Each year during Women's History Month, the Women's Leadership Institute of Baltimore (WLIB) will present a dynamic speaker or panelists who illustrate the strength, tenacity, and power of women and their contributions locally, nationally, and globally.
Women's History Month Lunch & Panel Discussion

2024 Lunch & Panel Discussion

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Gender Equity in the Workplace

WHEN: Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 12:00 PM
WHERE: Doyle Formal, Doyle Hall (virtual option available)

A distinguished panel of women in professions where women are traditionally underrepresented discuss their own career journeys and offer their solutions to improve gender equity in the workplace. 

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Panelists and Student Moderator: 
 

Tanya Bryan headshot

Tanya A. Bryan
CEO/Founder, Baltimore Nighthawks - Women's Football Alliance
Tanya A. Bryan is the CEO and Founder of the Baltimore Nighthawks women’s tackle football team, which she started in 2007 for the purpose of teaching women in Maryland and the surrounding areas how to play tackle football. Tanya holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University and has held various positions at consumer products or food manufacturing companies over the last 30 years. She is currently a Senior Project Manager at TAI Engineering.
 

Sybil Pentsil headshot

Dr. Sybil Pentsil
Chief Diversity Officer, LifeBridge Health
Dr. Sybil Pentsil is the Chief Diversity Officer of LifeBridge Health. She is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and of Public Health and holds a graduate certificate in the Business of Medicine from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She was Program Director for the Pediatric Residency Program at Sinai Hospital and continues to see patients and teach pediatric residents. She has decades of experience with workforce development, spiritual empowerment, medical literacy, and mentorship.

 

Ellen Shiery headshotEllen D. Shiery
Vice President/Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch
An active community leader, Ellen D. Shiery, CFP®, CDFA® advocates for children in foster care, mental health initiatives and empowering women to change their financial trajectory. Her financial planning practice, Murray, McGehrin & Shiery, was recognized by Forbes as a "Best-in-State Wealth Management Team" in 2023 and serves nonprofits, foundations, endowments and the philanthropically inclined families and individuals who support them. In 2024, she celebrates 20 years in financial services.

Lemma Hejazi headshot

 

Student Moderator: Lemma Hejazi '25, Radiological Sciences Major
Lemma Hejazi ‘25 is a radiological sciences major, with a minor in business, at Notre Dame. She serves as president of the Muslim Student Association. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Lemma recently received Notre Dame’s Outstanding Event Collaboration Award for her part in coordinating a successful Cultural Day to celebrate the diversity of the University’s students, faculty, and staff.

Previous Speakers

The 2022 event featured Dr. Karsonya "Kaye" Wise Whitehead, Founder and Director of the Karson Institute, and Denise Koch, WJZ Anchor, as the moderator.

From an early age, boys are taught to be the boss, tough it out, be in control, show no emotion, and always be the winner. Studies have shown that these expectations lead to a culture where violence against women and girls is normalized. Renowned educator, author, and activist Dr. Whitehead participated in a discussion with Koch on dismantling toxic masculinity and setting boys up for healthy relationships with themselves and others.

2021's inaugural event featured WJZ Anchor Denise Koch and Sheela Murthy, the world-renowned immigration attorney, philanthropist, and justice advocate. They discussed the new book, Being Sheela: The Life Journey of an Immigration Lawyer.