Women United Summit 2024

Your program for our second annual Women United Summit, featuring our agenda, workshop information and more.

Women United Summit Agenda

7:30 a.m. | Registration Opens
7:30–8:15 a.m. | Breakfast, Networking & Vendor Exhibition
8:15–9:15 a.m. | Morning Plenary
9:30–10:30 a.m. | Workshop Session #1
10:50–11:50 a.m. | Workshop Session #2
12:15–1:30 p.m. | Lunch Presentation, Keynote and Q&A with Angela Garbes
1:30–2:00 p.m. | Networking & Vendor Exhibition

Workshop Sessions: Meet Your Presenters

WORKSHOP SESSION #1

Mastering the art of managing up is crucial for career growth and organizational impact. In this dynamic, interactive session, you’ll gain insights into building trust, aligning priorities, and communicating effectively with senior leaders. We’ll explore strategies for overcoming challenges and harmonizing goals. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, discover fresh perspectives that can elevate your influence and accelerate your career. Don’t miss this chance to transform your approach to leadership.

MEET EMILY WATROUS

At the core of exceptional human resources lies the ability to attract, engage, develop, reward, and retain an organization’s most valuable assets: its people. This is where Emily Watrous thrives, driven by an unwavering passion for empowering individuals and organizations alike.

With 28 years of seasoned experience in Fortune 150 companies across diverse industries, Emily has excelled as a VP of HR/CHRO, specializing in strategic planning, change management, employee engagement, succession planning, and talent development. Her dedication lies in unlocking individual and organizational potential, ensuring readiness for tomorrow’s challenges.

Emily’s professional journey spans various sectors, including higher education, professional services, banking, construction, distribution & transportation, manufacturing, e-commerce, and equipment rental. Armed with an undergraduate degree in psychology, a master’s in human resource development, her SHRM-SCP certification, and ICF-ACC international coaching certification, Emily’s qualifications are unparalleled.

In January 2024, Emily launched her own HR Consulting and Leadership Coaching business, 4 Impact Coaching, LLC, to continue partnering with companies and leaders to drive their success. Her steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth, combined with her extensive experience and global perspective, establishes her as a formidable force in driving organizational success

In today’s fast-paced world, balancing work and personal life can be challenging. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers innovative solutions to help women manage their work/life balance more effectively. By integrating AI into daily routines, women can achieve a more harmonious balance between their professional and personal lives. This session will demystify AI, explaining its core concepts and practical applications. We will share success stories of women who have benefited from AI, offer practical tips, and provide live demonstrations of popular AI tools. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how AI can empower every aspect of your life, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and well-being.

MEET DR. STEPHANIE WILLIAMS

With more than 20 years in education, Dr. Stephanie Williams has dedicated her career to nurturing young minds, empowering teachers, and fostering strong relationships with administrators and educational partners. Dr. Williams’ passion lies in creating meaningful learning experiences through curriculum development, project management, data analysis, and the seamless integration of instructional technology. She thrives on sharing best practices, expanding her professional learning network, and continuously growing as an educational leader through collaborative learning. Currently, Dr. Williams serves as the Director of Instructional Technology for Greenville County Schools.

In this session, you’ll explore radical self-care as a proactive strategy to prevent workplace burnout. Radical self-care means consistently prioritizing your well-being and engaging in activities that support your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. By focusing on self-care, you can reduce stress and contribute to a healthier work environment. Here’s what you’ll dive into:

  • Understanding the role of self-care in preventing burnout and its importance in the workplace, including its impact on productivity and morale.
  • Reflecting on your personal self-care habits and their impact.
  • Gaining practical skills for applying tailored self-care techniques.

MEET DR. NIKA WHITE

Dr. Nika White helps maximize people’s and organizations’ effectiveness, potential, and capacity. Her overall praxis and scholarship are in organizational development, specifically focusing on systematically operationalizing strategic and intentional efforts that foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). She maximizes people’s and organizations’ effectiveness, potential, and capacity through optimized systems and culture. This holistic approach centers on the organization’s most essential asset – its human capital.

Dr. White is an award-winning management and leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and published author, including her latest release, Inclusion Uncomplicated: A Transformative Guide to Simplify DEI, published by Forbes Books.

As the founder and lead principal consultant of Nika White Consulting (NWC), a full-service boutique DEIB consulting firm, she led a team with the mission of making DEI practical so that organizations can shift systems to cultivate a culture of belonging and go to the next level of the DEI journey.

WORKSHOP SESSION #2

This workshop is designed to ignite your inner potential. Explore conquering imposter syndrome, uncover your true purpose by finding your why, build unwavering self-trust, and boost your confidence. Through practical exercises and self-reflection you’ll harness your inner strength and unleash the power within you:

  • Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Understand the roots of imposter syndrome and develop strategies to overcome self-doubt.
  • Finding Your Why: Identify your core values and passions to create a clear sense of purpose.
  • Building Self-Trust: Learn techniques to cultivate trust in your abilities and decisions.
  • Boosting Confidence: Gain tools and insights to enhance your self-confidence and assertiveness.

MEET GENEVIEVE CAPLETTE

Genevieve’s 25-year journey encompasses leadership development, supply chain expertise, project management, and people leadership. But she is more than a trainer, coach, and facilitator at Michelin; she is known to leave a positive impact across the entire organization.

