Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Conference for Women announced today that attorney Anita Hill, Spanx founder Sara Blakely and Wall Street executive and author Carla Harris will deliver keynote addresses at the Massachusetts Conference for Women on December 8, 2016, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Hill will be joined for a conversation with Annie Clark, whose campaign against campus sexual assault is featured in the documentary film “The Hunting Ground.”
Anita Hill is a renowned attorney, author and professor, whose testimony during the 1991 confirmation hearing of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas ignited a national debate on workplace sexual harassment. In 1997, Hill published her biography “Speaking Truth to Power,” and in 2016, actress Kerry Washington portrayed Hill in an HBO adaptation of the book titled “Confirmation.” Hill is a University Professor of Social Policy, Law, and Women’s Studies at Brandeis University and a faculty member of Brandeis’ Heller School for Social Policy and Management. She is a member of the board of directors for the National Women’s Law Center and the Boston Area Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights.
Carla Harris is a banker, motivational speaker, gospel singer, and author of “Strategize to Win.” She is managing director and senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley and board chair of the Morgan Stanley Foundation. Recently named chair of the Executive Leadership Council, Harris holds degrees from Harvard University and Harvard Business School and numerous honorary doctorates.
Sara Blakely founded SPANX, Inc. in 2000 with $5,000 in savings. A frustrated consumer turned entrepreneur, she created undergarments that revolutionized an industry, changed the way women around the world get dressed, and in the process, transformed her investment into a billion dollar company. In 2013, Blakely signed the Giving Pledge to donate half of her wealth to support her larger mission of empowering women.
“We’re excited to present such a bold and dynamic slate of leaders who can speak to the most pressing issues women are facing today,” said Gloria Larson, board chair of the Massachusetts Conference for Women. “We have no doubt that attendees will come away motivated to become change makers in their own lives and careers.”
The 12th annual Massachusetts Conference will host 10,000 attendees for a full day of networking, inspiration, professional development and personal growth. In addition to a standout lineup of keynote speakers, the nonpartisan, nonprofit event will feature breakout sessions led by experts about topical issues including pay equity, work-life balance, marketing and making the best use of social media.
Among the 200+ speakers at the Conference are: Stephanie Lampkin, creator, Blendoor – the Blind Job Match App; Nina Tassler, former chairman, CBS Entertainment and author, Tami Reiss, CEO, Cyrus Innovation and creator, Just Not Sorry App; Caroline Webb, economist, author and former partner, McKinsey; Nicole Williams, founder and CEO, WORKS, official spokesperson for LinkedIn and best-selling author; Mallika Chopra, founder, Intent.com and author; and Jenny Blake, millennial expert, author, and business strategist.
For the second year, the Conference will also feature a “Workplaces that Work” summit designed to teach men and women how to promote gender partnerships and advance equity within workplaces. It will be held the day prior to the Conference, on December 7. That evening, the Conference will also present the second annual Opening Night event from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring an address from social entrepreneur Leila Janah, interviews with best-selling authors, holiday shopping among local women-owned vendors, and live entertainment. Opening Night tickets are available for $25.
The Massachusetts Conference for Women is presented by: State Street Corporation. It is generously sponsored by EMC; Merck KGaA; Boston Scientific; Hologic; Liberty Mutual; Morgan Lewis; Raytheon; ThermoFisher Scientific; Tyco; Bank of America; Bose; John Hancock Financial; Kronos; Ocean Spray; Shire; Suffolk Construction; TripAdvisor; Xfinity; MFS Investment Management; Merck; Vertex; and Weber Shandwick. Media sponsors include WCVB – ABC5; CBS Radio; and Boston Globe.
“The Conference has established itself as the premier place for women to come together to address a range of issues related to women’s professional growth and personal development, and serve as catalysts for change,” said Alison Quirk, chief human resources and citizenship officer for State Street Corporation. “State Street is a proud sponsor of the Conference, which is aligned with our focus on creating an inclusive workforce with equal opportunities for all.”
Registration is now open for the Conference and more exciting speaker announcements are to come. To register or learn more about the Conference, Opening Night and the Workplaces that Work Summit, visit www.maconferenceforwomen.org.
