6ABC news anchor Tamala Edwards addresses conference attendees during her keynote.
Independence Blue Cross continued the positive, exciting momentum created by the recent Pennsylvania Conference for Women with the company’s second annual Women of Independence Leadership Conference featuring 6ABC news anchor Tamala Edwards, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes, and key leaders from Independence and the community. Nearly 200 women attended the conference, which was held at the company’s headquarters at 1901 Market Street, Philadelphia, and was titled “Accelerate You: S.O.A.R. Skills. Opportunity. Attitude. Results.”
Highlights included:
- Independence Vice President of Community Affairs and Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-Blake welcomed attendees and led them in a celebratory song, “We are Family.”
- Morning keynote speaker 6ABC News Anchor Tamala Edwards talked about her successes and inspired attendees to reach their full potential, saying, “Remember, you don’t get what you don’t ask for. Make sure you ask.”
- Independence Director of Transformation Operations and Administration Philipa Ashby, Independence EVP and President of Facilitated Health Networks Dr. Tony Coletta, and Fred’s Footsteps Executive Director Christine Lobley led a panel discussion on the power of servant leadership.
- Dr. Paulette Gabriel, president of Key Leadership, discussed “Authentic Confidence: What is that Really?” and offered that, “In order to be confident you have to tame your inner critic.”
- Independence SVP and Chief Marketing Executive Paula Sunshine and Independence Clinical Learning Implementation Specialist Joseph Kennedy led attendees through breathing and relaxing techniques and shared that, “When you look at life as a blank sheet of paper, there’s no telling how much magic and positivity can happen.”
- Afternoon keynote speaker Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist, motivational speaker, and gymnastics coach, shared that, “My failures, not my achievements, are what allowed me to learn and grow in life.”
- Independence VP Specialty Services Ginny Palmieri provided closing remarks, saying, “Build your relationships, self-promote, and remember we all have the power and can choose what we do with it.”
Women of Independence (WOI), one of several Independence associate resource groups, seeks to empower and support women as they identify and cultivate their talents and abilities. This is done through professional development, community engagement, and health and wellness opportunities.
As part of its commitment to community, WOI encouraged conference attendees to bring a donation of personal care items for the Share food program.