Washington, DC — Women in Government Relations (WGR) today announced the program for its seventh annual National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit, a two-day virtual event taking place April 29–30.

Framed around the theme “Advancing Belonging & Inclusion in Government Relations and Policy,” the Summit will bring together government relations, public affairs, and advocacy professionals from across the country for expert-led sessions and practical conversations on inclusive engagement, coalition-building, and leadership strategies shaping the future of the profession.

A keynote session examining the intersection of race, media, and public opinion will anchor the program, offering data-driven insights into how narratives and perception influence policy engagement and advocacy outcomes.

“I have attended every Summit since its inception and each year it gets better and more on point - evolving to meet the challenges and interests of our members. This year, is no different,” said Alpha Lillstrom Cheng of Lillstrom Cheng Strategies and member of the WGR Board of Directors. 

Program sessions will explore:

• Strategies for inclusive and effective stakeholder engagement
• Building and sustaining diverse coalitions in complex policy environments
• Leadership approaches that strengthen credibility and impact
• Communicating across differences in an increasingly polarized landscape

Following the virtual program, an in-person reception will provide attendees the opportunity to deepen connections and continue the conversation.

“As a past DEI Summit Co-Chair and current Chair of the WGR DEI Committee, I’ve seen how this convening helps professionals strengthen their approach to inclusive advocacy,” said Rayven Davis Fugitt. “This year’s program continues that work by offering practical strategies for building trust, engaging authentically, and driving more effective policy outcomes.”

The 2026 DEI Summit, a signature event for WGR, is co-chaired by Gerri Madrid-Davis of AARP and Denise Murphy McGraw of New York-based public affairs firm Hill, Gosdeck & McGraw. 

Registration is now open:

• $125 for WGR Members
• $175 for Non-Members
• $25 for Public Sector

There are also scholarship opportunities available for WGR members in good standing.  

To view the full program and register, visit: https://lnkd.in/e7Agm_d

About Women in Government Relations (WGR)
Women in Government Relations (WGR) is a professional association dedicated to advancing and empowering women in government relations. Through leadership development, networking, and career advancement opportunities, WGR supports professionals at all stages and strengthens the government relations field.

Women in government relations are navigating increasingly complex leadership landscapes - balancing strategy, influence, and impact across sectors. For those looking to sharpen their leadership approach and expand their network, a new opportunity this spring is worth serious consideration.

The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (CEPL) is hosting its upcoming Executive Women’s Leadership Program (EWLP) from September 16-18, 2026 - a three-day, fully virtual leadership intensive designed specifically for women ready to lead with greater confidence and clarity.

A Leadership Experience Built for Real-World Application

Unlike traditional lecture-style programs, EWLP is intentionally designed to be interactive and immediately applicable. Participants engage in collaborative discussions, hands-on exercises, and executive coaching that translate directly into their day-to-day leadership roles.

The program brings together women from across industries - public affairs, government, nonprofit, and private sector - creating a dynamic, cross-sector learning environment that reflects the realities of today’s leadership challenges.

What Sets EWLP Apart

EWLP stands out for its practical, accessible, and community-driven approach:

• Fully virtual format: participate from anywhere without stepping away from your work and responsibilities

• Highly interactive sessions: focused on real-time learning, not passive listening

• Cross-sector cohort model: gain insights from diverse perspectives across industries

• Accessible pricing: university-backed leadership development at a more attainable cost

• Lasting professional network: build meaningful relationships that extend well beyond the program

• Ongoing mentorship: continued support from faculty director Leslie Grossman and the EWLP network

Exclusive Discount for WGR Members

To support the WGR community, CEPL is offering:

• 10% off registration for all WGR members

• Up to 20% off if five or more WGR members enroll

When applying, participants should indicate their WGR membership to receive the discount.

