Hi Kathryn,

Today we raise a toast that celebrates an extraordinary milestone in the realm of women supporting women. On Friday, September 15th, we celebrated 20 years of Women In Leadership (WIL), the longest running uninterrupted series of its kind.

Thanks to Susan Hitchcock who founded Women In Leadership in a conference room 20 years ago, this series has been a source of invigoration, information, and inspiration for women – executives, leaders, and professionals - from all walks of life. It has served as a platform for remarkable women to come together, share their stories, and inspire countless others to reach for the stars. Over the past two decades, the Women In Leadership series has nurtured a community of women that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. It has taught us that when women support women, extraordinary things happen.

Through this series, we have witnessed remarkable achievements, celebrated groundbreaking milestones, and embraced the triumphs of women who have defied expectations and busted barriers, each in her own way. As we raise our glasses, we toast to the extraordinary women who have graced the Women In Leadership stage, virtually and in person, who have shared their wisdom, and who have paved the way for others to follow. We also celebrate the countless women who have received guidance and inspiration through this series.

And of course, we celebrate the woman who set all of this in motion 20 years ago – Susan Hitchcock! To Women In Leadership, may it continue to be a light of inspiration for generations to come.

Cheers,

Anne Quiello, Host of WIL

Anne Quiello (left) & Susan Hitchcock (right)

Shan Cooper & Virginia Hepner

Elba Pareja-Gallagher

Angela Long & Kathy Waller

On Friday, September 15th, TLG celebrated 20 years of WIL by welcoming back former speakers Shan Cooper, CEO of Journey Forward Strategies, and Virginia Hepner, Director of National Vision Inc., Cadence Bank, and Oxford Industries, for an unforgettable panel discussion. Shan and Virginia teamed up to share countless nuggets of wisdom and leadership lessons. We were able to capture a few that we would like to share:

Leadership Takeaways

from Shan and Virginia:

• Atlanta has a special sisterhood of corporate women unlike any other city
• Ask smart questions and lead others where you need them to go
• Start from a place of inquiry, not judgment
• Great mentors help women avoid landmines
• Control what you can control
• Know your craft
• Give real feedback
• CEOs must balance hopes and aspirations with business realities
• You have to build trust
• Possess the magic skill of listening to build trust in record time
• Success came from integration of both hemispheres of the brain + sports
• Trust happens when you seek to understand the other perspective
• Show commitment to the purpose
• People who have power want to keep it
• It takes a lot to change systems
• Look for difficult problems to solve. “I’m either going to be fired or promoted”
• Must be a calming force and consistent
• Feedback is a powerful tool we have but we don’t use it
• Leadership is a privilege
• Think about the life portfolio you want early in life (do what you love, balance the different parts of your life)
• Laugh every day
• Death and life are in the power of the tongue
• It is important to define what is a successful life for you. Think about it early. Regret is a wasted emotion.
• When it comes to leadership and decision-making, find the facts. Facts are your friends.
• Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
• Listen. Seek to understand. You learn a lot more when you don’t talk.
• Don’t fear the unknown.
• How you carry yourself and how you show up matters. Be consistent. Be calm. Someone somewhere is watching you. People model your behavior; good or bad.
• Make the table longer for other women. Give other women the opportunity to shine.
• Focus on what you can control and celebrate success.

Throughout history, women have fearlessly blazed the trail for one another, igniting a powerful movement of collective progress. They have shattered glass ceilings, defied societal norms, and fought tirelessly for equality. From suffragettes demanding voting rights to trailblazing scientists, activists, artists, and leaders, women have forged paths that were once unthinkable. Their unwavering courage, resilience, and determination have inspired future generations to dare to dream and break barriers. Through sisterhood and solidarity, women have uplifted and empowered each other, forming supportive networks that celebrate achievements and encourage growth. Together, they continue to create a world where every woman's voice is heard and every trailblazer is celebrated.

Cathy Hardin

CHRO, Gwinnett County Public Schools

Karen Robinson Cope,

Executive Chairman, Ongev

Tracy Garner

Retired VP, AT&T,

Non-profit Board Member

Lee Ellis, CSP

Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker, Retired Colonel, USAF

Jenn Graham

Founder and CEO, Inclusivv

Allison Padilla-Goodman

VP of the Anti-Defamation League

Women-owned businesses are a big driver of the U.S. economy. 

Women own over 13 million businesses, employ close to 12 million employees, and boast $1.9 trillion in annual revenues, according to a Forbes magazine article published in March 2023. The future is bright for female-founded start-ups, but the challenges are great. 

Listen in to Monica Delores Hooks, the Executive Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) of Atlanta and past WIL speaker as she gives us the insights women need to launch and sustain a successful new business.

Under Monica Delores Hook’s leadership, WEI has created more than 1000 jobs for Atlanta and helped garner $7.3 million in capital investment for women-led startups. She built her career at Sony Music Entertainment with roles in Product Management, International Marketing, and Business Affairs and has over 20 years of expertise in startup business development, content marketing, and brand management. Monica is also a graduate of Atlanta’s WEI inaugural class and winner of the 2017 Microsoft Innovation Bots and Cognitive Services Award. 

The Power of Networking: WIL Supports Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Katerina (Kat) Taylor, Owner of HOT COFFEE and Bankhead Coffee Bar

Bankhead Coffee Storefront

Address: 725 Echo St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Longtime friend of TLG and supporter of Women in Leadership, Katerina Taylor, spoke on the topic of entrepreneurship during our Q&A session last Friday during our 20th anniversary WIL event. We are all excited to support her new business, Bankhead Coffee, and we would like to encourage all of those who are in Metro Atlanta to visit her storefront location in the Westside Motor Lounge. As Shan and Virginia reminded us, Atlanta has a special sisterhood of corporate women unlike any other city, so we invite you to support Katerina and her entrepreneurial journey.