Women’s Leadership Voices Summit 2027

March 8, 2027 | Live Online | Free

Somewhere in the world is a woman who simply needs someone to believe in her.

One Day. Many Voices. A World of Possibilities.

Join us on International Women’s Day for our third annual Women’s Leadership Voices Summit, a free global gathering where women share their experiences, challenges, and wisdom.

Together, we explore how leadership, connection, and contribution can open doors for others.

Why We Bring Women Together

Throughout my years working with educators, families, and leaders around the world, I have met remarkable women with extraordinary abilities, ideas, and determination.

Yet I have also seen how many women lack access to education, mentorship, and opportunities to share their voices.

I created the Women’s Leadership Voices Summit because I believe that when we share our experiences, encourage one another, and open doors for others, we create possibilities that extend far beyond ourselves.

Every woman deserves the opportunity to be heard, valued, and empowered to contribute.

— Yogi Patel
Founder, Transformation Through Empowerment

Who Is This Summit For?

Leadership is not defined by a title. It begins with how we support, influence, and contribute to the lives of others.

Whether you’re a student, educator, caregiver, entrepreneur, workplace professional, community leader, or someone exploring a new direction, this summit welcomes you.

Come to learn, connect, and discover new possibilities.

Every voice matters. Every woman belongs.

Meet the Voices

Different Journeys. Shared Wisdom. New Perspectives.

Meet women who are opening doors, creating change, and sharing experiences that inspire others.

DR. SUSAN BELANGEE

Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, DNASAP
Founder, Dynamic Growth Counseling and Consulting Services

  • ABOUT THE SESSION

    What happens when people feel connected, valued, and empowered to contribute? Transformation.

    This session examines connection and contribution as essential foundations of effective leadership. Participants will explore practical, accessible strategies for creating belonging, strengthening relationships, and helping others recognize the value of their contributions.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Susan Belangee, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, DNASAP, is the founder and owner of Dynamic Growth Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC, and developer of the Leveled Leadership™ model. A recognized authority in Adlerian psychology, she has more than 25 years of experience working with individuals, teams, and organizations to foster meaningful growth, resilience, sustainable wellness, and purpose-driven leadership.

SHWETA BAJAJ

Founder and CEO, TheProImpact

  • ABOUT THE SESSION

    AI is becoming an increasingly important part of how we work, communicate, learn, create, and make decisions. This practical and interactive session explores how we can work alongside AI while continuing to strengthen the qualities that make us human—empathy, creativity, communication, critical thinking, judgement, and meaningful connection. Participants will explore relatable workplace examples and practical strategies for using AI confidently and responsibly, while finding the right balance between technology and human thinking. The session encourages participants to consider whether they are simply using AI to work faster, or learning how to use it to work better.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Shweta Bajaj is the Founder & CEO of TheProImpact People Solutions and Co-Founder of NeeSh AI. She is an AI & Leadership Trainer, Executive Coach, L&D and OD Consultant, Visiting Faculty, TEDx Speaker, author, and podcaster. With more than 15 years of experience, she has facilitated over 800 workshops and trained more than 5,000 professionals, working with corporate leaders, professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, and students. Her work focuses on helping individuals and organizations navigate the changing workplace through Generative AI, leadership development, communication, executive presence, and future-ready skills. She is particularly passionate about making AI practical and accessible while helping people use technology without losing the human qualities of empathy, creativity, communication, critical thinking, and meaningful connection.

DEEPALI BHANDARI

Senior Principal Software Engineer

  • ABOUT THE SESSION

    Most conversations about AI focus on how to use it better, but this session explores a more important question: when should we use it at all? Drawing on more than 25 years of experience across engineering, data, cloud, and AI, Deepali Bhandari offers a practical perspective on the opportunities and trade-offs of AI. Participants will explore the hidden costs and design choices behind AI systems, including bias, labor, and environmental impact, while learning how to recognize when AI genuinely supports their work versus when it can replace thinking, judgement, or meaningful human connection. The session encourages participants to pause, ask better questions, and use AI deliberately rather than simply by default.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Deepali Bhandari is a Senior Principal Engineer on Enlyte's Cloud Platform Enablement team, with more than 25 years of experience across engineering, data, and cloud. Her career has included work in early human genome sequencing, cloud-native SaaS platforms, machine learning-powered photo estimation, and enterprise generative AI. With a background in mechanical engineering and a master's degree in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania, Deepali brings a practitioner's perspective to conversations about technology, AI, and the choices we make when building and using intelligent systems.

