The 7th annual Women|Future Conference was held virtually on July 23, bringing together ambitious, forward-thinking women from across industries and career stages to connect and discuss key issues impacting their industries, careers, and lives.

A professional development, learning, and networking event launched in 2018 to complement the highly successful Stevie® Awards for Women in Business program, the Women|Future Conference brings together a community of women small business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals interested in starting a business.

Attendees tuned in from cities across the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia, and Europe. This year the agenda featured sessions that focus on small business and entrepreneurship.

If you missed the live conference, you can still watch all the session replays for just $5, available until the end of 2024 through Zoom Events. Register for access here.

Key Takeaways and Quotations
The conference kicked off with Keynote Speaker Heather Hoytink, President, South Division PepsiCo Beverages North America. In this role, Heather leads a beverage portfolio that has grown to nearly $5.5B since she started in 2022. As the company’s first woman named division president, she is responsible for end-to-end P&L ownership and manages all cross-functional activity inclusive of commercial, go-to-market, manufacturing, operations, and marketing. Heather was honored with a Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in the 2023 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business.

In her session titled "Igniting Your Influence," Heather was joined by ForbesWomen Contributor, Vickie Chachere, to engage in an intimate fireside chat delving into the profound impact of influence and relationships on one’s path to career success. 

Heather shared how her relationships have shaped her career, how she feels about being a woman in an executive role, and the concept of "returnship." She commented: "Be grounded in what sacrifices and trade-offs you're willing to make in your career and stay true to your principles. If you have great joy somewhere, stay the course. The grass isn't always greener somewhere else. Worry more about the collection of qualifications that will best help you get your dream job down the line."

She emphasized how mentors completely transformed her career: "They took a vested interest in me and helped me navigate corporate America," teaching her how to persuade and influence, how to design a career map, and sharing their professional insights. To help other women reach success, Heather created a returnship program at PepsiCo in partnership with "Path Forward." These are 16-week paid learning opportunities for women who had to take a break from work, whether due to family needs, health issues, etc. Returnships serve to help women assimilate back into corporate America with the support, mentors, and resources to be successful. At the end of the experience, if both parties are interested, "returners" may be offered a permanent position.

In her closing remarks, Heather encouraged the audience: "It's a great time to be a woman—we need to harness this moment and do great things."

The next session was a panel discussion, "Unlocking Awards Success: The Power of Stevie Awards in Building Credibility and Business Growth," which examined how organizations can utilize Stevie Awards to enhance their credibility, leverage their achievements to drive business growth, and effectively integrate award recognition into their overall strategic approach.

Nicole Schmitz, Founder & CEO of a leadership coaching consultancy, started her business during the COVID pandemic. She shared how winning an International Business Award helped her business grow rapidly. She encouraged others not to wait to nominate their business if they have found success—even if their business is newer: "My business went from zero to 100 after I won that first International Business Award. The more awards you enter, the more credibility, confidence, and experience you gain!"

She explained how "the backstage interview and the awards ceremony add another layer of leverage that provide value as well," while sharing that her red carpet interview from The 2023 International Business Awards ceremony in Rome, Italy, racked up over 20k views online!

CEO of Branch & Bramble Emily Lyman commented: "Applying for an award is a testament to your confidence in your company or your campaign to even submit. You can build out your campaigns with the Stevie Awards in mind: How can I craft a campaign that is award worthy? What is cutting edge and innovative and will help us win?"

Managing Partner and Founder of Purpol Marketing and 36-time Stevie Award winner Denise O'Leary, MBE, said that she collects press mentions, screenshots, and other articles that will support her Stevie Award nominations throughout the year. She recommends that all prospective entrants make a practice of this, so that it's easier to find and craft the story of your business accomplishments when it's time to collect evidence and make a case for any award submission.

In the third session of the conference, "Building a Trusted Brand: Authenticity in a Time of Public Scrutiny and Hot News Cycles" panelists hosted by Trust Relations CEO & Founder April White shared advice for brand leaders to decide when to take a public stance on issues in the press and how to prepare for and manage crisis situations.

Panelists included Rachel Griffin, Co-Founder of PlayWise Partners; Ronjini Joshua, Owner & President of The Silver Telegram; Catharine Montgomery, Founder & CEO of Better Together; and Marissa Nance, CEO & Founder of Native Tongue Communications.

All panelists agreed how important honesty and consistency are in developing trust with an audience. Catherine noted that it is just as essential to know your audience: "If leaders and companies don't know their audience, they can't connect authentically." Understanding your audience will help you create messaging that will truly resonate.

Ronjini added that consistency of messaging across channels should involve clear communication between internal teams so that all departments of an organization can be on the same page regarding messaging and tactics.

These strategies contribute to building authentic connections and trust with your audience and customers. In addition, if an organization makes a misstep in messaging or has compromised its reputation in another way, having that foundation of trust will help to repair and heal brand loyalty. Panelists highly recommend that leaders have a ready-to-go crisis management plan in place (before it's ever needed) that is up-to-date and consistently reviewed.

Marissa offered four practical tips for organizations who find themselves in a crisis situation: 1) make sure you clearly understand what the issue is—don't react to a misunderstanding or something that doesn't even exist; 2) determine if the issue is based in fact or fiction; 3) address it with sincerity in a way people feel seen and heard; and 4) take a step back during the situation and reflect on if what you're doing is actually working—if not, optimize and relaunch where and when needed.

