A new Makers conference is less than a month away with a slew of notable names confirmed for the program.
The ninth installment of the event — produced by Makers, a Yahoo media brand and designed to foster a community focused on women’s equity in the workplace and beyond — will take place inside the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 27-29. It will feature a roster of women from the worlds of business, entertainment, tech, finance, policy and sports with the theme of “Making the Future Now.”
Confirmed for the program are Gwyneth Paltrow, Lift Our Voices co-founder Gretchen Carlson, comedian Leslie Jones, Studio One Eighty Nine Abrima Erwiah, actress and writer Riki Lindhome, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund president and CEO Alexis McGill, August co-founder Nadya Okamoto, TV host Michaela Pereira, actress Karen Pittman, Lift Our Voices co-founder Julie Roginsky, former Netflix marketing chief Bozoma Saint John, Center for Reproductive Rights attorney Hillary Schneller, and soccer’s power couple and co-founders of Re-Inc Christen Press and Tobin Heath.
New this year: Makers will kick off with awards honoring “incredible women” who have made strides in equity and impact. The first honoree will be Bethann Hardison, a groundbreaking Black model turned activist. Hardison was the subject of last year’s documentary, Invisible Beauty, which she co-directed with Frederic Tcheng. She is expected to attend the festivities.
“Makers was founded to inspire action and advance gender equity in the workplace and beyond. We know equity is possible when women and allies work together,” said Alicin Williamson, who serves as president of Makers and and chief diversity and culture officer for Yahoo. “The Makers community is one that comes together for thoughtful discussion, workshops, allyship and action to solve the issues of our time.”
Partners on this year’s Makers installment include AdCouncil, Cognizant, Hilton, L’Oreal, lululemon, Hilton, Morgan Stanley, Sony Music Group, UBS, Victoria’s Secret and others.
