2017 WOMEN BUILD AMERICAANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

WILLARD HOTEL1401 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC

WOMEN BUILD AMERICA THROUGH EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS

CONFERENCE PROGRAM*

1:00–6:00 PMPeacock Alley

1:30–2:30 PMDouglas Room

3:00–5:30 PMCrystal Ballroom

6:30 PM

REGISTRATION TABLE OPENStop by the Registration Table in the Peacock Alley to pick up your Conference materials.

WCOE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING All Conference attendees are invited to join WCOE’s National Board of Directors for an open meeting where the Board will discuss important organizational issues, goals, and plans for the coming year. This is a great chance for new members to meet the Board and for people new to WCOE to learn more about the organization!

HIGH TEA CELEBRATION: UNLOCK YOUR HIDDEN STRENGTHSJoin WCOE in the beautiful Crystal Ballroom for our distinctive annual High Tea Celebration. The Willard Hotel has been hosting afternoon high tea for over a century! This year, WCOE’s High Tea Celebration features Patrick Jephson and William Beaman. Mr. Jephson, an international authority on corporate and individual reputation management, served as chief of staff to Princess Diana of Wales. A former officer in the British Royal Navy, Mr. Jephson is a regular contributor for ABC TV News and a New York Times bestselling author. His business partner, William Beaman, is an expert in strategic messaging, brand awareness, and re-positioning. He has spent more than 30 years as a journalist in high-profile positions and teaches strategic communication at American University. Together Mr. Jephson and Mr. Beaman will discuss ways in which you can build your own personal brand using real life examples of Mr. Jephson’s relationship with Princess Diana. The High Tea will also include WCOE’s second annual Success Stone Celebration, where we join together to feature and commemorate the past year’s business successes of WCOE members and invited guests.

DINE AROUNDSThe Dine Arounds are a great opportunity to enjoy a fun and relaxing dinner at a local Washington, D.C. restaurant with fellow Conference attendees. Come see what great restaurants our Nation’s Capital has to offer! Advance sign-up is required. Sign-ups will be open at the Registration Table and during the High Tea Celebration. (Attendees to split checks equally.)

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017

* Program is subject to change.

REGISTRATION TABLE OPENStop by the Registration Table in the Peacock Alley to pick up your Conference materials.

BREAKFAST – SMALL BUSINESS BRIEFINGSponsored by Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP

The House Small Business Committee has oversight and legislative authority over the SBA and its programs, and provides assistance and protection to small businesses, including financial aid and the participation of small business enterprises in federal procurement and government contracts. We will hear about the work of the Small Business Committee and important small business issues the Committee will tackle in the next Legislative session. Featured Speaker: Vivian Ling, Staff Attorney, House Small Business Committee

IMPROVe YOUR NETWORKINGSponsored by Exelon

Use improv to take your networking skills to the next level by applying the same skills and techniques professional improvisers use. Learn active listening skills to be better engaged in social interactions. Build on others’ ideas and practice “rolling with the punches” when networking to avoid the traps we commonly set for ourselves. This fun workshop will help you tap into your private reserve of funny to make you the elite networker you know you can be! Featured Speaker: Kevin Roeme, Work Play Improv

COFFEE AND NETWORKING BREAK Sponsored by Gilbane

Enjoy a coffee break with fellow Conference attendees after our first session – and maybe use some of your newfound networking skills!

FIND YOUR GURU: THE VALUE OF TRUSTED ADVISORSA trusted advisor is one who listens and provides the benefit of her or his experience, training, knowledge, and subject matter expertise. This panel will explore what it means to be a trusted advisor and will discuss how you can find the right person to be your “guru” in all aspects of your business. Topics will include mentor and sponsor relationships, glass ceiling issues, supporting other women in business, perceived vs. actual bias, and potential vs. credential. Come and learn how to find your business guru! Featured Panelists: Stephanie Burns, Turner Construction; Sue Dyer, OrgMetrics; Mary Kay Lanzillotta, Hartman-Cox Architects; Jennifer Lee, Travelers Insurance; Christi Reimer, AGC

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON – THE POWER AND IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATIVE STRENGTHSponsored by Turner

Now, more than ever, women must unite and support each other professionally! Our Keynote Luncheon Speaker, Jenni Prisk of Prisk Communication, will provide her unique insight on how women can do just that. Ms. Prisk is an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker. She is the founder of Voices for Women, the co-founder of iVOW, and Chair of the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women. Ms. Prisk’s remarks will inspire you with the positive steps you can take towards collaboration and alliances with the women, and men, in our industry.

