2023 Central Ohio Women in Leadership Symposium
March 16, 2023
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (ET)
Theme
Rising in Resilience: Achieving Empowerment through Advancement & Adaptability
Sponsored By
Speakers
Green
Jasmine Green is Vice President, Enterprise Customer Solutions & Enablement for Nationwide. She has a distinguished career with Nationwide that spans more than 30 years across the organization. She previously served as Chief of Staff & Associate Vice President for the Office of the President, Nationwide Insurance Western Operations. Before her current role, Jasmine served as Vice President & Chief Customer Advocate in the Office of Customer Advocacy, where she focused on capturing the voice of our customers, building partnerships across the Enterprise to share insights, ensuring that we meet regulatory compliance, and championing customer experiences. She led the strategy and initial phase of the One Nationwide Experience that aligned and continues to heighten the awareness of the customer experience across the Enterprise. She was named a 2010 Woman Worth Watching by Diversity Journal and was recognized by Technology Magazine for technical innovation in the Office of Customer Advocacy. She was also recognized and named the 2012 Chief Customer Officer of the Year by the Chief Customer Officer Council. Jasmine Green holds board trustee seats for the Delaware County Foundation, Columbus Medical Association Foundation, and the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio Inc. She is a founding member of the Women's Leadership Network for United Way of Delaware County, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Memphis and has completed additional executive studies from Columbia Business School and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. She is an alumna of Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Executive Scholar Program. Jasmine is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, where she co-chairs the Social Action committee, and is a member of The Twin Rivers (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Jagannath
Located in Columbus OH, Ms. Jagannath is a serial entrepreneur. A Software Engineer and a McGill University postgraduate in Computer Science, he founded her first software enterprise just out of college 25 years ago, and she has not looked back since. She is currently the Owner of ZED Digital (www.zeddigital.net), an Internet of Things solutions enterprise based in Columbus, Ohio. She is a pioneer in technology research. She invented the first invisible web search engine in 1998, before the term Invisible Web was coined. She developed and launched the first MaaS platform in Cleveland RTA in 2017 when MaaS was just a buzzword. More recently, she has successfully launched the first-ever Be In be Out mobile ticketing solution– a feat that even very large ticketing providers have not achieved. This Internet of Things (IoT) based hardware and software solution enables contactless payment validation and check-in with the phones in your pockets. ZED provides Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to create smart environments where people can interact seamlessly with venues with the phone in their pocket. ZED specializes in touchless sensor technology using the Internet of Things. In a post-pandemic world, her solutions enhance public health and safety at sports, events, airports, public transit, and large gatherings. Prior to her business career, Ms. Jagannath served as a professor of software usability at Concordia University graduate school in Montreal, Canada. Although a very busy business leader, she is a voracious reader who connects key knowledge elements across multiple domains to assimilate new ideas and solutions continually. Her ability to quickly see the big picture and to understand the potential business value of nascent ideas is extraordinary. An inventor with patented technologies, her work has been mentioned in leading publications such as The Wall Street Journal, London Times and The Hindu Business Line, American DBE Magazine; she won the prestigious Ticketing Technology of the Year Award by Transport Ticketing Digital Summit in London, England in June 2022. She was named Technology Leader of the Year in 2018 at the Ohio Asian Awards, was a winner of the Smart 50 Business Awards in 2017 and 2021, and was a recipient of the Biztech Awards from Columbus Business First in 2016 and 2021. She was elected to the Who's Who of entrepreneurs and Oser au Feminin, a French publication of powerful women in business. Sumithra Jagannath is a driven, technology-focused leader with deep roots as a software business entrepreneur. Sumithra has navigated the waters of technological change since the early 1990s; always challenging the status quo and being an inspiration to many and helping them navigate the rapid-paced world of technology, even before the issue of representation became well-known. Her pioneering work (since the mid-90s) in data aggregation is immensely disruptive, that organizations including COTA, City of Gahanna, Franklin County Engineer, Dun & Bradstreet, Expedia, CBC Innovis, Megabrands our clients using the technology even today as ‘small’ data solutions. Her foresight in identifying and building a business out of such a futuristic need (the current deluge of data has made it a business necessity) during the times of big infrastructures/data warehousing was not only bold but a groundbreaking technological advancement. Often in history, only female pioneers and visionaries have been able to accomplish such feats in the world of technology. Over the past 5 years, she has transformed this smart data technology into a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform, which is unique in the public transportation and smart city market, called ZIGTM. This patented solution delivers end-to-end, multi-modal, multi-regional real-time transit trip planning. This platform is the first of its kind in the USA to be offered to the transit, smart cities, and airport markets. Her latest invention is ZIG, the first hands-free payment platform to use the Internet of Things. The ZIGTM solution supports a “hands-free, be-in-be-out” approach to transit ticket purchase and validation without users needing to take their phones out of their pockets using Bluetooth NFC Technology. This solution is once again the first of its kind to be introduced to the North American market. The ZIG MaaS platform addresses the need to solve urban density problems and make transportation greener, easier, and more efficient. ZIG’s goal is to make transit hugely convenient so that its users opt to give up their personal vehicles by choice. Sumithra actively works in the Columbus community, where she works with Asha Ray of Hope to aid battered South East, Asian women. She volunteers digital marketing and website solutions to Lifetown Columbus, an organization that teaches life skills to autistic children from Columbus city schools. She is on the Web Development Board of Advisors at Franklin University. Over the last 2 years served as a board member of the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio. She was on the executive committee and is the marketing chair for the COMTO Columbus chapter (Conference of Minority Transportation Officials), assisting small minority-owned businesses to obtain business opportunities with Government agencies. She has recently been appointed to their Steering Committee by The Metro Schools, Columbus.
