Uniting Women in Operations

Recently, the 2025 Women in Operations Summit united 50 leaders, strengthening a network dedicated to advancing operational excellence. This powerful three-day event at Brosnan Forest saw attendees engage in a dynamic blend of leadership panels, life skills workshops, and breakout sessions, gaining perspectives to navigate challenges, drive innovation, and amplify their impact.

Highlights:

• Annie Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer, discussed reviving the SPIRIT values, elevating talent strategy, scaling veteran outreach, and focusing on holistic benefits. She expressed pride while recognizing the Dollars for Doers campaign, where employees collectively contributed $1M+ and 10,000+ volunteer hours.
  • "Our impact is greatest when we are authentic to the values and priorities of the company," Adams said.
• Pioneering Change Panel was moderated by Jamie Helmer who moderated an open discussion with Annie Adams, Betsy Talton-Buck, Mina De Oliveira, and Angie Kolar. The panel explored their journey of navigating career transitions, relocating for opportunities, and sharing their own lessons in resilience and being adaptable.
• The Leadership Workshop was led by Ikeeta Hilliary where she spoke about identifying key challenges in the workplace and how to solve them. She seamlessly integrated John Orr’s words on how we’re pushing down the identification of problems and problem-solving to the right level.
• John Orr, Chief Operating Officer, emphasized leaders' responsibility to lead with our values and live a Speak Up culture. He referenced the Bradley Curve as an operational model designed to stabilize performance and drive continuous improvement. John delivered a meaningful message, underscoring his responsibility to enhance workplace safety.

A key takeaway: Every individual plays a role in decision-making, and building personal credibility enhances the strength of the entire team.