Women's Leadership Conference Speakers

 

Lisa Barnes P.E., CIH, Practice Line Leader, Sustainability & Climate Change Services; Bureau Veritas North America Inc.

Ms. Barnes has more than 30 years of experience in environmental, health, safety and sustainability (EHS&S), including program development, program implementation and auditing.  Her current practice focuses on sustainability reporting and assurance of environmental, social and governance information. Her other positions at her current employer have included technical positons in environmental assessments and industrial hygiene as well as management positions.  Ms. Barnes was Chief Operating Officer of Clayton Group Services for 7 years prior to the company’s acquisition by Bureau Veritas

 

Ms. Barnes is a registered professional engineer in California and Colorado and a certified industrial hygienist.  Ms. Barnes also holds the SASB FSA credential and is a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional. Her education includes a bachelor of science in engineering from University of Vermont, master of environmental health sciences from Harvard University and a master of business administration from St. Mary’s College.

 

Ms. Barnes has broad based knowledge of sustainability guidelines and standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Standards; AA1000 AccountAbility Principles, Stakeholder Engagement, and Assurance Standards; WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol, and ISO 14064.

 

Halina Caravello, Vice President of EHS; Johnson Controls International plc

Halina Caravello is the Vice President of EH&S for Johnson Controls (JCI), she joined JCI (legacy Tyco) in early 2011 and has been part of the executive team leading the integration of the EHS programs since the merger in September. Her responsibilities include leading Johnson Controls toward its vision of "Zero Harm to People and the Environment" supporting the company vision of "A Safe, Comfortable, and Sustainable World" through appropriate strategies, policies, and processes enabling the desired results. Included as part of her responsibilities are safety and environmental programs, compliance assurance, EH&S measurements, remediation and M&A due diligence, the EHS platform of the Johnson Controls Operating System, and EH&S training.

 

Halina joined Johnson Controls after 24 years at Baker Hughes, Inc. (BHI) with the last six years as the company's corporate vice president of HS&E. She held various positions during her tenure at BHI including Director of HSE/Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Baker Petrolite, the chemical division of BHI. Her experience includes a role as the General Manager of the Baker Crop Protection business, a unit of Baker Petrolite serving the agricultural market (specifically water delivery companies and organizations).

 

Halina received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology (specialization in Marine Biology) from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Science degree in ecology from the University of Houston, and holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Organizational Change from Walden University, with a focus on the influence of leadership on safety performance. She is a member of a several professional societies and has held board positions at the Oil and Gas Producers Association, the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association, The Greening of Industry Network, and the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals.

 

Sophia Danenberg, EHS Strategy, International Policy Analysis; The Boeing Co.

Sophia Danenberg joined Boeing in 2009 to develop the international environment, health and safety (EHS) policy analysis program. In this role, she is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, developing strategy and coordinating advocacy input for emerging national, regional and multilateral EHS issues outside the United States. She came to Boeing from Pratt & Whitney (P&W) where she was most recently led Global EHS legislative and regulatory affairs. Sophia joined EH&S in 2005 after many years in green technology programs at P&W and United Technologies Research Center. She began her career in Japan and China, managing energy and indoor air quality projects with universities and government ministries in Europe and Asia. Prior to joining United Technologies, Sophia was a Fulbright Fellow at Keio University in Tokyo. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University in environmental sciences and public policy. Outside of work, Sophia is an avid rock climber and mountaineer. In 2006 she became the first African-American to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

 

Janet Evans, Manager, Process Safety; CF Industries Inc.

Janet Evans is the corporate Process Safety Manager at CF Industries in Deerfield, Illinois. She works with 9 manufacturing and 23 distribution facilities driving continuous process safety improvement across the organization by developing companywide expectations and enhancing management systems. Prior to CF, Janet held various positions as a consultant and risk engineer working with oil, gas and petrochemical facilities to reduce overall process safety risk through auditing, process hazard analysis, risk assessment, process safety program development/implementation and training.

 

Janet’s desire to learn new skills and openness to new experiences took her from Hartford to New York to Houston and now Chicago. After spending over 10 years in risk management and process safety in those locations, she truly believes there is no right or wrong way to success, just your way.

