Post by Wharton Women

This past month, Wharton Women hosted our cornerstone 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Designed to elevate conversations around diversity in business, the conference brought together over 70 students to explore how women and gender minorities can navigate and redefine leadership in high-achieving spaces. Throughout the evening, we created space to reflect on what leadership looks like across different identities, experiences, and career paths. We opened with an inspiring keynote from Bradlee Few, 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗞𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝟯𝟬 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗲, moderated by 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘅𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗻. Their conversation explored what it means to embrace ambiguity, build conviction in your perspective, and remain intellectually honest and authentic in high-pressure environments. Following a catered dinner, the program continued with a dynamic panel moderated by 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 Wendy Chan, featuring founders and CEOs Ginny Palmieri, MBA (she/her), Marguerite Adzick, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Morgan Berman. Together, they shared candid reflections on taking calculated risks, betting on unconventional paths, and navigating gender dynamics in the workplace with both strategic awareness and self-advocacy. This conference was thoughtfully planned by the 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲, led by VP Nirjara Akkole alongside Grace Liang, Shirina Baskaran, Evely Carbonell, Camilla Griffin, 𝗡𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹, Sierra Huang, Toga Mohamed, and Zahra Vakil: a team that spent months bringing this vision to life with care and intention. We’re deeply grateful to our speakers, attendees, and supporters for contributing to such a meaningful and energizing conversation. Events like this remind us that leadership is not one-dimensional, and that expanding who leads, and how, strengthens every space we’re part of.