We know that companies with more diverse workforces perform better. We know that when women are in leadership positions, they help to reduce the pay gap. We know that gender balance drives innovation and business value. And yet, in 2018 there were more men named James at the helm of top companies than there were women. This honest presentation will unpack how we got here, and the meaningful steps brand and business leaders can take (as well as those aspiring to work for them) to correct course and thrive in the future.

Heather Stern

Chief Marketing Officer, Lippincott

Heather Stern is chief marketing officer at Lippincott, a consultancy specializing in brand and innovation. A cultivator of industry trends and their impact on brands, she recently spearheaded the firm's award-winning thought leadership campaign, "The Customer of the Future," as well as the original exhibition, "Like Me: Our Bond with Brands," which was featured at the London Design Museum and One World Trade Center in New York City. Throughout her tenure at Lippincott, she has worn a variety of critical hats. Among her achievements, she built the company's integrated marketing team from the ground up, elevated its profile through innovative partnerships and campaigns, and led human resources with a dedication to mentoring employees and creating a working culture attractive to top talent.

Today, Stern serves as a member of the company's management team, helping guide the firm's strategy and direct business development efforts globally. She takes a consultative approach to identifying clients' key challenges and builds multidisciplinary teams across strategy, design, and innovation to solve them. A passionate advocate of women's leadership, Stern co-chairs AIGA's Women Lead Initiative and frequently speaks on gender equity and the business imperative for diversity. She's a natural connector, an avid music lover, a mom of two boys, and a proud alum of Northwestern.