In this issue: 

Executive Development Series: Registration Open for Fall Programs
  • Register for Leading with Power and Authenticity or Executive Leadership Presence
  • The WICT Network's Executive Development Series (EDS) is designed to help mid-career professional women build skills that are critical to effectively delivering results within their organizations, with a focus on mastering competencies vital to success at the director and VP level

Calling All BMLI Alum: Join The WICT Network for the 2022 Betsy Magness Graduate Institute
  • As a BMLI graduate, we invite you to register today for the 2022 Betsy Magness Graduate Institute (BMGI) to enhance your leadership insights and boost your strategic vision for the future
  • The WICT Network's BMGI provides one-and-a-half days of focused instruction and discussion on key management challenges

Upcoming Webinar: Creating a Coaching Culture: A Business Imperative for Leading Today
  • All members are invited to join Tanea Flanders for this interactive session on increasing opportunities for coaching as an essential approach for developing women leaders
  • Live program will take place Thursday, June 9, 2022, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (Eastern)
  • Learn more & register now

Relive The WICT Network's Signature Luncheon
  • Join The WICT Network and take a look back at our Signature Luncheon, where we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act
  • The luncheon took place at The Plaza Hotel New York on Thursday, April 14, in conjunction with the B+C Hall of Fame dinner later that evening

Chapter Leader Spotlight: The Increasing Importance of Strong DEI Practices in the Workplace
  • Meet representatives from the boards of The WICT Network: Greater Pittsburgh and Southeast Chapters
  • Learn how these leaders stay on top of developments in DEI and more

@WICTHQ on Social Media
  • Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter
  • Stay up to date on the latest news from The WICT Network, and learn more about the business case for gender diversity, equity and inclusion
Not a member? Join The WICT Network or renew today!
Register Now for The WICT Network's Executive Development Series:

Leading with Power and Authenticity
&
Executive Leadership Presence
EDS: Leading With Power and Authenticity

October 19-21, 2022 | Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego, CA


As leaders, we rely on effective management skills to get things done. For exponential impact, however, authentic and powerful connections – to self and others – distinguish leaders who inspire trust and confidence from their peers and high-performing teams. Leading with Power and Authenticity provides an experiential learning environment, weaving together theory and practice, where you will:

  • Ground yourself in your personal and leadership mission.
  • Strategically link to sources of power for achieving your vision.
  • Renew energy depleted by multiple life demands.
  • Uncover your unique qualities as a woman leader.
  • Re-integrate work and personal lives.
  • Connect with other leaders to form a powerful network.
  • Engage in candid Q&A with a panel of top industry leaders.

Click here to learn more about the program.
Registration is Open for Executive Development Series:
Executive Leadership Presence

October 19-20, 2022 | Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego, CA


Executive Leadership Presence is designed to develop leadership presence as a means to inspire confidence, engage and influence others, and maintain productivity while increasing visibility and career mobility. This two-day program will introduce participants to a unique framework and toolkit of 12 specific attributes, skills and thought processes that work together to help them build knowledge and expertise.

Click here to learn more about the program.
Join us for the 2022 Betsy Magness Graduate Institute (BMGI)

November 14-16, 2022 | InterContinental Buckhead | Atlanta, GA

Exclusively for BMLI alumnae


As a BMLI graduate, we invite you to register today for the 2022 Betsy Magness Graduate Institute (BMGI) to enhance your leadership insights and boost your strategic vision for the future.

Created in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), The WICT Network's BMGI provides one-and-a-half days of focused instruction and discussion on key management challenges and opportunities relevant to today's top media leaders.
Alongside this year's fresh content, expect to experience all that you've come to appreciate about Betsy Magness programs. You will not only learn about the latest trends in leadership and strategic thinking from innovative subject matter experts, but there will be ample time for networking with your peers.

The program will open with a reception at 6:00 pm on Monday, November 14 (to include Classes 46 and 47 of BMLI) and will conclude by 12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 16. All sessions will take place at Atlanta's InterContinental Buckhead.

Registration is now open for the 2022 program, and for a limited time you can take advantage of a special $100 discount.