Why This Matters for WGR Members

Leadership in government relations requires more than technical expertise - it demands confidence, adaptability, and the ability to lead across stakeholders and sectors. Programs like EWLP offer a structured space to refine those skills while building a network of peers who understand the unique challenges of this work.

If you’ve been thinking about investing in your professional growth, this is a strong, practical option that fits into a busy schedule.

How to Learn More and Apply

• Explore the program: https://cepl.cps.gwu.edu/executive-womens-leadership-program

• Apply here: https://cepl.cps.gwu.edu/executive-education-programs-application-form

For questions, you can reach out directly to Rachel Mahmud at r.mahmud@email.gwu.edu.

Strong leaders don’t just emerge - they’re developed intentionally. This September, WGR members have a clear opportunity to do exactly that.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women in Government Relations Announces DEI Summit on Race, Media, and Policy 

By Denise Murphy McGraw, DEI Summit Co-Chair

Washington, DC — Women in Government Relations (WGR) today announced the program for its seventh annual National Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit, a two-day virtual event taking place April 29–30.

Framed around the theme “Advancing Belonging & Inclusion in Government Relations and Policy,” the Summit will bring together government relations, public affairs, and advocacy professionals from across the country for expert-led sessions and practical conversations on inclusive engagement, coalition-building, and leadership strategies shaping the future of the profession.

A keynote session examining the intersection of race, media, and public opinion will anchor the program, offering data-driven insights into how narratives and perception influence policy engagement and advocacy outcomes.

“The WGR DEI Summit is about moving beyond conversation to action,” said Gerri Madrid-Davis, DEI Summit Co-Chair. “This year’s program is designed to equip professionals with real tools and strategies to build more inclusive, effective advocacy efforts and stronger coalitions across sectors.”

Program sessions will explore:

• Strategies for inclusive and effective stakeholder engagement
• Building and sustaining diverse coalitions in complex policy environments
• Leadership approaches that strengthen credibility and impact
• Communicating across differences in an increasingly polarized landscape

Following the virtual program, an in-person reception will provide attendees the opportunity to deepen connections and continue the conversation.

“In today’s environment, inclusive leadership is not optional—it’s essential,” said Denise Murphy McGraw, DEI Summit Co-Chair. “This Summit creates space for honest dialogue, practical learning, and relationship-building that will help shape a more representative and impactful government relations community.”

Registration is now open:

• $125 for WGR Members
• $175 for Non-Members
• $25 for Public Sector

To view the full program and register, visit: 2026 Summit Program Outline.

About Women in Government Relations (WGR)
Women in Government Relations is a professional society dedicated to advancing women in government relations through leadership development, networking, and professional growth opportunities.

We had an incredible night at the 11th Annual Governors’ Reception! This year, we were thrilled to honor Dana Fritz, Chief of Staff to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. These two are what we like to call our “celebrity governors” - hugely popular, always in demand, and very hard to get in the same room. So having both of them with us was a huge win.

Packed House (And Then Some!)

We typically expect around 130–150 people at this event, but this year we absolutely blew past that. We welcomed 220 guests!

Great Engagement From Our Honored Guests

Both Governor Sanders and Dana Fritz were generous with their time, each staying to chat with attendees, connect with our members, and spend time with sponsors. Their teams were equally engaged, which made for an energetic, high-value evening for everyone there.

Sponsors Were All Smiles

Our sponsors had a fantastic night. They got plenty of quality time with the governors and their staff, and left feeling extremely positive about the event. The high turnout and strong interest only added to the buzz.

All around, a big success

From the turnout, to the energy in the room, to the star power of our guests, this year’s reception was one of our best yet. We’re already looking forward to next year!

We hope to see you next year for year 12,

-State Relations Task Force Co-Chairs  ]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:47:00 GMT https://www.wgr.org/news/news.asp?id=683962 https://www.wgr.org/news/news.asp?id=683962 A special thank you to our sponsors: Pinpoint Targeting, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Mercedes-Benz North America Corporation, and National Association of Broadcasters. We could have not pulled off this event without your support.

