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ABOUT THE FORUM Dedicated to celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering determination of women, the Invest in Women Forum proudly presents, “Passion Project.” Here, we believe in the power of dreams, the strength of innovation, and the impact of women-led endeavors. Join us at this dynamic Forum as we explore the world of Passion Projects – those inspiring ventures, including YOURSELF, fueled by creativity, ambition, and a deep-seated love for what we do. Whether you're a seasoned expert, a budding visionary, or simply an enthusiast eager to learn and grow, this Forum is your hub for all things related to the fusion of passion and business.
Inspiring Stories: Immerse yourself in a collection of captivating success stories and personal journeys that highlight the incredible feats achieved through passion-driven initiatives. Learn from remarkable women who turned their dreams into reality and gain insights into their strategies, challenges, and triumphs. Empowerment and Support: Embrace a supportive community that believes in your potential and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. Share your highs and lows, seek advice, and find encouragement to keep pursuing your passion, no matter the hurdles. This Forum provides a venue to openly present and discuss barriers and strategies to improving diversity and the impact of women in our industry. The program includes: Presentations and panel discussion(s) by experts in: architecture, engineering, construction, project Owners, educators, agency leaders, suppliers, and others. Facilitated and open discussions with your peers and presenters. Take-aways to assist in positive change and actionable information. Lunch, Breaks, and a Networking Reception (where the “magic” happens) You will come away with ideas you can implement for yourself as well as within your organization to build a support culture and processes for women. |
VENUE City of San Marcos Conference Center (at the Embassy Suites Hotel) Veramendi Ballroom GHIJ 1001 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX 78666 Room Reservations (no special rates available): (512) 392-6450
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HOST & EMCEES |
HOST
Carol Warkoczewski, MSOLE, AIAFounder & CVO, I-LinCPRetired | City Architect, City of San Antonio Owner/Principal, Synergy Builders Consulting, LLC | EMCEE
Angela Cotie VP of Operations Bartlett-Cocke | EMCEE
Kimberly Phipps Nichol President | Blue Water Studio |
PRESENTERS AND PANELISTS
MORNING KEYNOTE: |
Rachel Boehm Founder | BS On Burnout®
| "From Passion to Purpose: Living by Design" From award winning author and founder of BS On Burnout®, Rachel Boehm, this engaging presentation will guide you through the process of channeling your passions towards a purpose-driven life. Explore crafting a life by design, where your passions fuel your actions and lead you towards a fulfilling and impactful existence. Learn how to shape your own path, align with your values, and create a life that truly resonates. From Rachel: I know what it’s like to look at your life and feel stuck; to look in the mirror and want to break it; to wonder when the hell everything got so damn hard. I've burnt out, "quiet quit", actually quit, had the quarter-life crisis, dieted my body into submission, and tried several careers to try to "have it all". |
Fireside Chat: "Turning Your Passion into Progress" Join our panel of diverse achievers sharing insights on leveraging passion for meaningful advancement. Discover how they turned their passions into impactful careers, initiatives, or businesses, navigating challenges and employing strategies for tangible outcomes. Gain practical advice on finding purpose-driven paths and using determination to effect change. Whether an aspiring entrepreneur, a professional seeking fulfillment, or simply intrigued by harnessing passion for positive impact, this chat offers actionable insights. Engage with our panelists, ask questions, and ignite your potential to convert passion into progress. Don't miss this chance to connect and fuel the transformative force of passion in your life. Join us for an enriching conversation that could propel you toward meaningful growth and purposeful endeavors. |
Elizabeth Stemac Senior Director, Business Development | Satterfield & Pontikes |
Elizabeth Stemac, Senior Director, Business Development at Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc., is a seasoned professional with a track record of success. Her extensive experience includes notable roles at Skanska USA and Project Control, where she excelled in identifying growth opportunities and fostering client relationships. Focused on the Houston market, she aims to complement the company’s strong education portfolio and leverage its Centers of Excellence in healthcare, aviation, and mission-critical sectors. Stemac, a Drake University alum, entered the construction industry at McGraw-Hill Construction, showcasing leadership in diverse sectors such as education, government, healthcare, aviation, and technology. |