MICHELLE DOERR

Founder/President, Anavah Consulting LLC

  • ABOUT THE SESSION

    Meaningful work can bring purpose, identity, and connection, but it can also lead us to give more than we can sustainably maintain. In this interactive session, Michelle Doerr invites participants to explore how their passion for work may sometimes come at the expense of their own well-being.

    Using the six leadership habitats from her book What Passion Costs, participants will reflect on what nourishes them, what drains them, and how they can better protect their energy and capacity. Through guided reflection and conversation, they will identify one practical action to help them sustain their passion while allowing both people and purpose to thrive.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    MICHELLE DOERR, MS is the founder and president of Anavah Consulting LLC and the author of What Passion Costs: A Guide to Leading Without Losing What Drives You.

    With more than 30 years of experience in conservation, leadership, organizational culture, and adult learning, Michelle helps leaders understand the workplace conditions that shape people's experiences and contributions. She is adjunct faculty at Adler Graduate School, where she teaches Nature in Counseling, and has designed and facilitated leadership development programs for professionals and organizations across the country.

    Grounded in Adlerian principles of belonging, contribution, encouragement, equality, and social interest, Michelle combines research, practical tools, and honest conversation to help leaders create workplaces where people can contribute meaningfully without sacrificing themselves.

GEMINI BABLA

Global Head of Brand at Intuit

  • ABOUT THE SESSION
    AI is changing how we work, create, and lead, and the leaders who thrive will be the ones who stay deeply human while embracing new tools. In this Executive Spotlight, Gemini Babla draws on more than 20 years of building brands at some of the world’s most influential technology companies to share honest leadership lessons for the era of AI. Participants will learn how to lead with curiosity rather than fear, how to use AI to amplify creativity instead of replacing it, and why storytelling, empathy, and trust matter more than ever. Gemini also shares how women leaders can step confidently into this moment, build their voice, and shape the future of their teams and industries.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER
    Gemini Babla is the Global Head of Brand at Intuit, where she leads brand marketing for QuickBooks. She is a creative brand marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in brand strategy, and has worked at major companies such as Google, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Nokia, Qualcomm, Sony Electronics, and LEGO, including YouTube. Her work includes leading global brand marketing efforts at Google and driving innovative product initiatives. Gemini also teaches the next generation of marketers as an adjunct professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She holds degrees from prestigious institutions, including a Women’s Leadership program from Stanford University and a degree in Marketing and Strategy from Northwestern University. A dedicated mentor, Gemini is passionate about storytelling and about empowering women to lead with confidence and purpose

CARLA SWINEHART

Leadership Consultant & Executive Coach

  • ABOUT THE SESSION
    Great leadership doesn’t come from a title. It comes from knowing who you are, what you stand for, and having the courage to lead in your own way. In this opening keynote, Carla explores the three foundations of empowered leadership: a clear vision, the courage to act on it, and the authenticity that makes people want to follow. Participants will learn how to define the impact they want to have, how to move through self-doubt and lead with confidence in high-stakes moments, and how to bring their whole selves to their leadership without trying to fit someone else’s mould. Carla also shares practical strategies for growing your influence and advancing your career, helping women leaders step forward with purpose, presence, and lasting impact.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER
    Carla is an accomplished leadership consultant and executive coach based in the United States. She specialises in empowered leadership, authentic impact, and executive career progression, helping leaders gain clarity on their vision, build confidence, and step into greater influence. Through her coaching and consulting work, Carla supports professionals at every stage, from emerging leaders to senior executives, as they navigate key career moves and grow into the leaders they want to be. Her approach is empowering, practical, and grounded in authenticity, encouraging every leader to lead boldly and in their own voice.

SEJAL PATEL DASWANI

Chief People and Operations Officer - CPO/COO, Ayar Labs

  • ABOUT THE SESSION

    Leadership is about more than vision, confidence, and execution. It is also about building meaningful relationships that strengthen leadership, create opportunities, and inspire growth. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience across technology, finance, investing, and executive leadership, Sejal Patel Daswani shares insights on the power of authentic connection, sponsorship, advocacy, and trust. Participants will discover practical ways to lead with authenticity, curiosity, generosity, and purpose.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Sejal Patel Daswani is the Chief People and Operations Officer (CPO/COO) at Ayar Labs, a pioneering optical I/O company transforming how AI systems connect. With extensive leadership experience across technology, finance, healthcare, and renewable energy, she has helped organizations scale, drive innovation, and navigate complex transformations.