We were joined by Shaneka Henson, Maryland State Delegate and Stacey Rolland, Founder at Zero One Strategies, who led an engaging and insightful discussion on the latest developments in technology policy, providing valuable perspectives on the future landscape.

Tech Talk Takeaways

1. AI is transforming government services, the job market, and various industries, yet ethical guidelines at the state and federal levels remain largely undefined. Constituents are both excited and apprehensive about the future. Delegate Henson highlighted that in Maryland, the primary concerns she hears from constituents regarding technology policy revolve around AI's potential impact on the job market, the risk of job displacement, its use by law enforcement and potential effects on public safety, and the need to ensure public services remain accessible as AI adoption grows and the digital divide widens.

2. While federal activity largely stalls, states continue to lead in passing tech and telecom policies. However, the lack of uniformity across states creates significant compliance hurdles for tech companies and adjacent industries operating nationwide. Navigating different regulations across the country is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses seeking consistency in their operations.

3. While we may not see federal comprehensive legislative action on AI and data privacy moving forward, we may see individual bills on AI move through the National Defense Authorization Act or another broader legislative package. Pressure remains on Leader Schumer and the Senate to move forward on their policy roadmap, and stakeholders wait in anticipation of the upcoming report from the House AI Task Force in December.

4. The landscape of technology policy is evolving as women continue to break into what has traditionally been a male-dominated field, playing an increasingly influential role in shaping key policies. As Stacey Rolland put it, “women bring a maturity to setting tech policy,” and organizations like WGR are crucial to bridging that divide.

Warm regards,

Photo by Event Photography of North America Corporation

A record  number of attendees included governors' staff, non-profit and corporate sponsors, and special guests, including Governor Kevin Stitt (R-OK) and Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS).

The awards ceremony was kicked off by the event Co-Chair Jen Ustynoski, Stateside Associates. She thanked attendees and WEN sponsors for their continued support of women in state government and government relations and introduced the staff award sponsor, Meaghan O'Brien, Director of State Issues at Stateside Associates.

Meaghan introduced Governor Stitt, who shared his praise for Christina Gungoll Lepore, calling her essential for the state of Oklahoma's successful navigation of D.C. as Director of the Washington, D.C. Office. He referenced Christina's long and successful career in state government relations, and described her as well-liked and well-respected by her peers. Christina accepted her Governor’s Staff Award and gave some brief remarks.

Elisabeth Fletcher, the event Co-Chair with Deloitte, then introduced Susan Neely, CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers, as the Governor’s Award sponsor to present the final award to Governor Laura Kelly. Susan spoke of Governor Kelly’s long record of service to the State of Kansas. The Governor was awarded for being a superlative leader, as a state legislator and as a governor, guiding her state through a pandemic and championing growth in Kansas. Her dedication to serving her constituents and willingness to be the kind of leader who rolls up her sleeves and tackles big issues has made her a strong advocate for her constituents and an inspiration to women and men, alike. Governor Kelly's commitment to advancing women in public service is an example for senior leaders in any organization, and we greatly appreciate her past support of WGR. Governor Kelly was invited to the stage to accept her Governor’s Award.

Thank you to our event and WEN sponsors for supporting the 8th Annual Governors Reception.

Attendees enjoyed a roundtable discussion about the progress that has been made and steps that need to be put in place to further protect people from workplace harassment, assault, and retaliation. Although, Congresswoman Speier is retiring from Congress, she remains committed to this issue and helped WGR identify some members to work with in the 118th Congress.

The event was hosted by WGR's Workplace Anti-Harassment Committee.

Last week, Women in Government Relations' Professional Women in Advocacy (PWIA) Conference celebrated its 10th anniversary! Over 200 attendees came together in person at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and dare we say—it was so great to be back in the company of such amazing Government Affairs professionals!