Take a look at what past attendees had to say about the BMGI program:

  • “So many takeaways, both professionally and personally.”
  • “I have the same spark and warm feelings I had from my first time with BMLI. This was worth the money and time. I look forward to this again next year. Thank you for helping me push the ‘reset’ button.”
  • “The session is a good recharge and a good reminder of leadership concepts I can always benefit from hearing again.”

Additional program details will be announced soon.
Upcoming Webinar: 
Creating a Coaching Culture: A Business Imperative for Leading Today

Thursday, June 9, 2022
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (Eastern)
Tanea Flanders, EVP, Global Learning & Leadership Development, Mediabrands
Join The WICT Network and Tanea Flanders, EVP, Global Learning & Leadership Development, Mediabrands, as we discuss key practices for using internal and external resources to increase opportunities for coaching as an essential approach for developing women leaders.

The increased number of coaching providers seeking to democratize coaching makes it more accessible to employees at every level. Explore ways women leaders can ensure greater access to coaching resources for their organization to help address challenges with burnout, imposter syndrome, work-life needs, and career development.

In this discussion we will explore:

  • Building the business case to scaling coaching within organizations
  • Using data-driven tactics for establishing diverse coaching programs
  • Advancing personal leadership development through coaching 
Note: This complimentary webinar is open to all members. The WICT Network records all webinars and posts them in our Online Learning Library

Interested in having your company sponsor this webinar? Reach out to [email protected] for more information.
A Look Back at the 2022 Signature Luncheon and Notable Takeaways
The WICT Network hosted a sell-out crowd at The Plaza Hotel in New York City on Thursday, April 14, for its 2022 Signature Luncheon. An impressive roster of Title IX Champions, industry executives and leaders from across the media landscape filled the hotel’s Grand Ballroom to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. One of the organization’s key gender diversity platforms, this year’s luncheon was designed to commemorate the transformative impact of this landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in any educational institution that receives federal funding. 
Above, l-r: The WICT Network's President & CEO, Maria E. Brennan, CAE; Global Board Chair, Sandy Howe; Global Board Member Karen Buchholz.
The WICT Network’s President & CEO, Maria E. Brennan, CAE, opened the program with remarks recognizing the impressive gains for women and girls in the 50 years since Title IX’s passage. While the successes borne from Title IX reach far and wide, Brennan noted there are still barriers imposed on students who should be fully benefitting from the act, adding, “It’s imperative that we continue to shine a spotlight on the data that tells us how important diversity, equity and inclusion are. Not just in high school and college, but in every facet of life – including in business.”
Above, l-r: Kathryn Tappen, Host & Reporter, NBC Sports; Jen Neal, Member, The WICT Network Global Board of Directors; Aja Evans, Olympic Medalist.
Honorary Chair, Jen Neal, EVP, Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, spoke next. Neal underscored the profound impact of Title IX on women’s sports, our education system and on our culture as she welcomed the first two Title IX Champions to the stage. Kathryn Tappen, Host & Reporter for NBC Sports, and Olympic Medalist, Aja Evans, joined Neal onstage for a keynote conversation about the opportunities and career highlights made possible by the landmark legislation. Before wrapping the conversation, Evans urged the audience, “If you have that inner voice that’s pushing you to do something, try it. If it doesn’t work out, there’s probably another opportunity on the way. I think we stop ourselves out of fear of what will happen, instead of just trying it.”
Industry Guests
The WICT Network's Global Board Chair (right), Sandy Howe, and Vice Chair, Leigh Woisard,
address the full house at the Signature Luncheon.
Technology Executive and Global Board Chair for The WICT Network, Sandy Howe, and SVP, Corporate Public Affairs for Cox Communications and Global Board Vice Chair for The WICT Network, Leigh Woisard, addressed a full house at the start of the second half of the luncheon program. Noting the enthusiastic reception to The WICT Network’s launch of its updated name and brand last October, they remarked on the importance of continuing to evolve and finding ways to be even more inclusive. 
Above, l-r: Dawn Porter, Laura Gentile (Member, The WICT Network Global Board of Directors), Nicole Newnham and Allison Glock. View bios of each of our special guests and speakers here.
Before leaving the stage, Howe and Woisard introduced The WICT Network’s Global Board member and EVP, Commercial Marketing for Disney & ESPN Networks, Laura Gentile, together with three more Title IX Champions. Gentile moderated a Fireside Chat with ESPN’s Fifty/50 Initiative producers and directors, Allison Glock and Dawn Porter. Nicole Newnham, who together with Porter directed the four-part documentary series 37 Words, also joined the lively conversation highlighting the monumental Fifty/50 initiative. The month-long program, launching in June, delves into the civil rights journey of women across the sports and cultural landscape. When asked how to continue building on the momentum Title IX has created for all of us, Glock responded, “The drum I bang every day is: Hire women. Just hire more women. We’re amazing. It’s pretty simple. Hire them, and also lift women’s stories. … There’s so much material, so much crazy, amazing stuff to unpack and produce, make films about and write stories about. The world is our oyster. Let’s just do it. Let’s just keep doing it.”
Johnita Due, Member, The WICT Network Global Board of Directors
Johnita Due, SVP & Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer — News & Sports, Warner Bros. Discovery and a member of The WICT Network's Global Board of Directors, then took the stage. Due commended industry colleagues for the stories and initiatives spotlighting Title IX’s impact and importance while also touting Warner Bros. Discovery’s impressive lineup of documentaries and programs, including She’s Got Game, which brings hundreds of early career women to Warner Bros. Discovery’s campus in Atlanta.
Above, l-r: Kathryn Tappen, Dawn Porter, Nicole Newnham, Allison Glock and Aja Evans. View bios of each of our special guests and speakers here.
The celebration continued as Honorary Chair Jen Neal led a presentation of celebratory medals to honor Title IX Champions Aja Evans, Allison Glock, Nicole Newnham, Dawn Porter and Kathryn Tappen. Thanking the recipients for shining a light on Title IX through their important work, Neal announced The WICT Network had made a donation in each of their names to The Women’s Sports Foundation, founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King to advocate for women in sports.

