With this year’s ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference centering around the collective economic power of women, the Institute for Career Advancement Needs and its partners are taking action toward this goal.
Opportunities have been built into the event to unlock the true value and wealth presented by women.
Tasked with conference development, ICAN’s Lisa Kaplan put a spotlight on the undeniable statistics. How women control more than 80% of the consumer and health care spending, present the majority of the voting-age population and workforce representation, steer 90% of all bank accounts and, by 2030, will control $30-plus trillion in assets.
“We are the fastest growing group of military veterans and, yet, women still shoulder the majority of child and elder care duties, while earning 83 cents to the male-earned dollar,” Kaplan said. “Women still represent less than 25% of the C-Suite and are only 10% of [Fortune 500] CEOs.”
Men still run most health care and tech organizations, she continued, as well as the majority of profit and loss leadership positions as a whole.
“This is the ultimate paradox of women today that we wish to highlight,” Kaplan said. “Now is the time to unite our voices — and take advantage of our economic power — to increase gender equity, and to make a difference in all decisions that impact society for the better.”
Similarly, the theme “Elevate the Collective Power of Women” informed the selection of the voices featured as speakers and presenters at this year’s conference.
“Each speaker will highlight the greater impact women can have when we come together with purpose,” Kaplan explained. “Starting with journalist Brooke Baldwin, whose own book focused on the ability of women to provide support, empowerment, inspiration and strength to solve problems or enact meaningful change.”
That book, “Huddle,” reportedly involved Baldwin embedding herself into groups of women across ages, races, religions and socio-economic backgrounds who are unified in banding together to support, empower, inspire, and enact meaningful change.
“UNO Chancellor [Joanne] Li has the economic and financial expertise to explain this paradox for women today and share with us the important role that women have in the health of our economy,” Kaplan said of a locally-based keynote.
Li, whose economic acumen includes designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst and member of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Omaha Branch Board of Directors, is slated to explore “The New Face of Money.”
“In the context of developing leaders and professionals for our future economy, we must actively engage with each other in the community, promote the growth of opportunity for other women, and demonstrate the willingness and courage to take center stage in decision-making. Go to places together and don’t be shy about using our network,” Li said.
Actionable Insights
When looking at the balance of afternoon keynotes, Kaplan characterized Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha as the “amazing hero of the Flint, Michigan water scandal.” The pediatrician, scientist, activist, author and Associate Dean for Public Health at Michigan State University is poised to address attendees in a fireside chat titled “What the Eyes Don’t See.”
“[Hanna-Attisha] will tell her story of how she galvanized a team of researchers, parents, friends and community leaders to make dramatic change to the water treatment and delivery systems in her state, and is continuing to have a lasting impact on the health of young people,” she stated. “We will also get an update from CEO of Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, Sarah Waldman, on how it has evolved into a progressive training ground for our girls by providing tools, resources and opportunities needed for Nebraska’s next generation of women leaders, while teaching girls their collective power.”
The day will culminate with tech expert and AnitaB.org CEO, Brenda Darden Wilkerson, who will share a message about the importance of diversity among software and product developers whose creations heavily impact society. Darden Wilkerson will address gender bias on technology during her keynote.
“Remember, gender equality is not just a women’s issue, it’s a human issue, and we all have a part to play in making it a reality,” she said. “Women must recognize that we all have power, regardless of title and position, to advocate for policies and practices that support gender equality.
“We must be vigilant and proactive in challenging gender biases and stereotypes whenever we encounter them. When women uplift each other, they create a powerful ripple effect that challenges the status quo and promotes gender equality.”
Addressing equality in pay, the conference will also feature financial literacy and empowerment opportunities.
“Nationwide, women are often underserved by the banking and wealth management community,” she said. “We want to highlight Nebraska’s banking and investment community experts in the Exhibit Hall’s ‘Financial Marketplace’ to engage our audience around their financial capability and opportunity.”
Kaplan said attendees will have the chance to be inspired to participate in decision-making within their respective organizations and elevate the issues that impact the health and diversity of the community.
