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About this event
This is a monthly series of discussions with prominent Chief People Officers. Through an ongoing series of discussions with top people leaders, we will illustrate the vital strategic nature of the role the CPO plays as one of the most critical C-Suite and Board engaged leaders of the organization. Each year, this series culminates in a building report of the lessons learned and the predictions we see for the future. The conversations are designed to bring out insights based on the unique backgrounds of each CPO, as well as shape a common framework for the strategic positioning of the CPO in the organization based on specific questions on strategy that will be asked of each CPO.
This month features Donna Morris Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Walmart.
Experts
Donna Morris Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer
Donna Morris is the executive vice president and chief people officer for Walmart, a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer dedicated to helping people save money and live better. A member of the executive committee, Donna strives to make Walmart a great place to work for the more than 2 million associates around the world who contribute to the growth and success of the global business.
Driving Walmart’s people-led focus, Donna’s teams are committed to providing opportunity for associates to grow and belong, building a workplace that empowers associates by prioritizing emotional, physical and financial well-being and unlocking their potential by implementing digital tools to improve the work experience. Under her leadership, Walmart and Sam’s Club in the U.S. (2023), Walmart China (2022, 2023) and Massmart (2022, 2023) have been certified as a "Great Place to Work.”
Donna has significant leadership experience in delivering innovative people solutions, developing teams that operate in an agile way and building high-performance cultures that promote diversity and inclusion. Prior to joining Walmart in 2020, Donna spent more than 17 years at Adobe, where she held a variety of leadership roles, most recently serving as chief human resources officer and executive vice president of employee experience.
A native of Ottawa, Canada, Donna has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Carleton University. Donna holds the Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Senior HR Professional (SHRP) and Canadian Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designations and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR).
Donna is on the Board of Trustees at Fordham University in New York, a member of the board of directors of PhonePe – India’s leading digital payments and financial services platform – and the renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Donna’s leadership at Walmart has led her to being named to the inaugural Forbes Future of Work 50 list, Mass Market Retailer’s “Most Influential Women in Retailing” and a Top 100 HR Tech influencer by Human Resource Executive.
Belen Gomez Vice President Strategic Initiatives & Communications
Belen Gomez is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Communications and oversees operations and partnerships related to Equilar’s corporate governance research. She also leads Equilar’s Diversity Network (EDN) initiative focused on increasing diverse representation in boardrooms across the globe. Through the EDN program, Belen established partnerships with leading ethnic and gender diversity-focused organizations creating a “registry of registries” of board-ready executives. EDN partners include Catalyst, 30% Club, CalPERS and CalSTRS, Committee of Economic Development, among others.
With more than ten years in the corporate governance industry, Belen has extensive experience working with boards and senior executives from Silicon Valley start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Prior to joining Equilar, she managed executive leadership development and board recruitment practices where she worked closely with board leadership and potential candidates to place top board talent.
Belen often speaks publicly on board diversity and corporate governance matters, including events hosted by the Society for Corporate Governance, NASDAQ, Stanford Women on Boards, National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP), and Global Equity Organization (GEO). Her research on board composition and executive compensation has been cited in several regional, national, and trade publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Directorship, Directors & Boards, and Agenda
Hosts
Coco Brown CEO
Coco Brown is the Founder and CEO of Athena Alliance. Athena has helped thousands of leaders build their Portfolio of Impact and grow and advance in their executive careers. The company has also brought almost 500 women to corporate boards from growth stage private companies to name brand public companies. Coco has personally worked with hundreds of top leaders, CEOs and boards to evolve modern leadership. She’s served on ten commercial and non-profit boards and advisory boards, and has led two notable companies (Taos, acquired by IBM, and now Athena). She is part of Nasdaq's Governance Insights Council, and is often called on to share guidance to the evolving focus and breadth of responsibility within the Modern Boardroom. Coco was recently named one of the 100 Most Powerful People of Silicon Valley.