Francesca Rattray Chief Executive Officer | YWCA San Antonio | Francesca Rattray is the CEO of YWCA San Antonio, whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. Ms. Rattray has devoted her year career to international and community economic development through microfinance, human services, nonprofit training, and the arts. She believes that investing in women is the key to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, and YWCA San Antonio removes barriers for women, particularly women of color, to achieve self-sufficiency: child care, youth success, economic empowerment and health equity, along with advocacy for racial justice and gender equality. Ms. Rattray leads an organization of 78 full-time employees with lived experience in the community we serve and who ensure that women and their families are safe, healthy, and thriving. |
Allie Perez is a graduate of New York University and became a marketing executive shortly after. Through marketing she discovered the skills trade industry. She's run plumbing and HVAC companies for the past ten years. She also founded Texas Women in Trades to bring more women, minorities and young people to the skilled trades and manufacturing industries. Allie's multifaceted background, from corporate marketing to trade industry leadership and advocacy, equips her with a nuanced perspective that aligns perfectly with the ethos of "Passion Project." Her insights into empowering underrepresented groups and her hands-on experience in transforming industries add to her inspiration while encouraging others about pursuing their passions. |
MORNING PRESENTATION: "Who Are You Really? (A Journey to Authenticity)" |
Barb AllenSpeaker and Consultant | Levocity | Do you ever find yourself asking...Who Am I REALLY? As women in such a heavily male populated industry, we tend to lose parts of ourselves as we work to acclimate to our environment. Actions and attitudes that did not come naturally to us, become second nature. When we start in this industry, we are told how nice we are...then we are told we have to stand up for ourselves if we want to succeed...and when we master that, we are called difficult or told that we are overbearing. Sometimes it feels as though we can't win. There are days we look in the mirror and wonder...Am I the person I have become? Or is the real me still buried underneath? Who am I really? and Can I afford to be authentic? In this presentation, Barb will take us on her journey to authenticity and provide light that will illuminate the path of your own personal journey. ABOUT BARB: Barb Allen started out as a carpenter wearing her tool
bags learning to physically build buildings, relationships, and a successful career as a woman in construction. Barb worked her way up to
Superintendent, Project Executive, and Operations Director before stepping out on her own with a mission to increase the success of women
in AEC. Through her company, Levocity, Barb is giving back to the construction industry by utilizing her experiences to educate, inspire,
coach, and motivate the industry, and the amazing people in it, toward change. |
LUNCH KEYNOTE: "One Woman's Lifework That Honored Another Woman's Lifework" |
Embark on a visual journey celebrating the transformative power of passion, dedication and exploration that chronicles the remarkable story of honoring Berta Almaguer's legacy through architectural reverence and heartfelt dedication. This presentation chronicles the evolution from an aging structure to a vibrant testament of design, celebrating dedication and homage legacy. This project embodies the intersection of two remarkable lifeworks, where architecture pays homage to innovation and dedication. Join us in this immersive exploration of passion and reverence, where creativity breathes life into an extraordinary legacy. From the poignant moments of engaging with the community in public meetings to the meticulous process of obtaining permission to reimagine the structure, each step is a testament to passion and perseverance. The crescendo of this narrative culminates in the unveiling of the finished project, a testament to one woman's life's work honoring the legacy of another. ABOUT MELISSA: Melissa Magee Douglass, an architect with 36 years' experience, led Douglas Architects, Inc. before joining TBA Douglas. Inspired by Cambridge Seven Associates, my passion for adaptive reuse blossomed, culminating in the Berta Almaguer Dance Studio. Amid challenges, this project celebrated the original building's legacy, merging old elements with vibrant Mexican folk art nuances. The studios pay homage to Ms. Berta Almaguer, narrating her story through artful design. This venture encapsulates my love for architecture, blending creativity and preservation to honor an inspiring woman's legacy. |
CONCURRENT BREAKOUTS: |
"Building a World Through Collective Impact" How to Create Powerful Partnerships that Transform Communities and Break Silos