If resources allow, there may be instances when you need to ask for help. "Don’t spend hours trying to be an expert when you can outsource to someone who is an expert," said Rachel. Even though social and cultural pressure sometimes makes women feel they should manage alone, part of being a leader is honestly evaluating your strengths and determining when to ask for assistance and support.

In the next session, "Breaking Barriers, Building Empires and Elevating Women: Driving Change in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business" speakers shared their personal journeys and experiences through the world of leadership and entrepreneurship.

It all begins with self-confidence, noted business strategist Kerry-Ann Powell, Founder of Trafalgar Strategies LLC: "It is important for you to always go back to how you see yourself....Do the work within....That internal belief about who you are and your vision is what enables you to step into yourself in a more positive way." 

Bosky Mukerjee, Founder of PMDojo, echoed Kerry-Ann's sentiments and added that you need to decide on your non-negotiable priorities that support your core values. She related her own experiences of hitting rock bottom in her mental and physical health while serving as President of a tech company. She said it was months of inner work reflecting on what she really cared about and what she wanted the next few years to look like: "You only grow when you are in the deep end of the pool," she said. Despite the intense pressure to shatter the glass ceiling, sometimes you have to walk away from roles or activities that are not serving your vision-- even if they might be million-dollar offers.

The panelists examined the role “hustle culture” has played in motivating and driving change, however, Angelique Hamilton, CEO & Chief Coaching Officer at HRCG, noted that there should be boundaries and parameters that you determine for yourself. Business Growth Strategist and Consultant Danielle Levy of The Boardroom League agreed, noting that this involves being in alignment with who you are to create your own journey of what work-life balance and professional development look like in practice.

Bosky highlighted the value of “finding your tribe”—the people who understand and support you—or if you can’t find a tribe you fit into, create your own and invite others with like priorities and goals. This also gives women leaders an opportunity to make space for other women in challenging sectors, she noted.

When it comes to battling against stereotypes and snap judgments in the workplace, panelists remarked that there are times for productive corrections and times to let it go. You can’t teach everyone good manners, said Bosky, relating how she used to get quite angry at the stereotyping that occurred in her workplace: “It’s all about picking your fights….be at peace in the things you can control.” 

In the final session of the conference, speakers explored "Leveraging AI Technology and Navigating the Social Media Landscape" panelists discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for businesses, featuring insights from industry leaders including an AI tech startup Founder, a Product Leader, an AI Strategist, and the SVP of Growth for Fortune 500 client brands.

AMP Solutions CEO Lisa Thee emphasized the importance of automation in reducing the mental load for leaders and employees and establishing a brand presence. She highlighted how AI and social media can help startups and businesses create engaging content, turning complex information into digestible sound bites. "AI is like hiring an amazing assistant that allows you to focus more on your super special powers," Lisa commented, which allows professionals to do less of the minor organizing and planning tasks that get in the way of executing their vision.

Kristen Dolan, SVP of Growth at Influential, discussed the integration of AI into social platforms, including tools like ChatGPT, and how companies are leveraging AI to enhance productivity. She cited examples like Meta AI, TikTok Symphony, and Snapchat’s MY AI, which provide small and medium-sized businesses with powerful, accessible tools for content creation and trend detection.

Deboshree Dutta, Founder & CEO of Criya, elaborated on AI’s impact on marketing, explaining how AI can create multi-mode content, streamline drip campaigns, and boost sales productivity by providing executive summaries and outlines.

The panel conversation also touched on the evolution of creator content. Kristen underscored the enduring need for genuine human connections, while Deboshree spoke about the burgeoning creator and influencer economy. She noted that content creation involves not just creativity but also business acumen, and AI can assist with the demanding business aspects. The panelists agreed that AI tools can help creators maintain authenticity and scale their efforts, suggesting that businesses and individuals experiment with AI to understand its capabilities.

Stay Connected: Replay Sessions and Nominate for Women in Business Stevies
If you didn’t get a chance to register for the live event, you can watch all the session replays for just $5, available until the end of 2024 through Zoom Events. Whether you attended the conference or are catching up now, these sessions are a treasure trove of knowledge.

Individuals and organizations can also still submit nominations for the 2024 (21st annual) Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. Entries will be accepted through August 21. Request the Entry Kit Now.

Finalists will be announced in September, and the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie-winner placements of the Finalists revealed during a gala awards dinner in New York City on Friday, November 8.

Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates about next year's conference.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS AND PARTNERS​

Gold Sponsor:
The Boardroom League

Silver Sponsors: 
nFOLD
Dominique Young Law, P.C. 

Bronze Sponsors:
Enterprising Women Magazine
Divine Wealth Solutions
Lead Twist
PMDojo

GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc., pronounced G-E-H-A) is a nonprofit member association that provides medical and dental benefits to more than 2 million federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families.

GEHA was founded more than 80 years ago by a group of Railway Post Office employees who passed the hat to help their co-workers in times of need. What began as medical aid in the 1930s has transformed into providing medical and dental plans to federal employees, retirees, military retirees and their families today. GEHA remains dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of its 2 million members by continually seeking innovative ways to cater to their distinct health care needs.

In a testament to its commitment to corporate social responsibility, GEHA was recognized in 2023 by the Stevies 21st Annual American Business Awards® as a Gold winner for the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and Bronze winner for an Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility. 

Alexis Rolloff, the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, adds to GEHA's culture of prioritizing members and innovation. In 2023, she earned acclaim by winning a Bronze Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in government and nonprofit sectors. She has also been recognized as a Health Evolution Partners Fellow and serves as a mentor to women and non-binary leaders in Healthcare through Csweetener powered by HLTH Foundation. She is also an active member of Women Business Leaders in Healthcare.

Alexis Rolloff has a history of transforming complex business challenges into compelling solutions. At GEHA, she has catalyzed the development of the organization’s long-term business goals and strategic roadmap.

To accelerate this vision, she initiated the development of GEHA Ventures, a new strategic corporate venture capital initiative focused on partnering with seed and early-stage companies. As a strategic investor, GEHA is positioned to fuel new innovative solutions through investment as well as pilot these offerings with its association members. Through GEHA’s dual-purpose investments, it aims to:

1. Empower the consumer: GEHA strives to create a more informed and active health care consumer by investing in technologies and services that provide consumers with better access to information and tools to manage their health.
2. Enable lifestyle longevity: GEHA’s efforts are geared towards helping individuals navigate life's changes and maintain a preferred lifestyle across all life stages, including investments in digital health solutions that support long-term health and wellness.
3. Expand access: GEHA is committed to democratizing health care access to foster health equity and inclusion. By investing in innovative solutions that remove barriers to health care, GEHA aims to ensure everyone can receive quality care.
4. Drive sustainability: Ensuring high-quality care is economically sustainable and efficient is a core objective. GEHA’s investments are focused on technologies and services that reduce costs while maintaining or improving the quality of care.

Under Alexis' leadership, GEHA Ventures has made significant progress over the course of the past year, establishing strategic investment themes, building a strong leadership team and garnering internal support, while introducing GEHA and the federal opportunity to the external start-up and investor community.  Through these efforts, the program secured strategic deals that aligned with the organization's long-term goals – successfully funding and launching pilots that place breakthrough solutions in its member's hands.

One such pilot is with portfolio company You are Accountable, an innovative peer-based addiction recovery solution that is focused on the maintenance stage of change, enabling individuals to sustain their recovery long after acute treatment episodes. The pilot is an example of the tremendous potential impact of GEHA Ventures beyond financial returns alone.

In addition, Alexis is dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families through intentional philanthropic efforts, such as volunteering to serve military veterans on September 11, leading GEHA’s senior leadership team in a day of service with the Veterans Community Project, emphasizing transitional housing and mental health care services and spearheading and representing GEHA’s presence at Kansas City’s annual PrideFest. She also volunteers with her local chapter of Girls on the Run, promoting programs designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others.

By leveraging technology and cultivating a culture of innovation and wellness, Alexis has led her teams to achieve significant growth, paving the way for continued success and advancement in the future. Her forward-thinking approach solidifies her position as a driving force behind GEHA's continued evolution and success.

GEHA's Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Alexis Rolloff won a Bronze Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year – Government or Nonprofit –11 to 2,500 Employees in the 2023 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Interested in entering the 2024 program?

Noch ist etwas Zeit, sich für die 7. jährliche Women|Future Conference anzumelden, die von den Stevie® Awards for Women in Business veranstaltet wird!

Die diesjährige Konferenz wird am 23. Juli 2024 in virtueller Form stattfinden. Melden Sie sich an, indem Sie unsere Registrierungsseite besuchen.

Ziel der 7. jährlichen Women|Future Conference, die von den Stevie® Awards veranstaltet wird, ist es, durch aufschlussreiche Vorträge, Workshops und Networking Kontakte zu knüpfen und die berufliche und persönliche Entwicklung zu fördern. Wenn Sie Inhaberin eines Kleinunternehmens, Führungskraft oder Unternehmerin sind oder die Gründung eines Unternehmens in Erwägung ziehen, sollten Sie die Veranstaltung #WomenFuture24 nicht verpassen.

#WomenFuture24 Hauptrednerin und Details zur Tagesordnung
Wir freuen uns, dass wir Heather Hoytink, President, South Division PepsiCo Beverages North America, als Hauptrednerin für die 2024 Women|Future Conference gewinnen konnten.

Heather ist Präsidentin der PBNA South Division und leitet ein Getränkeportfolio, das seit ihrem Amtsantritt im Jahr 2022 auf fast 5,5 Milliarden US-Dollar angewachsen ist. Als erste Frau im Unternehmen, die zur Präsidentin des Geschäftsbereichs ernannt wurde, ist Heather für die gesamte Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung verantwortlich und leitet alle funktionsübergreifenden Aktivitäten in den Bereichen Handel, Markteinführung, Produktion, Betrieb und Marketing. Heather wurde bei den Stevie® Awards for Women in Business 2023 mit einem Gold Stevie Award für "weibliche Führungskraft des Jahres" ausgezeichnet.

Heather wird zusammen mit der ForbesWomen-Mitarbeiterin Vickie Chachere ein intimes Kamingespräch führen, in dem es um die tiefgreifenden Auswirkungen von Einfluss und Beziehungen auf den Karriereerfolg geht.