Attendees came together for a kick-off networking reception held on the evening of Sunday, October 2, followed by the next two days filled with content from three learning tracks focused on Government Affairs, Outreach & Engagement and Professional Development. Each track was complete with dynamic speakers who offered great insights and real-time “tips and tricks” that attendees could begin utilizing immediately.

Scenes from PWIA | Jack Conroy Photography

In addition, the conference included six general sessions where speakers addressed the attendees on such topics as: The 2022 Midterm Elections; Owning Your Power and Voice; Women Firsts; Powerhouse Women in the Media; DEI in Advocacy; and Life Lessons Learned. Attendees also had the opportunity to take advantage of 25 minutes of free one-on-one coaching offered by WGR’s network of leadership development experts.

PWIA’s 10th anniversary conference would not have been complete without the inclusion of the Excellence in Advocacy (EIA) Awards, where we honored the greatest amongst those in the Government Affairs & Advocacy professions—congratulations to all the awardees! WGR also recognized its two distinguished members for 2022—Lauren Colicelli (National Association of Realtors) and Shannon Patrick (Centurion Group DC, LLC)—for their outstanding service and commitment to the organization!

On behalf of the planning committee for this year’s PWIA 10th anniversary conference, we would like to extend a very special thank you to all of the conference attendees, speakers and sponsors who helped to make this year’s conference a huge success! Thank you also to the WGR staff for their fantastic support of this conference, as well as to LeeAnn Petersen, PWIA’s creator, for her wisdom and guidance—we are looking forward to what’s ahead for our profession in the next 10 years—and we look forward to celebrating with you for our 20th anniversary!

Sincerely,

Lauren Colicelli and Gamble Hayden
PWIA Conference Co-Chairs

Women in Government Relations is excited to announce the program for this year's Professional Women in Advocacy Conference! This year’s theme, "Defining a Decade: Honoring the Past, Advocating for the Future, highlights all we have learned from the past and how women use that knowledge to advocate for the future. Join us October 3–⁠4 at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC for robust education and countless opportunities to make connections in person!

This year's program—designed to celebrate 10 years of PWIA—includes keynote speakers, three breakout tracks, the 10th Annual Excellence in Advocacy Awards and countless opportunities for making connections in person!

Check out the full program line up here.

Registration is open! Register ahead of the early bird deadline on August 19 and save!

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Women in Government Relations presents the 10th Annual Professional Women in Advocacy (PWIA) Conference The conference strengthens professionals at all career levels who are working in any aspect of advocacy including federal, state or local government relations, public relations, public affairs, community activism, coalitions, public policy, campaigns, PAC and grassroots, politics, legislation, and communications. Find out more at www.pwiaconference.org.

WGR held its 3rd Annual DEI Summit on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27, joining nearly 200 government affairs professionals combined virtually and in-person for content focused on unpacking Allyship, Ownership and Action.

The theme of this year’s DEI Summit was “Many Voices, Many Hands,” which signifies the role that all of us play, working together in helping to make the world more diverse, equitable and inclusive. This year’s event featured inspiring keynotes, panels and concurrent sessions, as well as the first-ever DEI Summit “Action Hours,” where attendees could come together and put into practice everything that they had learned from their sessions.

On the final day, the closing keynote address, “Leading for Diversity: Taking a Risk for Such a Time as This” was delivered by Dr. Monica Almond, Founder and CEO, The Almond Group, followed by an in-person networking reception.

WGR would like to extend a special thank you to DEI Committee Co-Vice Chairs and DEI Summit Co-Chairs Vieshnavi Rattehalli and Larkin Willis, as well as to the members of the DEI Summit Planning Committee for their leadership, dedication and commitment to making this year’s DEI Summit a huge success!

Authentic Voices Highlight Key Focus Areas of Summit

Women in Government Relations (WGR) will be hosting its 3rd Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27. The theme for this year’s event is “Many Voices, Many Hands,” which invites government relations professionals to join together in dialogue that transcends lines of difference to advance more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. 

