University of San Francisco Hosts 6th Annual Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Spring Symposium on March 19

Event will explore how women are using creative, unconventional leadership and philanthropic strategies to create a lasting impact on complex social issues

SAN FRANCISCO (March 11, 2019) -- The University of San Francisco (USF) will host the 6th annual Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Spring Symposium on Tuesday, March 19 from 11:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. This year's program will include a keynote luncheon, roundtable and panel discussions, a live taping of NPR's ‘Tech Nation’, and the second annual Community in Action nonprofit volunteer fair.

The symposium theme, "Innovate. Influence. Inspire." embodies the mission of the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy initiative at USF to inspire, empower, and advance women to become transformative leaders in service of their communities and throughout the world. The theme will guide the focus of the sessions throughout the day.

“We know that institutions are stronger when women are around the table when key decisions are made at the highest levels,” stated Leslie Wetzel, director of Women in Leadership & Philanthropy and associate vice president of Alumni and Donor Engagement. “We’ve designed a program that showcases the important perspectives of C-suite women, philanthropic leaders and community activists. We want to spark personal reflection and dialogue about how to build a more just and humane world.”

Women in Leadership & Philanthropy is an initiative that aims to support women on their journey toward increased leadership, both in their professional lives and their volunteer lives. In keeping with the Jesuit mission of USF, they think of leadership through a lens of developing and using their passions and talents to contribute to a more just and humane world.

Speakers will include

  • Kiwoba Allaire, Founder and CEO of Girl STEM Stars
  • Ann Mei Chang, Author of LEAN IMPACT: How to Innovate for Radically Greater Social Good
  • Noreen Farrell, Executive Director of Equal Rights Advocates
  • Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation
  • Archana Gilravi, VP of Partnerships at Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Foundation
  • Dr. Moira Gunn, Host of NPR’s ‘Tech Nation’ & Professor of Bioentrepreneurship and Professional Communication at USF
  • Sarah Marino, Senior Consultant at Campbell & Company
  • Dr. Shirley McGuire, Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at USF
  • Michelle Marie Ritchie, Chief Marketing Officer of Go Raw
  • Bekah Thayer Pyne, Partnerships Lead at Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation

Session Overview

  • 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Registration
  • 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Luncheon Program & Keynote by Jacqueline Martinez Garcel
  • 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Community in Action Nonprofit Fair
  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Breakout I: Roundtable Session Featuring Archana Gilravi & Bekah Thayer
  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Breakout II: Panel Presentation Featuring Kiwoba Allaire, Judy Miner, Noreen Farrell & Michelle Marie Ritchie
  • 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Afternoon Program & Keynote Featuring Dr. Moira Gunn & Ann Mei Chang
  • 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Networking Reception

Event Details

March 19, 2019, 11:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Hotel Nikko

222 Mason St. San Francisco, California

Register Online

Journalists interested in covering the event should contact Kellie Samson at (415) 422-2697 or ksamson@usfca.edu.

About the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes, and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco’s first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a student’s passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World From Here.” For more information, visit usfca.edu

About Women in Leadership & Philanthropy

The mission of the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy initiative at the University of San Francisco is to inspire, empower, and advance women to become transformative leaders in service of their communities and throughout the world. We do this by providing educational, networking, and leadership opportunities, and catalyzing philanthropy through USF.