Meet the PINK 2008 Conference Speakers (By City)
ATLANTA
Gloria Mayfield Banks, elite executive national sales director, Mary Kay Inc.
Banks, a graduate of Howard University and a Harvard University MBA, ranks No. 7 in the world out of a sales force of 1.8 million and leads an area of more than 6,000 consultants. As a partner in her own corporate event planning company, Charisma Factor, she is an internationally known motivational speaker, consultant and sales trainer.
Beth Johnston, senior vice president of human resources, Delta Air Lines
Johnston oversees diversity, staffing, HR systems, compliance, and the Delta Employee Care and Scholarship Funds for the airline. A more than 30-year veteran in the industry, she has appeared on several "Most Powerful and Influential Women" lists in the national media.
Betty J. Marshall, regional general manager and VP, Sam's Club
As a leader of Wal-Mart's warehouse retail chain, Marshall manages 113 U.S. stores for the South Central region. She's also on the Nashville, Tenn., advisory board for Meharry Medical College. Previously she served as a senior executive for The Phoenix Restaurant Group and Shoney's Inc. She appeared in PINK's July.August cover story this year.
Kelly Regal, executive vice president, Turner Broadcasting System Inc.
Regal's leadership portfolio includes the company's programming and sales research; public relations, corporate communications and philanthropy; human resources; and media buying and market strategy functions. In addition, she directs wide-ranging strategic and operating initiatives bridging Turner's global businesses, including news, entertainment and animation, and young adult and kids' media.
Laurie A. Tucker, senior vice president, corporate marketing, FedEx Services
Tucker joined Federal Express in 1978 as a financial analyst. Today she is SVP of FedEx Corporate Marketing, the organization responsible for everything from marketing strategies to sponsorships. Recent accolades include the FedEx Super Bowl spot "Stick," which garnered a Primetime Emmy Award.
Lisa M. Weber, president, Individual Business, MetLife Inc.
Weber oversees the retail business segments, Individual Business and Auto & Home, for MetLife Inc., a global leader in insurance and other financial services. Combined operating earnings for both units have doubled under her watch to nearly $2 billion. In 2007, operating revenue grew to nearly $19 billion.
MODERATOR: Vikki Locke, journalist and radio host, B98.5 FM
Locke has been waking up Atlanta listeners for more than 20 years. She has interviewed presidents and other world leaders, musicians, movie and television stars, and sports celebrities. She and her co-host, Steve McCoy, have been nominated for a Marconi Award, and Locke was recently honored by Atlanta Woman for her philanthropy.
BOSTON
Jody Adams, owner and chef, Rialto Restaurant and Bar
Jody Adams's name is synonymous with excellent food, gracious hospitality and generosity of spirit. She and her restaurant, Rialto, have won a long list of accolades, including: "one of America's ten best new chefs" (Food and Wine); the James Beard Foundation award for The Perrier-Jouet Best Chef Award: Northeast; and "one of the world's best hotel restaurants" (Gourmet). She is co-author of In the Hands of a Chef: Cooking with Jody Adams of Rialto Restaurant (HarperCollins, 2002).
Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman, Carlson Cos.
Regularly named among "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women," Nelson serves as chairman of one of the largest private companies in America. She completed a term as chair of the National Women's Business Council and is currently chair of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
Irene Chang Britt, vice president and general manager, sauces and beverages, Campbell USA
Named one of PINK's Top Women in Business this year, Britt assumed her present role at Campbell in 2005. Previously she spent eight years with Kraft Foods, most recently as SVP and general manager of the Salted Snacks division. She also spent 12 years at Kimberly-Clark in marketing, sales and research.
Julie Gilbert, senior vice president of retail training, learning and innovation, Best Buy
Gilbert, who also leads the company's Winning with Women initiative and its Women's Leadership Forum (WOLF), has received accolades for her success in attracting and retaining women employees and customers – including being named among the 100 most successful women in business by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Gilbert writes a popular blog for PINK.
MODERATOR: Diane K. Danielson, CEO and founder, Downtown Women's Club
In addition to leading a professional network and career website for businesswomen (downtownwomensclub.com), Danielson is co-author of the book The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?). She also blogs for womensdish.com and entrepreneur.com. Her passion is empowering women by bringing them together and providing them with the skills and resources they need to create their dream careers.
CHICAGO
Carol Lavin Bernick, executive chairman of the board, Alberto-Culver Co.
