Geena Davis at West Hollywood’s Women’s Leadership Conference

The 7th annual West Hollywood’s Women’s Leadership Conference 2013: Unlimited Opportunities – Knowledge, Power, Community was held on April 19-20, 2013. The mission of the West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference is to provide tools and support, inspired by the City’s Core Values, for women to be successful leaders in their private lives, in business and in the community.

The conference kicked off the two-day event with a special film screening of the Academy Award nominated film “The Invisible War”. Geena Davis, Founder of The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Chair of the California Commission on the Status of Women co-sponsored the event and gave a keynote address. A panel discussion moderated by Maria Hall-Brown from PBS SoCal followed the screening with filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, Madeline DiNonno, Executive Director of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Allison Gill, US Navy Veteran.

The following day opened with a keynote address from inspirational speaker Agapi Stassinopoulos, author of the best-selling book, Unbinding The Heart. After, participants broke out into various workshops and panels with topics that included entrepreneurship, the power of mentorship, social media, technology, advocacy training, How to get on a City Board or Commission and communication skills.

At midday there was a “Leadership Under Fire” – Keynote Leadership Luncheon with guest speakers Sandra Fluke, Women’s Rights Advocate and Attorney, Patti Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence and Chanchanit Martorell, Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center. After a networking break participants continued being inspired at their chosen afternoon workshop. Maya Paley of the National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles wrapped up the day as guests shared their experiences with each other over refreshments.

 Video – Keynote Address Speaker, Geena Davis

Photography