This year’s Summit will focus on three key learning areas - Ownership, Allyship and Action. These areas represent the important paths through which government relations professionals (and everyone) can move as we continue to grow within our DEI journey. In recognition (and honor) of these continuing life lessons, WGR has developed a blog series featuring authentic voices that will highlight the Ownership, Allyship and Action that is necessary for genuine and purposeful DEI connections.

Kicking off the series is a blog post focusing on Allyship written by Danielle M. Jones, Confidential Associate, Office of Governmental Affairs & Community Relations, Brookdale Community College. Click here to read Danielle’s blog.

For more information on WGR’s 3rd Annual DEI Summit, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/WGRDEI22

Photo by Jack Conroy

The event program began with Heather Grant of the Embassy of Canada welcoming everyone to the reception and sharing how the Canadian government shares WGR’s focus of supporting and empowering women. WGR President Kate Shenk took the podium next to talk about WGR’s excitement to celebrate the awardees as leaders in the halls of Congress. Next, Jean-Francois Hould from the Quebéc Government Office in Washington spoke about Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina. Hould highlighted how the Congresswoman has broken barriers in her career and actively engaged with WGR in her first term of Congress. Amanda Armistead from Amazon spoke next to share some words about Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada. Armistead shared how the Congresswoman has been a long-time supporter of WGR throughout her time in Congress and her continued commitment to empowering women. WGR Congressional Outreach Committee Chair Laura Morgan-Kessler closed out the evening.

WGR would like to thank the Embassy of Canada for co-hosting the reception in their beautiful embassy, as well as the event sponsors and WEN members, without whom the event would not have been possible.  A special thank you to all the WGR members who came out to the reception and made the evening a resounding success.

Women in Government Relations seeks presenters for our Professional Women in Advocacy Conference

October 3⁠-⁠4, 2022 I In-Person I Washington, DC

It was a lovely evening of sipping, sampling, and socializing with a sold out crowd! This year's theme, Stop & Smell the Rosé included a tasting of four varieties of rosé as a way to celebrate the return of spring.

Thank you to our event sponsors, Equilibrium (Part of Fiscal Note), Meguire Whitney, Québec Government Office in Washington, Michael Torrey Associates, LLC, and Foundation for Nuclear Studies. Thank you to Winning Connections for graciously hosting us in their townhouse.

Photo by Jack Conroy

The night was attended in record numbers by numerous governor’s staff, non-profit and corporate sponsors, and special guests, including Governor Laura Kelly (D-KS) and Governor Larry Hogan (R-MD). The awards ceremony was kicked off by the event Co-Chair Jen Ustynoski, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the National Association of Home Builders. She thanked attendees and WEN sponsors for their continued support of women in state government and government relations and introduced the staff award sponsor, Toney Anaya, Global Head of Government Relations at DoorDash. Toney shared his praise for Amelia, citing that she is the first woman gubernatorial Chief of Staff for the State of Maryland, her long and successful career in state government relations, and how she is a well-liked and well-respected by her peers. He then invited Amelia onstage to accept her Governor’s Staff Award and provide brief remarks.

Brooke Parker, the event Co-Chair and Manager with Deloitte, then introduced Heidi Green, Managing Director at Deloitte, as the Governor’s Award sponsor to present the final award to Governor Lujan Grisham. Heidi spoke of Governor Lujan Grisham’s long record of service to the State of New Mexico, as the nation’s first Democratic Latina Governor, and recently the founder and co-chair of the Democratic Governors Association’s Women Governors Fund, the first and only fundraising initiative dedicated to electing more women governors. She added that Governor Lujan Grisham has worked tirelessly on efforts of equal pay for women, access to affordable healthcare, and improving the public education system. Heidi invited Governor Lujan Grisham onstage to accept her Governor’s Award and provided brief remarks.

Thank you to our event and WEN sponsors for supporting the 7th Annual Governors Reception. If you missed the event, you can watch a recording of the program here.

