Speakers at the Women of Independence conference included (from left): Susan Larkin; Lerato Barney; Amy Gallo; Lorina Marshall-Blake; Tashima Waller, director of Inclusion & Belonging at IBX; and Dionne Watts-Williams.
On October 23, 2025, the Independence Blue Cross (IBX) Women of Independence (WOI) associate resource group hosted its 10th annual conference for employees under the theme “Flourish Out Loud: Elevate, Express, Evolve, Empower.”
The one-day event aimed to help attendees confidently own their voice and succeed in every career stage as they learn to elevate their presence, express their true self, evolve with intention, and empower their next steps.
Sessions included:
- Elevate – Mastering the art of self-promotion with Dionne Watts-Williams, Brand Messaging Maven. Participants learned how to align their visual identity with their professional goals, enhance credibility through online platforms, and use presence as a tool for influence and connection.
- Express – From “Nice” to Powerful: Redefining Assertiveness for Women with Iola Harper, executive director at Women’s Opportunities Resource Center. The workshop challenged attendees to find a balance between being approachable and commanding respect in their communication.
- Champion of Women awards ceremony honored 10 IBX associates who identify as women and exemplify the award values:
- Supporting Inclusive Teams
- Advocating for Women and Inclusion
- Engaging in Community and Workplace Initiatives
- Inspiring and Influencing Others
- Evolve – Navigating the Seasons of Your Career and Owning Your Next Chapter with Lerato Barney, vice president and chief audit compliance officer at Princeton University. The session highlighted how participants can recognize their current career season to help make informed decisions about career paths and prepare for the future.
- Empower – Blooming Beyond Doubt: A Journey to Self-Worth with WOI Executive Advisors Lorina Marshall-Blake, vice president of Community Affairs at IBX and president of the IBX Foundation, and Susan Larkin, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at IBX, along with WOI Executive Sponsor Amy Gallo, vice president of Sales PA Small and Middle Market at IBX. Through reflection, storytelling, and interactive exercises, the panel shared tools to challenge limiting beliefs, embrace authenticity, and build confidence.
