EmpowHER: All Female Panel Inspires Women in the Workplace
March is an important time for women, as it boasts both International Women's Day (IWD) and Women’s History Month. In honor of celebrating females all over the world, and their vast achievements, Startup Exchange (SX) hosted an inclusive event right in our very own Clubhouse.
The EmpowHER event invited collegiate students and local community members to attend an inspiring panel discussion with ambitious women leaders followed by an exclusive networking banquet and dinner.
Moderated by Muskan Mahajan, Georgia Tech Student Class of 2027, the all-female panelists featured:
Kamala Manju, Director of Software Engineering at Visa
Asha Christian, Forbes Atlanta 30U30, Founder at Coily (beauty tech startup)
Morgan Tolley, Viral Content Creator (better known as @attlovesmo)
Esteemed partners who were also present included Bumble and Georgia Tech’s AKPsi, W@CC, and SWE student groups.
After some initial networking, attendees took their seats to hear from the inspiring women on topics such as combating self-doubt, role models, and balancing work with self-care.
Below were some key takeaways:
Self-assurance and power of community: During periods of self-doubt, you should remind yourself of your past successes. If you achieved something in the past, it wasn’t due to mere luck – you are destined for greater things.
Being audacious: Upon asking Asha who her role model is, she mentions “That one girl singing her heart out in the karaoke like no one’s watching.” Audaciousness is underrated but so, so valuable.
Intentional self-care: Self-care is not just a good-to-have, it is crucial for leading a fulfilling life. Prioritizing self-care can look like blocking out time for a weekly facial, a lunch date with friends, or a morning run.
Community is key: Having a supportive community to fall back on, such as fellow women, creators from your craft, friends, and family, is essential to your success.
After some audience Q&As, attendees then participated in more networking and enjoyed a delicious complimentary dinner.
The importance of this event far surpasses just those in Tech Square though – it supports female empowerment by driving community, connection, and of course, women supporting women in the workplace.