Hillary Rodham Clinton Delivers Keynote at 2015 Watermark Lead On Conference for Women

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling for continued economic and social progress for women, Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a keynote address at the Watermark Silicon Valley Conference for Women. "In our increasingly multicultural country, in an increasingly interdependent world, building a more diverse talent pool can't just be a nice-to-do for business," said Secretary Clinton. "It's a must-do." Speaking before a sold-out audience of more than 5,000 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Secretary Clinton called for paid leave, equal pay for women, and affordable childcare – and greater diversity in the workforce, especially in the male-dominated technology industry.  "Inclusivity is more than a buzzword or a box to check," said Secretary Clinton, praising the first Watermark Lead On gathering as a unique force advancing the cause of women's leadership in the workplace and in society, "It's a recipe for success." 

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Afterwards, in an extensive interview with technology commentator and entrepreneur Kara Swisher, co-CEO of Revere Digital, Secretary Clinton also discussed the possibility of a presidential run in 2016. "I'm obviously talking to a lot of people, thinking it through," said Secretary Clinton. "I have a very long list, I'm going down it. I'm very committed to go down it, but I haven't checked off the last couple of things." Secretary Clinton discussed a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, saying that if she were to run for president she would like to see a national conversation that would move the country and its media beyond the partisan red state/blue state divide into a "warm purple space." Urged by Swisher to declare her candidacy "in front of all these women," Secretary Clinton laughingly said she would make a decision "all in good time because there's a lot to think about."

Earlier in the day, Conference attendees also heard from former New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson and research professor and best-selling author Brene Brown. Other acclaimed speakers included fashion leader Diane von Furstenberg; the stimulating artist and designer Candy Chang; as well as Swisher, who led a panel discussion on gender and diversity in Silicon Valley with Abramson, Rosalind Hudnell, vice president, human resources and chief diversity officer for Intel Corporation and Jessica Herrin, CEO and founder of Stella&Dot.

The nonpartisan, nonprofit Lead On Conference is hosted by Watermark, the leading organization of executive women in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose mission is to increase the representation of women at executive levels to drive innovation, human development and economic growth. The day featured one-of-a-kind discussions among thought leaders and industry experts about how women can rise to the top of their organizations, insight and expertise about navigating career and life transitions, and interactive sessions offering practical advice to help create positive personal experiences outside the workplace. The Conference includes not only the annual Lead On event in Silicon Valley, but also year-round impact in the lives of attendees, with free teleclasses, newsletters and connection to a vibrant and active community of women leaders.

"Five thousand women – and men -- made history in Silicon Valley today by coming together to advance the cause of women's leadership in the workplace and in their communities," said Marlene Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Watermark. "Lead On serves as a call to action and as a catalyst of Watermark's vital mission to increase the representation of women at the highest levels of executive leadership, whether those positions are in business, government or society at large."

Secretary Clinton, Abramson, Brown, Chang, Swisher and von Furstenberg were among more than 100 nationally recognized speakers at the Conference, which also included Barbara Annis and John Gray, experts on gender differences and co-authors of Work With Me: The 8 Blind Spots Between Men and Women in Business; Gail Sheehy, best-selling author of 17 books, including Passages; Ellie Krieger, Food Network's hit show host of Healthy Appetite; Carla Harris, named one of "The Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America" by Fortune; Sunni Brown, creator and author of The Doodle Revolution and named Fast Company's  "100 Most Creative People in Business"; Dan Schawbel, millennial and branding expert and best-selling author of Promote Yourself; Celia Tejada, lifestyle and design visionary and Chief Creative Officer of Restoration Hardware; Verna Myers, Esq., nationally-recognized expert on diversity, inclusion and communication, and author of What if I Say the Wrong Thing? and Gloria Feldt, best-selling author and former president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

The Lead On Watermark Silicon Valley Conference for Women is presented by Intel. It is also generously underwritten by Ericsson, Cisco, EMC, and Morgan Lewis, along with Akamai Technologies, Boston Scientific, EY, Genentech (a member of the Roche Group), Johnson & Johnson, Korn Ferry, Lee Hecht Harrison, Morgan Stanley, NASH-FM & KFOG, Oracle, PayPal, Riverbed Technology, San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Chronicle, State Street, and UPS.

"Intel is the presenting sponsor of the Watermark Lead On Conference and here in full force, with 200 Intel women attending, because we strongly believe in the value of women leaders," said Rosalind Hudnell, VP, Chief Diversity Officer, Intel Corporation. "In fact, Intel is investing in a more diverse workforce in a very big way, and is the first major tech company to set specific external goals to achieve full representation in our U.S. workforce of women and underrepresented minorities by 2020.  Intel wants our workplace to represent the true diversity of talent, innovation, and leadership available across America. We are proud to celebrate this important inaugural event."

To learn more about the Watermark Silicon Valley Conference for Women, visit our website at https://www.wearewatermark.org, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/wtrmrk or like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wearewatermark

About Watermark
Watermark is a community of executive women in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose mission is to increase the representation of women at executive levels to drive innovation, human development and economic growth. The Watermark vision is to ensure women are able to make their mark in and for their companies, their careers and their communities by providing programs focused on connection, development and advocacy. The women of Watermark have created and led the most innovative and successful enterprises, contributing to all aspects of business, non-profits, technology, media, education, healthcare, law, government, and society. Founded in 1993 as the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), Watermark has since expanded to include women leaders in all disciplines and industries. To learn more about Watermark membership or corporate sponsorship opportunities please visit www.wearewatermark.org.

SOURCE Watermark Conference for Women

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