Neal closed out the program as she addressed the crowd, “Our hope is that you leave inspired by the stories shared by each of our special guests and how this historic legislation affected their lives.”

To view the full program, access the online recording here.

The WICT Network proudly recognizes Comcast NBCUniversal as the Premier Sponsor of the Signature Luncheon, as well as Ruby Sponsor Charter Communications, Emerald Sponsor Paramount, and Champion Sponsor Accenture.
Photos by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The WICT Network
Chapter Leader Spotlight:
The Increasing Importance of Strong DEI Practices in the Workplace 
Azriel McMillan
Membership Chair, The WICT Network: Greater Pittsburgh Chapter; Capital Analyst 2, Comcast
Sharon Prince
Director of Membership, The WICT Network: Southeast Chapter; Project Manager 2, Comcast
Jamelia Smith
VP, The WICT Network: Southeast Chapter; Sr. Manager, Program Management, Cox Communications
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become increasingly important for organizations across the globe as we realize their impact on recruitment and retention. “Simply put, reinforcing robust DEI programs helps every employee to show up each day without fear of being their true selves. This fosters higher degrees of engagement, productivity, and innovation that contribute to increased revenue.” (15five)

With regard to recruitment, evidence indicates that potential employees will research companies’ DEI practices before taking a job. A survey from Glassdoor found that 76% of job seekers said a diverse workforce was important when evaluating potential employers. 

In this article, The WICT Network spoke with three chapter leaders about the increased emphasis on DEI, how leaders can support an increasingly diverse staff, and some possible challenges ahead. Read on to learn how these leaders stay on top of developments in DEI and more. 

To read the full article, click here.
Connect With us Online

Follow @WICTHQ on social media (we’re active on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) for the latest news on gender diversity in the workplace, leadership development and productivity tips, programming updates and diversity, equity and inclusion data.

Below are sample posts from LinkedIn (left) and Instagram (right). Make sure to follow us online for more valuable tips and updates.

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