Additional Resources

• MiQuel Davies, Physicians for Reproductive Health contact info: mdavies@prh.org
• Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force: https://www.wacdtf.org/
• National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org/
  

WGR Open Forums welcome all WGR members to join together in critical conversation. WGR’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee values member feedback in our shared work. Do you have another topic in mind, or feedback on this forum? Contact us directly at dei.wgr@gmail.com or complete this anonymous survey.

This month’s blog is authored by DEI Co-Vice Chair Larkin Willis.

If you are interested in learning more about WGR's Executive Leadership Forum, you can do so here. To view a list of our current members click here. 

WGR’s second annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit concluded on July 22 after bringing together nearly 300 government relations professionals. This year’s theme, Forward Together, recognized the DEI challenges that we are facing and provided the opportunity to reflect on and learn from the past while positioning ourselves to lead for the future.

Day 1: Diversity

• We opened the day with a Launch Presentation from Dr. Janice Underwood which focused on the current state of diversity, equity & inclusion, and the importance of allyship in navigating this space.
• The two concurrent panel discussions focused on the need for greater diversity within the field of government relations, and the importance of partnering with universities to help build a more diverse corporate pipeline.
• We rounded out the day’s focus with two powerful workshops: From the AAPI community, discussing solutions for addressing racism; and from an organizational lens, learning about a proven, continuous improvement model for maximizing your impact in DEI work.

Day 2: Equity

• Ericka Hines, Principal at Every Level Leadership, launched the day with an invitation to collective action that advances more equitable futures.
• The Town Hall discussion highlighted the conditions that are necessary for organizations to create more equitable atmospheres that support staff to thrive.
• We rounded out the day’s focus with two powerful workshops: one sharpened our skills for DEI-orientated workplace conversations, the other provided problem-solving strategies that we can apply in our DEI efforts to advance DEI across contexts.
  

Day 3: Inclusion

• We opened the day with a Fireside Chat between two industry thought-leaders, who discussed the importance of workplace cultures that establish a sense of belonging and actions we can take to provide more inclusive spaces.
• The concurrent workshops focused on skill-building for living the work -- one focused on seeding and sustaining organizational DEI strategies, while the other honed the knowledge, skills and abilities required for inclusive leadership.
• We rounded out the day’s focus with a dynamic panel discussion, which explored the opportunities and tensions around incorporating inclusion into the workplace.

Each day concluded with networking breakout rooms to allow for attendees to discuss and debrief what they learned throughout the summit. We are so grateful for our volunteers and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for making this event a success. We are excited for our third annual summit in 2022! 

Continue the conversation by joining  the next Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Monthly Meeting. Register here. 

WGR’s second annual DEI Summit will build upon the impact of last year’s Summit which brought together nearly 300 government relations professionals. This year’s theme, Forward Together, recognizes the DEI challenges that we are facing and provides the opportunity to reflect and learn from the past while positioning ourselves for the future.

We invite your organization to participate in the Summit as a sponsor at any level or consider sending a team to participate. The registration fee has purposely been kept low and we have group rates for organizations wanting to send multiple people.

Women need our support now more than ever, and we are dedicated to providing resources and information to help women excel and LEAD in our field.

For more information on the Summit, contact us.

WGR’s second annual DEI Summit will build upon the impact of last year’s Summit which brought together nearly 300 government relations professionals. This year’s theme, Forward Together, recognizes the DEI challenges that we are facing and provides the opportunity to reflect and learn from the past while positioning ourselves for the future.

We invite your organization to participate in the Summit as a sponsor at any level or consider sending a team to participate. The registration fee has purposely been kept low and we have group rates for organizations wanting to send multiple people.

Women need our support now more than ever, and we are dedicated to providing resources and information to help women excel and LEAD in our field.

For more information on the Summit, contact us.

