Betsy Gonzalez: There’s No “I” in Team
A well-known industry veteran, FM’s Betsy Gonzalez is a true believer that it takes a team to make things happen.
Women Leaders in Meetings
Women Leaders in Meetings spotlights the remarkable women shaping the future of meetings. These trailblazing leaders not only excel in their fields but also championing inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment at the highest levels.
These features celebrate the resilience, innovation, and leadership of women making a difference in the world of meetings. From C-suite executives to creative directors, these leaders are transforming the industry and leaving a legacy of empowerment.
Women Leads in Meetings is sponsored by Visit Atlantic City.
From the nation’s first Boardwalk to a long legacy of welcoming visitors, the destination has always led the way in creating standout experiences. That legacy continues today through state-of-the-art venues, convenient transportation, and a compact footprint that keeps attendees close to everything they need. In Atlantic City, history inspires innovation, and every event benefits from a destination designed to perform with purpose.
Ada Maria Allende: Lead With Empathy
Strong leaders create space for others to contribute and ask good questions, but still must be able to make the tough decisions, says this Skift Meetings Woman Leader in Meetings.
Karen Heslin: Never Stop Asking Questions
Her intuitiveness and willingness to learn have helped Karen Heslin at each stage in her career — especially in her transition from planning to procurement.
Agnès Canonica: Meeting Planners Are Inherently Leaders
Even if they don't have a team at the office, meeting planners are the leaders of their events, says Agnès Canonica, our February Woman Leader in Meetings.
Angie Ahrens: Empathy Is the Most Important Leadership Skill
A self-described “recovering people pleaser and have-to-do-it-all person,” Angie Ahrens says she is always learning more about herself and how to be a stronger leader.
Carrie Davenport: Behind the Scenes and Ahead of the Curve
Carrie Davenport isn’t just producing major programs for Altria. She’s also pushing the events industry to confront its own structural gaps through her work with the Association for Women in Events and the Events Industry Sexual Harassment Task Force.
Allegra Roccato: How Surviving Cancer Taught Her to Lead with Clarity and Perspective
Allegra Roccato's leadership journey has been shaped by personal resilience and a deep commitment to inclusion. She is living proof of the value of empathy, trust, and creative problem-solving.
Morgan Crain: The Leader Who Made Authenticity Her Superpower
As head of global rewards & recognition at Rubrik and a long-time leader at the Incentive Research Foundation, Morgan Crain has learned that one of her strongest assets is her authenticity.
Women Leaders in Meetings: Marybeth Roberts
Marybeth Roberts was on the forefront of the strategic meetings management movement decades ago. Today she is as passionate as ever about innovating and driving cost efficiencies.
Women Leaders in Meetings: Cassandra Farrington
Cassandra Farrington didn’t just build a media brand, she helped professionalize an industry long dismissed as fringe. By turning MJBizCon into the must-attend event for cannabis professionals, she proved that credibility, scale, and community could grow even in the most uncharted business terrain.