Out Women In Business

Reaching Out will be hosting a happy hour for registered attendees the night before the conference on March 25th from 8-9pm ET. Join the Reaching Out staff and OWIB Organizing team for a laid-back hour of socializing and fun!

Remarks from the Reaching Out team and our corporate partners will give you preview of what's in store for the day.

Entrepreneurship and representation in the top echelons of business for out women is expanding, and along with that comes some unique challenges. Hear from some women in charge as they share their experiences of becoming leaders and discuss how they continue supporting women at work.

According to the Center for American Progress, in September 2020, “Four times as many women as men dropped out of the labor force” as a result of COVID-19. Whether you are a working parent or hope to be in the future, this session will explore the duality between parenthood and professional life, specifically as we look to "coming out” of the pandemic into a new normal.

Additional networking time has been integrated into this year's conference so that attendees can grow their network and connect to others with similar interests. There are five separate rooms each discussing a different topic of conversation: drop-in for a few minutes or stay for the full session, it's up to you! Topics include: Supporting Other Women at Work, Being Your "Out" Self on a Mostly Straight Team, Suiting Up and Dressing Up, LGBT+ Pop Culture, and LBT+ People to Watch.

Take some time to check email, have a bite, and if you like, join in one of the networking rooms with other conference attendees.

Swap strategies for what's worked -- COVID-era or not -- for assembling your queer squad in the workplace. This interactive session will be an opportunity to talk about our affinity groups, Zoom brunches, and softball teams, and how we've turned them into a meaningful and lasting queer community.

What's next for your career? Meet our corporate partners to hear how they are supporting LBT+ communities and opportunities to join them. Small group and one-on-one meetings will take place during this recruiting session so make sure to have your resume handy!

In this interactive session, you'll learn about the common challenges for demonstrating confidence at work and practice some real-life experiences for affirmative, effective communication and presenting for impact.

Take a few minutes to get up and stretch or grab some coffee before the final session of the day!

Progress has not necessarily been even across urban/rural divides, industries, paygrades, or blue-, pink-, and white-collar work. This panel of seasoned queer professionals, labor historians, and activists will deepen our understanding of whom we have to thank for the safety we currently experience in the workplace and where, as current and future company leaders, we need to continue to work to ensure the safety of others.

A few parting words of inspiration to leave you feeling ready to tackle the year ahead.

This happy hour provides OWIB attendees a chance to continue conversations and deepen connections they've made throughout the day. Grab a beverage and join the discussions!