Kemavor
Dr. Ameena Kemavor joined the ADAMH team in November 2021. In her role as Vice President, Advocacy and Engagement, Dr. Kemavor is responsible for actively engaging key stakeholders, elevating ADAMH’s thought leadership role and leading ADAMH's efforts in the areas of legislative awareness, advocacy and community engagement. Dr. Kemavor is an independently Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Supervision (L.P.C.C.-S.) Endorsement in the State of Ohio who has been working in the field of mental health and community services for over 25 years. She has a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Psychology, a master’s degree (M.S.Ed.) in Clinical Counseling, and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES). Dr. Kemavor is also a Certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, a Certified Question Persuade Refer (QPR) Instructor, a Certified Specialist in Anger Management (CSAM), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and a trained Collaborative Assessment for Managing Suicidality (CAMS) provider. Dr. Kemavor began her career in behavioral health and human services providing inpatient psychiatric care to youth and adults and has a wealth of experience working with persons diagnosed with severe and non-severe mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. Developing her social services and community action skills, she has served as a Family Services Advocate for Head Start programming at Columbus Metropolitan Area Community Action Organization (CMACAO), a Total Case Manager for the Department of Job and Family Services, a Crisis Intervention Clinician at Netcare Access, and an Intake Hospital Liaison at Columbus Area Inc. Dr. Kemavor expanded her lead in behavioral health services and advanced her career by serving in college student mental health as the Clinical Director of Counseling Services at Columbus State Community College, promoted to later serve as the Senior Director of Student Support and Advocacy with inclusive leadership oversight of Counseling Services, Military and Veteran Services, Disability Services and Student Advocacy. During her higher education tenure, Dr. Kemavor worked diligently in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to secure local, state, and federal funding that innovatively advanced collegial and community awareness of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Returning to her passion of service in community mental health, Dr. Kemavor recently led a vibrant team of professionals as the Clinical Director at a community behavioral health agency in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. In this this role she revitalized, raised the standard of care and established a seamless process of remote Telehealth services for community members, removing multilayered barriers for mental health and substance abuse services in one of the most challenging times in world history. Dr. Kemavor is an active leader who believes in advocacy and has shown such activism in the counseling profession in the State of Ohio. Among other leadership roles in the Ohio Counseling Association (OCA), she has served as President of the Southeast Ohio Counseling Association (SEOCA); revitalized and served as President of the Central Ohio Counseling Association (COCA); President of the Ohio Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (OAMCD); and is a Charter Member and former President of the Ohio College Counseling Association (OCCA).
Kiggin
Suzanne R. Kiggin, of Powell, is Vice President of Operations for American Signature, Inc. She is responsible for retail operations and customer care for seventeen states. Suzanne recently was recognized for being one of the 2022 Top Fifty women in retail at the annual Retail Leadership Summit. Suzanne previously served as Vice President of Brand Operations for Victoria’s Secret 1150 store locations. She was recognized in 2007, 2009, and 2010 as a Victoria Secret Angel Award Recipient. Suzanne serves on the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation Board of Directors on the investment committee and is chairperson of the governance committee. She was the 2018 and 2023 Inaugural Committee co-chair for the Governor DeWine Inaugural. She is an active member of the Association of the Ohio Commodores. She is a fundraiser, volunteer, and participant for Pelotonia and Race for the Cure. Her community involvement has been acknowledged with a “Mayoral Recognition Proclamation.” (Honorary)
Morales-Laster
A dedicated change-maker and advocate, Lillian has combined her passion for diversity and inclusion with her experience in human resources to lead teams and organizations in the development of supportive work environments. Recruited to the role of VP, Human Resources Director for United Midwest Savings Bank, Lillian is a leading voice in HR best practices. Her aptitude for engaging employees in philanthropy, while empowering them in professional ownership, has dynamically shaped the organization’s culture and boosted morale. As the Director for the Latina Mentoring Academy, Lillian serves a pivotal role in the program’s goal to assist Latina women advance in their careers through professional development workshops and a dedicated mentoring program. For Lillian, LMA is a community of women supporting and engaging with each other. She emphasizes the importance of not only empowering women to be in the spaces they want to be in but also equipping them with the tools to navigate those spaces. Advocacy work is also essential to Lillian, serving as a Grant Captian for the Women’s Fund as well as participating in conversations surrounding Equal Pay and Gender Bias. Her leadership and experience championing organizations in diversity and inclusion are why Lillian is the go-to team member for engaging the community and facilitating conversations that break down implicit bias; disrupt gender, race, and ethnicity norms; close pay gaps for minorities; and inspire social change. In 2022, Lillian was recognized as one of the 2022 Women WELDing the Way® Calendar Honorees. This honor is given to women who live WELD’s values by supporting the leadership development of other women; give their time, talent, and resources to their community, or in support of women-owned businesses. Lillian resides in Pickerington, Ohio with her husband. She’s a mom to their blended family of five children, two grandchildren, and a feisty but lovable beagle. When she’s not working, she practices generosity and creativity by hosting Sip N Stitch social gatherings where she teaches others the art of crocheting as an expression of self-care.