    Previously, Sejal held senior leadership roles at Deputy, Sunrun, and Visa, where she led people strategies, organizational growth, and innovation initiatives. She also served as a management consultant at KPL/Booz & Company and as Chief Marketing Officer of Pfizer ShareCard.

    Sejal holds an MBA/MPA from MIT and Harvard and bachelor's and master's degrees in Biology and International Affairs from Columbia University. She is also an advisor to PeopleTech Partners, contributing expertise in AI, HR technology, investing, and innovation.

SHERYL ANJANETTE

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Parsley

  • ABOUT THE SESSION

    AI is transforming how we work, make decisions, and lead through change. In this session, Sheryl Anjanette explores the intersection of behavioral science, artificial intelligence, and women’s leadership. Participants will discover why people resist change, how stress and uncertainty affect decision-making, and what helps individuals and organizations become more adaptable.

    The session will also highlight the growing importance of uniquely human leadership skills, including empathy, judgment, self-awareness, collaboration, and curiosity. Participants will gain insights into how women can lead with confidence, navigate uncertainty, and shape a future where people and technology thrive together.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Sheryl Anjanette is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Parsley360, a human-centered AI company focused on improving organizational performance, strengthening trust, and reducing workplace burnout.

    With more than 30 years of experience in leadership, performance optimization, and organizational development, Sheryl has held senior leadership roles in healthcare, biopharmaceuticals, and consumer services. She is an experienced strategist, TEDx speaker, and author of The Imposter Lies Within.

    Combining expertise in behavioral science, cognitive behavioral neuroscience, and leadership development, Sheryl advocates for a more human-centered approach to artificial intelligence. Her work explores how empathy, trust, and an understanding of human behavior can help individuals and organizations navigate change and thrive in the evolving workplace.

MAUDE ARNOLD

Tap Dancer, Entrepreneur & Producer (Syncopated Ladies)

  • ABOUT THE SESSION
    What does it take to turn a passion into a thriving creative business and lead a team of artists onto the world stage? In this session, Maude Arnold shares her journey from tap dance classes as a young girl to co-leading one of the most viewed female tap dance bands in the world. She explores what creative leadership really looks like, from building a shared vision and bringing out the best in a team of strong individual talents, to taking bold risks, using digital platforms to reach new audiences, and creating opportunities when none exist. Participants will learn practical lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience, and owning their creative voice, and leave inspired to lead with rhythm, courage, and joy in whatever field they work in.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER
    Maude Arnold is a tap dancer, entrepreneur, writer, director, investor, and philanthropist. As a founding member of the all-female tap band Syncopated Ladies, she has performed around the world and appeared in film and television. Together with her sister, Emmy-nominated choreographer Chloé Arnold, Maude is co-executive producer, writer, and dancer for the group, which won the Dance Crew Battle on Season 11 of So You Think You Can Dance. Named one of “Tap’s Leading Ladies” by Dance Spirit magazine, Maude has danced in Syncopated Ladies’ sold-out concerts in New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Vancouver, and Dubai. She has also performed with Pharrell Williams and N.E.R.D on The Ellen Show and appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America and at Essence Fest. With Chloé, she co-directs and produces the internationally recognised DC Tap Festival. A graduate of Columbia University, Maude uses her platform to empower women and to keep the art of tap dance alive for new generations.

CHARLOTTE PORTER

Private Equity Leader & Executive

  • ABOUT THE SESSION
    Finance has long been one of the most male-dominated fields in business, and the path to the top is still not easy for women. In this session, Charlotte Porter draws on her career in private equity and finance to share what it really takes to rise, lead, and make an impact at the executive level. Participants will learn how to build credibility in high-stakes, numbers-driven environments, how to negotiate with confidence, and how to find the sponsors and networks that open doors. Charlotte also explores how to lead with both strategic thinking and authenticity, and how women can bring more women with them as they rise. Whether you work in finance or simply want to lead with greater financial confidence, this session offers practical insight for your next step.

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER
    Charlotte Porter is a senior executive and leader based in the United States, with an extensive background in private equity and finance. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of investment, strategy, and leadership, helping businesses grow and create long-term value. Charlotte brings a sharp strategic mind and a practical, results-focused approach to leadership. She is passionate about supporting women in finance and in executive roles, and about building a more diverse and inclusive leadership pipeline across the industry.

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Join Yogi Patel and a global community of inspiring speakers and participants for a meaningful experience filled with learning, connection, and fresh perspectives.