Happy Saturday, and welcome to CEO Speaks for Saturday, May 18th, 2024, sponsored exclusively by Second Wind Consultants, specializing in article 9, out-of-court, transactional restructurings.
My heart swells with pride as I record this CEO Speaks live from the Ivy Room in Chicago, IL, where today we celebrated 10 years of our Network of Women and how at TMA, we continue to define supporting women of the restructuring profession through this ever-evolving and powerful segment of TMA.
Following a warm welcome by our NOW Co-chairs Rakhee Patel and Michelle Salazar-Rosenbloom, called to the main stage of our NOW Summit was Melanie Rovner Cohen, one of the founders of TMA Global, and the founder of and then in 1991, the first woman president of the Chicago Midwest chapter. In 2001, Melanie became the first woman global chair of TMA, charting a course for the women of our organization that today is the industry standard of woman empowerment and professional mentorship worldwide.
Fast-forward to 2014, when the concept of TMA NOW started in the Philadelphia-Wilmington chapter that NOW co-founder Robyn Pollack was a part of. Then, in partnership with NYC leader Teresa Kohl, they launched TMA NOW as a global initiative.
Today’s NOW conference, boasting a sellout group of some of the foremost women leaders of our industry, was a celebration of thought leadership, shared knowledge, mentorship, a sense of community and more.
Leaders who participated in this glorious summit included TMA Global Chair Jane Mitnick, TMA Global President-elect Rachael Smiley, former TMA Global Chair Milly Chow, and TMA Global International VP Eva Ringelspacher, who was herself responsible for launching a NOW for TMA Europe, as well as in TMA Germany and Austria too.
And a special shout out to the NextGen women of TMA who as chapter presidents are the trailblazing women of our future, including TMA NYC President Kate Aiello, TMA Chicago-Midwest Chair Kat Parker, TMA Philadelphia- Wilmington President-elect Monique Disabatino, to name just a few.
From women-led programs on legal ethics and financial wellness, to a keynote featuring Amy Fahey, Board Chair and co-founder of First Women’s Bank, supporting lending to small and mid-sector women-owned businesses, what a spectacular display of camaraderie amongst four generations of women who show how we are #bettertogetrhert and how #TMALightsTheWay in such an important and stand out way.
I could not be more #TMAPROUD of how the women of our defining organization empower, mentor and support each other through this most welcoming community, and one that continues to grow more prominent all throughout TMA nation.
Speaking of the the growing presence and prominence of the women of TMA in this celebratory year, next month at our TMA Global International Symposium and European Annual Conference being held in London, UK, we will boast two women keynote speakers, including Dr. Frauke Esser, Vice President of purchasing at Volkswagen Mexico and Sam McCalister, best selling author of and BBC producer, most famous for her stunning interview of prince Andrew and how that “scoop” came to be.
Additionally, both international conference days will start with NOW programs, the first of which will feature an all-women panel who will discuss restructuring schemes from different parts of the world.
A NOW breakfast on the European Annual Conference day, featuring a discussion on “Elevating Your Networking Game and Transforming Connections to Clients” will feature TMA Global NOW Co-chair Michelle Salazar-Rosenbloom, TMA NYC Chair Heidi Sorvino, TMA Serbia President Ivana Matic, TMA UK NOW and NextGen leaders Emily Muir and lawyer Patricia Guyomarc’h, all will whom will speak to networking and business building, and will do so from multi-cultural perspectives in what should be an engaging and interesting exchange that elevates us all.
Be part of these two days celebrating the internationalalism of TMA that will put front and center how we learn together, connect, support of our worldwide NOW and NextGen communities and more, in London UK June 10th-12th. Learn more and register at tma-europe.org.
Excellence surrounds us everywhere we look in TMA nation, and with so many stand out members and leaders who create with vision, passion and who seize on elevating member value in defining ways, now is the time to extol the virtues of TMA greatness and there is no better way to do that then to nominate (or self nominate yourself) for a chapter or individual award.
Our individual awards, who will be selected based on submissions to be reviewed and considered by a TMA global executive leadership committee lead by TMA VP of Chapter Relations Rob Patrick, will award outstanding members for Individual Excellence, an Emerging Leader, and for an individual who has made a Chapter Impact. Deadline for the chapter and individual wards is June 21st.
Lastly today, on this segment of member moments, we celebrate not one, but all of the members of our Network of Women, who from sea to shining sea and across the world continue to elevate, define and create opportunities for the women of TMA.
To all of you, our women leaders, whether at the chapter, regional, national or global levels, thank you for how authentically and passionately you care and in that caring lead us to a more diverse and more inclusive tomorrow.
In the words of Michelle Obama, “There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.” This is exactly what our TMA NOW leaders do. And for that we are all #bettertogether and #TMAPROUD.
As always, thanks for taking the time to listen today. And thanks again to our TMA CEO Speaks exclusive sponsor, Second Wind Consultants, for your support of TMA and this podcast.
As TMA Lights The Way, your input is critical, your contributions paramount, and your engagement the foundation that will create a better TMA for all of our members.
Until next time, I’m Scott Stuart. Be safe, resilient and TMA Proud.