Following her graduation from Tulane University in 1974, Bernick joined Alberto-Culver, a $1.55 billion company that manufactures, markets and distributes beauty, personal care and household products in more than 120 countries. She is credited with developing Mrs. Dash, Static Guard, Baker's Joy and Molly McButter.
Candace Bushnell, author and columnist
Author of the best-seller Sex and the City, which spawned the HBO hit series and feature film, Bushnell captured the country's attention by breaking down the bedroom doors of New York. Her latest novels are Lipstick Jungle and her newest release (and certain best-seller), One Fifth Avenue.
Mary Dillon, executive vice president and global chief marketing officer, McDonald's Corp.
Dillon leads the company's worldwide marketing efforts and global brand strategy across 118 countries. Since joining McDonald's in 2005, her accomplishments include the formation of the company's first Global Moms Advisory Panel and innovation in the area of children's well-being.
Christie Hefner, chairman and CEO, Playboy Enterprises Inc.
Since 1988, Hefner (subject of a PINK cover story in 2007) has overseen the global expansion of Playboy's brand to an array of new platforms and markets, transforming a publishing-based business into a media and lifestyle company. She also helped found The Committee of 200, an international organization of prominent women business owners and executives.
Carol B. Tomé, CFO and executive vice president, corporate services, The Home Depot
Tomé has served as CFO since 2001 and added her executive vice president responsibilities in January 2007. In addition to her corporate finance duties, she provides leadership in the areas of real estate, store construction, financial services and strategic business development. Last year the Wall Street Journal named her among its 50 Women to Watch.
DALLAS
Hala Moddelmog, CEO, Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Moddelmog is committed to increasing her organization's reach and relevance as the global leader in the fight against breast cancer. By 2017, the organization plans to invest another $2 billion in research and health programs as a step toward fulfilling its promise: ending breast cancer forever.
Karen Quintos, vice president of marketing, Americas Region, Dell
Quintos joined Dell in 2000 from Citigroup, where she served as vice president of global operations and technology. Prior to her current role, she was vice president of marketing for Dell Small and Medium Business. She currently serves on the Dell Foundation Board, Dell's Hispanic Networking Board and the board of visitors for Penn State's Smeal Business School.
Judy Orlando, general manager, Omni Houston Hotel at Westside
Orlando has 25 years' experience in hotel management, with 18 years at Omni and its former hospitality management company. Prior to joining the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside eight years ago, she was general manager at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel. She has worked in both Rooms and Food & Beverage divisions with Marriott, Sheraton and Wyndham
Nikki Sells, vice president of franchise development, Tasti D-Lite
Sells assumed her current post in February of this year in Nashville, Tenn., where she oversees domestic development for Tasti D-Lite, a frozen dessert franchiser. From 2004 to 2008 she served as vice president of franchising for Express Personnel Services in Oklahoma City, managing the sale of franchises in the U.S., Canada, South Africa and Australia.
Jennifer Suguitan, owner, Suguitan & Associates PLLC
Since the start of her CPA practice in 2003, Suguitan has grown her business due to her reputation for honesty and working for the best interests of her clients. Her practice, which provides a wide range of services – including tax, accounting and consulting services – attracts diverse clients from all over the country.
MODERATOR: Melisa Quiñoy, CEO, Dieste, Harmel & Partners
In her chief executive role, Quiñoy oversees all operations, strategic direction and management for the leading Hispanic advertising agency. She has worked in some of the world's leading markets, including London, Buenos Aires, Mexico, New York and Miami. She is trilingual in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
L.A.
Carla Christofferson, managing partner, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
In addition to her leadership role in her law firm's Los Angeles office, Christofferson is co-owner of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Most recently, she secured a victorious trial verdict for her client Trader Joe's – a triumph that contributed to her being recognized as a "Top Woman Litigator" by the Daily Journal this year.
Karin Gilford, senior vice president, Comcast Interactive Media
Gilford leads the Fancast and Online Entertainment segments for Interactive Media, the division of Comcast Corp. dedicated to developing and operating online and cross-platform entertainment and media. She is responsible for building and managing the cutting-edge online video and entertainment site fancast.com, and for pursing further opportunities in the online entertainment space.
Deborah R. Shore, executive vice president, Wachovia Corp.
Shore serves as managing executive for the Western region of Wealth Management for Wachovia, the nation's fourth-largest bank with more than $500 billion in assets. Based in San Francisco, she was recently named among the "100 Most Influential Women in Business in the Bay Area" by the San Francisco Business Times.
