Igniting What’s Next: Celebrating Progress and Paving the Future at The Forum

This year’s Annual Meeting & Cocktail Reception brought together industry leaders to celebrate The Forum’s 2024-2025 accomplishments and invited them into our vision for the future. The conversations, insights, and connections made throughout the evening remind us why The Forum continues to be such a vital force in our region. 

The energy was electric as we: 

🤝 Connected with fellow leaders and formed new professional relationships. 

✨ Celebrated the remarkable achievements our members have driven this past year with Forum President & CEO Meghan Pierce. Learn more about The Forum’s 2024-2025 Strategic Achievements. 

💡Received an update on the new strategic direction of The Forum Foundation from Kimberly Togman (Board Chair 2025-26) and Patty Tawadros (Board Chair 2024-25). Learn more about The Forum Foundation. 

🚀 Shared our exciting vision for The Future of The Forum with Doneene Damon (Board Chair 2024-25), Kate Shields (Board Chair 2025-26), Tiffany Spraggins-Payne (Lead of Spark Initiative), and Jane Scaccetti (Lead of "What's Next?"). 

THE FUTURE OF THE FORUM PANEL: THE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP

Meet Kate Shields, the new Board Chair of The Forum of Executive Women.

A member for over a decade, Kate recalls once feeling hesitant on the sidelines but today, she's diving in headfirst and encouraging others to do the same. For her, The Forum is more than a network, it’s a community that lifts you up, especially when the world feels upside down.

Kate’s advice: Make a list of the Forum members you want to meet, set a goal for yourself and reflect on that goal this time next year. And make sure to shout out the women who inspire you, there is nothing stopping us from doing that. 

From left to right:  Kate Shields (Board Chair 2025-26), Doneene Damon (Board Chair 2024-25), Tiffany Spraggins-Payne (Lead of Spark Initiative), and Jane Scaccetti (Lead of "What's Next?"). 

Meet Tiffany Spraggins-Payne, the new lead of the Spark Initiative. 

Tiffany’s journey with The Forum is a powerful example of transformation: from mentee to Spark member, to board member. Tiffany found an ally within the organization who helped open doors to the spaces she aspired to enter. She embraced every opportunity with confidence and presence, so much so that few even realized that her Forum journey began through our mentoring program.  Her experience reflects the spirit of The Forum’s strategic plan: a clear, actionable vision to activate and elevate women across the region. 

Tiffany’s advice:  Find an ally and enter every room with confidence because you belong there. 

Spark Membership is for women pursuing and progressing into leadership roles within their organizations and communities. Learn more here. 

Meet Jane Scaccetti, the new lead of the “What’s Next?” Initiative. 

Jane Scaccetti has been a leader within The Forum of Executive Women since the 1980s. Over the years, Jane moved in and out of membership, at times feeling The Forum could provide more value to members at different career stages. This year, she brought her vision and experience to the forefront by leading the “What’s Next?” Initiative, designed to support members exploring new chapters after successful careers.

Jane’s advice:  If someone comes to you and asks you for help with something, just do it. Make the phone call. Make it part of who and what you are. 

As we continue to tailor our offerings to fit the needs of all members, we host "What's Next?" brainstorm sessions open to all interested Forum Members. Learn more here. 

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO DONEENE DAMON

👏 A special thank you to outgoing board chair Doneene Damon for her visionary leadership.

Doneene left us with an inspiring message: to leave whatever space you’ve entered better than you found it. We can confidently say that The Forum is a stronger and more inclusive organization than it was a year ago thanks to Doneene’s strategic leadership. 

WELCOME TO OUR INCOMING BOARD MEMBERS!

Thank you to the Forum team & leaders for making this event possible. A big thank you to our outgoing and incoming Forum Board and Forum Foundation Board.

Thank you to The Switch House for hosting us. 👏 

JOIN US AT OUR NEXT SIGNATURE EVENT

To everyone who attended, thank you for making our 2025 Annual Meeting truly special! 

To those who couldn't join us this time, we look forward to connecting at our next gathering! Save the date for our next Signature Event, The Forum's Leadership Breakfast on October 24.