Maynard, Cooper, & Gale, P.C. hosted a luncheon and panel discussion for over 115 Birmingham area businesswomen at Full Circle on Thursday, April 28. Five well-respected and admired outstanding Birmingham businesswomen and leaders shared their wisdom and insight on presented a lively and compelling panel discussion on the development of one’s authentic executive presence and leadership style. Panelists included: Myla Calhoun, Vice President of Charitable Giving, Alabama Power Company; Alesia Jones, Chief Human Resources Officer, UAB; Kate Nielsen, Past President, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham; Liz Pharo, Chair, Momentum Telecom; and Yolanda Sullivan, CEO, YWCA of Central Alabama. Moderated by Cynthia Lamar-Hart, a shareholder at Maynard, the panelists shared resources, personal experiences and practical advice that provided attendees with concrete steps toward developing and exhibiting a confident, comfortable, and authentic executive presence and leadership style provided attendees with not only valuable advice based on experiences throughout their careers that have developed their executive presence and leadership styles, but also a few great laughs and practical tips on exhibiting confidence, comfort, and authenticity.

Thursday’s event launched the Maynard, Cooper and Gale Forum of Alabama Businesswomen (“FAB”) 2016 program, which is based on a theme of “Branding Yourself: Building An Executive Image,” and will feature a three-part event series held in the spring, summer and fall. The next event will be held on June 6 at Gus Mayer and will include wardrobe consultant Megan LaRussa Chenoweth. The evening will feature Megan’s styling advice for women leaders and businesswomen looking to exude executive presence, confidence, and style.

The FAB event series is part of Maynard’s Women’s Initiatives program and is co-chaired by Lauren DeMoss and Jennifer McEwen. The Maynard Women’s Initiatives recognizes that women are vital to business success, and aims to foster their professional development, advocate for their professional opportunities and recognition, and promote their advancement to leadership positions within their profession and community.