The Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication is honored to showcase the Virgil and Joann Smith Thought Leaders Forum, which highlights women thought leaders who bring to the forefront thought-provoking ideas and expert commentary on issues in the field of communication to a national audience.

Speakers in the Forum will be showcased in the Kopenhaver Center signature virtual workshop held annually in the spring during Women’s History Month. The Forum and the speakers will also be highlighted on the center’s website and social media platforms through a series of multi-media video presentations.

Thought leaders who participate in the forum will actively be contributing to the center’s online educational archive by providing world-class ideas and expert guidance on contemporary issues to ensure transformational conversations and change for women in the field of communication.

The 2024 Thought Leaders Forum topic will focus on ” Making a Difference”. Featured speakers for the 2024 Thought Leaders Forum are the following:

• Maribel Perez Wadsworth, President & CEO, Knight Foundation – Key Note Speaker
• Dianne Lynch, Ph.D, President, Stephens College – Convener