Thu, Jun 13 @ 12:00pm PT (0.75 hrs)
VIRTUAL (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
Salon
Upcoming Events
Join us for a Salon or Meetup to get a peek inside our community! Peer Groups and Learning Circles are exclusively for members - log in here
- ALL events
- A Look Inside Athena
- Peer Group
- Salon
- Meetup
- Orientation
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena is held monthly for prospect members to come and understand how Athena works. They will learn more about the backstory of Athena, see a tour of our platform, and have the opportunity to discuss more of what they are interested in and ask questions about joining our community.
Salons
Learn about the most pressing topics facing executives today in an intimate, yet casual, virtual setting. Hosted by board directors and leaders from the world's top brands.
Meetups
Gather with Athena members in your area for a casual, in-person Meetup. These are planned by request and hosted by Athena members in various cities. If you're interested in hosting and/or joining a meetup in the future, reach out to the Member Success Team and let them know.
Peer Groups
We have an incredible community of female leaders at Athena and we want to bring you closer together! Join a Peer Group and build a network of peers you can engage with for guidance, lessons learned and insights around a shared interest. Choose a topic that most interests you or drop in and out of multiple peer groups as it suits you best. You’ll find at least one peer group available to join every week. Each live session goes for one hour, no preparation is needed, just show up as you are. We look forward to seeing you there!
Learning Circles
A Learning Circle is an opportunity to connect with a small group of other Athena members in a focused yet casual setting, creating accountability around targeted learning to assist you in achieving your goals. Over the course of 6 sessions, club members will meet every 2 weeks to participate in an organic, peer-led discussion of the session's "chapters" consisting of 1-2 Athena salons which are to be reviewed on your own prior to the group session. When joining, members are committing to completing all 6 sessions.
Guided Networking
Typically led by one of Athena's coaches, networking events provide members an opportunity to meet one another in a smaller intimate and virtual setting.
Partner Events
These are typically in-person events led by Coco and our partnering companies on topics that are relevant to the industry and audience of our business partners.
Workshops
A workshop is an interactive session for members to actively practice something, such as their pitch. These sessions typically involve breakout rooms, member to member feedback and are not recorded.
Orientations
For members new to Athena looking for ways to engage, these bi-weekly orientations led by an Athena Member Success Manager, provide a live tour of Athena, member success insights, and a chance to get questions answered.
Enterprise Events
Athena customizes virtual learning events with expert business leaders tailored to a unique company’s needs. These events cultivate cross-functional community, development, and learning across the partner organization.
Other
Athena listens and we're always adding new event types and opportunities for members to engage. See what new events we are currently offering members.
No Upcoming Events Found.
Fri, Nov 08 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Alice Brennan, Delida Costin
Meetup
Member Meetup: Empowerment Evening in Los Angeles, CA (6:00-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Donna Raphael
Salon
Experienced Board Director AMA with Nina Vaca
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nina Vaca
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Salon
Women in Revenue x Athena: Executive Elevate Info Session 3
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Christina Mitine, Christine Jennings
Salon
Trailblazing Founders: Breaking Through Invisible Boundaries
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Deepti Pahwa
Salon
Architecting Your Next Chapter Info Session
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Experts: Jane Firth
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Meetup
Member Meetup: Athena Walking Group in Mountain View, CA (5:15-7:45 PM PT)
Host: Barbara Troupin
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Meetup
Member Meetup: Windy City Rendezvous in Chicago, IL (6:00-8:00 PM CT)
Host: Meghan Anzelc
Salon
Sustainable Innovation: At the Speed of Light and at the Edge of Space
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Rika Nakazawa
Meetup
Member Meetup: Athena Alliance Westchester Dinner in White Plains, NY (6:30-8:30 PM ET)
Host: Juhi Saha
Experts: Alia Zaharudin, Olajobi (Jobi) Makinwa
Salon
Info Session on Athena Academy Board Readiness Course
