SFNet’s Women in Secured Finance Conference will be held June 12-13, 2024 at  Jay Suites Midtown East, New York, NY.  An event designed to cultivate leadership skills and connect with fellow trailblazers, the Conference is geared to both aspiring leaders and seasoned professionals who are looking to make an impact and expand their sphere of influence.

An Opening Reception will take place the evening of June 12 at the offices of Paul Hastings in New York City. With food, fun and great networking, this serves as the kickoff to the Conference.  On Thursday, June 13, registration opens at 8 a.m., sponsored by Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP, and breakfast, followed by opening remarks.

“At the SFNet Women in Secured Finance Conference, we're not just breaking barriers, we're blazing new trails,” said SFNet CEO, Richard Gumbrecht. “I hope you can join us in the conversation about expanding your influence, pioneering change, and leaving a legacy that inspires generations to come.”

Strategies for Cultivating a Robust Network and Expanding Your Influence,sponsored by Otterbourg P.C., will follow from9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and will be facilitated by Karen Kirchner, MS, CPCC, executive coach and co-founder of Her New Standard: The Playbook for Women Leaders, a leadership consulting firm focused on developing women leaders for the fast track. 

This interactive workshop will provide attendees with strategies and a helpful tool to strengthen their leadership skills and help advance within their firm and industry.

Following a networking break will be the Pathways to Success: Navigating Multi-Generational Teams in Finance panel, which will unravel the complexities of leading multi-generational teams. This discussion will delve into the dynamics of managing diverse teams and driving deals to success. The panel, comprising seasoned executives and emerging leaders, will guide attendees through the nuances of working with colleagues from different generations, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z, in order to achieve business success.  Attendees will walk away with the understanding of the perspectives, communication styles and motivations of each generation, which is key to fostering collaboration and achieving business objectives.

 Bethani Oppenheimer, shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, will serve as moderator. Panelists will include Jessica Benevides Caron, executive director, Hilco Diligence Services; Courtney Kolb, vice president, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Valerie Mason, partner, Otterbourg P.C.; and Caroline Maxwell, associate, Gordon Brothers.

In comparing a Boomer with a Millennial, Maxwell observed one big difference is the definition of success.

“The younger generation is more accustomed to immediate gratification and success and may struggle with patience,” Maxwell explained. “For example, there could be a deal that has yet to commit to a go-forward path or maybe a career trajectory is not moving at the speed they might be expecting. The Baby Boomer generation, on the other hand, is more accustomed to continually working until a deal comes to fruition. When Millennials aren’t moving up in their career or receiving promotions after a time they deem as reasonable, they may view this as a failure.

“There is an art in patience that the older generation possesses that Millennials, through the explosion of social media and constant available information, may not possess.” 

Following lunch will be Keynote Speaker Josie Natori, CEO of The Natori Company, sponsored by Bank of America Business Capital. Josie will be in conversation with Nneoma Maduike, partner, Otterbourg P.C.

 Josie Natori is the founder and CEO of The Natori Company, a globally renowned fashion brand celebrated for its luxurious lingerie, sleepwear, and lifestyle collections. Through her pioneering vision and determination, she built her brand into an international powerhouse. Natori is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment and entrepreneurship. Her journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the fashion world serves as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of hard work, creativity, and uncompromising commitment.

“I am thrilled to engage in conversation with the remarkable Josie Natori, whose compelling success story will inspire conference attendees and will highlight her illustrious career and her journey from Wall Street to entrepreneurship,” Maduike said.

The afternoon will feature networking breaks and interactive Roundtable discussions, which will offer the opportunity to dive deeper into some of the themes from earlier in the day.

SFNet's Women in Secured Finance Conference is focused on topics impacting those who identify as women. However, all are welcome to attend.

For more information or to register, click here.