30 May BeYou! Conference Takeaways from PBWC Board Chair and President
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 30, 2024 –
Dear PBWC Community,
Last week, PBWC celebrated an incredible milestone with our 35th Anniversary Conference, marking 35 years since our founder, Congresswoman (Ret.) Jackie Speier, set out on this remarkable journey to empower women in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
For the first time since 2019, we were able to come back together in person at the beautiful Fox Theatre in Redwood City. What a phenomenal experience! I am still buzzing with energy and excitement. I think it is only fair to say that nothing beats the collective strength of a group of powerful women and allies coming together in one place to ideate, learn and make meaningful connections.
Our theme for this year’s conference was “BeYou!”: a simple two words that represent our journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and authenticity. Our stage featured iconic speakers including Martha Stewart, Kara Swisher, Chip Conley and many more who shared their personal stories of courage and their unapologetic journey of becoming who they are today.
I had many “aha” moments throughout the day. Some of my favorite takeaways include:
- Congresswoman Jackie Speier‘s philosophy that life is a series of “Pivots” – Purpose, Inspire, Value, Openness and Time. Each of us is truly called to do something and if we don’t do it, it won’t get done. An open invitation to find your purpose, inspire those around you, know your value, stay open for opportunities and be very intentional about how you use your time.
- Chip Conley‘s quote, “Midlife is not a crisis, it is a Chrysalis” beautifully reframes this stage of life and invites us to reclaim this transformative period of growth and renewal.
- Martha Stewart’s quote, “When you are through changing, you are through” is a true testament that an agile mindset and embracing change enables us to overcome challenges and enjoy life.
- Marie Waugh‘s advice on being yourself, “Be you in our most authentic way, in the most unconventional and risk-taking way” is an empowering message on owning your narrative and claiming your seat on the table.
My heart is really full as I reflect on the incredible day we had together, and the 35-year journey we have been on as an organization. I am proud of how far we have come along, empowering women, breaking down barriers, and championing diversity, inclusion and equality.
None of what we have achieved could have been possible without the selfless dedication of our PBWC Team and Board of Directors who put passion and commitment into building our strong foundation, continuing to provide lasting impact through our 2024 conference.
And a heartfelt thank you to our incredible community! We’ve made tremendous progress together, and we could not have possibly gotten this far without the support of our partners, sponsors, and volunteers. With your help, PBWC continues to deliver outstanding programs, year after year.
The conference continues online for in-person and virtual ticket holders! Access on-demand keynote recordings and attendee direct messaging through June 22nd. Attendees can also join us for live networking sessions today, May 30th, to discuss: “Inclusive Leadership;” “Betting on Yourself;” “Networking for Success;” and “Negotiating Your Career.”
If you missed our 35th Annual Conference, there are plenty of ways to engage through PBWC’s year-round events and programs. Visit pbwc.org to learn all about the upcoming events and how PBWC’s Scholarship Program invests in future leaders.
We hope to see you soon, until then “BE YOU!”
With Gratitude,
Katy Brown
PBWC Board Chair and President