Program Details

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Keynote Speaker, Sarah Robb O'Hagan, CEO of Flywheel Sports and author of "Extreme You"
Sarah Robb O’Hagan has been described as “Superwoman undercover” and the “Pied Piper of Potential.” A high-energy combination of disruptive business leader, fitness fanatic, and cheerleading mom, she's been named among Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business.” Read more.
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Breakout Panel #1 Is There an App for That?: Harnessing Technology to Optimize Your Business This panel will explore the ways in which technological advancements and the advent of social media have changed deal sourcing, financing, marketing and CRM systems. What are the opportunities and efficiencies presented by these shifts in technology, and where are the challenges as discussed from the perspectives of private equity professionals, intermediaries and tech-enabled businesses.

Moderator, Michelle Chao, Director, Bertram Capital
Stephanie Davies
Peter Lehrman, CEO, Axial
Stephanie Fels Michaelson, Director of Client Relations & Account Management, DealCloud, Inc.
Jessica Payne, Vice President, CODE Advisors

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Breakout Panel #2 Effecting Cultural Change: Strategies for Fostering Leadership & Retaining and Engaging Talent
In a rapidly changing world, culture is a key component to staying relevant and competitive – not to mention critical to retaining the best talent, developing leadership and maintaining a positive workplace. Even though the US economy is very strong relative to earlier this decade, there is more volatility and uncertainty than ever, with technology, a “sharing economy”, millennial values and obsolescing industries reshaping the workforce. In addition, given that M&A, reorganizations and restructurings are part of the fabric, we will discuss leveraging cultural change to enhance employee engagement and empower employee creativity.

Our expert panel will discuss such issues as:

• How can middle market M&A leaders act as change agents to create workplaces that foster talent, respect creativity and ideas and encourage success?
• Where are the challenges to implementing change and which opportunities should leaders embrace to make a positive impact on our companies and firms?
• How can professionals effectively advocate for themselves (and their teams) whatever their roles?

Moderator, Linda B. Hollinshead, Partner, Duane Morris LLP
Olu Fajemirokun Beck, CEO, Wholesome Sweeteners Inc.; Limited Partner/Investor; former Head of Global & U.S. Marketing, Johnson & Johnson
Amy Brodsky, Founder & CEO, Sky Partners
Joseph T. Healey, Senior Client Partner, Private Capital Practice Leader, Korn Ferry
Beatrice H. Mitchell, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Sperry, Mitchell & Company

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Spotlight Panel: Women at the Helm: The Force of Women Leaders in the Start-up World
This panel of successful entrepreneurs is expecting to shed some light into their experiences developing their products, building brand awareness and navigating the fund-raising process. The leaders will share anecdotes and stories in an effort to spur a colorful discussion around the realm of entrepreneurship.

Moderator, Debbie Habib, Vice President, Lindsay Goldberg
Amanda Freeman, Founder and CEO, SLT (Strengthen Lengthen Tone)
Nora Gardner, Fashion Designer, Nora Gardner
Ariane Goldman, Founder, HATCH
Melissa Mash, Co-founder & CEO, Dagne Dover
Katherine Ryder, Founder & CEO, Maven