On June 16 & 23, SFNet’s live online Women in Secured Finance Conference will bring together women who are looking to grow professionally, share experiences, celebrate successes and advocate for each other. 

In response to feedback the WISF Committee has received from previous WISF conferences, SFNet is reimagining this year's event format by partnering with Corporate Class, Inc. to offer attendees an interactive, customized workshop focused on developing executive presence along with career progression and leadership skills.

WISF Committee chair, Paula Currie of PNC Bank, said, “After the past year of remote living and working, we all could use a recharge to help us get back in the game. This year’s WISF conference, promises to do just that! The two-day interactive workshop is facilitated by experienced and renowned instructors who will help you build the skills, tools and confidence needed to realize your full potential and take your career to the next level.”

The workshop, which is focused on The Empowered Mindset, is a journey towards stepping into your power. It’s about showing up for yourself and others by taking a set of actions, steps, choices and course corrections towards acknowledging and accepting your humanness. It’s about learning how to trust yourself and practice bravery. Corporate Class, Inc. points out that women may use language that is self-diminishing, which can make them sound unsure. According to the Corporate Class description of the workshop: “The goal is for women to develop their own unique and authentic voice and point of view while being intentional about how we are coming across to those we want to influence and work with.”

During this two-day (6-hour) interactive workshop, our expert facilitator will deliver high-impact content with an emphasis on:

• The importance of developing Executive Presence for career progression and leadership development
• A greater understanding of how we show up and how our actions can diminish our confidence
• How to address self-doubt and the imposter syndrome
• Strategies for developing greater confidence and self-advocacy
• How to make your work visible
• Where to begin with mentorship, sponsorship and allyship
• How to develop a roadmap for individual success

The workshop will be led by Dr. Georgette Zinaty, executive vice president of Corporate Class, Inc.  Dr. Zinaty leads D&I training and works closely with the company’s existing consultants to enhance business strategies and program offerings. Dr. Zinaty was an executive and senior leader at the University of Toronto. An alumna of the University of Toronto, Dr. Zinaty holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Liverpool in Strategic Marketing and Human Resources, a Master’s of Science from the Henley School of Business in Business and Management Research and a certificate in “Leading Strategic Change within Organizations” from Harvard University. Dr. Zinaty has been a frequent panelist and a public speaker, most recently with Vervecon, an organization that aims to inspire women in engineering and technology to improve diversity in the workplace. Dr. Zinaty has given a TEDx talk about gender disparity and leadership. In 2018, she was named an “Immigrant Woman of Inspiration” by the publication.

Dr. Zinaty will be joined by Diane Craig, president and founder of Corporate Class Inc. For over 30 years, Diane has been providing leadership development training to multi-national businesses, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to optimize performance and potential across every organizational level. Recognized internationally for her Executive and Leadership Presence Training System, Diane facilitates customized coaching, workshops and seminars to organizations around the world: from Europe to the Gulf Region and across the Americas – North, Central and South. Diane has witnessed firsthand the global corporate acknowledgement that leadership skills, coaching and development encourages talent retention. Diane holds a Certificate in the Foundations of NeuroLeadership from the NeuroLeadership Institute. Her facilitation methods utilize its scientific, brain-based coaching techniques that combine the science of the brain, neuroscience, with leadership. This impacts team dynamics and interactions to drive individual performance.

Licia Jacques of SLR Business Credit serves on the Event Planning Subcommittee for the Committee. She said, “I’m excited to be a part of the WISF planning committee putting together an event with a twist on our usual conference. I’m looking forward to learning from the facilitators and other attendees during the presentations and breakout sessions. I hope we can each come away with information to help us ‘rise’ out of and above the events of the last 14 months.”

“If you are looking for ways to improve your communication, demeaner, presence, self-confidence and boost your career path succession, this is the workshop for you. You will be provided with a detailed workbook and roadmap to help you master the skills discussed during the conference and enable you to immediately use the tools and information you learn. Furthermore, this session will help you reflect on personal experience, as well as learn from others through interactive breakout sessions where you will also get to network with fellow financial professionals,” said Daniela Piemonte, PNC Bank, who is also on the Event Planning Subcommittee.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy networking and interactive teambuilding activities on June 16 from 4:00-5:00. Denise Albanese of Cost Reduction Solutions is a member of the committee planning that aspect of the event.

"The WISF continues to provide a platform for women in the finance industry to gather and empower each other as we continue to make great contributions to the community. At the upcoming live online Conference, we have carved out time for some ‘easy’ networking and connecting. Utilizing the services of GOGAME, we hope you can join us for some fun trivia, music and chatting, keeping your experience exciting and refreshing," she said.

Attendance is limited for this conference, register today to ensure your spot.