NEW Announces Celebrity Keynoters
Muhtar Kent, CEO of The Coca-Cola Co.; Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN Inc.; and actress and activist Geena Davis will headline an all-star bill at the Network of Executive Women Executive Leaders Forum, July 23-25 in Los Angeles.
More than 250 senior-level executives from the retail and consumer products industry are expected to attend NEW's invitation-only event.
The theme of the seventh annual event is “Bold and Authentic Leadership,” and each of the keynoters will address the subject in different ways, according to conference designer Trudy Bourgeois, founder and president of The Center for Workforce Excellence.
“Muhtar Kent is a bold leader who is intentional about advancing women in the consumer products and retail industry,” Bourgeois said. “He recognizes women’s value as consumers and as leaders, and it’s paying off for The Coca-Cola Company, which continues to thrive as the world's most recognized brand. He is a role model for empowering women globally.”
Grossman, the event’s opening keynote speaker, will share her own dramatic success story. “Mindy Grossman is fearless,” Bourgeois said. “She is a visionary who dared to go where no one else had the courage to go in redefining the retail business model. We are excited to have the opportunity to listen and learn from her.”
Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis will speak about her leadership in reducing female stereotyping in media. In 2004, she founded the nonprofit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a research-based organization working to broaden female characters in children's entertainment. Its programming arm, See Jane, addresses gender inequalities in media through research, education, training and advocacy.
The NEW Executive Leaders Forum is designed to “empower women, shatter barriers and build organizations” in the retail and consumer products industry.
This year’s event will include eight 75-minute learning circles focused on senior-level management skills and the organizational development of women, plus networking opportunities, an opening reception, Forum dinner, special luncheon and more.
The Network of Executive Women is the consumer products and retail industry’s largest diversity organization, with more than 7,000 members representing 700 industry companies.