Former Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine and Best Selling Author Kate White to Keynote the Chamber’s 2024 Women In Leadership Luncheon

The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Berkshire Bank, announced on International Women’s Day 2024 the highly anticipated third annual Women In Leadership Luncheon! The luncheon and networking event is scheduled to take place at the historic Carriage Barn of Park-McCullough in North Bennington, Vermont, on Wednesday, May 15th, from 12pm to 3pm. This event promises enriching conversations on careers and leadership, alongside a delectable catered lunch provided by Pangaea.

The highlight of this year's luncheon is the keynote address by speaker and author Kate White, former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine. Kate White is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen novels of suspense, including The Last Time She Saw Him (due out on May 14). For fourteen years Kate served as the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan, which under her became the most successful magazine in single copy sales in the U.S. Though she loved her magazine career, she decided to leave ten years ago to concentrate full-time on another passion: writing suspense fiction. She is also the author of several bestselling career books, including I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This: How to Ask for the Money, Snag the Promotion, and Create the Career You Deserve, and the ground-breaking Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. Married and the mother of two children, she divides her time between New York City and Las Flores, Uruguay. She holds an honorary doctorate of letters from her alma mater, Union College.

Joining women from across the region, attendees can look forward to candid discussions on navigating career paths with confidence, learning from successful women who have overcome challenges, and discovering what motivates and drives them to excel in their respective fields. The event aims not only to celebrate and uplift women leaders but also to foster lasting connections and collaborations among participants.

"We are honored to welcome Kate White as our keynote speaker for this year's Women In Leadership Luncheon," remarked Lori Kiely, Vermont Regional President of Berkshire Bank, the Presenting Sponsor of the event. Berkshire Bank and the Center for Women, Wellness & Wealth feel it is important to bring the community together and provide resources, education and engagement space where women can accelerate to protect their wealth and well-being. "Kate’s expertise and passion for empowering women make her an ideal choice to inspire and motivate our attendees. We extend our gratitude to the Southwestern Vermont Chamber for organizing this impactful event, and we look forward to a day filled with inspiration and growth."

In addition to the keynote address, the luncheon will feature the presentation of several awards, including the Woman of the Year, Young Woman in Leadership, and Lifetime Achievement awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to leadership and service in the community. Nominations for these awards can be submitted through the Chamber's website: www.SWVTChamber.com/WomenLuncheon

Following the luncheon, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in a book signing event featuring Kate White, hosted by Northshire Bookstore. White will be available to sign copies of her latest books and engage with fans from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at The Stable at Park-McCullough’s Carriage Barn. This intimate session presents a unique chance for attendees to connect with one of the most influential voices in women's leadership and gain personalized insights from her vast experience in the publishing industry. Don't miss this special opportunity to meet White and discover her invaluable wisdom firsthand. White’s books will also be available for purchase at the Northshire kiosk store on site.

"As the event designer and manager, I am thrilled to bring together such an inspiring lineup of speakers and experiences for our 2024 Women In Leadership Luncheon,” remarked Mikaela Lewis, Event Manager with the Chamber of Commerce. “Our goal is to create a dynamic environment where women can connect, learn, and leave feeling empowered to pursue their own leadership journeys. From the historic setting of Park-McCullough's Carriage Barn to the engaging keynote by Kate White, this event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of women's achievements and aspirations.” 

Limited tickets for the 2024 Women In Leadership Luncheon are available for purchase at www.SWVTChamber.com/WomenLuncheon. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the achievements of women leaders in the Southwestern Vermont region and beyond.