📅 Session 2 — AI 102: Build Your Own Bot

Stop using a generic assistant. Build a digital twin.

Most people use AI like a stranger off the street — and get stranger-off-the-street results. In this session, you'll build your own custom GPT: a digital twin trained on your voice, your standards, and your goals. Think of it as cloning your brain so the next time you need a LinkedIn post, a coaching prompt, or a tough conversation prepped — your bot delivers it in seconds, sounding exactly like you. You'll learn:

· The difference between a generic assistant and a true digital twin (and why it matters)

· The 8-part PERSONA framework: Role, Audience, Goals, Inputs, Outputs, Boundaries, Evidence, Finish Standards

· Where bots go off the rails — and how to set guardrails so yours doesn't

· A live build-along: we'll create one together, step by step

Walk in with an idea. Walk out with a working bot. ⚡

📅 Session 1 — AI 101: From Curious to Confident

The foundations that change everything.

We're starting with the basics — but not the boring kind. You'll finally understand what AI actually is (and isn't), why ChatGPT sometimes sounds brilliant and sometimes makes things up, and how to write prompts that pull gold instead of fluff. You'll leave with:

· The 5-step framework for a perfect prompt (Role, Goal, Context, Constraints + a bonus)

· How to make AI "talk" like anyone — a senior exec, a recruiter, even Matthew McConaughey 😉

· The AI Continuum: where you fall today and how to move forward

· Why women especially need to lean into AI right now — and what's at stake if we don't

Perfect for beginners — and packed with shortcuts even regular users wish they knew.

Overview

Why Women Hold Back and How to Be Heard

Executive Presence: Why Women Hold Back and How to Be Heard

A live masterclass focused on the deeper root of communication challenges in leadership: conditioning, identity, and self-perception.

Many high-performing women are not lacking capability or insight—they are navigating internal patterns shaped by expectations around likability, approval, and authority. These patterns often show up as hesitation, overthinking, or softening communication in critical moments, ultimately limiting influence and visibility.

This session moves beyond surface-level communication strategies to address the internal dynamics that impact how women show up, speak, and lead in real time. Participants will learn how to shift from waiting to feel “ready” to becoming willing to speak with clarity and grounded authority—even in moments of uncertainty.

Key takeaways include how to:

· Recognize the internal patterns that drive hesitation and respond with intention in the moment

· Communicate clearly without over-preparing or over-explaining

· Trust their thinking and contribute before ideas feel “perfect”

· Strengthen executive presence by shifting from seeking approval to owning authority

Speaker

Yann Dang is an executive leadership coach, TEDx speaker, and former Global Finance executive who specializes in helping high-achieving women be heard and lead with authority in high-stakes environments. She combines executive strategy, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence to shift how women show up—not by performing confidence, but by embodying it.

Her work equips women to navigate power dynamics, communicate with clarity, and build influence without overworking or second-guessing themselves. Yann’s approach deeply aligns with WICT’s mission to advance women through leadership development and connection—helping them not just grow in their careers, but lead in a way that changes the room.

Yann Dang, Leadership & Life Coach

TEDx Speaker: The Power of Anger in Leadership

Podcast Ranked Top 2% Globally: The Balanced Leader

Website: aspire-coaching.co

Email: connect@aspire-coaching.co

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yanndang/

Instagram: @aspirecoaching_yann

The 3rd Annual Baltimore Official Cybersecurity Summit is the must-attend event for CISOs and senior leaders looking to strengthen resilience, reduce risk, and align security with business goals. Join top executives, innovators, and experts for a full day of actionable insights, cutting-edge solutions, and high-impact networking. Experience interactive panels, exclusive solution showcases, and strategic discussions that go beyond theory to deliver real-world results, all complemented by a catered breakfast, networking lunch, and closing cocktail reception.

Webinars:

·     June 13: The Science of Happiness: How to be Happier at Work

·     August 1: How to Increase your Resiliency

·     September 19: How to More Effectively Manage Stress (four modes + practices)

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn the secrets of how to be happier at work. Bijal will share the basics of the science of happiness and help attendees apply the concepts to where they spend a lot of time – at work! Going beyond traditional approaches, Bijal will offer practical strategies backed by positive psychology principles. Attendees will discover personalized techniques to boost job satisfaction, increase engagement, and enhance overall well-being, with some gains occurring within the week!

