Buffalo, NY - The inaugural Women's Leadership Summit at Canisius University concluded with tremendous success on Friday, March 7, drawing a capacity crowd eager to hear from keynote speaker Keia Clarke '03, the trailblazing CEO of the WNBA's New York Liberty. The event, which sold out quickly due to overwhelming interest, brought together alumnae and community members to celebrate women's leadership under the theme "Joining One Another on the Journey."
Clarke, who was prominently featured in the March 5 edition of The Buffalo News, delivered a powerful keynote address in which she shared her extraordinary career path from Canisius basketball player to becoming the first CEO in the New York Liberty's 25-year history and, at the time of her 2020 appointment, the only Black CEO in the WNBA.
"I've spent my entire career pretty much focused on the amplification and encouragement of women being at their best," Clarke told the audience, reflecting on her unconventional journey through various roles including marketing director and chief operating officer before reaching her current executive position.
Her message to aspiring leaders resonated throughout the venue: "Identify your talents, pursue your goals with intensity, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone." Clarke's own career trajectory served as a compelling illustration of these principles in action.
The summit, scheduled during Women's History Month, underscored Canisius University's commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women, according to Dianna Civello, the university's vice president for advancement.
Beyond Clarke's inspirational address, attendees participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion titled "Junctures on the Journey," which explored the unique challenges and triumphs women experience throughout their careers and strategies for maintaining resilience in leadership roles.
Participants also benefited from targeted breakout sessions designed to foster personal and professional growth, with programming centered around health and wellness, motivation and empowerment, personal finances and philanthropy, and networks and partnerships. The full lineup of alumnae participants can be viewed here. View a photo album from the event here.
The enthusiastic response and sold-out status of this inaugural event signals strong community interest in women's leadership development and positions the summit as a promising annual tradition at Canisius University.
