On Saturday, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena hosted the second annual “She LEADS” Women’s Empowerment Summit at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, the team’s official training and practice facility, in Brookhaven, Georgia. The event featured conversations, skill development and networking activities focused on educating, empowering and celebrating women leaders in our community. As part of the event, nearly 150 women listened to lively fireside chats with trailblazing women in sports, business, entertainment and STEAM, sharing their journeys to success and the critical lessons they’ve learned along the way.
The one-day summit marked the beginning of a season-long initiative in which nearly 50 She Leaders will be paired with mentors who are well-established in the career fields they wish to pursue. Throughout the program, She Leaders participate in a carefully designed curriculum that allows them to overcome barriers and inspire the next generation of leaders. The program equips them with the tools and wisdom to break through barriers, build confidence in their abilities, and confidently step into the leadership roles they deserve. These activities include a mentoring program, regular workshops and events, and a graduation ceremony to commemorate the program’s completion.
“As we enter the second year of She Leads, this summit is a powerful reminder of the importance of celebrating women. Designed to inspire, empower and equip early career women to create lasting legacies, this summit is a thoughtful and intentional, critical initiative for our organization. By connecting early career women with seasoned leaders, we foster meaningful networking connections and expand the growth potential of our future female leaders,” said Camye Mackey, executive vice president and chief people, diversity and inclusion officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “This achievement not only elevates She Leads participants, but also strengthens the very fabric of the city of Atlanta.”
The summit featured speakers who addressed topics such as business, entertainment, entrepreneurship, equity and belonging, innovation, and technology, among others. Panelists included Nadine Alvarez (Chief Human Resources Officer at Delta), Dominique Giovine (SVP/GM at Moët Hennessy USA), La’Kerri Jackson (Global Director of Social Impact at UPS), Lauren Koontz (President and CEO at YMCA of Metro Atlanta), Mathilda Lambert (VP and Community Lead, Community and Business Development at JP Morgan Chase), Angel McCoughtry (Olympic Gold Medalist, Former WNBA Player), and Monique Picou (VP of Supply Chain and Cloud Operations at Google).
The day featured panels, workshops and fireside chats that aimed to enhance skills related to building connections and advocating for equity and inclusion, engaging in thought-provoking dialogues and navigating workplace challenges specific to women.
The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena are committed to being a valued community asset that champions diversity, equity and inclusion at every level. Within the city of Atlanta, a melting pot of different backgrounds and beliefs, the organization strives to be reflective of the diverse backgrounds that populate this great city and fosters an environment that welcomes all communities in an equitable and respectful manner.