Die virtuellen Sitzungen sind auf ehrgeizige Fachleute zugeschnitten, die lernen und sich darüber austauschen möchten, was in ihren Organisationen funktioniert, die Herausforderungen, denen sie gemeinsam gegenüberstehen, lösen und wertvolle Kontakte knüpfen möchten.

Sie können Diskussionen über alles erwarten, von der Nutzung von Mentorship als Weg zur beruflichen und persönlichen Entwicklung, über das Gewinnen von Aufmerksamkeit durch Öffentlichkeitsarbeit bis hin zu den Auswirkungen von Technologie auf das menschliche Verhalten. In Sitzungen zu Marketingstrategien, Unternehmensführung und vielem mehr werden Sie praktische Erkenntnisse gewinnen. Zu den Sitzungen gehören:

Aufbau einer vertrauenswürdigen Marke: Authentizität in einer Zeit öffentlicher Kontrolle und angesagter Nachrichtenzyklen

In dieser von April White, CEO und Gründerin von Trust Relations, moderierten Sitzung werden die Podiumsteilnehmer Rachel Griffin (Mitbegründerin von PlayWise Partners), Ronjini Joshua (Eigentümerin und Präsidentin von The Silver Telegram) und Marissa Nance (CEO und Gründerin von Native Tongue Communications) Ratschläge für Markenführer geben, um zu entscheiden, wann sie in der Presse öffentlich Stellung beziehen sollten und wie sie sicherstellen können, dass sie ihre Behauptungen auch belegen können, wenn sie sich dazu entscheiden.

Den Erfolg von Auszeichnungen nutzbar machen: Die Macht der Stevie Awards beim Aufbau von Glaubwürdigkeit und Unternehmenswachstum

This panel discussion will delve into how organizations can utilize Stevie Awards to enhance their credibility, leverage their achievements to drive business growth, and effectively integrate award recognition into their overall strategic approach.Diese Podiumsdiskussion wird sich damit befassen, wie Organisationen die Stevie Awards nutzen können, um ihre Glaubwürdigkeit zu steigern, ihre Erfolge zu nutzen, um das Geschäftswachstum voranzutreiben, und die Auszeichnung wirksam in ihre gesamte Strategie zu integrieren.

Barrieren brechen, Imperien aufbauen und Frauen fördern: Den Wandel in Führung, Unternehmertum und Wirtschaft vorantreiben

Diese Sitzung beleuchtet die Wege und Erfahrungen von Frauen in der Welt der Führung und des Unternehmertums und zeigt, wie leidenschaftsgetriebene Initiativen unsichtbare Barrieren durchbrechen und Geschäftsbranchen revolutionieren. 

Nutzung von KI-Technologie und Navigation in der Social-Media-Landschaft: Strategien für Unternehmenswachstum und -erfolg

In dieser dynamischen Podiumsdiskussion bringen wir eine Gruppe von Frauen zusammen, die an der Spitze von Innovation und Technologie stehen. Nehmen Sie an dieser Sitzung teil, um in das Reich der künstlichen Intelligenz und ihr transformatives Potenzial für Unternehmen einzutauchen. Die Diskussion wird von einem vielfältigen Panel geleitet, das aus einer Gründerin eines AI-Tech-Startups, einer Produktleiterin, einer AI-Strategin und einer Senior Vice Präsidentin für Wachstum von Fortune-500-Kundenmarken besteht. 

Die 21. Stevie Awards for Women in Business
Im Jahr 2018 wurde die erste jährliche Women|Future Conference von den Stevie Awards präsentiert, um das äußerst erfolgreiche Stevie® Awards for Women in Business-Programm, die weltweit höchste Auszeichnung für Unternehmerinnen, weibliche Führungskräfte, Mitarbeiterinnen und die von ihnen geführten Organisationen, zu ergänzen. Viele der Rednerinnen von 2024 sind ehemalige und aktuelle Stevie-Award-Gewinnerinnen, die in einem (oder mehreren) unserer neun Stevie-Awards-Programme ausgezeichnet worden sind.

Einzelpersonen und Organisationen können noch Nominierungen für die 21. jährlichen  Stevie® Awards for Women in Business 2024 einreichen. Der letzte Einsendeschluss ist der 24. Juli, aber verspätete Einsendungen werden bis zum 21. August gegen Zahlung einer Verspätungsgebühr angenommen. Fordern Sie jetzt die Teilnahmeunterlagen an.

Die Finalistinnen werden im September bekannt gegeben und die Platzierungen der Gold-, Silber- und Bronze-Stevie-Gewinnerinnen während eines Gala-Dinners in New York City am Freitag, 8. November, bekannt gegeben.

There's still time to register for the 7th annual Women|Future Conference, hosted by the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business!

This year’s conference will take place virtually on July 23, 2024. Sign up by visiting our registration page.

The mission of the 7th annual Women|Future Conference, hosted by the Stevie® Awards, is to foster connections and professional and personal development through insightful sessions, workshops, and networking. If you’re a small business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or considering starting a business, #WomenFuture24 is an event you won’t want to miss.

#WomenFuture24 Keynote Speaker and Agenda Details
We are excited to have Heather Hoytink, President, South Division PepsiCo Beverages North America, as our Keynote speaker for the 2024 Women|Future Conference.