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
How Prescient Boards Evaluate Compliance Offices and Provide Oversight
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Avril Ussery Sisk
Meetup
Speaking Engagement: The Dharma of Money and Your Professional Portfolio of Impact in Tiburon, CA (4:30-8:00 PM PT)
Host: Alison Davis
Experts: Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Coco Brown
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Anika Howard, CEO of Wondr Nation
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Anika Howard, Sheila Bangalore
Fri, Nov 22 @ 11:00am PT (0.75 hrs)
Virtual (Join us remotely! RSVP for link)
Open to Public
A Look Inside Athena
Discover Athena: Inside Look and Conversation
Host: Justin Reeves
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
Black Women Thriving
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Julianna Hynes, Maeve Richard
Peer Group
Nom/Gov Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Karen Cone
Peer Group
Navigating a Career Transition
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Salon
Info Session for Unleash Your Impact Course
Host: Jocelyn King
Salon
Become an Investor
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Lilia Shirman
Peer Group
Go-to-Market Leaders
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Rebecca Jones
Meetup
Member Meetup: Athena Alliance Brunch in Brooklyn, NY (1:00-3:00 PM ET)
Host: Rachel Owens
Experts: Neeha Curtis
Salon
Nailing the Board Interview
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Nora Denzel
Peer Group
The Board and Beyond for Women in Law
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Alice Brennan
Salon
Networking Strategies for Board Roles
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Katrinka McCallum
Peer Group
Athena's Book Club
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Anna Goranson, Mirna Daouk
Peer Group
Audit Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Carol Coughlin, Katrinka McCallum
Salon
Ripped from the Headlines: Risk, Crisis & Tech Governance in Turbulent Times with Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Andrea Bonime-Blanc
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Peer Group
Board Readiness Course Alumnae
Host: Erin Essenmacher
Salon
Chairing the Nominations and Governance Committee
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Alice Brennan
Peer Group
Engineering and Product Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: SuiLin Yap
Salon
How to Be a Human-Centered Leader and Stay Focused on Performance and Results
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Maria Ross
Peer Group
Unleash Your Impact Alumnae
Host: Jocelyn King
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Jacqui Canney, CPO of ServiceNow
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Jacqui Canney
A Look Inside Athena
A Look Inside Athena
Host: Coco Brown
Peer Group
Compensation Committee
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Suja Chandrasekaran
Peer Group
HR Leadership
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Geoff Balzano
Peer Group
Life Sciences Professionals
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Barbara Troupin
Peer Group
First Time Board Members
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Cate Goethals
Peer Group
Building a Company
Host: Cata Chacon
Experts: Coco Brown
Orientation
Athena Member Orientation
Host: Athena Member Success Manager
Salon
Strategies for Women at All Career Stages to Excel and Secure a Corporate Board Seat
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Keith Dorsey
Salon
The Leader's Voice Playbook
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Dia Bondi
Salon
CEO Perspectives with Walter Bugno, CEO of Games Global
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Walter Bugno, Sheila Bangalore
Salon
Introduction to the Audit Committee
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Katrinka McCallum, Carol Coughlin
Salon
The Power of Mentorship
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheri Miksa
Salon
CHRO Perspectives with Karen Fascenda, CPO of Udemy
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Karen Fascenda, Belen Gomez
Salon
Receiving Feedback Well
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Elena Krasnoperova
Salon
Experienced Board Director AMA with Sheila Bangalore
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sheila Bangalore
Salon
When To Quit Your Job
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Kelli Dragovich
Meetup
Member Meetup: Leadership Luncheon in Pleasanton, CA (12:00-2:00 PM PT)
Host: Christine Heckart
Salon
Ethical and Responsible AI: A Governance Framework for Boards
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Sonita Lontoh
Salon
Board KPIs and Data Governance
Host: Coco Brown
Experts: Helen Lin, Eli Potter
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