Unlock your full potential with our first session on the power of confidence. Join us for this empowering program where expert speakers will guide us through practical strategies to build and radiate confidence in our professional as well as personal lives. We will workshop together on how to present your best self, effective communication, setting boundaries, and addressing stereotypes on how to break the mold. Leave this event with effective tools to use in the workplace to continue to build your executive presence. 

Joanna Herrick
Chief Growth Officer
TorreBlanc

Joanna Herrick has an 18-year history of leading the sales and operational growth of technology driven businesses spanning the industries of retail, apparel production, e-commerce, and technology consulting.

Joanna started this journey in 2006 with a privately owned luxury retail and custom clothier based in Portland, OR where she gained full business management exposure including customer service and sales, bookkeeping, purchasing, contract negotiations and employee management. 

In 2013, Joanna moved to Chicago, to join the locally based retailer Trunk Club, where she spent seven years building the custom clothing operations teams, including apparel design and production, and internal sales enablement and support.

Joanna followed her experience at Trunk Club by leading the national sales and retail operations teams at The Black Tux before taking on the Chief Operating Officer role at Garmentier, a technology platform helping to drive sales and operations for personal shoppers and stylists.

In October 2021, Joanna decided to make an industry shift, moving her experience supporting hyper growth businesses to the investment management industry by joining TorreBlanc as Chief Growth Officer. Joanna oversees sales and sales operations strategies and execution, with an internal mandate of growth and expansion, while delivering on the company mission of offering the highest quality operational and technology expertise to the global investment management industry.

Anita Knotts
Founder and CEO
Lotus Women's Institute

Anita Knotts is a highly accomplished senior executive with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a woman of color, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry and advocating for diversity and inclusion. Anita is a respected advisor, keynote speaker, and mentor, dedicating her expertise to empowering women and traditionally under-represented groups in finance.

As the Founder and CEO of Lotus Women's Institute, Anita is passionately committed to bringing more women and people of color into the wealth management industry. Through her leadership, she works tirelessly to bridge the gender and diversity gaps by providing opportunities, mentorship, and resources for both seasoned and aspiring professionals.

With a wealth of knowledge in sales, marketing, and business development in the competitive wealth management market, Anita has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills. Her ability to recruit, develop, and lead diverse teams has resulted in exceptional outcomes and propelled her success in the industry.

Anita firmly believes that the wealth management industry is at a critical juncture, and organizations that embrace diversity by implementing initiatives to hire diverse teams, particularly for frontline roles, will gain a competitive edge in serving the clients of the future.

Anita holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, and a Masters in Business Administration from DePaul University. She is an active member of her community and has been engaged in several local organizations, including serving as a board member at Little Friends Inc., The Alive Center, and the North Central College School of Business and Entrepreneurship Advisory Board.