Heather is the President of PBNA South Division, leading a beverage portfolio that has grown to nearly $5.5B since she stepped into the role in 2022. As the company’s first woman named division president, Heather is responsible for end-to-end P&L ownership and manages all cross-functional activity inclusive of commercial, go-to-market, manufacturing, operations, and marketing. Heather was honored with a Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in the 2023 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business.

Heather will be joined by ForbesWomen Contributor Vickie Chachere, to engage in an intimate fireside chat, delving into the profound impact of influence and relationships on one’s path to career success.

Virtual sessions are tailored to ambitious professionals looking to learn and share what’s working in their organizations, troubleshoot the challenges they collectively face, and make meaningful connections.

You can expect discussions about everything from how to utilize mentorship as a path to professional and personal development, gain traction through public relations, and how technology affects human behavior. You’ll learn practical takeaways from sessions on marketing strategies, business ownership, and more. Sessions include:

Building a Trusted Brand: Authenticity in a Time of Public Scrutiny and Hot News Cycles

In this session hosted by Trust Relations CEO & Founder April White, panelists Rachel Griffin (Co-Founder of PlayWise Partners), Ronjini Joshua (Owner & President of The Silver Telegram) and Marissa Nance (CEO & Founder of Native Tongue Communications) will share advice for brand leaders to decide when to take a public stance on issues in the press, and how to ensure that when they decide to do so, they can back up their claims.

Unlocking Awards Success: The Power of Stevie Awards in Building Credibility and Business Growth

This panel discussion will delve into how organizations can utilize Stevie Awards to enhance their credibility, leverage their achievements to drive business growth, and effectively integrate award recognition into their overall strategic approach.

Breaking Barriers, Building Empires and Elevating Women: Driving Change in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business

This session explores women’s journeys and experiences through the world of leadership and entrepreneurship, highlighting how passion-driven initiatives are breaking glass ceilings and revolutionizing business industries.

Leveraging AI Technology and Navigating the Social Media Landscape: Strategies for Business Growth & Success

In this dynamic panel discussion, we bring together a powerhouse of women who are at the forefront of innovation and technology. Join this session to delve into the realm of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for businesses, led by a diverse panel comprising an AI tech startup Founder, Product Leader, AI Strategist, and SVP of Growth for Fortune 500 client brands. 

The 21st Stevie Awards for Women in Business
In 2018, the first annual Women|Future Conference was presented by the Stevie Awards to complement the highly successful Stevie® Awards for Women in Business program, the world’s top honors for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run. Many 2024 speakers are past and current Stevie Award winners who have earned recognition in one (or many) of our nine Stevie Awards programs.

Individuals and organizations can still submit nominations for the 2024 (21st annual) Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. The final entry deadline is July 24, but late entries will be accepted through August 21 with payment of a late fee. Request the Entry Kit Now.

Finalists will be announced in September, and the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie-winner placements of the Finalists revealed during a gala awards dinner in New York City on Friday, November 8.

We are excited to announce the keynote speaker for the 2024 Women|Future Conference, Heather Hoytink, President, South Division PepsiCo Beverages North America.

Keeping with our tradition of past Stevie® Award winners keynoting the conference, Heather was honored with a Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in the 2023 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business.


Heather is the President of PBNA South Division, leading a beverage portfolio that has grown to nearly $5.5B since she stepped into the role in 2022. As the company’s first woman named division president, Heather is responsible for end-to-end P&L ownership and manages all cross-functional activity inclusive of commercial, go-to-market, manufacturing, operations, and marketing. 

Heather's Keynote, "Igniting Your Influence," will be the opening session of #WomenFuture24, at 10:00 am ET on July 23.

In 2024, she was honored as a 2024 “Woman Who Means Business” by the Orlando Business Journal, and last year she was selected as one of Florida’s 500 most influential business leaders by Florida Trend Magazine. Her other recent accolades include Orlando Magazine’s 2023 Woman of the Year, Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2023 Woman Worth Watching in Leadership, and during her nearly 20-year career at PepsiCo, Heather has served in sales and operating leadership roles of increasing responsibility across all four beverage divisions.

From 2017 to 2019, Heather served as Senior Vice President of Foodservice Sales, during which she delivered record 10-year revenue growth and scaled the first e-commerce online ordering platform, PepsiCo Partners, to 30,000 customers. As a champion of diversity, inclusion and employee engagement initiatives, Heather has continued to tap into her personal values through her team’s “Returnship” program with non-profit Path Forward, aiming to help women professionals return to the workforce after taking time off for caregiving. She led the rollout of PepsiCo’s internal program, “One Smile at a Time,” which encourages and recruits employees for volunteer events in their communities.

Heather will be joined by ForbesWomen Contributor, Vickie Chachere, to engage in an intimate fireside chat, delving into the profound impact of influence and relationships on one's path to career success.

Vickie previously served as the executive editor of Florida Trend, an award-winning business and public affairs magazine. Before that, she led communications for the University of South Florida Research & Innovation, highlighting its achievements as a leading public research university. Her journalism background includes roles as a supervisory correspondent for the Associated Press and a reporter and editorial writer for the Tampa Tribune. She is dedicated to exploring and explaining the complex issues that shape our world. 

Now a freelance journalist and communications consultant, she uses her extensive knowledge of global challenges, economic development, and public policy to create engaging and impactful content for various audiences. With over 30 years of experience, she excels in writing and speechwriting, delivering clear and compelling messages that inform and inspire.