What You’ll Gain:

·     An understanding of what drives happiness, both at work and broadly in life

·     How to increase your happiness levels at work

·     How to craft your role into one that is meaningful to you

·     4 concepts that will enable you to proactively shape and redefine aspects of your role to better align with your skills, passions, and values

Increased motivation and engagement at work by by creating a genuine connection to your professional responsibilities

Join NCTA and The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter for an afternoon preparing meals for the community at the DC Central Kitchen on Wednesday, July 31 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.

Using the exclusive code, WICT Network Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter members can receive FREE Admission to the DC Cybersecurity Summit on Thursday, July 18 at The Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to advance your career and join the prestigious WICT Network Global Mentoring Circles program!

Participants will connect with other professionals across WICT Network Chapters in the US and Latin America, gaining invaluable insights and guidance from experienced mentors. With monthly 1:1 meetings and mentoring circles, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge and skills on a range of topics, including:

·     Effective Communication

·     Imposter Syndrome

·     Career Planning

·     How to Grow in a Hybrid Environment

 Plus, the program is completely FREE! So, why wait? Sign up today and take the first step towards achieving your career goals. Hurry, the deadline is May 29th!

Learn how to protect yourself & your business from becoming a victim of cybercrime.

 Join us for The Inaugural Official Baltimore Cybersecurity Summit, rated Top 5 InfoSec Conference Worldwide, held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the BWI Airport Marriott.

 The WICT Network Washington DC/Baltimore is a proud partner of this event & for a limited time has secured Exclusive Complimentary Admission for our network!

 Register before March 26 with code CSS24-WICT to secure your Free Pass!

 Note: Admission is for C-Suite & Senior Level Executives, Directors, Managers, and other Industry Professionals or Business Leaders. Those in Sales or Marketing and Students are not permitted.

Earn up to 8 Continuing Education Credits by attending the day in full. Admission includes a catered breakfast, lunch & cocktail reception.

 Oliver Pandian, Cybersecurity State Coordinator (Maryland) – Region III from the US DHS/CISA will lead the Closing Security Keynote.

Learn from additional renowned Subject Matter Experts and thought leaders from Swimlane, Akamai, Check Point, Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto, and many more who will discuss the latest security threats, best cyber hygiene practices, and innovative solutions to protect your business.

For event details, visit https://CybersecuritySummit.com/Summit/Baltimore24/

The 2023 WICT Powerbrokers Breakfast and Touchstones of Leadership Awards recognizes executives who have made a difference in the cable and telecommunications industry through leadership, vision and dedication. Join us and our sponsors Comcast and NCTA for an inspiring morning celebrating leaders of the following categories:

1. Geraldine B. Laybourne Fearless Award: Be fearless and confident in your convictions as you take risks and bring others along.

2. Inspire Award: Inspire and others will follow.

3. Communicate Award: Communicate with passion and poise, in writing and in-person.

4. Connect Award: Connect to your peers, your industry, and everything around you.

5. Know Yourself Award: Know yourself, what you stand for and where you are headed.

6. Catalyst Award: Set the wheels of change in motion.

7. Listen Award: Listen actively with your heart as well as your head and learn from people through their words.

8. Glenn Britt Emerging Leader Award: For demonstrating rising leadership in the cable community and a strong commitment to all WICT Touchstones, in word and deed.

9. Rob Stoddard Mentor Award: Recognizes an individual who has excelled at mentoring others in achieving their career objectives.

Also, enjoy a musical performance by The Ellington Carthan Trio.

Join us for a webinar with Leigh Woisard, Chair of The WICT Network and previous Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Cox Communications. Leigh will focus on taking control of your career narrative; self-promotion without selling out; identifying your “one thing” & what makes you different from everyone else doing a similar job.

We invite WICT members and their families (ages 16+) to join us in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. & Northern Virginia. WICT volunteers will assist Habitat staff at a ReStore facility in Alexandria on July 22, 2023, from 10 am - 12 pm.

Habitat ReStores are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. ReStores accept donations and sell a constantly changing inventory of diverse, high-quality merchandise to the public at a fraction of the retail price, while diverting reusable household items and building materials from area landfills. ReStores are critical to Habitat’s mission of providing affordable homeownership opportunities to local families, generate crucial unrestricted revenue to support Habitat’s programs and operations, and contribute to a greener environment. Volunteers will help with activities such as sorting donations, pricing, stocking, and organizing.

