Approximately 300 women business leaders from South Florida and across the country came together Oct. 7 for the inaugural Office Depot Foundation Women’s Symposium at Office Depot Corporate Headquarters in Boca Raton. In an atmosphere inspired by innovation and collaboration, the symposium helped women gain a new understanding and appreciation of how to become even more successful.
The Women’s Symposium was inspired by Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation, who is known as one of the most passionate, creative, dynamic and energetic business leaders in South Florida. It’s these same qualities that shaped the symposium.
“The theme of our symposium was ‘Maximizing Success through Innovation and Collaboration.’ We believe that innovation and collaboration are fundamental principles that must be present in order to achieve success – and then to become even more successful,” said Wong. “This symposium aligns with the education and capacity-building strategies of the Office Depot Foundation – and with our overall commitment to making a difference. We thank everyone for believing in our vision for the inaugural Office Depot Foundation Women’s Symposium.”
Symposium attendees included a wide range of individual entrepreneurs, consultants and representatives from small businesses, mid-size companies, major corporations, the nonprofit sector and the education community. A group of high school students from the Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program also participated. Throughout the day, the conversation was advanced by 35 women business leaders from the South Florida community who served as facilitators at attendees’ tables.
Mary Wong (left), president of the Office Depot Foundation; students from the Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program at West Boca High School; School Coordinator Beth Rubin; and Anne Dufour Zuckerman, Law Offices of Anne Dufour Zuckerman.
Victoria Rixon (left), market manager, J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Management Division, and Virginia Philip, master sommelier, Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy (right), spoke to Office Depot Foundation Women’s Symposium participants on the topic of “What Does Maximizing Success Mean to You?” Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation, is at center.
(From left) Speaker Holly Bohn, founder and creative director, See Jane Work; Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation; and speaker Linda Rendleman, CEO and co-founder, Women Like Us Foundation. Bohn and Rendleman spoke on “Innovation for Women.”
(From left) Speaker Holly Bohn, founder and creative director, See Jane Work; Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation; and speaker Linda Rendleman, CEO and co-founder, Women Like Us Foundation. Bohn and Rendleman spoke on “Innovation for Women.”
(From left) Lisa Mulhall, In Rem Solutions; Susan Diener, co-president of Impact 100 Palm Beach County; Beth Johnston, director, Local Relations, Division of Institutional Advancement, Florida Atlantic University; Cindy Krebsbach, In Rem Solutions; Karen Sweetapple, board member of Impact 100 Palm Beach County
Mary Wong (center), president of the Office Depot Foundation, thanks representatives from Women’s Symposium sponsors (from left) Florida Atlantic University (Gift Bag Sponsor), 3M (Exhibitor Sponsor), Daszkal Bolton (Exhibitor Sponsor), SMEAD (Exhibitor Sponsor), Coca-Cola (Breaks Sponsor) and Allstate Benefits (Exhibitor Sponsor).
Mary Wong (center), president of the Office Depot Foundation, thanks representatives from Women’s Symposium table sponsors (from left) the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, Greenberg Traurig, the Women’s Business Development Council of Florida and Grand Canyon University.
Mary Wong (left), president of the Office Depot Foundation, thanks representatives from Women’s Symposium sponsors (from left) WBENC (Journal/Workbook Sponsor), Ernst & Young (Registration Sponsor), Office Depot (Network Reception Sponsor) and the Merrill G. & Emita E. Hastings Foundation.
A group of participants enjoys the camaraderie of the inaugural Office Depot Foundation Women’s Symposium.
(From left) Women’s Symposium participants Dr. Sheryl Ferguson, Lasting Families; Beth Sena-Parker, The Sena Group; and Roxana Scaffidi, CEO/Owner, FL-Accounting, LLC
Answering questions following the opening presentation are (from left) Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation; Victoria Rixon, Market Manager, J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Management Division; and Virginia Philip, Master Sommelier, Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy.
Answering questions following the opening presentation are (from left) Mary Wong, president of the Office Depot Foundation; Victoria Rixon, Market Manager, J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Management Division; and Virginia Philip, Master Sommelier, Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy.
Patricia Burdett with United Capital Financial Advisers, who served as a table facilitator for the Women’s Symposium, poses a question to the speakers.
Michelle Villalobos, Founder of the Women’s Success Summit and author of The Stiletto in Your Back, spoke energetically to participants about how to “Stop Competing and Start Collaborating: Brand Yourself, Establish Massive Influence and Become a Category of One.”
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