Jennifer Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, will give the keynote address at the 42nd annual Business Women’s Forum on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.
A program of the Waterbury Regional Chamber, this professional development event for women will feature speakers, networking opportunities, a vendor marketplace, giveaways, and the presentation of three academic scholarships.
The keynote speaker this year is Jennifer Hyman, co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway.
Press materials from the Waterbury chamber said, “A visionary entrepreneur and mission-driven leader, Hyman has revolutionized the fashion industry by offering women access to designer clothing through a subscription-based model. She has also been a vocal advocate for workplace equality, ensuring fair benefits for all employees, and has mentored thousands of female entrepreneurs.”
In addition to Hyman’s keynote address, the forum will feature Renee DiNino, host of WFSB’s “Hello Connecticut,” as emcee, along with:
- Courtney Clark, a resilience expert and successful entrepreneur, who will deliver an inspiring talk on adaptability and success.
- Julie Pesce, Internet Marketing Manager at Develomark, who will present an engaging session on leveraging artificial intelligence for business growth.
The event will also include a marketplace, showcasing local businesses, artisans, and wellness services, along with networking opportunities and giveaways, including jewelry from presenting partner Onyx Jewelers.
As part of its commitment to supporting the next generation of female business leaders, the Business Women’s forum will present three scholarships to outstanding students from The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business at Post University. Each recipient will receive a $3,333 scholarship in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to advancing women in business. The 2025 scholarship recipients are:
- Alexa Philippi of Watertown, a sophomore majoring in business administration with a minor in communication and media studies, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
- Kirsten Perry of Wilton, a sophomore business management major with a minor in accounting, and a small business owner providing in-home pet care services.
- Tristan Currie of Ontario, Canada, a junior double-majoring in business administration and management, with plans to contribute to her family’s business post-graduation.
“This year’s forum is shaping up to be one of our most memorable yet,” said Marya DiPerna, director of Community Engagement at Post University and the chairwoman of the Business Women’s Forum in a chamber press release. “Our ‘Runway to Success’ theme reflects the ambition, resilience, and drive that define our attendees. We’ve worked hard to curate an incredible lineup of speakers who will inspire, educate, and empower women to thrive both personally and professionally. My hope is that every attendee leaves feeling rejuvenated, empowered, and ready to take on new challenges.”
The Business Women’s Forum is a program of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation and has been Connecticut’s leading professional development conference for women for more than four decades. The event’s Presenting Partner is Onyx Jewelers; Star Sponsors: Barker Specialty and Post University; Forum Partners: CompuMail, Corporate Display Specialties, FD Community Federal Credit Union, Giaconne & Smith Storytellers, Ives Bank, and Powerstation Events. The Session Sponsors are Diagnostic Radiology Associates; Employers Reference Source, Inc.; Jaci Carroll Staffing; the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board; Palace Theater; Realized Solutions; Thomaston Savings Bank; and the Women’s Business Development Council. The Showcase Sponsors are: Fascia’s Chocolates, Happy Even After Family Law, Ion Bank, M&T Bank, Naugatuck Valley Radiology, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Sweet Maria’s, Webster Bank, and We Do Life Together…a Division of ICES, Inc.
The event’s media partners are the Republican American and WFSB.
For information, visit www.ctbwf.com or call (203) 757-0701. Follow on Facebook at facebook.com/BusWomensForum for event updates and highlights.