With two months until the Soirée Women's Leadership Symposium returns to downtown Little Rock, organizers are releasing more of the speakers set for the April 28 event.

The fourth annual SWLS will be held in person at the DoubleTree Hotel and Robinson Center, allowing for the return of breakout sessions and panels led by local experts. Attendees will select from three tracks to follow, each focused on female leadership in the workplace from differing perspectives: small businesses owners/entrepreneurs, leading ladies and executives.

The speaker lineup is still evolving, but here's who will take the mic in April:

  • Dr. Annessa Bennett, director of special protects and DEI for the North Little Rock Mayor's Office
  • Esperanza Massana Crane, director of the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Division for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission
  • Natalie Ghidotti, owner of Ghidotti agency and co-founder of The Nest
  • Anna Beth Gorman, executive director of the Women's Foundation of Arkansas
  • Karil Greeson, vice president and relationship manager at Bank of America Merrill Lynch
  • Kelsey Hatcher, sales agent for The Hatcher Agency
  • Erin Hohnbaum, owner and CEO of E.Leigh’s Contemporary Boutiques and co-founder of The Nest
  • Lee Ann Jolly, Ph.D., co-founder of Jolly Bodies
  • Melissa Masingill, chief business development officer for CARTI
  • Mimi San Pedro, chief strategy officer for The Venture Center
  • Gina Radke, author, public speaker and owner and CEO of Galley Support Innovations
  • Dr. Victoria Ramirez, executive director of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
  • Jantel Stamps, vice president and small business banker at Bank of America
  • Dr. Sabrina Starling, author and CEO of Tap the Potential
  • Denise Thomas, CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas
  • Claudia Wilson, outreach and marketing specialist and public information officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District Office

Bookending the breakout sessions are keynote speakers Cara Brookins and Shiza Shahid. Brookins spent two decades in IT before going viral for building her own home following YouTube tutorials, which launched her career as an author, speaker and show host. Shahid co-founded The Malala Fund and served as founding CEO, co-founded cookware brand Our Place, launched startup booster NOW Ventures and founded entrepreneur collaborative The Collective.

Registration and sponsorships for the half-day symposium are open now. Click here to reserve your spot.

Learn more about the Soirée Women’s Leadership Symposium at the event website and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

 

Click here to sign up for the monthly e-newsletter: