Women’s Leadership Conference incites conversation and empowerment

The Women’s Leadership Conference brought inspirational keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions and a panel of successful women to the CSUSB campus for a day of thought-provoking conversation and empowerment. “Research indicates that diverse groups make better decisions. Bringing different life experiences and viewpoints together allows for a clearer perspective that leads to superior outcomes,” CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales said in his opening speech. “This is especially true in higher education. As someone who believes in the importance of strong, progressive teamwork, I know women have unique abilities and skillsets that need to be recognized, utilized and valued.” The two keynote speakers were Marianne Cooper, sociologist at the Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University, and Diane Guerrero, actress, activist and author, who is most known for her roles in the shows “Orange Is the New Black” and “Jane the Virgin.” Cooper shared her expertise on gender, women’s leadership, diversity and inclusion, and economic inequality, while Guerrero touched on a variety of topics including immigration, women’s issues, intersectional feminism and mental health. The event also included a panelist of empowering women who shared their own unique stories, including Maijeh Badiee, CSUSB assistant professor of psychology and faculty member representing women in the professoriate; Qiana Charles, CSUSB alumna representing women in the private sector; Soraya M. Coley, Cal Poly Pomona president representing women in higher education; Claudia Davis, an associate professor of nursing and nurse representing women in STEM; and Eloise Gómez Reyes, state assemblymember representing women in politics. “It was very inspiring to be around so many powerful women and allies,” said Crystal Wymer-Lucero, director of the Office of Alumni Relations. “I appreciated the variety of sessions, from the morning keynote to the breakouts to the afternoon keynotes and panel. There was something for everyone.”