Prairie View A&M University is proud to announce The Inaugural Women in Leadership Conference 2024, scheduled to take place during Women’s History Month, March 6-7. Hosted by the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, the conference, titled “Women Leading the Way: Imagine the Possibilities,” is set to be a groundbreaking event that aims to empower and uplift women leaders across various sectors by showcasing women who were “firsts” in their industries.

The inspiration behind the conference stems from a powerful conversation among revolutionary women leaders, including Jayhea Mathews ‘01, the first PVAMU alumna hired by Google, and Shirley Holland Hunt ‘81, a PVAMU alumna and the first Black female associate chief in the Aerospace and Flight Mechanics Division at NASA.

Dr. Pamela Obiomon ‘93, dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, also a PVAMU alumna, was pivotal in driving both the initial discussions and the meticulous planning of the event leading up to its much-anticipated debut.

Her perspective on the conference’s origins and the enlightening conversation with Mathews and Hunt add significant depth to the event’s narrative.

“During this conversation, we discussed the challenges and unique barriers faced by Black female leaders and shared stories and strategies for success,” said Dr. Obiomon. “This dialogue sparked the idea of sharing these insights with others during Women’s History Month, ultimately leading to the organization of the conference.”

She said that the University envisions the conference as a platform for sharing wisdom, knowledge and experiences among women leaders, mentors and sponsors. By fostering dialogue and mentorship, the conference aims to inspire aspiring leaders and empower existing ones to develop their leadership skills and confidence.

Through this inaugural conference, PVAMU hopes to achieve several specific outcomes:

• Facilitate networking and collaboration among women in academia, industry and government who are in leadership roles or aspiring to become leaders.
• Empower women leaders by providing a platform for meaningful conversations, sharing stories and exchanging leadership strategies.
• Foster a strong and supportive community that offers encouragement, mentorship and resources to women navigating leadership roles.
• Provide practical advice and insights from keynote speakers, panelists and breakout session leaders to help women advance in their careers and assume leadership positions.

Breaking Barriers

Navigating male-dominated fields, such as engineering, has long presented challenges for women in various roles. Drawing from her personal journey to leadership, Dr. Obiomon offers valuable insights into the essential ingredients that can guide young female employees on their path to success.

“From becoming the first female full professor and department head in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering Department to ultimately ascending to the role of Dean of the College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University, my journey has been filled with both rewards and challenges,” she said. “Some of the key elements that guided me through this journey include the presence of great mentors, getting used to being the only woman in the room, keeping composure when faced with challenges, and investing in people.”

Conferences like this one play a crucial role in addressing and overcoming challenges faced by women when advancing to leadership roles. They provide a platform for showcasing women’s achievements, advocating for equitable workload distribution and recognition, addressing compensation disparities, promoting voice and representation, and combating imposter syndrome and negative labels.

“By hosting sessions addressing compensation disparities and providing negotiation workshops, conferences can empower women with the skills and confidence to advocate for equal pay and close the gender pay gap,” said Dr. Obiomon.

In 2022, women earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, as reported by the Pew Research Center. This marks only a 2-cent increase in the gender pay gap compared to 2002. The fact remains that differences in economic opportunity, including pay between men and women, are so vast that it will take 202 years to fully bridge them, according to the World Economic Forum.

Reflecting on the broader impact of events like The Inaugural Women in Leadership Conference, Dr. Obiomon underscored their significance in addressing critical challenges faced by women in leadership. She emphasized that through the establishment of inclusive and supportive spaces, such conferences have the power to catalyze meaningful change.

“By addressing these key challenges and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, conferences like this one can contribute significantly to the advancement and empowerment of women in leadership roles across academia, industry, and government.”

Leaders Creating Leaders

The selection process for speakers and panelists at the conference was rigorous, involving input from 12 female leaders who ensured that the chosen individuals represented real-world workforce diversity. The speakers, all innovators in their respective industries, were selected based on their accomplishments and significant impact in their fields.

“It was coincidental, but noteworthy, that all chosen speakers happened to be ‘firsts’ in their respective industries, highlighting their pioneering roles as leaders,” said Dr. Obiomon. “This deliberate selection process ensured that the speakers and panelists chosen not only had the necessary expertise and experience but also represented diverse backgrounds and perspectives, contributing to a rich and insightful conference program.”

The group of 12 also identified hands-on skills development workshops that will assist conference attendees in enhancing and advancing their respective careers, “addressing the most relevant and pressing needs of attendees,” said Dr. Obiomon.

These workshops aim to equip attendees with essential skills and competencies, including communication and assertiveness, negotiation and advocacy, leadership development, networking and relationship building, and resilience and self-confidence.

The Inaugural Women in Leadership Conference at PVAMU promises to be an inspiring and empowering event, bringing together women leaders from diverse backgrounds to (re)imagine the possibilities and pave the way for a brighter future.

“Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a supportive community that promotes the growth and success of women in leadership positions,” said Dr. Obiomon.

Visit this link to learn more about PVAMU’s Inaugural Women in Leadership Conference.