Location:
869 South Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304

Parking is available on location.

Learn to protect your business from cyber attached. Attend the 10th Annual DC Metro Cyber Security Summit!

Use code WICT 23 for FREE admission!

In partnership with D.C. United and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, please join The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore as we showcase diverse women leaders that are reshaping and redefining the world of sports and sports media. Hear from powerful women in sports, coming together to elevate each other, by sharing leadership best practices and expanding professional networks. During this discussion, you will learn more about how women are impacting the sports industry, driving media coverage and contributing to a new shift in how women are being represented across the sports sector.

Speakers include:

• Mary Pratt-Henaghan, CTO, WETA

• Danita Johnson, President of Business Operations, D.C. United

• Cici Rojas, President, Tico Sports, LLC (Spanish Broadcaster for Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings)

• Charlene Polite Corley, VP, Diverse Insights & Partnerships, Nielsen

• Laura Berrocal, VP, Policy and External Affairs, Charter Communications (Opening Remarks)

Join us to network and celebrate milestones, discuss what’s on the horizon for the sports media landscape, and identify opportunities to plug into this fast growing and evolving sector.

Light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter invites members and their families (ages 12+) to join us in volunteering with DC Central Kitchen on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Volunteers will help prepare balanced meals for our community. Meal prep includes cutting vegetables, preparing salads, packaging meals, and other kitchen related tasks. No cooking or food service experience is required – just bring a great attitude and willingness to work.

Please wear closed toed shoes and long pants (not tights or leggings). No tanks or halter tops. Shoes with high-grip soles are strongly recommended. DCCK will provide hair nets.

All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Please include the names of each volunteer that you are registering for.

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that has tackled issues such as food insecurity, food waste, joblessness and community health for more than 25 years.

DCCK uses a holistic strategy to deliver results across social, economic, and environmental metrics. Their approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city.

DCCK serves scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools; delivering fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets, and operating a fast-casual café.

The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter invites members and their families (ages 12+) to join us in volunteering with DC Central Kitchen on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Volunteers will help prepare balanced meals for our community. Meal prep includes cutting vegetables, preparing salads, packaging meals, and other kitchen related tasks. No cooking or food service experience is required – just bring a great attitude and willingness to work.

Please wear closed toed shoes and long pants (not tights or leggings). No tanks or halter tops. Shoes with high-grip soles are strongly recommended. DCCK will provide hair nets.

All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Please include the names of each volunteer that you are registering for.

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that has tackled issues such as food insecurity, food waste, joblessness and community health for more than 25 years.

DCCK uses a holistic strategy to deliver results across social, economic, and environmental metrics. Their approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city.

DCCK serves scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools; delivering fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets, and operating a fast-casual café.

Join The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore for one of our first in-person events since 2020. Enjoy food and beverages while networking with WICT board members, chapter members and guests.

Each attendee will be entered to win a one-year WICT membership.

This event is FREE, but Capacity is limited! RSVPs are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required

We are excited to announce a new partnership between The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter and D.C. United. The partnership will focus on women’s empowerment in sports, media, entertainment and technology. This event will include a pre-game women's networking event that will highlight women in sports and provide the opportunity to connect with women professionals across the D.C. United organization and DMV area. Immediately following the mixer, guests will also receive a ticket to the D.C. United/Orlando City match.

*Tickets are $20 and include your ticket to the networking session, as well as a ticket to the D.C. United/Orlando City match.

Join us for “Know Yourself – Life on Purpose,” an interactive 90-minute workshop centered around how renewal, self-awareness and authenticity impact your overall well-being and performance at work and at home.

The WICT Network Global Leadership Conference Speaker Natalie Johnson will lead participants through a variety of self-reflective exercises designed to explore four dimensions of energy – spiritual, physical, emotional and mental. The program will culminate with participants drafting their own purpose statements to bring their “best self vision” to fruition.   

Natalie is an expert in individual and organizational performance. She has over 30 years’ experience working with employers, healthcare systems and carriers on creating strategies that improve company productivity and individual performance. Natalie’s award-winning background in Exercise Physiology, Performance Nutrition and Performance Psychology sets the foundation for how behavior changes can have a significant impact on individual performance as long as there is connection to a meaningful purpose. In our fast-paced environment, Natalie helps individuals and organizations identify ways to sustain high performance while maintaining balance, health and happiness.