Moderator
Gibbs
W. Shawna Gibbs has elevated the areas of education, community engagement, the arts and empowerment for women of girls for more than 25 years. Currently, she serves at the Director of Education and Special Initiatives at the ADAMH Board of Franklin County. In this role, she promotes ADAMH investments in school-based mental health and community- wide prevention and behavioral health initiatives that benefit youth. Her professional career also includes the Columbus Urban League, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland and IMPACT Community Action. W. Shawna Gibbs is sought after for her visionary ideas, thought leadership, strategies and engagement. Her past and present Board leadership includes I Know I Can, Columbus Community Relations Commission, YWCA Bright Futures Committee, Women Coming Together and the Columbus Board of Education where she was elected three times concluding with 13 years of service. In the broader community, Gibbs supports initiatives that create sustainable social change . She is well known for her leadership of the Shirley Chisholm Conference for Girls in Government, the Dr. Alexa Canady Conference for Future Doctors, Dentists and Nurses, Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio , the Morning of H.O.P.E. for Teen Suicide Prevention and Museum Day Live! ; an initiative to inspire more people of color to visit and explore Central Ohio museums. She has completed the African American Leadership Academy Cycle 1, Project Diversity Cycle 10, and Leadership Ohio. In 2019, she completed the first cohort of Harvard Business Schools’ Accelerating Board Capacity Institute. Her accolades include: Induction into the All-Ohio School Board and earned Master School Board Member certification, Business First's ‘40 Under Forty’ Award, The Women’s Fund’s Keyholder 4 Award, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Jewel Award and many, many more. W. Shawna Gibbs is a proud alumnus of The Columbus Alternative High School and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Faith Ministries Church. She enjoys NASCAR, football, boating, fireworks and gardening . Of her many achievements, she believes her highest honor is being called Mommy, daughter, sister, Soror, auntie, mentor and friend.
Awardee
Negron-McDaniel
Lourdes Negrón-McDaniel is the Director of Inclusion and Culture at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where she helps to lead the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy and people initiatives and programs. Lourdes serves on the leadership team for the health system’s Stand Against Racism and Stand for Health Equity framework, also known as STAND. Within this enterprise-wide framework, Lourdes co-chairs the education and development efforts for the organization on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and serves on a variety of committees representing the overall strategic framework. Lourdes previously served as director for DEI at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio, integrating and operationalizing DEI best practices to achieve equity of care and service. Lourdes has substantive experience through the life cycle of diversity strategic planning and implementation, focused on the intersection of health care and community wellness, including intentionally addressing the social determinants of health. As an executive consultant, Lourdes leveraged her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks to support hospitals, health and healthcare serving entities, and community-based groups advance health and economic equity for key stakeholders. Lourdes is founder and principal for a consulting practice that provided training and development, coaching, and change management services to clients in industries including healthcare, higher education, nonprofit and community-based organizations, councils, and associations; leading the work through an inclusive lens that creates inclusive environments and leverages diversity for greater impact. A graduate of the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio, Lourdes holds a B.A. in Social Work , a master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction, and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Diversity Management from Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. Lourdes currently represents Nationwide Children’s Hospital on the DEI Advisory Council for the Children’s Hospital Association, based out of Washington DC; serves on the advisory board for the Ohio Diversity Council, and concluded board service with the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.); served on the community advisory committee with Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs, and volunteers as a trainer and coach to the Neighborhood Leadership Institute. Lourdes is committed to co-creating ecosystems where all can be of service and thrive. She considers herself a lifelong learner, actively engaging in learning communities. Lourdes holds a variety of certifications, including as Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), Executive Organization Development (EOD) certification from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator, MBTI Certified Practitioner, TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer, Intervention Specialist certification, and a TetraMap Certified Facilitator.
Dress For Success - Jackets & Jewelry
Attendees are encouraged to donate gently used or new blazers, pant suits, and jewelry at the event.
Sponsorship Information
$3 Transaction Fee Will Be Added