 

Janet has her Associate Safety Professional (ASP) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations and is a Certified Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) Leader. In 2015, she received the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois Safety & Security Award for her outstanding contributions and leadership.

 

Janet holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. A lover of travel, Janet is usually dreaming of or planning her next trip. Up next are the islands of Kauai and Maui in Hawaii.

 

Suzanne Fallender, Director of Corporate Responsibility; Intel Corp.

Suzanne Fallender is Intel’s Director of Corporate Responsibility. In this role, she collaborates with key stakeholders across the company to integrate corporate responsibility concepts into company strategies, policies, public reporting, and stakeholder engagement activities to advance Intel’s corporate responsibility leadership and create positive social impact and business value. Suzanne leads a team of experienced professionals who engage with internal and external groups to review Intel’s corporate responsibility performance and to identify new opportunities to apply Intel’s technology and expertise to address social and environmental challenges. The team also works closely with Intel’s investor relations and corporate governance groups to drive an integrated outreach strategy with investors on governance and corporate responsibility issues.

 

Suzanne has more than 20 years of experience in the field of corporate responsibility and socially responsible investment. During her time at Intel, Suzanne has held a number of corporate responsibility-related roles, including leading Intel’s Global Girls and Women’s Initiative, a set of programs and partnerships designed to empower millions of girls and women around the world through technology and education. Prior to Intel, Suzanne served as Vice President at Institutional Shareholder Services where she managed the firm’s socially responsible investing division.

 

Suzanne holds an M.B.A. from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and a B.A. from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She has served on a number of leading industry advisory boards and committees on sustainability and corporate responsibility over the past decade and currently is a member of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship’s Executive Forum and the Net Impact Advisory Council.

Follow Suzanne on Twitter at @sfallender.

 

Michelle Fleury, Senior Director, Supply Chain Transformation; Cisco Systems Inc.

Michelle leads the Supply Chain Transformation (SCT) team for Cisco. Her team plays a critical role in enabling the supply chain to execute on fundamentals and to adapt rapidly to the changing needs of the business and of Cisco’s customers. SCT is essential in creating supply chain strategy, digitizing the supply chain, providing leadership in acquisition integration, and partnering to develop the operational model for Cisco’s expanding businesses.

 

Prior to Supply Chain, Michelle lead the Data Protection team within the Security and Trust Organization for Cisco as Chief Data Protection Officer. In her time with the Data Protection Program she built a framework that encompassed corporate data governance, enterprise-wide data incident response, and a comprehensive security certification and compliance strategy.

 

With more than 17 years of global leadership experience at Cisco, Michelle has led organizations within a majority of Cisco’s critical functions: Engineering, Channel Sales, Services, Operations, and Corporate Governance. From leading Engineering Business Operations to serving as Chief of Staff and Corporate Director of Worldwide Channel Operations, Michelle focus and commitment to operational excellence has been a driving force in her tenure at Cisco.

 

Michelle holds a Masters of Science in Management from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Eastern Illinois University, as well as numerous technical certifications.

 

Outside of Cisco, Michelle has advised and continues to serve on the Board of Directors at numerous Silicon Valley startups.

 

Margie Flynn, Principal & Co-Founder; BrownFlynn

As Principal and Co-Founder of BrownFlynn, Margie oversees the Firm’s sales and business development initiatives and several key client engagements. She speaks the language of triple bottom line impact and has been instrumental in shaping a variety of corporate responsibility and sustainability strategies for regional, national, and global corporations and organizations.

 

Her strong commitment to ethical business practices and eye on global impact also make Margie a dynamic speaker and trusted advisor for clients who seek to improve their business practices while catalyzing positive change throughout their organizations. She is a frequent speaker at numerous conferences, venues, and universities and has written several articles on sustainability and entrepreneurship in local and national publications. Margie and her business partner, Barb Brown, also are writing a book to commemorate the Firm’s 20th anniversary in 2016. Before co-founding BrownFlynn, Margie had 15 years of corporate management and investor relations experience, collectively, in the financial services industry.

 

In her “spare” time, Margie aims to keep fit and enjoys a variety of physical fitness activities—all designed to offset her love for sweets. She also relishes a day at a spa, an outing with friends, serving her church, or traveling to any one of the exciting places left on her bucket list. A proud mother of three grown boys, she is spoiled by her husband’s great culinary skills, yet will never pass up a peaceful dinner out with him.