7:30 AM–5:00 PMPeacock Alley

8:00–9:00 AMCrystal Ballroom

9:00–10:15 AMCrystal Ballroom

10:15–10:30 AM

10:30 AM–NOON Crystal Ballroom

NOON–1:45 PMCrystal Ballroom

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017

THE POWER TO BREAKTHROUGH:PURSUING PASSIONS DESPITE SOCIAL NORMSSponsored by PlanGrid

Tracy Young, our featured speaker, is co-founder and CEO of PlanGrid, the leader in construction software for the field. Ms. Young’s remarks will focus on her remarkable journey from construction engineer to leading a company that offers the number one construction app, all in just five years!

DESSERT LOUNGESponsored by PlanGrid

A sweet afternoon break! Enjoy treats, coffee, and networking in our Dessert Lounge, sponsored by PlanGrid.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSESSponsored by The Barbour Group

A thriving small, minority- and women-owned business community is essential in any world-class city. Using examples from the City of Chicago, we will hear about ways to address the issues of the backbone of our economy: small local businesses. The presentation will also include a historical review of the establishment of collaborative government programs and how these initiatives are impacting the vendor community on a city, state and regional level. Featured Speaker: Jamie L. Rhee, Chief Procurement Officer, City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services

COFFEE AND NETWORKING BREAKSponsored by Hylant

LEVERAGE YOUR WORTH: THE POWER OF NEGOTIATING EFFECTIVELYSponsored by AlliantGroup

Negotiation is at the heart of every deal that occurs in construction – and business. However, women often feel they are not the strongest negotiators. This interactive workshop is designed to equip attendees with core skills required to manage and take control of a negotiation. We negotiate every day, and this session will aim to help attendees formalize a plan and put this plan into action in those negotiations. Featured Speaker: Brenda Radmacher, Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman

AWARDS GALASponsored by Balfour Beatty

Enjoy an entertaining evening with Conference attendees and other invited guests to include Members of Congress and top Administration Officials. In addition to unique meet-and-greet opportunities, attendees will be treated to WCOE’s annual awards ceremony featuring its prestigious Influential Woman in Business Award, Legacy Achievement Award, and Advocate of the Year Award, and WCOE’s Installation of Officers Ceremony. The Awards Gala is an event that is not to be missed!

1:45–2:30 PMCrystal Ballroom

2:30–3:00 PM

3:00–3:30 PMCrystal Ballroom

3:30–3:45 PM

3:45–4:45 PMCrystal Ballroom

6:30–9:00 PMWillard Ballroom

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017 (CONTINUED)

REGISTRATION TABLE OPENStop by the Registration Table in the Peacock Alley to pick up your Conference materials.

BREAKFAST – WAKE UP AND LEARN TO LOBBY!Sponsored by Sorella Group

We’ve all heard the phrase “wake up and smell the coffee.” Now you can wake up, have coffee with WCOE, and learn to lobby on Capitol Hill! During breakfast at the Willard, attendees will hear a short yet informative presentation about WCOE’s legislative and policy platform for the coming year. We will also hear from seasoned Capitol Hill lobbyists on how the lobbying process works and what to say when you meet with your Members of Congress or their staff. This is a great start to a day on Capitol Hill! The rest of the breakfast will be spent networking with other Conference attendees. Featured Speakers: Lee Cunningham, BT Metal Sales; Lorraine D’Angelo, LDA Compliance Consulting; Deborah Wilder, Contractor Compliance and Monitoring

MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVESMost of us never have the opportunity to lobby on Capitol Hill. This is your chance to be part of the legislative process! After our breakfast “training session,” Conference attendees will head to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress or their staff to talk about issues of importance to women in business, small business, and construction. (Congressional appointments must be made in advance. WCOE will assist with making appointments for Conference attendees.)

LUNCHEONNEW ADMINISTRATION BRIEFING – WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2017 AND BEYONDSponsored by Larson King

For the construction industry there are many opportunities and challenges to prepare for and work on with the leaders of the Trump Administration and Capitol Hill. We will hear about the opportunity list for construction contractors, including a number of promises to address the Nation’s infrastructure needs. We will also learn about some of the challenges facing the construction industry, particularly the union segment of the industry. Featured speaker: Dana Thompson, SMACNA Capitol Hill Office

CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

7:30–9:00 AMPeacock Alley

8:00–9:00 AMCrystal Ballroom

9:00–11:30 AMCapitol Hill

NOON–2:00 PMCrystal Ballroom

2:00 PM

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

WCOE GROWS YOUR CONTACTS, CONTRACTS & BOTTOM LINE