Moira Forbes

The recession has been a huge wake up call, especially for women. After ignoring investment planning or relying on others for financial advice, women are now taking charge of their financial future in meaningful and very different ways. New studies suggest that as many as 90% of professional and executive women have financial planners and are not only playing an active role in investments for their own finances, but that of their spouses and household. Women, married or single, also lead the majority of all decisions when it comes to all significant purchasers from buying a car to investing in real estate. Given that women are the greatest economic powerhouse in the US and are at the helm of financial decisions for both their own finances and that of their companies, this conversation with MOIRA FORBES will examine the evolving dynamic and changing relationship between women and money today.

Women are creating their own companies at twice the rate of men, not only in traditional “female” fields such as fashion and beauty but in a variety of industries from heavy manufacturing and computer equipment to nanotechnology and wealth management. Female small business owners in the U.S. today also employ more people than the 500 largest corporations, and yet women-owned small businesses face the greatest challenges in scaling these businesses to meaningful levels. This conversation will explore the changing landscape of entrepreneurship for women today. What are the best practices and the most relevant advice to navigate entrepreneurship in the new economy and how can women play an even greater role in driving “America’s Engine.”

Over the past few decades, women have made strides toward positions of leadership. But today more than ever, they're doing it on their own terms. No longer content to do things the way they've always been done, women are bending the rules and reshaping the landscape from corporate America to Washington D.C. – ensuring rising generations of women a place at the table. Who are the women today setting the agenda within the most important sectors in this country from business, government, and policy? This conversation will explore the new dynamic of women and power, highlighting the women of Washington, the rising stars within some of today’s largest companies, as well as some of the unexpected voices shaping the most dynamic conversations in America today. How have these women gained and sustained power and influence, often in unconventional and provocative ways? What are the common elements of these women who have achieved uncommon success and what are the lessons learned for women today ascending into greater positions of leadership.

Forbes Media is widely acclaimed for our annual Most Powerful Women’s list which examines and celebrates the most accomplished women in business, politics, and philanthropy today. This conversation will look at these power players in depth to gain insights on how best to lead a team, business, enterprise, or idea through this radical environment of change, an environment where change is truly the only constant. Topics will include empowering growth and ascendance – strategies and tools required for leading businesses from one level of operation to the next; the power of human and technologically – driven networks to drive change; and taking innovation from a buzzword to a reality within an organization.

Women leaders from business, nonprofits and government are putting both muscle and money behind their belief that improving the lives of women around the world is the best way to ensure economic development and global security. Examining the new “Giving Chain, ” this conversation will provide an inspiring, inside look behind how empowering one woman can empower an entire community. This conversation will also explore the companies, leaders, programs and ideas that are improving the quality of life for families, communities and nations in the developed and developing world. Who are the new leaders in philanthropy who have awakened a global movement with both corporate and public sector support, and inspired participation and interest from women and men from all walks of life? Philanthropy has now become the glue uniting women from very different cultures and lifestyles all over the world and how best can women in leadership drive this “Giving Chain” within their own lives and within the work of their organizations.