Recently, Emory’s Sports Medicine Complex became an empowerment center as the Hawks launched the second year of their “She LEADS” women’s empowerment program.
This one-day summit, dedicated to inspiring and elevating women in Atlanta’s professional and entrepreneurial sectors, is a testament to the power of women’s leadership and collaboration.
From 9:30am to 5:00pm, women from diverse industries came together to participate in dynamic panels, fireside chats and impactful discussions with trailblazers in sports, business, entertainment and STEAM.
The program was not just an event; it was a celebration of stories – stories of perseverance, achievement and the transformative power of women pushing back the barriers that once limited them.
One of the most anticipated panels of the event, “Understanding Your Influence,” featured a compelling dialogue on the power of women to own their narrative and wield influence. Moderated by Porchia Marie, CEO and Founder of The PM Firm and Dope People Meet, the panel featured Neelam Thadhani, Creative Director at Range Media Partners; Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA player Angel McCoughtry; Book of Power II: The Ghost actress Alix Lapri. Each speaker shared personal stories of growth, from learning from mistakes to embracing vulnerability.
Alix Lapri spoke candidly about her journey in the world of cinema: “I’m 27 years old, I’m relatively new to the business and I’ve made a lot of mistakes. But I think it’s important to show girls and women that it’s okay to make mistakes, because there’s always someone to learn from.”
Angel McCoughtry added her personal take on perseverance, discussing her career-changing injuries and how she was able to leverage her talents on and off the field: “I tore my ACL twice in a row. I played on the field for two to three years,” she said. After the incident, she said, “I continued to work with brands because my reputation preceded me. It’s important to be easy to work with and stay true to who you are,” McCoughtry said.
Thadhani stressed the importance of sharing lessons learned along the way: “People want to know your thoughts, they want to learn from your mistakes. Again, going back to when I started, I have a lot of women that I can lean on for advice. So I think that made me want to empower other women a little bit more and help them and teach them where I can,” Thandani said.
The conversation was as enriching as it was raw, with the panelists encouraging women to embrace their stories, vulnerabilities and growth.
Another highlight of the summit was a stimulating fireside chat between Camye Mackey, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, and Steve Koonin, President and General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena.
The discussion focused on the importance of alliances to foster women’s success in business. Koonin’s message was clear: leadership requires flexibility, understanding and a commitment to cultivating an inclusive culture.
“We shouldn’t have to congratulate people for doing the right thing,” Koonin said. “Diversity of people is diversity of thought, diversity of access, and all of that contributes to success.”
Throughout the day, the energy was palpable as women shared ideas, stories and encouragement. The Hawks’ She LEADS program demonstrated its commitment to driving change by creating a space where women can thrive and encourage one another.
By the end of the summit, it was clear that the She LEADS program had ignited a movement that emphasized the power of women to take the lead in their industries and communities.
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