From Token to Trailblazer: Building Enduring Power for Women in Leadership

Despite decades of progress, women’s foothold in senior leadership remains fragile amid DEI rollbacks and shifting corporate priorities. The challenge is no longer access—it’s endurance. This session examines how women can transform visibility into lasting influence, convert symbolic roles into structural power, and lead with authenticity in environments still calibrated for conformity. The conversation moves from representation to strategy, exploring what it takes to secure real authority, build trust, and create leadership pipelines that don’t regress with the next corporate trend.

This panel will explore:

• Turning representation into enduring authority and measurable influence
• Mentorship and sponsorship strategies that prevent leadership backsliding
• Navigating evolving expectations around inclusion and leadership style
• Building political capital and executive trust in uncertain times

Speakers

Shahzia Rahman
Head of Corporate Legal
Block, Inc.

Renee Choy Ohlendorf
Senior Associate General Counsel
Optum

Bhakti Shivarekar
Assistant General Counsel
HPE

Kelly Smith
Partner
Allen Matkins

Jamillia P. Ferris
Partner
Wilson Sonsini

Dara Poliskin
Partner
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP