2024 Tampa Bay

February 3, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (ET)

In-Person Event | Armature Works

Armature Works - 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602

About Us


Our Mission

The mission of the Young Women's Leadership Symposium is to inspire and develop our future women leaders by giving them access to and leveraging the successes of current women leaders.
This Symposium is backed by a community of influential and successful women as well as sponsor organizations who are dedicated to encouraging all women to be outstanding, be brilliant, and be true.


Luncheon Location

Armature Works - 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, Fl 33602


What is the Young Women's Leadership Luncheon

The Symposium will help young women power up their life, level up their leadership skills, learn about self-care/wellness, and evolve their personal brand while being connected to a community of a business leaders. The speakers are experienced leaders with collective wisdom who will share stories on how they leveraged adversity and overcame barriers.


Who Should Attend

The Symposium is open to any high school-aged young woman. Attendees have the option to attend in person or virtually from any location around the United States.

This is a unique opportunity for personal growth.


Event Coaches and Mentors

Each of the young women will have the opportunity to interact, in a small group setting, with at least one mentor who is an executive from an elite organization in our respective city.

Keynote Speaker

Virginia Johnson

Virginia Johnson

Host/Reporter
Spectrum Bay News 9

Virginia Johnson

Virginia Johnson

Host/Reporter
Spectrum Bay News 9

A native of southern Louisiana, Virginia Johnson was born in Lafayette, and she grew up in Devil's Swamp in Thibodaux with her large Cajun family. Virginia has been working as a journalist in the Tampa Bay area since 2002. She joined the Spectrum Bay News 9 family in 2007. She works on Chef’s Kitchen and On The Town segments, special events and long-form series. She’s won two Emmys and a Murrow Award Spectrum Bay News 9 with her co-worker, photographer Bobby Collins. She is deeply humbled for the privilege to meet people and tell their stories. Virginia studied International History and Political Science at St. Joseph's College in Indiana. She holds a master’s degree in International Business from Loyola University Chicago and another in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University. She worked as a reporter and an anchor in West Lafayette and South Bend, Indiana, before landing in the Sunshine State. She's written a documentary about water restoration in Florida, helped birth a cow at the State Fair and reported from an emergency room during the Coronavirus Pandemic. She resides in Manatee County with her young family and pets—dogs and birds-- and she cheers for the 2019 National Football Champion Louisiana State University. Geaux Tigers.

Panelists

Renee Baker

Renee Baker

Founder and CEO
The RBI Group

Renee Baker

Renee Baker

Founder and CEO
The RBI Group

Dr. Renée Baker is an accomplished entrepreneur, speaker, leader, and advocate for economic empowerment. Raised in a small Southern New Jersey town, Dr. Baker's journey began from humble beginnings. She discovered the transformative power of financial literacy on her path to wealth-building. Today, she champions financial education as a crucial tool for bridging the wealth disparity gap, uplifting communities, and reshaping the global economic landscape. As the founder and CEO of The RBI Group, Dr. Baker helms a firm that intersects marketing and finance with a focus on economic empowerment. Her combined expertise in finance, marketing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sets her apart in the financial services industry, offering her clients comprehensive strategic insights. Besides her professional endeavors, Dr. Baker, a wife and mother of three adult daughters, is a renowned keynote speaker. She regularly addresses themes like wealth management, financial literacy, DEI, and marketing. Her 2022 TEDxEustis talk, “What We Get Wrong About The Racial Wealth Gap,” continues to attract viewers on YouTube. Dr. Baker has significantly impacted her community as a mentor, educator, leader, and philanthropist. She serves on several boards, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the United Way Suncoast's Admiral Society. Her roles extend to Girls Inc., Pinellas, and the IDEA Charter Schools Fiduciary Board in Florida. As a Lifetime Member of Leadership Florida, she is the Statewide Awards Chair for 2023-2024 and recently joined the Florida Financial Educators Council as an Advisory Board Member. Dr. Baker also shares her knowledge as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida, teaching advertising management and digital media strategies. Dr. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Rutgers University, an MBA with a focus on Marketing and Strategy from Penn State University, and a Doctorate in Business Administration with a marketing specialization from Wilmington University. Her recent accolades include the 2023 AAAA Fifty Under 50 Top Distinguished Professionals Award, recognition as one of "20 People Who Will Change Wealth Management in 2020" by Financial Planning Magazine, the 2021 Smeal Alumni Award for Diversity Leadership from Penn State, and the 2022 Businesswoman of the Year honor from The Tampa Bay Business Journal. Residing in Saint Pete with her husband, Dr. Baker leads a fulfilling personal life, embracing travel and new challenges. Her diverse hobbies, including reading, working out, and skydiving, mirror her dynamic and adventurous spirit.

Sandra Bean

Sandra Bean

Founder and CEO
St. Pete Girl Boss

Sandra Bean

Sandra Bean

Founder and CEO
St. Pete Girl Boss

Sandra Bean, known as the "Connection Queen," is an acclaimed educator, speaker, community leader and coach. Founder of the 5.7k members St Pete Girl Bosses, she's a beacon for gifted people and women in business. A two-time finalist for "Best of the Bay Best Networker" and advocate for mental health and neurodiversity, Sandy's been featured in numerous podcasts for her work with entrepreneurs & neurodivergent people of all ages. Residing in St. Pete, she passionately believes in the inherent goodness of the world and the unique potential within everyone.

Sponsors

AON
Accolade
Aetna
FIS
Geiger
Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
Humana
Mutual of Omaha
Peirano Family Foundation
UNUM
United Healthcare

If you have any question or concerns about sponsorships please contact Josephine DiRusso
at [email protected]

Contact Us

If you have any question or concerns please contact Josephine DiRusso at
[email protected]