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Event Agenda

April 21, 2026

Elevating Leadership. Empowering Women in Procurement. 

WIP 2026 brings together senior procurement executives and their rising-star protégés for a high-impact day of leadership development, innovation, career advancement, and community connection—followed by an exclusive evening networking boat party in Boston Harbor. 

  • 8:15 AM

Registration, Breakfast & Headshot Studio Opens 

  • Coffee and continental breakfast 
  • Professional Headshot Corner open all day 
  • 9:00 AM

Welcome from the Event Host

  • Setting the tone for the day 
  • Overview of the “Plus One Rising Star” initiative 
  • Highlight of the partnership with ISM Massachusetts, American Cancer Society and the evening event 

Amanda Prochaska, Chief Wonder Officer, Wonder Services

  • 9:15 AM

Opening Keynote: Leading Procurement into 2030

A visionary perspective on the skills, mindset, and leadership evolution needed for the next decade of procurement.

  • 9:45 AM

Building Your Voice, Your Brand & Your Influence

A high-energy session focused on: 

  • Identifying your unique leadership strengths 
  • Advocating for yourself with clarity, confidence, and courage 
  • Demonstrating your value in the rooms that matter 
  • Designing a personal brand that supports your next career step 
  • 10:15 AM

Coffee & Networking Activity #1: “Connections Bingo”

A facilitated, light-structured activity designed to jump-start conversations and connections. 

  • 10:45 AM

Leadership & EQ: Executive Presence Through Emotional Intelligence

Participants will learn how to: 

  • Project confidence and credibility 
  • Communicate with clarity and authority 
  • Regulate emotions under pressure 
  • Build trusted relationships with stakeholders 
  • Strengthen team dynamics through emotional intelligence 
  • Tools and behaviors that create confident, strategic presence in rooms that matter. 
  • Gaining buy-in from challenging stakeholders 
  • Business Chemistry & Personality Dynamics in Procurement 

Facilitator: Derinda Gaumond, President, Dedian Group 

  • 11:30 AM

Innovation Sprint: Solving Real-World Transformation Challenges

A collaborative sprint where attendees and sponsors co-solve a timely procurement challenge (e.g., ERP transformation pain points, supplier innovation bottlenecks). 

  • Cross-functional teams 

Brief pitches and solution sharing 

Lead Facilitator: A’Keela Johnson

  • 12:00 PM

Lunch & Networking

Optional: Professional headshot touch-up station 
Networking scavenger hunt continues during lunch 

  • 1:00 PM

Rising Stars Panel: “The Future of Procurement Leadership”

A conversation with next-generation leaders and rising stars exploring: 

  • What motivates the new wave of procurement talent? 
  • How do rising stars view leadership, visibility, and impact? 
  • What skills and support do they need from today’s executives? 
    Panelists selected from attendee organizations 
  • 1:45 PM

Leadership Development: Influencing the Business Strategically

A deep-dive on: 

  • Speaking the language of the business 
  • Strengthening relationships with executives 
  • Navigating stakeholder dynamics 
  • Becoming a trusted advisor, not a tactical function 

Rachel Lemos, VP Supply Chain, Davie 

  • 2:15 PM

Choose Your Learning Lab

  • Standing out in a competitive job market 
  • What hiring managers are really looking for 
  • How to navigate transitions at the senior level 
  • Supporting rising stars through advancement pathways 

A hands-on session demonstrating real use cases, such as: 

  • Creating spend cubes 
  • Enhancing category strategies 
  • Contract review and redlining 
  • Supplier analytics and scenario modeling 
    Designed to help leaders bring AI from concept to action. 
  • 3:15 PM

Coffee Break & Ideas Exchange

  • 3:45 PM

Choose Your Roundtable Discussion

Led by A’Keela Johnson with guest speaker —focusing on fostering psychological safety and organizational belonging. 

  • Overcoming workplace challenges 
  • Addressing silent discrimination and subtle forms of resistance 
  • Reducing unhealthy competition and building collective strength
  • Expanding allyship among women leaders 
  • Career pivots and transitions 
  • Lessons from growth, setbacks, and reinvention 
  • The role of mentorship and sponsorship 
  • Advocating for yourself and others 
  • Staying ahead in an evolving procurement landscape 
  • Supporting emerging talent and shaping inclusive cultures 

Recruiter 

Hiring manager perspective: Michelle Vita Clark, VP Procurement & Strategic Sourcing, Datadog 

  • 4:30 PM

Closing Reflections & Call to Action

  • Summary of key insights 
  • Bold leadership 
  • Championing rising stars 
  • Innovating for the future 
  • Recognition of the American Cancer Society partnership 
  • Raffle teaser for the evening/pre-event dinner 

Amanda Prochaska, Chief Wonder Officer, Wonder Services

  • 5.00 PM

Transition to Evening Event

  • 5:30–7:30 PM

Boston Harbor “Procurement Leaders Gathering” Boat Event

Hosted in partnership with ISM Massachusetts & American Cancer Society 

  • Open networking across the regional procurement community 
  • Light hors d’oeuvres & drinks 
  • ACS fundraising raffle 

 

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Testimonials

WHAT DO PAST ATTENDEES THINK OF THE EVENT?

    "It was an awesome gathering. Never been around so many IT Procurement Professionals from the buy side that shared best practices."

      "What a great opportunity to meet, engage, and learn both from and with Procurement colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds!"

        "An exceptionally valuable event; speakers and breakout sessions were exceptional and the hallway conversations alone were worth multiples of the cost."

          "It was an amazing conference and I’ve already been able to successfully put some of the negotiation tips and tricks into use. Thank you!"

            "The concentration of specialized expertise and experience was overwhelming, so much to learn from those in the room. I can’t wait to dive in again next year!"