Latest news with #CarolineWanga
Business Wire
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
The Women in Manufacturing Association Announces 15 th Annual SUMMIT in Chicago
CLEVELAND, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) is excited to announce its 15th annual WiM SUMMIT, taking place October 12–14, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. This milestone conference is expected to welcome more than 2,500 in-person and virtual attendees from across the global manufacturing sector for three days of community-building, leadership development, and industry celebration. As we mark 15 years of building a more inclusive industry, we look forward to gathering with the WiM community to honor progress, recognize excellence, and spark the ideas that will shape the next generation of manufacturing leaders. Share With the inspiring theme 'Make Your Mark,' this year's WiM SUMMIT will focus on the influence of purposeful leadership, courageous innovation and the importance of leaving a legacy in manufacturing. Attendees will engage in meaningful programming designed to motivate, educate and connect professionals at all career stages and sectors within manufacturing. 'This year's theme is a powerful reflection of where we've been and where we're going,' said Allison Grealis, WiM President and Founder. 'As we mark 15 years of building a more inclusive industry, we look forward to gathering with the WiM community to honor progress, recognize excellence, and spark the ideas that will shape the next generation of manufacturing leaders.' WiM SUMMIT 2025 highlights include: Keynote speakers representing General Mills, the National Women's History Museum, and Disney Institute, sharing insights on leadership, the multigenerational workforce, and igniting purpose in those who are the future of manufacturing. An opening keynote on authenticity given by Caroline Wanga, Co-Founder of WangaWoman and President & CEO of Essence Ventures. More than 65 educational sessions and workshops on topics critical to the industry, including allyship, professional development, manufacturing business trends, strategic leadership, sustainability, transformational innovation and more. The WiM EXPO, an interactive exhibition hall featuring best-in-class manufacturers showcasing their commitment to innovation and excellence. Signature networking and social events, providing opportunities for professionals to connect across sectors and experience the vibrant culture of Chicago. In addition to the educational and networking offerings, the 2025 SUMMIT will celebrate exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry. WiM will induct its newest class into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame and recognize the 2025 Bill Gaskin Ally Award recipient, honoring those who have championed equity and opportunity for women in manufacturing. Since 2010, WiM has grown into the leading global trade association dedicated to supporting, promoting, and inspiring women and allies in the manufacturing industry. The WiM SUMMIT remains the association's flagship event, offering an unmatched platform for professional development and industry recognition. Registration for WiM SUMMIT 2025 is now open. Discounted rates are available for groups of six or more. Visit the WiM SUMMIT website to explore the agenda, speaker lineup, travel information and registration options. Contact meetings@ for more information. The Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) is a global trade association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry. It provides year-round support to more than 33,000 individual members representing more than 3,000 manufacturing companies from 50 U.S. states and more than 75 countries. WiM encompasses manufacturers of all types and welcomes individuals from every job function – from production to the C-Suite. Membership is available to anyone working within or with the manufacturing sector.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Essence CEO Caroline Wanga on new memoir, DEI, personal style
Caroline Wanga, president and CEO of Essence Ventures, joins TODAY to talk about her inspiring and revealing new memoir, 'I'm Highly Percent Sure,' in which she opens up about immigrating to the United States from Kenya when she was 10 and her journey as she climbed the corporate ladder. She discusses the lessons she hopes readers can take away from the book, finding her personal style and shares her take on corporations rolling back DEI initiatives.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Target's former diversity chief says calling it DEI is less important than doing the work
Target's former diversity chief said the retailer didn't walk away from DEI, "they trained it." Caroline Wanga, now CEO of Essence, said diversity programs are initially about measurable goals. "Eventually the goal goes away because the behavior is embedded and you pick the next thing," she said. Target's former chief diversity officer is weighing in on the backlash the retailer has faced over its rollback of DEI policies. Caroline Wanga, who left Target in 2020 and is now CEO of Essence, told NBC's Today show on Friday that Target "didn't walk away from DEI. They trained it." "If you do this thing right, you create a way that gives goals that can be measured to incent people into the behavior," she said. "Eventually the goal goes away because the behavior is embedded and you pick the next thing." Target did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Wanga's comments come days after CEO Brian Cornell sent an email to employees, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, acknowledging that "silence from us has created uncertainty" about where Target stands on inclusivity. "We are still the Target you know and believe in — a company that welcomes all and aims to bring joy to everyone, every day," Cornell said. Target has found itself in the cultural crosshairs multiple times in recent years, and has more recently responded to conservative criticism by shrinking initiatives, like its annual LGBTQ Pride collection, or ending others, like its official DEI program. That response has, in turn, angered some groups who want the retailer to defend a more progressive and inclusive vision of American retail, sparking boycotts and declining foot traffic in recent months. But Wanga said the fight over DEI as a label is more of a distraction than real substance. "Do the work, leave the letters," she said. "The work is still the same, " she added later. "We allow ourselves to be distracted in the things that are easy to argue about, because the work is harder." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Target's former diversity chief says calling it DEI is less important than doing the work
Target's former chief diversity officer is weighing in on the backlash the retailer has faced over its rollback of DEI policies. Caroline Wanga, who left Target in 2020 and is now CEO of Essence, told NBC's Today show on Friday that Target "didn't walk away from DEI. They trained it." "If you do this thing right, you create a way that gives goals that can be measured to incent people into the behavior," she said. "Eventually the goal goes away because the behavior is embedded and you pick the next thing." Target did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Wanga's comments come days after CEO Brian Cornell sent an email to employees, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, acknowledging that "silence from us has created uncertainty" about where Target stands on inclusivity. "We are still the Target you know and believe in — a company that welcomes all and aims to bring joy to everyone, every day," Cornell said. Target has found itself in the cultural crosshairs multiple times in recent years, and has more recently responded to conservative criticism by shrinking initiatives, like its annual LGBTQ Pride collection, or ending others, like its official DEI program. That response has, in turn, angered some groups who want the retailer to defend a more progressive and inclusive vision of American retail, sparking boycotts and declining foot traffic in recent months. But Wanga said the fight over DEI as a label is more of a distraction than real substance. "Do the work, leave the letters," she said. "The work is still the same, " she added later. "We allow ourselves to be distracted in the things that are easy to argue about, because the work is harder."
