Women In Leadership Luncheon 2023

Description

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Join Berkshire Bank, in partnership with the Southwestern Vermont Chamber, for a rich and candid lunch with conversations on careers and leadership as we learn how successful women advanced and built their careers with confidence. Find out what inspires them, the challenges they faced along the way, and how they have played a big role in their businesses, organizations and communities.

The Southwestern Vermont Women In Leadership Luncheon celebrates and encourages the many women leaders in the Southwestern Vermont region, while creating connections, partnerships, and friendships with those in attendance.   

The luncheon aims to not only celebrate and encourage women leaders in the Southwestern Vermont region, but to also create life-long connections, partnerships and friendships with those in attendance.  Lunch will be provided by Zoey’s Deli and Bakery and the Chamber staff and Board of Directors.  Lori Kiely, Vermont Regional President of Presenting Sponsor Berkshire Bank, will welcome the group of business, non-profit and community leaders.  Following the welcome, Ashley Austin, new co-owner of the Northshire Bookstore and CEO of ALG Brands, will provide the keynote address.

As Founder and CEO of ALG, a firm specializing in intellectual property rights management for iconic musicians, entertainers and artist estates, Austin brings a fresh approach that is unrivaled in the entertainment industry. Since launching the company in 2013, she has built her professional brand on a philosophy of integrity and an unyielding respect for artistry. Her client roster includes legends such as Daryl Hall & John Oates, Iggy Pop, Bootsy Collins, The Blues Brothers and the estates of Sam Cooke, John Belushi and Dean Martin. During her twenty year career in the music business, she has had the privilege of working with icons including Michael Jackson, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Rick James and more.

A Vermont native, Austin and her husband Scott have called Manchester their home since 2017. She and her sisters Cathleen and Nicole Ihasz acquired the Northshire Bookstore in 2022, taking over management and operations of the store’s locations in Manchester and Saratoga Springs, NY, along with its robust e-commerce business at northshire.com.

 Presented at the conclusion of the luncheon the Chamber and Berkshire Bank will hand out the Woman of the Year award to a woman in 2023 for her outstanding leadership and service to her organization, community and career; Susan Plaisance of Vermont News and Media was the 2022 recipient. The partners will also hand out the Young Woman in Leadership award to a young woman between the ages of 21 and 40 for outstanding leadership and service and who is seen by her peers as a woman on the rise; Kayia Kirk of couch + cork was the 2022 recipient of this award. The final award handed out is the Lifetime Achievement award to a woman who, throughout her lifetime, has made outstanding business/nonprofit leadership contributions to her community, while inspiring other women through mentorship and support; Carolyn Blitz of Old Mill Road Publishing received this award in 2022. To nominate a woman for any of these awards visit: www.SWVTChamber.com/WomenLuncheon