This year’s conference will take place virtually on July 23, 2024. Sign up by visiting our registration page.

The mission of the 7th annual Women|Future Conference, hosted by the Stevie® Awards, is to foster connections and professional and personal development through insightful sessions, workshops, and networking.

If you’re a small business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or considering starting a business, #WomenFuture24 is an event you won’t want to miss.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Sessions are tailored to ambitious professionals looking to learn and share what’s working in their organizations, troubleshoot the challenges they collectively face, and make meaningful connections.

You can expect discussions about everything from how to utilize mentorship as a path to professional and personal development, gain traction through public relations, and how technology affects human behavior.

You will learn practical takeaways from sessions on marketing strategies, business ownership, and more. Session Topics include:

• Building a Trusted Brand: Authenticity in a Time of Public Scrutiny and Hot News Cycles
• Unlocking Awards Success: The Power of Stevie Awards in Building Credibility and Business Growth
• Breaking Barriers, Building Empires and Elevating Women: Driving Change in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business
• Leveraging AI Technology and Navigating the Social Media Landscape: Strategies for Business Growth & Success

CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED PROFESSIONALS 
Women from cities across the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia, and Europe attend the conference year after year to be inspired, build resilience, and share insights into changes that impact their industries, their careers, and their lives. 

The Women|Future Conference is a great opportunity to build industry connections, share challenges, and brainstorm solutions alongside women like you. In any given session, you may find yourself in the company of the Founder of a non-profit, an Entrepreneur, a Publicist, and a CEO.

View the Full Agenda and Speakers online now.

Register to Learn from the Best and Join Our Growing Community of Ambitious Women in Business!

To learn more about the Women|Future Conference speakers and view the full agenda, visit www.womenfutureconference.com.

For partnership, press, and media inquiries, contact Nina@stevieawards.com.

Stevie-winner mindit.io is a Swiss-based custom software product engineering company with operations in Romania and customers in DACH and the US.

To date, their team of 250+ IT specialists has delivered 140+ complex enterprise solutions, with proven expertise in software and product engineering, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, data analytics, and integration services.

With multiple Stevie® Award wins for consecutive years, they stand out in their ability to cater to a wide range of industries, including retail, banking, fintech, food tech, healthcare, pharma, hospitality, publishing, and real estate. Their core mission revolves around being the partner of choice for data and product engineering to drive business growth and deliver an impact within your organization.

At mindit.io, they cover the entire development cycle from business research, consulting, and architecture to post-implementation testing and maintenance. Whether it's establishing roadmaps for technological advancement or enhancing product offerings, they provide comprehensive support to clients at every stage of their journey.

They continue their growth process, relying on continuous learning, a particularly important element for mindit.io, which translates into projects from various industries, new technologies, the scaling of existing projects through processes that allow partners competitive advantages.

Leading Women in IT
With a team of dedicated engineers proficient in end-to-end software services, mindit.io offers expertise in business analysis, architecture, development, integration, maintenance, and support.

Beyond delivering technical solutions, they foster an intrapreneurial environment where individuals can thrive both professionally and personally. This approach not only ensures the success of their projects but also cultivates a culture of innovation and collaboration within the organization.

mindit.io won multiple Stevie Awards in the 2023 edition of the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, including a Silver Stevie for Fastest Growing Company of the Year. Anamaria Bumbar, Head of Customer Success at mindit.io, won a Bronze Stevie for Female Executive of the Year.

Anamaria commented on her win:

"Winning the Bronze Stevie® Award in the Female Executive of the Year category was a pleasant surprise for both me and my team. It's certainly encouraging to see our efforts acknowledged in such a manner.

This recognition serves as a gentle reminder that the good work we put in each day doesn't go unnoticed. We're grateful for the honor and it motivates us to keep pushing forward with our goals."

Anamaria has worked with mindit.io "from the very beginning," embracing different roles with passion, such as Scrum Master, Project Manager, People Manager, and Key Account Manager. She now successfully manages an operational team of over 220 people. Over the past 8 years, Anamaria has successfully contributed to numerous international projects, delivering more than 70 projects successfully with her dedicated teams.

Anamaria explained the importance of cultivating an environment where learning is embraced:

"We believe in the power of curiosity and encourage our team members to explore new ideas and approaches. This involves providing ample opportunities for professional development, whether it's through workshops, training sessions, or mentorship programs.

By fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration, we create an atmosphere where everyone feels empowered to contribute and grow."

mindit.io operates by promoting the principles of holocracy, eschewing traditional hierarchy for self-organizing teams. This innovative approach distributes responsibility and decision-making throughout the organization, fostering inclusivity and innovation.

CEO of mindit.io Lucia Stoicescu explained how they encourage continuous learning in the workplace:

"We promote a learning environment through professional development opportunities, participation in industry events, and internal knowledge-sharing sessions. By nurturing curiosity and innovation within our team, we encourage our community to grow, contribute fresh ideas, and drive our progress in the rapidly evolving tech landscape."

She commented that their focus remains on delivering high-impact AI-driven solutions to meet clients' unique challenges and strategic goals. By expanding into new markets and deepening their industry expertise, they are committed to driving sustainable growth for both the company and its clients.

mindit.io won a Silver Stevie Award for Fastest Growing Company of the Year, and mindit.io's Head of Customer Success Anamaria Bumbar won a Bronze Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year – Business Products – 11 to 2,500 Employees - Computer Software in the 2023 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Interested in entering the 2024 program?