 

She has a B.S. in Communications and Marketing from Miami University and had completed GRI-Certified G4 Training.

 

Dodie Gomer, Founder; Dodie Gomer Enterprises LLC

Leadership development is not just for supervisors. Many professionals are content with their technical role, proclaiming to never want to be a supervisor. To them, developing leadership skills is not necessary to their position.

 

They’re proudly displaying their areas of expertise through an e-library filled with blogs, books and articles. And yet, few of those pieces, if any, are on leadership.

 

Far too often, this crucial skill is overlooked. Dodie Gomer has found that to build talent – to really, authentically build talent -- leadership capability must be part of the equation.

 

Gomer has more than 25 years of corporate HR leadership experience with Caterpillar, where she served as the HR Director for multiple division and managed Succession Planning for both engineering and manufacturing. Dodie’s leadership legacy lives on in the talent pipeline strategy she created for the global EHS professionals, which includes a global Succession Planning process and a leadership development program.

 

Today, Dodie applies that experience as a keynote speaker and talent pipeline consultant. Recently she developed an accountable leadership strategy for a Big Ten fraternity, complete with leadership workshops. She has been recognized for setting a clear vision, for motivating others and for utilizing innovative and practical approaches.

 

Dodie's audience spans all fields. Her scope reaches individuals at all stages in their careers. It’s an approach that inspires individuals and teams to tap into their unique talent and go beyond their technical expertise to develop as leaders, even if they never plan to be a supervisor.

 

A talent builder believes far beyond the technical potential of all professionals. Dodie Gomer is your talent builder.

 

Gretchen Hancock, Leader, EHS Governance; General Electric Co.

Gretchen leads a globally-distributed team of EHS audit leaders that have responsibility for designing and implementing a risk-driven, compliance & management systems-based audit program in GE's operations. The team was created in late 2014 as part of GE's migration to an EHS shared service, and Gretchen and the team are responsible for driving business-focused outcomes that assure compliance, identify and mitigate risk, and ensure continuous improvement in GE's operations.

 

Formerly Gretchen had responsibility for driving simplification in GE's EHS programs and supporting efforts in legal simplification. She is a FastWorks coach and supports teams that are working through transactional processes to drive speed and agility. She led GE's migration to an EHS shared service operation.

 

Gretchen has also held responsibility for global company-wide energy and greenhouse gas emissions inventory and reduction programs under Ecomagination. In addition to these programs she also provided strategic direction and planning for the corporate EHS team. She managed EHS professional development & training activities.

 

From 2003 to 2006, Gretchen led air, transportation, and chemicals reporting compliance at GE Aviation. She provided hands-on assistance at facilities worldwide on issues including aircraft engine test cell permitting and compliance, implementation of hazardous materials transportation security rules, and compliance around complex chemical reporting regulations. Prior to 2003, Gretchen was the environmental program manager for GE's Aviation Services business, and joined GE as a site EHS manager in Goleta, California.

 

Prior to joining GE, Gretchen was a senior compliance auditor at Environmental Strategies Corporation (now a part of WSP). She led audit programs for numerous corporate clients of at operating facilities worldwide, both as part of standard compliance audit programs and also as part of acquisition and divestiture activities. She also gained experience in remedial investigations and feasibility studies, including human health risk assessment, while at ESC.

 

Gretchen received her B.S. in Geology from Dickinson College.

 

Drena Howard, Director, Global Retail Environmental Affairs & Safety; The Estée Lauder Co.'s Inc.

Drena Howard is the Director of Global Retail Environmental Affairs and Safety at The Estée Lauder Companies. She leads EHS training, education and communication initiatives for the ever- growing global retail channel. "I have the challenge of making safety-sexy", she says.

 

Drena's diverse experience includes international auditing, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, hazardous waste management, shipping, and sustainability. She is a Certified Safety Professional and holds a Master of Environmental Management and Master of Public Health from Yale University. In 2014, she was awarded the 'Rising Star of Safety' by the National Safety Council.

