Former Microsoft Corp. executive and Nasdaq board member Toni Townes-Whitley was the keynote speaker Tuesday at Milwaukee Women inc’s 20th-anniversary celebration.
Check out the slideshow to see photos from the sold-out event at The Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
Townes-Whitley, former president of US regulated industries for Microsoft, discussed Nasdaq’s trailblazing action to diversify boards by requiring disclosures related to the objective of at least two diverse directors beginning in 2023. She also discussed intentional strategies for equity and inclusion for public and private companies.
The group also presented the Nasdaq board with the organization’s inaugural Trailblazer Award. Milwaukee Women inc created the award to “recognize a powerful voice fostering change on corporate boards and setting a vision of what modern governance should be.”
The honorary chair for the event was Mary Ellen Stanek of Baird.
The event co-chairs were retired University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vice chancellor Joan Prince; Sharon Canter, chair emeritus of Milwaukee Women inc; community volunteer Lynn Sprangers; Marilyn Vollrath of Reputations Partners, and MWi board member.
Milwaukee Women inc released its annual report this week that found females in leadership positions among Wisconsin’s public and private companies continues to grow. The 2022 report found that women hold 26.3% of director seats in Wisconsin’s top 50 public companies, surpassing the organization’s goal of 25% by 2025.
Read more about the report by clicking on the headline below.
• Milwaukee Women inc report finds increased female leadership in Milwaukee
Milwaukee business and community leaders at the event included Cristy Garcia-Thomas of Advocate Aurora Health; Laura Gutierrez of United Community Center; Raquel Filmanowicz of BMO Harris Bank; Scott Lauber of WEC Energy Group; DeVona Wright Cottrell of GMR Marketing; Danielle Bly of WEC Energy Group; Andy Harmening of Associated Bank; and Linda Gorens-Levey of General Capital Group.