2024 Southwest Ohio Women in Leadership Symposium
March 07, 2024
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (ET)
Theme
Leading With Heart: Empathy, Ethics & Excellence
Sponsored By
The Women in Leadership Symposium is a dedicated event that brings together accomplished women leaders, aspiring leaders, and advocates for gender diversity in various industries. The primary objectives of the symposium are to inspire, educate, and empower women to thrive in leadership roles and to promote gender equity and inclusivity in the workplace. This year's symposium theme is, Leading with Heart: Empathy, Ethics & Excellence," which celebrates and explores the importance of compassion, ethics, and excellence in leadership, particularly as they relate to women leaders. Attendees will gain valuable insights, advice, and connections, making the Women in Leadership Symposium an essential platform for advancing women's representation and influence in leadership positions.
Panelists
Chang
Dagny Chang became Director of Global Aftermarket Parts and Service in January 2023. She has been with Rotex since 2012 and held a variety of roles in finance, capital sales, marketing, and aftermarket sales. She earned her B.A. in Elected Studies from Thomas More University. Dagny and her husband reside in Indiana with their daughter and dog, Pippen. Dagny enjoys time attempting to be a golfer and watching her favorite college basketball team, the Kentucky Wildcats, pursue their ninth title.
Johnson-Kebe
Adele joined Dayton Children’s Hospital on August 16, 2021. Adele is a Human Resources and Operations Management professional with a proactive leadership style, significant experience within all HR functional areas, and a passion for creating and accelerating workforce strategies that positively impact clinical excellence and advance key talent competencies. In her role as VP and Chief HR Officer, Adele serves as a strategic human resource leader and member of the Senior Leadership Team. She provides high quality service to all levels of the organization in the areas of leadership and organizational development, compensation and benefits, talent attraction, development and retention, policy development, and employee relations. In her prior role, Adele served as a System Human Resources Director and Strategic Partner-Medical Group and Physician Services with Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH). In this role, she engaged with and supported executive and operational leaders at the system level, driving HR and operational strategies into execution. She directed and led efforts in setting HR strategy, organizational structure and process improvements across 800 physician practices within the Medical Group service line. Her efforts delivered critical people solutions and key system workforce results. Prior to her work with BSMH, Adele worked with HCA Healthcare, based in Nashville, Tennessee and served as a Regional HR Director - Physician Services Group. In this role, Adele partnered with national, regional, and local operations management and HR leadership to implement HR initiatives. Adele’s approachable style and servant leadership are also demonstrated by her community service work. Adele is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and enjoys opportunities to give back via volunteer community and social service partnerships. After living over five years in Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee for her successful career with HCA Healthcare, Adele returned to her hometown Cincinnati in 2019 with her husband and teenage son, and enjoys travel, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Kitchell
Trish is a passionate and accomplished leader in the YMCA non-profit sector, dedicated to strengthening communities and empowering individuals through the transformative power of the YMCA mission. With an impressive career spanning 32 years, Trish has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the organization’s values and a tireless dedication to its mission. A solid educational foundation underpins Trish’s journey in the YMCA sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Miami University, where she developed a strong understanding of Human Development. This educational background equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the demanding and multifaceted world of non-profit leadership. Trish has held key leadership roles, including Vice President, Executive Director, and Program Director with the YMCA organization, where she provided visionary leadership, developed strategic initiatives, and oversaw the successful execution of programs and services. Trish is not only a leader within the organization but also a bridge-builder in the community. She has a proven track record of fostering strong relationships with community stakeholders, donors, and partners, which is pivotal in expanding the YMCA’s presence and influence within the communities she serves. On a personal note, Trish resides in her hometown of Lebanon, Ohio, with her partner, Steve, and their beloved fur daughter, Luna. Beyond her professional achievements, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the world through travel, immersing herself in the great outdoors through camping, and expressing her creative side through crafting and photography. Trish’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond her work and is an integral part of who she is as a person.
Otabil
Tashawna Thomas Otabil currently serves as Vice President of Managed Care for UC Health. She has nearly 25 years of management experience and proven performance leadership with Managed Care Payer Contracting and Strategies. Tashawna received a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Business Administration from DeVry University. She always strives for excellence which is evident in her recognitions as of one of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s – Healthcare Hero Winner (2022), 2021 YWCA Career Women of Achievement, Ohio’s, National Diversity Council's Woman of the Year (2021), National Diversity Top 15 Businesswomen (2018), TriHealth Pillar Performance (2018), several other leadership awards. In addition to those recognitions, Tashawna is also an Amazon bestselling author of four books. Her most recent publication “Unprecedented Times” provides strategies and tactics to help leaders during the pandemic. Her other publications are dedicated to helping women excel with their personal and professional endeavors. Tashawna is deeply committed to public service and community service. She is actively involved in the community and serves as a board member for Karen Wellington Foundation. She formerly served on the Urban League & St. Aloysius boards. She is also a proud member of the Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. Lastly, she is the Co-Founder of Black Art Speaks – a collective group of community artists who share their voices through the power of Art. This group was responsible for creating the Black Lives Matter mural in downtown Cincinnati, which Tashawna was instrumental in leading.
