The College of Business and the College of Law at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln partnered to provide Women Lead 2020 – a conference for anyone wanting to advance women in law, business, government and philanthropy – to be held Friday, March 6 at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The conference features keynotes by Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, and Michele Coleman Mayes, vice president, general counsel and secretary for the New York Public Library.

“I am thrilled with the speakers we secured for this conference. There is a strong mix of local women and women from across the country who are coming to help us make this a success. It will provide the perfect opportunity for robust discussions as we consider how to advance women in law, business, philanthropy and government,” said Molly Brummond, assistant dean for external relations and strategic initiatives for the College of Law.

Babineaux-Fontenot kicks off the day with her keynote on the conference theme, “Claim Your Power." Previously the executive vice president and global treasurer at Walmart, Babineaux-Fontenot formerly worked as partner-in-charge of the Baton Rouge office and tax practice leader for Adams and Reese LLP, dispute resolution practice leader for the southwest region at PwC and assistant secretary for the Office of Legal Affairs for the State of Louisiana. She also served on boards such as Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, National Urban League and National Association of Black Accountants.

The closing keynote, “Interrupting Racial and Gender Bias in the Workplace,” will be delivered by Michele Coleman Mayes. Previously the General Counsel for Allstate Insurance Company and Pitney Bowes Inc., Mayes served on the Presidential Commission on Election Administration in 2013-14 and as chair of the Commission on Women in the Profession of the American Bar Association for three years. In 2015, she became a fellow of the American College of Governance Counsel. A sought after speaker on the topic of diversity and inclusion, she also co-authored the book, Courageous Counsel: Conversations with Women General Counsel in the Fortune 500.

Another conference highlight includes a fireside chat with Hon. Jenny Durkan, former U.S. attorney and current mayor of Seattle, Washington; Hon. Christine Gregoire, former governor of Washington and current CEO of Challenge Seattle; and DeLee Shoemaker, senior director for global government at Microsoft. Moderated by Deb Gilg, two-time Nebraska graduate and former U.S. attorney for the District of Nebraska, the fireside chat provides them with the opportunity to share their leadership experiences.

A series of 15-minute My Leadership Moments feature the Mayor of Lincoln Leirion Gaylor Baird; Hon. Stephanie Stacy, ’91, Nebraska Supreme Court; and Katie Zulkoski, lobbyist at Zulkoski Weber in Lincoln.

Additional business leaders and faculty share their insight in eight breakout sessions. The topics include: Maximizing LinkedIn by Debbie Wemyss, owner of DW Consulting Solutions; Five Lessons of Leadership by Susana Eshleman, ’93, CEO of Children International; Facts and Fiction about Women in Negotiation by Dr. Brandi McManus, assistant professor of practice in management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Business Development by Marnie Jensen, managing partner at Husch Blackwell and Jennifer Deitloff, associate senior general counsel at Scoular; How Leaders Can Overcome the Impostor Syndrome by Dianne Bystrom, director emerita of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University; Pitch Perfect: Lessons from Entrepreneurship on Getting What You Want by Dr. Samantha Fairclough, associate director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and assistant professor of practice in management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and The Shine Theory by Kate Martz, ’12, and Emily Motto, partners at Baylor Evnen.

Networking breakfast roundtables sponsored by Cline Williams Wright Johnson Oldfather will be offered in the morning and the day concludes with a networking reception presented by Husch Blackwell. Other sponsors include Koley Jessen, Baylor Evnen, Jeannine Lane and Jacquelle Lane.

“This conference is for anyone who wants to claim their power. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain insight from and connect with inspiring leaders and motivated professionals. A special thanks to our sponsors for helping us make this conference possible,” said Sheri Irwin-Gish, executive director for Communications, Marketing and External Relations for the College of Business.

Cost to attend is $100. Register by Friday, February 28 at: http://business.unl.edu/womenlead.