On June 1, 2021, the Workplace Anti-Harassment Committee (WAHC) held an interactive training designed to explore the basics of workplace harassment, state and federal legislation on the issue, and challenges to passing anti harassment legislation. 

Elizabeth Bille, Senior Vice President, Workplace Culture at Everfi, began the training with opening remarks. Since the #MeToo movement, there has been growing consensus that the traditional practices used by many employers in the past have not been terribly effective at preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. As a result, numerous states--including California, New York, Illinois, and more--have enacted legislation requiring employers to greatly amplify their anti-harassment efforts. 

During this session, Elizabeth discussed the state of sexual harassment in the U.S. today and the current legislative landscape. She also reviewed key data points that can be used to make a business case for new anti-harassment initiatives as well as to inform the contents of harassment prevention policies, including:

• The economic, organizational, and individual impacts of sexual harassment

• Organizational risk factors of harassment

• EEOC recommendations for employer action

• Empirical research about effective practices

Andrea Johnson, Director of State Policy, Workplace Justice & Cross-Cutting Initiatives, National Women’s Law Center, Maya Raghu, Director of Workplace Equality & Senior Counsel, National Women’s Law Center, and Abbey Philips, MSW, Chief of Staff, Virginia Senator Jennifer McClellan led the next section of the training- reviewing components of state and federal policy. 

While training is a common way to prevent workplace harassment, the presenters stressed the need for culture based, peer led and bystander training focused on civility. They also noted that states were seeking to expand workplace harassment protections to include independent contractors and that more reform was needed to ensure low wage and minority populations created policies. Some states were also expanding the statute of limitations to extend past one year. 

Abbey Phillips described efforts in Virginia to pass anti harassment legislation, where advocates learned that a lack of understanding of the definition of workplace harassment, as well as opposition from the business community, prevented passage in 2021. 

Lastly, attendees divided into breakout groups to discuss trends and opportunities for future legislation. The groups noted the need for an external platform like a hotline or ombudsman, and efforts to classify anti harassment efforts as health and safety reforms as opposed to only civil rights initiatives. 

The content and ideas shared were an excellent opportunity to explore ways to pass anti harassment legislation. The WAHC will also use the information shared to inform future WGR programming and strategy on this critical issue. 

The night started with an intimate VIP Reception that included sponsors, WGR leaders and other stakeholders. Event Co-Chair Jane Williams, the Former Acting Administrator for the Federal Transit Administration led a Q&A with Senator Capito and Rep. Napolitano. They shared insight on how to support and prepare the next generation of female leaders, how they manage stress and insight into the upcoming infrastructure package.

The evening then transitioned to the general session where event Co-chair Cristina Antelo, CEO of Ferox Strategies awarded Rep. Napolitano with the 2021 Outstanding Member of Congress Award. Antelo highlighted Rep. Napolitano’s dedication to the advancement of women, support of WGR and being a champion for the transportation industry over the years.

Cristina then introduced Anne Wilson, Head of Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Viatris who awarded Senator Capito with the 2021 Outstanding Member of Congress Award.  Wilson highlighted Senator Capito’s commitment to bipartisanship, her rise in leadership including moving from the House to the Senate and becoming a Ranking Member of EPW as well as her efforts to serve as a model and mentor to women.

The Hill reporter, Alex Gangitano, moderated a fireside chat with our honorees. Gangitano asked the honorees about their relationships with other members of Congress and Senator Capito shared her experience of monthly dinners with other female Senators.

The final award of the evening was presented to Andrea King the 2021 Public Sector Honoree. Cristina Antelo recognized King for her work professionally and personally to better her community including her role as a WGR Co-Chair for the Health & Social Policies Task Force and her volunteer work on mental health issues with the DC medical reserve corps.

For the final half hour of the program attendees moved in to virtual breakout rooms lead by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA), Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) and Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) for intimate conversations and networking.  

Thank you to our event and WEN sponsors for supporting the 2021 Congressional Reception.