YWCA Northern New Jersey’s Women’s Leadership Conference Brings Together Leaders Across Industries to “Bring Your A Game”
CLIFTON, NJ — March 17, 2026 — YWCA Northern New Jersey hosted its annual Women’s Leadership Conference: Bring Your “A” Game into 2026: Audacious, Authentic, and Accountable on March 11th at the Valley Regency in Clifton, bringing together women from across industries and life experiences for a day of candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and navigating high-stakes environments.
“Events like this remind us that leadership is not confined to one sector or one path,” said Helen Archontou, CEO of YWCA Northern New Jersey. “When women with different experiences sit at the same table, powerful conversations happen—and those conversations help build stronger communities.”
The conference opened with remarks from Dr. Helena Lewis, an award-winning actress, poet, playwright, and author, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for a day focused on bold leadership, self-reflection, and empowering women to show up fully in every space they enter.
The conference featured keynote speaker Aliah Davis-McHenry, Global Head of Corporate Marketing (Vice President) at Novartis, in a fireside chat with entrepreneur and political commentator Tara Dowdell, President of the Tara Dowdell Group. Their discussion explored the realities women face in leadership spaces, from managing pressure to building confidence and advocating for themselves. Throughout the day, panels explored the conference’s three central themes of audacity, authenticity, and accountability with speakers sharing personal stories about leadership, identity, and breaking generational barriers.
Aliah Davis-McHenry emphasized the importance of clarity and purpose when showing up in critical moments. “Being overprepared can sometimes lead to burnout,” she said. “I’ve learned to step back and ask myself, what can I actually contribute to the room? Bringing your A game means having clarity, confidence, and knowing what the next step is.”
During the Audacious Power Panel, entrepreneur Jenny Chung, founder of J2 Brand, spoke about overcoming cultural expectations that discouraged speaking up. “I was raised to be quiet and not express my opinion,” Chung said. “Even speaking on stage is still uncomfortable for me, but I had to find my own way.”
Sabeen Masih, Principal at Capital Impact Group, discussed how upbringing and cultural expectations can shape perceptions of leadership and possibility. “Coming from immigrant parents, they raised us the way they were raised,” Masih said. “They didn’t realize that some of those lessons also showed us our limits. What I’ve learned is to give myself permission to be fully me—and to recognize how my choices and reactions can create change.”
“I encourage people to ask themselves every day: Who am I? Am I all that I say I am—and am I all that I ought to be?” said A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, Founder and CEO of SHE Wins Inc., Essex County Commissioner, and Vice President for District 2. “Showing up for yourself and your own care and presence is the foundation for everything else.”
“I’ve learned that I don’t need anyone’s permission to be myself,” said Dawn Jackson, justice-impacted advocate, public speaker, and emerging author. “Your voice matters, seize every opportunity to speak up and speak out. When you commit to doing something worthwhile, that’s how you grow and empower yourself.”
The conference drew a diverse group of participants, including corporate leaders, nonprofit executives, entrepreneurs, veterans, community advocates, and women rebuilding their lives after incarceration. By intentionally bringing together women from different sectors and backgrounds, the event created space for shared learning and connection.
About YWCA Northern New Jersey
For over a century, YWCA Northern New Jersey has improved the lives of thousands of women, girls, and families and is on the forefront of the fight against gender and racial discrimination. We work to build more just and inclusive communities through programs for women and girls, anti-racism training, and policy advocacy. We operate healingSPACE, Bergen County’s only Sexual Violence Resource Center (hotline number: 201-487-2227) and provide year-round child care, and senior wellness programs. YWCA Northern New Jersey serves Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties. To learn more, visit ywcannj.org and follow @ywcannj on social media.
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