Los Angeles, June 18, 2025 – Nearly 600 professionals gathered at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown today for the Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards, a half‑day event hosted by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Designed to uplift women across corporate, entrepreneurial, finance, tech, and nonprofit sectors, the event featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, networking, and an awards ceremony celebrating both established and emerging female leaders.
The morning symposium began at 8 a.m. with breakfast and welcome remarks, followed by a series of dynamic sessions. Topics included visionary leadership in the modern workplace, building influential networks, embracing innovation, and developing a CEO mindset. Distinguished speakers included Paula Bahamon (SVP, Mission Valley Bank), Julie Uhrman (CEO, Angel City Football Club), Dayle M. Smith, PhD (Dean, Loyola Marymount University College of Business), and Martha Santana‑Chin (CEO, L.A. Care Health Plan), among others.
Speakers repeatedly emphasized authenticity and mentorship as fundamental factors in dismantling glass ceilings. Insights from panels such as The Power of People and Risk-Taking & Innovation highlighted how personal connections and bold decision-making accelerate career growth, particularly for women navigating traditionally male-dominated sectors.
Attendees praised the “inspirational atmosphere” and highlighted the event’s value for peer support, calling it a “robust platform for connection and empowerment.” Networking receptions during and after the symposium provided spaces for professionals to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and forge mentorship bonds.
The afternoon Awards Luncheon, beginning around 12:45 p.m., honored outstanding women across diverse industries. In addition to recognizing veteran leaders, the symposium spotlighted emerging women under 35, showcasing a new generation of talent and leadership reshaping Los Angeles’s economic landscape.
The event reinforced a central theme: leadership flourishes when authenticity meets community. Organizers noted that the combination of practical career tools and celebratory acknowledgment of women’s achievements creates a powerful catalyst for ongoing change.
Covering topics from corporate innovation to nonprofit strategy, the Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards offered both inspiration and tangible takeaways. As the Los Angeles economy continues growing, the event marks a significant moment in advancing gender equity in leadership roles.