Launi Skinner, president and COO, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
In her chief operations role, Skinner is responsible for growth of the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? brand. Before joining the innovative junk removal service earlier this year, she was president of Starbucks U.S. Named one of "Four Women to Watch" by Fortune, Skinner continues to turn heads with her achievements and her defiance of stereotypes.
Mei Xu, owner and creator, Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blissliving Home
Xu founded Chesapeake Bay Candle with her husband in 1994, and in 2005 she created Blissliving Home, a new interior lifestyle brand for the stylish consumer. Xu also participates in the Initiative for Global Development organized by Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright and Bill Gates.
MODERATOR: Genevieve Bos, founding publisher, PINK magazine
Click here to read more about Bos.>>
NEW YORK
Lisa Ellis, executive vice president, Sony Music Label Group
Ellis works in all aspects of the company's activities, with a particular emphasis on broadening growth in the digital area. Prior to being named EVP in 2006, she served as president of Sony Urban Music. She sits on the board of directors for both Computers for Youth and Lifebeat.
Barbara Kavovit, founder, Barbara K Enterprises Inc.
Kavovit (aka Barbara K) has gone from building skyscrapers to building confidence with a product line that brings new meaning to the term "power women." With 10 years' experience in construction, she recognized the need for tools designed specifically for women. She launched her extensive line of high-quality kits, tools and accessories in 2004 (barbarak.com).
Sara Mathew, president and COO, Dun & Bradstreet
Mathew has held her current post at D&B since March 2007. She is also a member of the company's board and its Global Leadership Team. Mathew brings proven performance and broad general management experience to D&B through her diverse domestic and international experience. Previously she served as CFO for D&B.
Donna J. Sturgess, global head of innovation, GlaxoSmithKline
A true thought leader in brand building and a seasoned practitioner in driving growth through marketing innovation, Sturgess has pioneered numerous product successes to meet the demands of the healthcare consumer. The company is a global healthcare group engaged in the development of pharmaceutical and healthcare products.
Jayne Van Hoen, global director of conferences and events, Financial Times
Jayne Van Hoen is global director of conferences and events for the Financial Times. She joined the FT in 2005 and quickly strengthened the conference business, launching programs in Asia and the Middle East and expanding online offerings, including a website redesign, event podcasting and online payment systems. Under her watch, FT conference revenue grew 71 percent in 2007.
MODERATOR: Debbye Turner Bell, contributor, CBS News' The Early Show
Debbye Turner Bell has been a contributor for CBS News' The Early Show since March 2001. Previously, she hosted a PBS series about pets and veterinary medicine, "The Gentle Doctor" (1995-98). Although Bell is not currently practicing veterinary medicine, she dedicates much of her time to promoting responsible pet ownership through public service announcements, news features and workshops. She was also Miss America in 1990.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MODERATOR: Pam Krueger, co-host, MoneyTrack
As an investing expert and co-host of the popular series on public television (moneytrack.org), Krueger brings her knowledge and can-do attitude to viewers nationwide, educating the public on exactly what works and what doesn't when it comes to investing. She is also the author of The MoneyTrack Method: The Real Person's Guide to Successful Investing.
Catherine Avgiris, senior vice president and general manager, voice services, Comcast
Avgiris oversees all aspects of the voice business, including the rollout of Comcast Digital Voice. Under her leadership, Comcast has grown to become the fourth-largest residential phone company in the U.S. Named one of PINK's Top Women in Business this year, Avgiris is also among Cableworld's Most Powerful Women in Cable.
Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president, Children's Defense Fund
Edelman has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. Under her leadership, CDF has become the nation's strongest voice for children and families. In 2000, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, and the Robert F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award for her writings, which include nine books.
Kim Martin, president and general manager, WE tv
Martin oversees all aspects of the network, including marketing, programming, production, scheduling and digital media. Since naming her to this post in 2004, WE has seen tremendous increases in ratings. Prior to joining WE, Martin served as EVP for Rainbow Media Holdings.
Susan P. Mucciarone, executive vice president, Calibre, Wachovia Wealth Management
Mucciarone is the managing executive of Calibre, Wachovia Wealth Management's multiclient family office. She provides executive management and oversight to the regional offices located in Boston; Philadelphia; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Palm Beach, Fla. She has a keen client focus and a strong grounding in investment management for private and institutional investors.
