healthy drinks, a completely vegan gluten free lunch provided by Sakara Life, plus a great goodie bag from Dermalogica, Barre Fit, Frangelico and CoverGirl for all attendees. There was one major element so amazing it needs to be shared, if you couldn’t attend S.H.E. Summit the event was made available on lifestream by GoGirlFinance, you can watch here. My friend Rebecca Jackson was the reason I learned about S.H.E. Summit (she is in the yellow dress, 2nd photo), I want to thank you and tell you I loved watching you onstage. Rebecca moderated “Women and Wealth: Managing Money, Making Meaning” panel featuring Manisha Thakor, Amanda Steinberg, and Gail Cohen. During this panel the topic of money and women’s unprecedented power was talked about at length, how to be smart about money, managing it and investments. This was not your average discussion of finance, budgets and money, I highly encourage you to watch it.
Last but not least, I want to share some nuggets from S.H.E. Summit.
“Dreaming is the most powerful thing because no one can take it from you” – Catherine Malandrino, Fashion Designer, Dreamer.
“Always zig when people expect you to zag. Confound them!” – Soledad O’Brien, News Anchor.
“Get up, dress up, show up.” -Alexa von Tobel, Founder and CEO of LearnVest.
“This is an unprecedented time for women’s economic power” @BKLYN_Brummie @GoGirlFinance
“Not every day that a woman in our circle launches a new fund to support other women” @AmandaSteinberg
“It’s not just about the return on your money, it’s about the return on society as well” Rebecca Jackson @BKLYN_Brummie
“It’s time for the finance industry to lean into women” -Rebecca Jackson @BKLYN_Brummie
“Be an ally for other women”, closing remarks S.H.E. Summit.
Photo credit thanks to Becky Yee, SHE Summit and 92Y.
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