Parker
Paaras is the Chief HR Officer for Paycor based in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is responsible for all areas of HR, including recruitment, talent strategy, compensation & benefits, internal communications, training & development, diversity, equity and inclusion, organization design, and associate engagement. Paaras joined Paycor in 2022. She has extensive HR experience at consumer brands such as Victoria’s Secret, US Bank, and Global Lead, where she built her expertise in talent development and diversity & inclusion. Before joining the company, Paaras was the Head of HR for 84.51°, Kroger Technology & Digital, and Kroger Alternative Profit. Paaras serves on the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, YWCA, and The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Paaras was a member of Cincinnati’s C-Change Class 6, Leadership Cincinnati Class 46, named one of Cincinnati’s Forty Under 40 by the Cincinnati Business Courier and a Top Woman in Grocery Progressive Grocer, a YMCA Adult Achiever & YWCA Rising Star. In partnership with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Paaras created Power Squad, which focuses on the leadership development and progression of Women of Color in the workplace. Paaras holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University. Paaras lives in Montgomery with her husband, Sean, daughter, Layla, and son, Elijah.
Moderator
White
Sharon D. White currently serves as System Director, Community & Government Relations and Site Communications for the Premier Health system. She is a professional with over 25 years of experience in broadcast media and community and public relations. Areas of expertise include: healthcare communications, community development and engagement, marketing, strategic communications, communications consultation and special event planning. She is a member of Tau Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a member of the sorority’s International Connection/Social Action Committee; member of The Dayton Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; and served 10 years on the Ohio Arts Council. From 2017-2019, White was elected to serve on the Ohio Citizens for the Arts Board of Directors. White has been recognized for her journalistic work by receiving the “Regional Communicator of the Year Award by the International Communications Training Institute and multiple National “Communicator” and “Telly” Awards. Her work in the community has garnered several recognitions including: “Central Region Volunteer of the Year’’ from the National Urban League, Dayton YWCA “Women of Influence Award” and “Distinguished Ambassador Award.” White has received the “Coretta Scott King Award’’ by the National Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta, the “Ten Top Women Award,” given by the Dayton Daily News, Sinclair Community College Distinguished Community Service Award, the Mary Scott Legacy Award and was named a “Top Ten African American Woman,” by the African American CEO’s organization. White is inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame and the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She is a past recipient of the University of Dayton National Alumni Association “Special Achievement Award.” In 2018, White was honored by Believers Christian Fellowship Church “Phenomenal Woman” award.
Awardee
Glover
Ivy Glover is the Director of Social Impact for Wright-Patt Credit Union (WPCU). She is responsible for the development and implementation of internal and external inclusion, diversity, equity, and impact strategies, For ten years, she also led financial literacy initiatives, including the nationally awarded and recognized Savings Race®. Prior to WPCU, Ivy served as Director of Marketing and Communication at Community Action Partnership of the Greater Dayton Area, where she led several community engagement initiatives. Ivy loves helping people connect through similarities and learn through differences. She shares a passion for making a positive impact. Outside of the office, she spends time with her husband and five sons, balancing life as a “busy momfessional”. Within the community, Ivy serves on the following boards and committees: Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, the Human Services Levy Council, Miami Valley Urban League Advisory Board, and the Wesley Dayton Board of Directors. Ivy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication (with a Marketing Minor) from Wright State University. She also holds Certified Diversity Professional, and Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor designations. Ivy is a 2022 Dayton Business Journal Outstanding Diversity Champion, 2020 Heart of Gold Recipient, and Dayton Business Journal Forty Under 40 Awardee. Thoughts to live by: Every cause has an effect. So, find your cause, and cause a ripple effect! When your why is big enough, you will find your how! Every day we have an opportunity to make impact – to have a strong effect on something or someone - what will your impact be?
Dress For Success – Purses & Personal Items
Encouraging all attendees to donate new or nearly-new women’s purses and brand-new personal items (cosmetics/cosmetic bags, etc.) to help get more women back to work to help women secure, retain and develop their professional careers.
Sponsorship Information
$3 Transaction Fee Will Be Added