Presented by Spectra Baby USA, this year's event featured an exciting speaker panel of successful women from a variety of different backgrounds, including: Bertha Henry (Broward County Administrator), Heather Geronemus (PR at Ultimate Software), Sarah MacKenzie (Hockey Mother & Wife) and Christina Cioeta (VP of Marketing for Gold Coast Beverage).
NBC6 Meteorologist Angie Lassman served as the panel's moderator.
"We wanted to do something for women of all ages, backgrounds and different geographic areas," Panthers President & CEO Matthew Caldwell said of the event. "We have people from so many different industries speaking tonight… This has always been a wonderful event for us."
After Caldwell reached out to her, Cioeta said it was an easy to decision to join the panel.
"I think it's timely," Cioeta said. "I think now is the time, and I think it's been the time. It's something that I started very early on in my career, to say 'OK, these women out there are valuable. They can contribute to our economy and our business. They're amazing employees."
"We went out and recruited women really early on in our business and our career. We've since been brining them in. To see them now really take ownership of that and bring women into the business on their own, it's important that that perpetuates itself and continues."
When asked if she had any advice for young working women, Cioeta said the best place to look for inspiration and empowerment is inward.
"Even when you're scared, listen to your voice and believe in yourself," she said. "You can do it. You are strong enough to be able to overcome the things you think you cannot do. As long as you work really hard and establish credibility, you can be extremely successful."
In addition to the panel, there were vendor tables holding raffles, giveaways and providing more information about their female-driven companies. The event also included a special guided tour of Spectra Baby's brand-new lactation lounge at the arena - the first of its kind in the NHL.
