The Watermark Conference for Women Silicon Valley has announced that actor, producer and activist Reese Witherspoon will join a powerful lineup of keynote speakers at the sold-out Conference on February 23, 2018 at the San Jose Convention Center.
Witherspoon, who has won numerous awards including an Academy Award for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in WALK THE LINE, is an entrepreneur, founding two companies, as well as an advocate and activist for women’s issues across the globe. With her multi-media production company, Hello Sunshine, Witherspoon offers a platform and voice for female centric storytelling, employing female writers, directors and all creatives across film, television and digital content. With her fashion and lifestyle brand, Draper James, she brings her style and experiences of growing up in the south to a wide audience of women.
Additional keynote speakers include International Human Rights attorney Amal Clooney, interviewed by Kelly McEvers, co-host of NPR’s award-winning All Things Considered and New York Times Reporter Jodi Kantor, who co-authored the story about Harvey Weinstein that led to a crescendo of women speaking out.
With more than 6,500 attendees, the Conference is the largest of its kind on the West Coast. It offers a day of energizing inspiration and networking, in addition to its powerful lineup of speakers who are influential champions for women. Named a “Top 100” event in the San Francisco Bay Area by BizBash for its “buzz, innovation, and prominence,” the Conference offers an unmatched spectrum of speakers on topics including gender equity and inclusion, pay parity, and social media strategy.
The timely Conference in the heart of Silicon Valley comes as workplace culture is generating headlines nationwide, with the emergence of the viral “#MeToo” movement and high profile cases of women coming forward about injustice toward women in the workplace.
“This is a critical time in our nation, with women at all levels standing up to be heard. We are proud to help elevate this national dialog,” said Ann Barlow, Chair of Watermark and West Coast President of Peppercomm. “We hope that these outstanding speakers will inspire attendees to make their mark as leaders in their companies, careers and communities.”
Other speakers include: Nely Galán, self-made media mogul and former president of Telemundo; Dr. Vivienne Ming, neuroscientist, technologist and entrepreneur; and Amy Trask, former CEO of the Oakland Raiders and football analyst for CBS Sports Network.
The Conference also will host the QVC + zulily Product Search, a unique opportunity to showcase new product ideas to a panel of QVC + zulily experts and receive on-site feedback. Interested entrepreneurs can apply at watermarkconferenceforwomen.org/productsearch. The Conference also aims to support the next generation through a Young Women’s program for high school junior and seniors.
The Watermark Conference for Women Silicon Valley is generously underwritten by co-chair partner Gilead Sciences along with the following sponsors: Johnson & Johnson; Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.; Amgen; Applied Materials; BMW; Boston Scientific Corporation; Cisco; Counsyl; Dell; Erin Condren; Harvard Business School; Kate Spade & Company; Lending Club; Mastercard; Medallia; Mercer; Merck; Oath; Oracle; Riverbed; Salesforce; State Farm; State Street Corporation; United Airlines; VMware; and media sponsors KFOG 104.5 San Francisco; KGO 810; KSFO 560; and NBC Bay Area.
For more information, visit www.wearewatermark.org.
Revisit Ladybrille Magazine’s Watermark conference past coverage:
Diane von Furstenberg at the LeadOn: Watermark Silicon Valley Conference for Women
Silicon Valley Hosts Thousands at the State’s Largest Gathering for Women
“When We Deny Our Story & We Don’t Talk About Our Failure, We Are Not Whole” ~ Dr. Brené Brown
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
