With the goal of enhancing women senior associates’ leadership skills, McGuireWoods held its 12th Women’s Leadership Development Forum (WLDF) May 2-3, 2024, at the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.
The associate-participants included Nicole M. Allaband, Jessica Barrera, Emily G. Blair, Laura J. Cooley, Megan Italiano, Emily Erb Kelley, Laura Grace Mezher, Alice O’Donovan, Sarah Y. Oh, Anne Curtis Saunders, Samantha E. Aparicio Wallace, Kelly A. Warlich, Brooke A. Weedon and Madison K. B. Wyche.
Women Lawyers Network co-chairs Ali Baiardo and Elaine Sanderlin Ryan opened the two-day forum with a breakfast presentation, sharing stories and lessons from their individual career journeys. Afterward, a dozen McGuireWoods women partners joined the group for an “Ask Anything” dinner, to provide perspectives on life as a partner at the firm.
After breakfast on the second day with firm managing partner J. Tracy Walker IV, participants enjoyed a lunchtime panel featuring insights from WLDF alums — partners Elissa N. Baur, Anna C. Horevay, Melissa O. Martinez and Ashley B. Matthews.