 

Rosalind L. Hudnell, Vice President, Worldwide Corporate Affairs; Intel Corp. and President; Intel Foundation

Rosalind (Roz) L. Hudnell is Intel Vice President of Corporate Affairs and President of the Intel Foundation. In this role, she oversees professionals in nearly two dozen countries working to inspire and engage the world’s next generation of technology innovators, continuing Intel’s long-standing commitment to corporate responsibility and social impact.

 

A 19-year Intel veteran, Hudnell joined Intel as a public affairs manager and has held various leadership positions in community relations, government relations, media outreach, employee volunteerism and human resources at the company. Most recently, Hudnell was chief diversity officer and helped to launch Intel’s Diversity in Technology initiative, a multiyear effort backed by a $1 billion investment to accelerate diversity and inclusion across the technology industry at large.

 

Hudnell led the development of the 10k Engineer’s Initiative for President Obama’s U.S. Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and served as a consultant to the development of the documentary film Girl Rising. Hudnell is also widely known for directing the implementation of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, a global, award-winning program bringing leading-edge technology to underserved youth around the world. She also co-founded Intel’s Black Executive Council.

 

Hudnell routinely speaks on employer branding, communications and diversity and has been interviewed by numerous media outlets including Forbes, CNN, Fast Company and MSNBC, to name a few. She serves on the Center for Talent Innovation Board of Directors, the Global Business Coalition for Education Advisory Board and serves on the World Economic Forum “Internet for All” Steering Committee and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council. She is a co-author of the research report “The Battle for Female Talent” published in the Harvard Business Review, and selected as a “Woman Helping the World” by Forbes Magazine and 10×10. In 2015, Ebony Magazine selected her to the Power100 List, Fast Company Magazine selected her as one of the most creative leaders in business; the National Action Network presented her with the Triumph Award. In 2016, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich presented Roz with a lifetime achievement award for her impact on diversity and inclusion.

 

Hudnell completed her undergraduate studies in management at St. Mary’s College, pursued advanced study at UCLA Anderson School of Management and is a Senior Fellow through the American Leadership Forum.

 

Kate Kerr, Chief Attention Officer; Wake Up Kate

Kate Kerr is a mindfulness educator, change maker and international speaker.

 

Described as a "captivating storyteller and inspirational speaker," Kate is a Qualified Mindfulness Instructor and MBSR Teacher, a motivational speaker, change maker, mother and surthrivor (that’s code for thriving cancer survivor). She is also founder of Wake Up Kate, a consultancy dedicated to delivering mindfulness-based social and emotional skills training to the corporate, education and healthcare sectors. With a BA (hons) from one of the UK’s leading schools, prior to founding her company, Kate spent eighteen years working internationally as a senior marketing executive for leading global companies including Mars, McDonald’s, Kraft and Wal- Mart.

 

Kate's views and story have earned her invitations to speak at some of North America's largest organizations including addresses to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Sun Life Financial, Canadian Cancer Society, Dupont, The Superior Court of Justice, Telus and Fuse conference in Chicago. She was also recently selected as a TEDx speaker. She is a sought-after and highly-regarded speaker who creates powerful workshops, talks and emotional connections with audiences from intimate gatherings to large international conferences.

 

Kate has studied mindfulness meditation and interpersonal neurobiology with her mentor and teacher Dr. Stéphane Treyvaud at the Mindfulness Centre since 2010. She has deepened her practice at multiple silent led retreats with Shinzen Young in Vipassana insight meditation. She has also completed her professional training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with the highly regarded international MBSR Professional Education and Training at University of Massachusetts Medical School. In addition she has trained with Saki Santoreli, Florence Meleo-Meyer and Judson Brewer in Mind Body Medicine. Most recently Kate completed the Teacher Deveopment Intensive training with UMASS Medical School.

 

Kate thrives on an active daily meditation practice of her own embodying mindfulness as a way of life and has found it to be transformative in her personal and professional life. Kate maintains an active Hatha Yoga practice, alongside her daily meditation practice and is a keen runner.

