This past May, WIN brought together over 200 women leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers for our annual Summit.  It was our first in-person summit since 2019, and over the course of the day, attendees were immersed in an environment filled with in-depth workshops, proactive panel discussions, networking opportunities, and self-care activations. The day aimed to empower women to recognize and wield their influence, leadership, and vision to make a lasting impact.

The theme “The Power To” became the summit’s guiding beacon, encouraging attendees to finish the phrase in ways that felt most impactful to them. Some chose “The Power To Lead,” “The Power To Include,” or “The Power To Connect.” This simple yet ambiguous theme allowed each participant to approach their own career, leadership style, and aspirations with renewed clarity.

In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in the professional landscape for women, as traditional barriers to entry have begun to lessen. Women are seizing more opportunities, taking charge of their careers, and advocating for themselves like never before. However, a new and troubling obstacle has emerged that is preventing women, particularly women of color, from advancing: the “broken rung.” This concept describes a crucial step in the corporate ladder that remains inaccessible, keeping many from reaching first-level management and beyond. The result is fewer women in leadership roles, despite their ambitions and qualifications.

In today's dynamic and competitive workplace, the narrative surrounding women's potential is undergoing a profound transformation.  No longer confined by traditional expectations or outdated perceptions, professional women are redefining how they harness their potential, breaking barriers, and setting new standards in leadership.  This evolution is not merely about shattering glass ceilings; it’s about constructing a new paradigm where women leverage their unique strengths to lead, inspire, and excel.

Founder of Leave Your Mark and Author of ON BRAND

Negotiation is a crucial skill in both professional and personal life, and for women, mastering it is even more vital.  Whether you're negotiating a salary, a business deal, or even family decisions, the ability to negotiate effectively can significantly impact your outcomes. 

For many women, the idea of negotiating can feel stressful or overwhelming.  This can lead to a lack of confidence in their ability to negotiate for their needs.  Luckily, confidence can be built.  And really, the lack of confidence comes from a lack of knowledge and preparation.  One of the most significant mistakes, yet often overlooked: not preparing properly for a negotiation. 

Today, less women with disabilities have jobs, but studies show that greater flexibility can aid in furthering equity in the workplace. This is important because women with disabilities’ experiences remain hidden if organizational shifts are not made. If organizations create more accessibility, they have the power to preserve an embodied feminine wisdom of disability.

 According to the United States Department of Labor’s and the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s recent report, women with disabilities are the lowest employed in the United States. This report, which gathered data from 2019 to 2022, seeks to identify labor force participation by gender and disability/ability (Rosenblum et. al., 2023). This report adds to past concerns of inequity in the workplace.

Are you ready to step into your power, embrace your unique strengths, and accelerate change? 

If so, mark your calendars for Thursday, May 30th, and join downtown at 1 Liberty Plaza in New York City for WIN Summit 2024: The Power To. This one-of-a-kind summit is more than a conference—it's a transformative experience designed to unlock your untapped potential and propel you toward greater success.

Now in its eighth year, WIN Summit has established itself as a premier event tailored specifically for women seeking to excel in negotiation and leadership skills. 

Here are our TOP 10 reasons you don’t want to miss out on this empowering summit.

Founder of Leave Your Mark and Author of ON BRAND

Salary transparency can be weird on all three levels. It can be uncomfortable to discuss your salary with your friends, coworkers, or even your partner. Opening up about your finances on a public platform invites all kinds of scrutiny (especially when you’re a woman—just look at the comments of the first edition of Home Economics). And implementing salary transparency in the workplace can be an incredibly difficult, costly, and time-consuming process.

As a higher education administrator, Lisa Mednick Takami not only wanted to share insights from remarkable women and highlight their legacy, but literally wrote the book on them. Drawing from extended qualitative interviews with successful higher education CEOs and senior leaders to highlight their lived experiences, career trajectories, and leadership lessons, she focuses on the real experiences and formative development of current women leaders and offers the reader practical recommendations for the reader to utilize in their own career.

Daniella Kahane sat down with Lisa to dig into what it took to collect the profiles showcased in Women In The Higher Education C-Suite, the journey to get the book published, what inspired Lisa in her career, and why she believes this book is important for today’s leaders.

Negotiation is a skill that transcends boardrooms and business deals; it is a powerful tool that we can leverage to build and strengthen connections in every facet of our lives. As women, mastering the art of negotiation empowers us to navigate the complexities of professional and personal relationships with finesse and confidence. In this article, we’ll explore how negotiation plays a pivotal role in various relationships, from the workplace to our personal lives, and how honing this skill can lead to more meaningful connections.

WIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As we approach the holiday season, what better way to show your support for the incredible women in your life than with a gift that empowers, inspires, and sets the stage for a successful 2024?

In today's fast-paced world, enhancing negotiation and leadership skills is not just beneficial; it's essential. Whether you're searching for the perfect gift for a friend, a family member, or yourself, our holiday gift guide goes beyond material possessions; it's about investing in personal growth, self-confidence, and becoming a more decisive and skilled negotiator. Empower the women around you with the gift of knowledge, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As we sit down to feast with our families, it is easy to recall the things we might be grateful for in that moment. But in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, it’s easier to be caught up in the challenges and stressors that come our way. Even now, as the news continues to take a dark turn and many of us feel helpless to change the current trend of events it can be more difficult still to remember the things we hold gratitude for. However, taking a moment to practice gratitude can be a game-changer for our mental well-being and overall happiness.

Negotiation is an integral part of both our personal and professional lives. It's a skill that can pave the way for career growth, higher salaries, and overall empowerment. However, many women grapple with fears and anxieties when it comes to negotiating. These fears can often act as barriers to achieving their goals. Here are the top seven fears we find women commonly face when negotiating in the workplace and actionable ways that those fears can be overcome.

As AI takes the world by storm, people are divided on how to feel about its uses and implications.  In a previous WIN Blog Article, we discussed how AI could help women improve their negotiation skills and pointed out that AI platforms can simulate negotiation scenarios and provide instant feedback.  Recently one of WIN’s Negotiation Coaches, Coutney Chicvak, has been collaborating with a group of computer science experts to develop a negotiation simulation that women can use to practice handling gender bias during negotiations.  The tool functions as a role-playing scenario, where the user plays the part of a female negotiator, and ChatGPT takes on the role of a challenging male colleague. Following the role-play, ChatGPT provides feedback on what aspects went well and what areas could be improved.  WIN Executive Director and CEO, Daniella Kahane sat down with Courtney to discuss this tool, its development, and her hopes for its usage.

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, reshaping industries and altering the way we interact with the world around us. One significant area where AI is poised to make a transformative impact is negotiation. As we look ahead to the future, it's crucial to consider how AI will shape the negotiation landscape, particularly for women, who historically have faced unique challenges in this arena. 

In her latest book, Transformative Negotiation: Strategies for Everyday Change and Equitable Futures, Sarah Federman advances an understanding of power and oppression as core to negotiation, arguing that negotiation is central to social mobility and social change. Bringing theory into action, the book explores the real-world examples that Sarah Federman’s own students bring to class, such as negotiating with courts to get their kids back or with the IRS to reduce late fees.

Daniella Kahane sat down with Sarah to dive deeper into her background and what makes her passionate about these issues.

EXECUTIVE COACH + WIN COACH