In her new role as Director of Transformation for Michelin Connected Fleet in Atlanta, Genevieve is responsible for amplifying learning and development opportunities, cultivating fertile ground for employee growth. Her transformation initiatives span engagement strategy, new hire onboarding improvements, early career programs, competency strategies, and diversity initiatives. Previously, as the Leadership Development Manager at Michelin North America, Genevieve collaborated with marketing and sales teams, shaping continuous improvement by refining leadership behaviors and skills. Before Michelin, Genevieve worked at General Electric, SABIC Innovative Plastics, and Heinz, mastering supply chain, finance, material management, and general management.

Genevieve’s passion for serving others shines through her roles as a certified Franklin Covey and Maxwell trainer, a visiting professor at Clemson University, and a leader in the Michelin Women’s Network, North America. Residing in Pickens, SC, nestled on a 5.5-acre mountain, she has been married for 28 years to her best friend and is a devoted dog mom to two bulldogs.

Join us for the money talk women need to hear, but many never do. According to research done by UBS, almost half of women are not involved in their long-term finances, and often wonder where to begin. During this interactive workshop, we’ll help you identify your “money language” and discuss the top 10 money moves every woman needs to consider. Money moves are action steps that get you involved with your finances, and we have plenty for you to choose from. Wherever you are, there’s a money move to make. You’ll learn how you can take action to own your worth and become more involved in your financial life. 

MEET LAURA MOORE

Laura Moore is a Financial Advisor with the Sorensen Moore Group at UBS. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, she offers a holistic approach when serving clients regardless of their stage of life or current financial situation. She loves the relational side of her job and is particularly passionate about helping women take a more active role in their financial future.

As a Greenville native, Laura enjoys being active in the local community. She is a member of Greenville Women Giving and has previously served on their board.  Additionally, she has served on the board of the Greenville Chapter of Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance and The Rotary Club of Greenville, where she was awarded the 2017-2018 Rotarian of the Year. She was also named one of Greenville’s Best & Brightest 35 and Under in 2018. Outside of work, you can find her spending time with her husband and three young children.

In this session, you’ll explore radical self-care as a proactive strategy to prevent workplace burnout. Radical self-care means consistently prioritizing your well-being and engaging in activities that support your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. By focusing on self-care, you can reduce stress and contribute to a healthier work environment. Here’s what you’ll dive into:

  • Understanding the role of self-care in preventing burnout and its importance in the Women are the cornerstone of strong communities, leading change and inspiring others. Yet, chronic stress often leaves them exhausted and overlooked in their self-care. Common symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, and mood swings are frequently dismissed as normal. This workshop explores the link between health and our ability to impact communities, detailing how chronic stress affects physical and emotional well-being. Learn evidence-based strategies to manage stress, support digestive health, boost cognitive function, and sustain energy levels. Prioritize your health to unlock your full potential and become a powerful force for good.

MEET REBEKAH FEDROWITZ

Rebekah Fedrowitz, MDN, BCHN®, is a board-certified holistic nutritionist committed to helping individuals reclaim their well-being by addressing health challenges through a food-first, whole-body approach. Having personally navigated her own health issues, Rebekah understands just how much wellness is integral to thriving in both personal and professional pursuits. Through her functional approach, she helps to foster true health that enables individuals to pursue their purpose with renewed energy and resilience.

As the founder of Sante Vie: Functional Wellness, Rebekah brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to her speaking engagements. She is passionate about challenging conventional health narratives and unveiling surprising connections between nutrition, lifestyle, and achieving better health. Rebekah’s dynamic presentations are tailored for corporate events and conferences, where she ignites a passion for optimal health and well-being.

Rebekah is the author of the cookbook, Healthy Gourmet for Everyday, a co-author of Sister, Walk in Truth, and the host of the You Are Well Health Podcast.

Meet Angela Garbes

Angela Garbes is the author of Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change, called “a landmark and a lightning storm” by the New Yorker. Her first book, Like a Mother, was an NPR Best Book of the Year and a finalist for the Washington State Book Award in nonfiction. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Cut, New York, Bon Appétit, and featured on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and NPR’s Fresh Air.

Garbes is a community advocate for reproductive justice, working families, and equity and inclusion. Her TED talk, “What Working Parents Really Need from Workplaces,” quickly reached over one million views.

A first-generation Filipina American, Angela lives with her family in Seattle.

Women United Council & Committees

We would like to recognize the dedication of the councils and committees that work tirelessly to support our vision for Greenville County.

Women United Council

Joanie Martin, Council Chair
Claire Bray
Valerie Cooke
Mechelle Dotson
Kathryn Ferguson
Debra Ham
Megan Horton
Chunsta Miller
Cara Morris
Stephanie Roney
Dr. Saria Saccocio
Dee Siburt
Jill Waters
Donnice Wilkerson
Beth Wilson
Judy Wilson

Women United Summit Committee

Donnice Wilkerson, Committee Chair
Claire Bray
Joanie Martin
Stephanie Roney
Beth Wilson
Judy Wilson

Jobs to Careers Scholarship Committee

Megan Horton, Committee Chair
Kathryn Ferguson, Secretary
Valerie Cooke
Sherri Greene
Debra Ham
Joanie Martin
Dee Siburt
Jill Waters
Judy Wilson
Dr. Stephanie Yarbrough

Women United Summit Sponsors

BlueInc Strategies
Coldwell Banker Caine
Current Lighting
EY
First Bank
Greenville Technical College
Long Branch Baptist Church
Mill Village Ministries
QuikTrip
Southern First Bank
Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc. (SHARE)
TD Bank
United Community
YMCA of Greenville

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