 

A native born Canadian, raised in England, enthusiastically global in her experiences, Kate can be found on Twitter and Instagram @wakeupkate_inc

 

Tareaz Pegues, Branding Expert and Founder; Pegues Branding Group LLC

Leveraging sales and marketing experience gained while working in performance-driven roles at UBS Financial Services, SC Johnson and The Miami Herald, Tareaz Pegues launched Pegues Branding Group, LLC in 2001 with the staunch belief that, "Every brand has a story".

 

She advises and coaches frontline professionals, managers and executives. Guiding her clients on a journey of self-discovery, Tareaz helps them change the behaviors, attitudes and perceptions that prevent personal and professional growth.

 

Additionally, Tareaz has researched and ghostwritten hundreds of white papers, newsletter articles and marketing pieces about leadership, management, recruiting and retention, creating cultures of success, corporate and personal branding, client and employee engagement.

 

She is also a speaker who challenges audiences to consider what makes their personal brand unique and special, and how well it is aligned with business priorities. Tareaz's signature presentation, "B-R-A-N-D for Career Growth and Leadership Success" has helped thousands of participants perfect their story, build ambassadors and grow their leadership brand.

 

Tareaz earned a bachelor's degree in advertising from the University of Florida. The New Orleans native is a foodie who loves experimenting in the kitchen with her family.

 

Brigette Philpot, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety, North America Operations; Sodexo SA

Brigette is currently the Vice President of Health, Safety & Environment at the Sodexo Company. As a member of the Service Operations Leadership Team, Brigette leads a team of Health & Safety Professions in North America (covering Canada, US and Puerto Rico) to drive the company to a Zero Harm culture and improve the Quality of Life of employees, clients and customers by keeping them safe.

 

Brigette’s career experience spans several industries including Food & Beverage, Power Generation, Aerospace and Industrial HVAC, wherein she has held responsibility for occupational safety & health compliance, environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives, government business development and new product introduction.

 

Previously employed at the Coca Cola Company, she held multiple roles across Quality, Safety & Environment, Global Engineering, Research & Innovation and Sustainability. In 2011, Brigette became the Global Director of Safety & Environmental Sustainability Governance, leading safety and environmental governance activities, data analytics, performance measurement and reporting for the global operations of more than 200 bottling operations, 900 manufacturing facilities, 5,000+ distribution/warehousing centers, 100,000+ sales & distribution vehicles. She led a complex matrixed organization for reporting the company’s performance externally to investor relations, ranking agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

 

Prior to joining the Coca Cola Company Brigette worked at United Technologies Corporation, Westinghouse Power Generation and Bechtel Power. Brigette resides in Decatur, Georgia and holds a B.S. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Southern Polytechnic State University, a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Howard University and an M.B.A from the University of Chicago.

 

Jessica Williams, Founder; Superwoman Project

Jessica J. Williams is a speaker, coach, facilitator, change agent and author whose mission is to usher the feminine into power.

 

She is a transformative and sought-after leader for the empowerment of women on a global scale working with individuals, nonprofits and corporations to advance the professional development of strong, powerful female leadership. She founded the Superwoman Project, a coaching and training company, to help women become better, stronger and more successful leaders.

 

She holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Communications from The University of Oregon, is a Certified Martha Beck Life Coach and a Certified Yoga Instructor. Jessica has been awarded for her work as a leader in social change from Portland Monthly Magazine.

 

Subscribe to The Superwoman Chronicles, a conversation project with extraordinary women on iTunes and join her this October for the first annual Superwoman Summit. Visit superwomanproject.com to find out more.

 

Lauren Zulli, ‎Sustainability Engineer; Herman Miller Inc. and Founder; HOLOS Coaching & Consulting

Lauren is a senior environmental materials engineer for Herman Miller with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary product stewardship concepts including the management of environmental life cycle impacts, value chain engagement, and change management. She thrives on catalyzing change and driving strategic convergence to improve Herman Miller's sustainability performance. Lauren currently manages the implementation and change efforts for Herman Miller's global sustainability strategy as well as the integration of product compliance and Design for Environment (DFE) protocol for new product development.

 

Lauren joined Herman Miller in 2011 after working as a project manager for McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) in Charlottesville, Virginia. She holds a B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics & Astronomy from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.B.A. in Sustainability from Duquesne University. Lauren lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she spends the majority of her free time as an independent wellness coach and yoga instructor.