UTICA — The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce is bringing a new event to the region, aimed at empowering, inspiring, and connecting women. The Experience LeadHERship event takes place March 26 from 12-5 p.m. at Delta Hotels Utica. “We felt that there was a need to bring an event like this to Utica,” Greater Utica […]
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UTICA — The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce is bringing a new event to the region, aimed at empowering, inspiring, and connecting women.
The Experience LeadHERship event takes place March 26 from 12-5 p.m. at Delta Hotels Utica.
“We felt that there was a need to bring an event like this to Utica,” Greater Utica Chamber Executive Director Kari Puleo tells CNYBJ.
Based on the reaction since announcing the event on Jan. 21, the Utica area agrees. The chamber sold 50 tickets on the day of the announcement. “We only have 300,” Puleo adds.
The Experience LeadHERship event includes an opportunity to have a headshot taken by Colleen Winschel Photography, as well as panel discussions and breakout sessions focusing on topics including mentorship, branding, and creating work-life harmony. “Work-life balance is not a thing,” Puleo notes. “We bring work everywhere.”
Holly Cafiero, former chief people officer at Newsela, will be the keynote speaker.
“We really felt that she was genuine,” Puleo says of Cafiero. Along with sharing the wisdom of her experience, Cafiero has promised to be really open and honest not just about her successes, but also about her struggles. That’s something that is important for other women to hear and learn from, Puleo says.
Cafiero will also be accessible during the event, attending the networking cocktail hour, Puleo adds. “You’re going to be able to interact with her.”
The Greater Utica Chamber leader says the event also provides an opportunity for women in all stages of their careers to meet and interact with and learn from each other.
“We don’t all struggle with the exact same things, but we all struggle with similar things,” Puleo says. The event will give women the chance to connect and discuss ways to overcome those struggles.
Even the timing of Experience LeadHERship is designed to overcome a struggle, she says. That’s why it’s just a half-day event, allowing women to head home after 5 p.m. for other obligations like kids’ sporting events or whatever else is on their calendar.
While geared toward women, men are also welcome and encouraged to attend the event, Puleo says. “They need to hear the message of what women experience in the workplace.”
Her hope is that everyone who attends takes away something valuable from the gathering and that it becomes an annual signature event for the chamber.
“It’s going to be really fun,” Puleo says.
Tickets for Experience LeadHERship are $65 per person, or $600 for a table of 10.
The chamber is partnering with the Sentinel Media Company, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, and Lennon’s W. B. Wilcox Jewelers for the event.
More information about the event is available online at https://greateruticachamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/chamber-events/Details/experience-leadhership-1301337.