The Stevie® Awards, organizer of the world’s premier business awards programs, has issued the call for entries for its 2024 (21st annual) Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. These are the world’s top honors for women entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run. Entry kits and complete details about the competition are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/Women.

The awards are produced by the creators of the prestigious American Business Awards® and The International Business Awards®.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements of working women in more than 100 categories, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Executive of the Year, Mentor or Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Achievement in Equal Pay, Achievement in Women-related Corporate Social Responsibility, Women Helping Women, Employee of the Year, Woman-Owned or -Run Company of the Year, and Innovator of the Year. All female entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run, worldwide, are eligible to be nominated.

The early-bird entry deadline is June 26. The final entry deadline is July 24, but late entries will be accepted through August 21 with payment of a late fee. Finalists, who will ultimately be named Stevie Award winners, will be publicly announced in September. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements, from among the Finalists, will be revealed at an awards banquet on November 8 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York City.

A new group of categories recognizing achievements in sustainability has been introduced to the 2024 competition. These categories will recognize innovative achievements by individual women and women-led or -owned organizations in resource and environmental sustainability since the beginning of July 2022. The new sustainability categories include Climate Protection and Sustainability Campaign of the Year, Climate Hero of the Year, Building Sustainable Supply Chains, Climate Adaptation Initiative, Project of the Year in the Area of Nature & Biological Diversity, and many others.

Stevie Award winners in the 2023 edition of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business reflect a diverse group of large and small organizations around the globe. Notable winners in 2023 include the following, among others:

• Watsons, Hong Kong, China
• Amazon Web Services, Arlington, VA, U.S.A
• Cindy J. Miller, President and CEO, Stericycle, Inc., Bannockburn IL, U.S.A
• Coca-Cola Company, Istanbul, Turkey
• Dara Busch, Co-CEO, 5W Public Relations, New York, NY U.S.A
• Everise, Florida, U.S.A
• Green Door Co, Sydney, New South Wales
• Havas Health & You, New York, NY U.S.A
• Heather Hoytink, President South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America South Division, Orlando, FL, U.S.A
• Hilton Supply Management, McClean, VA, U.S.A
• IBM, worldwide
• Kelley Higney, Founder & CEO, Bug Bite Thing, Port St. Lucie, FL, U.S.A
• LTK, Dallas, TX, U.S.A
• Nancy McKinstry, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Wolters Kluwer, Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands
• Purpol Marketing Ltd, Chippenham, United Kingdom
• Preethika S. Kalyanasundaram, Product Executive, Salesforce, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
• Rashmi Verma, VP of Employee Experience, Hugo Boss, Metzingen, Germany
• Thamina Stoll, Leader & Senior Client Solutions Manager, LinkedIn, New York, NY, U.S.A
• Tina Mahal, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Frito-Lay North America, Plano, TX, U.S.A
• Women's Biz Global, Queensland, Australia
  

The 2024 Stevie Awards for Women in Business will be judged by more than 200 leading professionals worldwide, and nominees will have access to all the judges’ comments and suggestions about their nominations. 

Are you ready to take your business to the next level with prestigious awards recognition? Join us for a game-changing webinar on "How to Prepare an Effective Stevie® Awards Nomination"!

Business awards are not just accolades, they're powerful tools that showcase your credibility, elevate your brand, and pave the path for future success. Crafting a compelling Stevie® Awards nomination, however, requires reflection, finesse, and skill.

This 1-hour webinar will take place on Zoom on May 14, 2024, at 10:00 AM EDT. 

We invite individual professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders from organizations worldwide—large and small, public and private, for-profit and non-profit—to register for this free learning opportunity.

Hosted by the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Stevie Awards, Michael Gallagher, this exclusive webinar will provide invaluable insights from past winners, seasoned judges, and industry experts.

Learn firsthand what it takes to clinch that coveted Stevie accolade! Here's what you can expect:

• Behind-the-scenes peek into the awards entry and judging process
• Pro tips and best practices from Stevie Award winners, judges, and industry gurus
• Learn the art of storytelling to captivate judges and highlight your unique value
• Understand the criteria and nuances that set Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Grand Stevie Awards apart
• Guidance on navigating the nomination process, from account setup to submission
• Expert advice on selecting the right competitions and categories to maximize your chances.
• Access to a treasure trove of Gold Stevie Award-winning nominations for inspiration.

 Guests you can expect to hear from in the webinar include: 

• Susan Turkell, Chief Executive Officer, PAIRELATIONS, LLC
• Çağatay Kayabaş, President of Business Awards Consulting, and the official Stevie Awards representative in Turkey

In the last section of the webinar, attendees can engage in a live Q&A session to get answers to all their burning questions.

Register now to secure your spot and unlock the secrets to crafting award-winning nominations. Plus, enjoy on-demand access to the webinar and presentations until the end of 2024.

We are excited to announce that the speakers and agenda for the 2024 Women|Future Conference are now available!

This year’s conference will take place virtually on July 23, 2024. 

The mission of the 7th annual Women|Future Conference, hosted by the Stevie® Awards, is to foster connections and professional and personal development through insightful sessions, workshops, and networking. 

Hear From Leading Women in Business
If you're a small business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or considering starting a business, #WomenFuture24 is an event you won't want to miss.