Crystal Del Bosque Director of Business Development | Alamo Architects Join us for a workshop illuminating the art of forging potent partnerships. Discover strategies to transform communities and dismantle barriers through collaborative efforts. Learn to break silos, leverage collective strengths, and foster impactful collaborations that drive meaningful change. Unveil the keys to creating powerful, unified endeavors that transcend individual efforts, leaving a lasting imprint on society's landscape. ABOUT CRYSTAL: Crystal, Alamo Architects' Director of Business Development and Marketing, excels in linking public and private sectors. Armed with a master's in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at San Antonio, she champions various community projects—spanning from development and housing to patient safety and energy efficiency. Leading strategic marketing, business growth, and client relations at Alamo, Crystal's adeptness in urban planning fortifies the firm's vision and outreach. Her stakeholder connections and urban planning insights prove invaluable, shaping the firm's trajectory. Beyond Alamo, Crystal presides as SMPS San Antonio's Board President, co-founds the Southside First Economic Development Council, and actively engages in several organizations focused on community development. Her steadfast dedication to propelling positive change stands as a testament to her commitment to fostering enduring improvements within her community. Room Host: Jessie Hernandez | TD Industries | "From Novice to Knowledgeable" The Skill-Building Odyssey of a Trailer Renovation
Tahnee Sauer Owner | Tahnee Rose Design Prepare to explore a captivating journey of vintage trailer restoration, where the fusion of design and construction knowledge unfolds as a remarkable case study in learning, creative troubleshooting, and skill enrichment. This experience reveals how a dream-driven project can become a rich case study in learning, problem-solving, and skill expansion, offering profound insights into the multifaceted nature of our industry. As a seasoned professional in design and construction, I was inspired to undertake a unique building project that merged my diverse skill set, including interior design, 3D modeling, building system coordination, and hands-on craftsmanship. The vintage trailer restoration became more than a personal endeavor; it became a platform to explore a dream for a future business. ABOUT TAHNEE: I am a dynamic problem solver with a passion for creative innovation. With seven years of experience in B2B marketing and a strong design background, I excel at uncovering unique ideas and forging connections that breathe life into compelling content. I'm dedicated to a continuous journey of learning and improvement, always on the lookout for better tools, streamlined systems, and enhanced processes, refusing to settle for the ordinary. My creative spirit extends beyond marketing collateral; I thrive on curating, refurbishing, and reinventing vintage furniture and accessories. Currently, I'm on a transformative journey, rebuilding a 1967 Holiday Rambler trailer from the ground up, infusing it with a modern, eclectic charm. This endeavor showcases my unwavering commitment to creativity and design, blending my skills in a hands-on project that reflects my passion for turning dreams into reality. Room Host: Brandy Waters | Sunland Group |
AFTERNOON PANEL: "Finding Your Sweet Spot" Through the stories of these three industry leaders who have found their own "sweet spot," discover how you can uncover your own "sweet spot" and pursuing your unique passion. By following your own path you will craft those endeavors that suit you best and ignite your creativity and find fulfillment. Join us as we explore the essence of what a "sweet spot" is and how to find it in your life and career. Knowing and living out of your sweet spot can clarify your pathway towards personal and professional fulfillment. Moderator: Janki DePalma | W.E. O'Neil Construction Panelists: Jayne Kim | HKS Heather Blazi | Pfluger Architects Catherine O'Toole | Kirksey Architecture |
ROUNDTABLE TALKS: "Fanning the Flame" Join us for an immersive experience designed to ignite inspiration, fuel your ambitions, and equip you with the tools to navigate personal growth and professional success. This transformative workshop will explore three crucial themes: 'Building Your Foundation,' where you'll uncover the keys to establishing a solid groundwork; 'Your Passion Project,' delving into the art of channeling and nurturing personal passions; 'Using Your Voice,' empowering you to amplify your impact through effective communication strategies. Guides: Kick-off by Michelle Croft | City of Austin Sharon McGraw | Center of Redemption & Empowerment Jolsna Thomas | The Rosendin Foundation Carrie Stallwitz | Witz!PR |
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Late Registration starts on February 1, 2024.
Members: $200, Non-Member: $250, Students: $50
Reserved Table for 6 - $1,200 (additional registrations only $150 each)
This Forum sells out every year and registration availability is limited. Register today before you miss your chance!
Sponsorship Starts at only $750! Become a Sponsor Today! Sponsoring the 2024 Invest in Women Forum is easy and starts at just $750. View our Sponsorship levels and benefits. Sign-up is available through the registration page or contact Carla Bingaman. |