“Know Yourself – Life on Purpose” is co-sponsored by the Southeast, Washington DC/Baltimore, Virginia, Heartland and Southwest chapters of The WICT Network. 

Sally Helgesen, author of “How Women Rise: The 12 Habits Holding You Back From Your Next Raise, Promotion or Job,” will present a keynote address to the WICT Network Washington DC/Baltimore and WICT Network Southeast chapters as a wrap-up to Bookmarked 2022 book club discussions.

Join The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter for our annual Tech It Out event. This year we're looking at cybersecurity in the nation's capital. We'll explore:

• What the cybersecurity landscape looks like.

• How experts are keeping their companies network secure.

• How consumers can keep themselves safe online.

• How the federal government approaches cybersecurity.

• What impact the new Congress might have on cybersecurity laws.

• How the United States cybersecurity workforce will shift as the field grows and evolves.

This event is virtual and sponsored by Comcast, Cox Communications, and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association.

Thursday, November 3, 2022
National Press Club
529 14th St. NW Washington, DC 20045

The 2022 WICT Powerbrokers Breakfast and Touchstones of Leadership Awards recognizes executives who have made a difference in the cable and telecommunications industry through leadership, vision and dedication. Join us along with our amazing Keynote Danita Johnson, President of Business Operations, D.C. United, for an inspiring morning celebrating industry leaders.

Also enjoy a musical performance by The Ellington Carthan Trio.

Join The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore for a conversation on effective media and how to put your best foot forward when dealing with the media.

We'll discuss:

• Pitching

• How to identify a newsworthy angle and best present it

• How to find the right person to pitch to

• Interview tips - Dos and Don’ts

We'll hear from media professionals:

• Kristen N. Thomaselli, Breakthrough 22, Founder

• Tia Mitchell, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Washington Correspondent and C-SPAN, Washington Journal Fill-in Host

• Amy Maclean, Cablefax and Access Intelligence, Editorial Director

Moderated by:

• Seth Arenstein, PR News, Crisis Insider, Cablefax and Access Intelligence, Editor

Please note that your registration will automatically opt you in for future communications from the WICT DC/Baltimore Chapter. If you do not wish to receive any emails from us, please unsubscribe directly within the email or email us at wictdcbmore@gmail.com

Join The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore for "Meditation with Mary: Rest & Restore"--a virtual guided yoga nidra meditation.

The session will include:

• Intro to Yoga Nidra, benefits and set-up

• A guided meditation session

• A wake-up/return and opportunity for questions

Yoga Nidra is a sleep-based, guided meditation technique that releases the healing potential of the body by removing the mind - as in sleep. It uses a series of body, breath and awareness techniques and allows the body to deeply restore itself, balancing excess stress.

This class will be taught by WICT member, Mary Pratt-Henaghan.

May is Mental Health Month, join Yogi Jai Shanti for a discussion on "Moving Beyond Mindfulness," followed by a 15 min guided meditation.

When we think of mindfulness it can be considered being conscious of our thoughts and actions. Our days are filled with distractions, tasks, needs and requirements that continually move the consciousness to taking a back seat on our path. Mindfulness practices have the potential, once incorporated as a way of being and a way of living, to catalyze healing and full transformation in one's life. This virtual discussion will be about integrating simple concepts into easy practices that allow anyone to start small but end and win abundantly supersized. As a bonus we’ll close the discussion with a wonderful meditation to reset the body, mind and spirit.

Lessons on Being an Effective Change Catalyst

Join The WICT Network: Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter during Women’s History Month for a virtual event examining how leadership impacts change. Hear from leading women professionals in D.C. as they share insights, tips, and lessons about their own personal career journeys. Our discussion will also zero in on the future outlook of the telecommunications industry and how leaders are helping to shape the narrative around connectivity and the internet economy.

Moderator - Greta Brawner, Host, C-SPAN

Speakers - 

1. The Honorable Annie Kuster, Congresswoman, New Hampshire, Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee

2. Catherine Bohigian, EVP, Government Affairs, Charter Communications

3. Susan Fox, SVP, Government Relations, The Walt Disney Company

4. Sonya Wendell Manfredi, VP, Government Affairs, Cox Enterprises

5. Elizabeth Chernow, ED, Public Policy, Comcast

Additional speakers to be announced.