Our speakers will delve into the challenges, successes, firsts, and setbacks of their journeys. Many 2024 speakers are actually past and current Stevie Award winners who have earned recognition in one (or many) of our nine Stevie Awards programs. Speakers this year include:

• Angelique Hamilton, CEO, Chief Coaching Officer, HR Chique Group
• April White, Founder & CEO, Trust Relations
• Bosky Mukherjee, Founder, PMDojo
• Danielle Levy, Business Growth Strategist & Consultant, The Boardroom League
• Deboshree Dutta, Founder & CEO, Criya
• Denise O’Leary MBE, Managing Director & Founder, Purpol Marketing Ltd
• Emoly Lyman, CEO, Branch & Bramble
• Kerry-Ann Powell, Founder & Business Strategist, Trafalgar Strategies, LLC
• Kristen Dolan, SVP, Growth, Influential
• Lisa Thee, CEO, AMP Solutions LLC
• Marissa Nance, Founder & CEO, Native Tongue Communications
• Nicole Schmitz, Founder & CEO, Nicole Schmitz Leadership Coaching
• Rachel Griffin, Co-Founder, PlayWise Partner
• Risa Arin, Founder & CEO, XpertPatient LLC
• Ronjini Joshua, Founder & CEO, The Silver Telegram
• Surbhi Gupta, Product Leader, Zoox

Sessions are tailored to ambitious professionals looking to learn and share what’s working in their organizations, troubleshoot the challenges they collectively face, and make meaningful connections. 

You can expect discussions about everything from how to utilize mentorship as a path to professional and personal development, gain traction through public relations, and how technology affects human behavior.

You will learn practical takeaways from sessions on marketing strategies, business ownership, and more. Session Topics include:

• Building a Trusted Brand: Authenticity in a Time of Public Scrutiny and Hot News Cycles
• Unlocking Awards Success: The Power of Stevie Awards in Building Credibility and Business Growth
• Breaking Barriers, Building Empires and Elevating Women: Driving Change in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business
• Leveraging AI Technology and Navigating the Social Media Landscape: Strategies for Business Growth & Success

Connect With Like-Minded Professionals 
Women from cities across the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia, and Europe attend the conference year after year to be inspired, build resilience, and share insights into changes that impact their industries, their careers, and their lives.

The Women|Future Conference is a great opportunity to build industry connections, share challenges, and brainstorm solutions alongside women like you. In any given session, you may find yourself in the company of a non-profit founder, an Entrepreneur, a Publicist, and a CEO.

View the Full Agenda and Speakers online now.

Register to Learn from the Best and Join Our Growing Community of Ambitious Women in Business! 

To learn more about the Women|Future Conference speakers and view the full agenda, visit www.womenfutureconference.com.

For partnership, press, and media inquiries, contact Nina@stevieawards.com.

If your 2024 goals include expanding your personal and professional network, achieving better business outcomes, and getting equipped for unexpected business changes ahead, you don’t want to miss the 2024 Women|Future Conference!

The mission of the 7th annual Women|Future Conference, hosted by the Stevie Awards, is to foster connections and professional and personal development through insightful sessions, workshops, and networking. 

This year’s conference will take place virtually on July 23, 2024. Early birds save over 50% at just $10 per ticket. Attend for our lowest price now through March 26 by visiting our registration page.

Sessions and activities are tailored to ambitious professionals looking to learn and share what’s working in their organizations, troubleshoot the challenges they collectively face, and make meaningful connections. 

Whether you're a female entrepreneur, small business owner, executive, or employee, this event caters to women at every career stage, offering insights and inspiration to fuel your journey forward.

Learn From and Network With Top Women Business Leaders and Professionals
In 2018, the first annual Women|Future Conference was presented by the Stevie Awards to complement the highly successful Stevie® Awards for Women in Business program. The conference was created to give high-achieving women professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners a place to come together, share ideas, and network.

Speakers typically range from changemakers at Fortune 500 companies to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Previous speakers include female executives and leaders from Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, John Hancock, Pinterest, Macy’s Inc., SAP North America, Talkspace, and others.

Why You Should Attend
You can expect discussions about everything from how to utilize mentorship as a path to professional and personal development, gain traction through public relations, and how technology affects human behavior.

While the 2024 agenda will not be released until next month, below is a glance at what attendees can expect to see. You can also explore the 2023 agenda and read top highlights from the program to see what topics and speakers were featured last year.

➡️ Interactive Sessions — Past session topics include:

• Branding, PR, and Marketing for Small Woman-Owned Businesses
• How to Leverage Stevie® Awards to Establish Credibility and Boost Your Company's Reputation
• How to Utilize Networking and Mentorship as a Path to Professional Growth
• Turning Your Passion or Side Hustle into Profit
• Tips on Starting and Running a Business
• Women in Leadership and Professional Development
• Women in Tech - How Technology Affects Human Behavior

➡️ Meaningful Connections — Women around the world attend the conference year after year to collaborate, build relationships, and gain fresh perspectives on how to drive their businesses forward. Speakers and attendees make lasting connections in the form of business partners, mentors, and even friends. 

➡️ Diverse Perspectives —  In any given session, you may find yourself in the company of an online business owner, the founder of a non-profit, a lawyer, an engineer, a publicist, and a CEO.