2023 Southwest Ohio Women in Leadership Symposium
March 02, 2023
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (ET)
Theme
Rising in Resilience: Achieving Empowerment through Advancement & Adaptability
Speakers
Conway
Dawn Conway is the CEO of Boost Engagement LLC, a leading provider of employee and brand engagement solutions. She previously was the Chief Operating Officer for Cision, a PR software company headquartered in Chicago, and held key leadership positions over a 21-year career with LexisNexis. Dawn is currently serving on the Board of Trustees, Wright State University, Board of Advisors, LION, member of the Finance committee, Dayton Art Institute, and the co-founder and member of the Global Business Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Dawn was named one of the 2022 Power 50, the fifty most influential women in the region who are driving business, government, economic development, and change by the Dayton Business Journal.
Darno
Ms. Darno joined UC Health in January 2020 as the health system’s first Chief Diversity Officer. She leads efforts to advance the health system’s culture of inclusion, the development of behaviors that embrace diversity and inclusion at all levels, and the promotion of the system’s external reputation as a great place to work. Darno brings more than 20 years of experience in leading diversity, inclusion and human resources, most recently serving as vice president and global chief diversity and inclusion officer for Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Since 2000, she has also held director-level and above positions with Huntington National Bank, Nationwide Insurance, Cardinal Health, Stanley Works and H-E-B Grocery Co. Additionally, in 2004 she founded Strategic HR Advisors, a management consulting and executive coaching organization she still leads. A globally recognized thought leader and speaker on diversity and inclusion, Darno has a proven track record in developing and implementing organizational change to drive diversity and talent management initiatives designed to support strategic business goals. In 2015, Jeanetta received the Ohio Diversity Council Most Powerful and Influential Woman Award. Darno is also a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, having served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 1993. She received numerous awards and accommodations for outstanding performance and service, including for leading logistics movement control teams during Operation Desert Storm. Darno holds a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University, a master’s degree in human resources from the University of Central Texas, a Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University and recently completed Harvard’s Strategies for Building and Leading Diverse Organizations program. She also serves on the national board of directors of Camp Fire and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council.
Manukonda
Pushpa Manukonda is a Technology leader with over 25 years of experience in Innovation, Engineering, Multidisciplinary integrated solutions, IT, Business Education Alliances, and talent development. Manukonda serves as the Vice President of Technology and Innovation for Milacron providing global leadership for Innovation, New Product Development, Production Engineering, Quality, Controls, and Software, a position she held since October 2020. Manukonda is responsible for the seamless integration of Milacron’s vision, strategy, and direction of all engineering and development teams globally. Prior to joining Milacron, Manukonda served as the Director of the Technology Innovation strategy at John Deere from November 2017 to August 2020. During this time, she was able to build strategic alliances, and technical capabilities, develop talent and manage the operations of the center. Under Manukonda’s leadership, the center was highlighted as a strategic business alliance for Iowa Education. Manukonda joined John Deere in 1999 as a product modeling coordinator. In 2001 she was appointed Project Manager for Product Delivery Systems. In 2003, she became Project Manager for the Customer Support Systems and in 2006 was made a Supervisor for Engineering. Manukonda was appointed Senior Engineer and Engineering Integration Lead for the XCG-John Deere Joint Venture in China in 2008, and the following year was named Product Development Manager. In 2010, she became Vice President of Engineering for the Ashok Leyland John Deere Construction Equipment Co. joint venture. In 2012, she joined the John Deere Advanced Technology and Engineering team as the Manager of Technology Innovation Strategy, and in 2015 she was appointed as the global lead for technology innovation strategy and product engineering technologies at John Deere. Manukonda earned her Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from India; completed coursework for a master’s degree in industrial engineering at the University of Iowa and a Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Business Strategy from MIT. Manukonda won the National Emerging Leader award through the SWE in 2013. She remains active on the Board of Directors for Innovation Research Interchange is an organization that focuses on Innovation and Field of Hope a non-profit dedicated to agricultural education and extension Manukonda actively takes part in mentoring, and coaching and is an advocate for STEM programs and Women in technology.
Rollinson Henry
Tiana is the senior manager of community partnerships at WCPO 9. In this role, she oversees community relations and serves as the manager of the station's philanthropic outreach around the Cincinnati and Tri-State area. Tiana also serves as host and executive producer of “A New Day,” a community affairs show on WCPO 9. Tiana is an award-winning journalist whose background includes education, journalism, and politics. She served as the Managing Editor of The Cincinnati Herald and produced and hosted a morning news show on 1480 WCIN. She has worked at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and in nine Cincinnati Public Schools. Tiana’s passion is educating girls and women on overcoming obstacles and reaching their goals. She has presented on self-love and career exploration at several schools, and conferences for women and girls. Tiana is a past recipient of the “Forty under 40” Award, from The Cincinnati Business Courier, Cincinnati Children’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, Venue Magazine’s Women of Influence Award, Ohio Senate Resolution for Outstanding Service to the Senate, Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists Award for Best Spot News Coverage, National Newspapers Publishers Association Award for Community Service, and Applause Magazine’s Emerging Leader Award. Tiana is a native Cincinnatian and a proud graduate of Hughes High School for the Communications Professions. Tiana has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Wright State University. She also earned a Master of Education from The American College of Education. She volunteers her time serving on the Cincinnati Queen City Book Bank Board, and WrightChoice Board of Directors. She is a member of The Cincinnati (OH) Chapter of The Links Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and a founding member of Sisters of Grace Federated Women’s Club. She is a graduate of the African American Leadership Development Program at the Urban League Class 28. She is a recent graduate of The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce’s Building Cultural Competency Class. She is a proud tennis, golf, and dance mom. She is also a member of the Gamble Montessori Elementary PTO. In her spare time, Tiana enjoys traveling to different countries and experiencing diverse cultures, photography, and playing the harp. She loves spending time with her husband Dr. Sean Mandell Henry and their nine-year-old daughter Arayah.
Wilson
Moderator
Howard
Sharon D. Howard currently serves as System Director, Community & Government Relations and Site Communications for the Premier Health system. She is a professional with over 25 years of experience in broadcast media and community and public relations. Areas of expertise include: healthcare communications, community development and engagement, marketing, strategic communications, communications consultation and special event planning. She is a member of Tau Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a member of the sorority’s International Connection/Social Action Committee; member of The Dayton Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; and served 10 years on the Ohio Arts Council. From 2017-2019, Howard was elected to serve on the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Board of Directors. Howard has been recognized for her journalistic work by receiving the “Regional Communicator of the Year Award by the International Communications Training Institute and multiple National “Communicator” and “Telly” Awards. Her work in the community has garnered several recognitions including: “Central Region Volunteer of the Year’’ from the National Urban League, Dayton YWCA “Women of Influence Award” and “Distinguished Ambassador Award.” Howard has received the “Coretta Scott King Award’’ by the National Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, the “Ten Top Women Award,” given by the Dayton Daily News, Sinclair Community College Distinguished Community Service Award, the Mary Scott Legacy Award and was named a “Top Ten African American Woman,” by the African American CEO’s organization. Howard is inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame and the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She is a past recipient of the University of Dayton National Alumni Association “Special Achievement Award.” In 2018, Howard was honored by Believers Christian Fellowship Church “Phenomenal Woman” award.