The recent Athena Project Founders’ Salon, held in New York City, brought together a diverse group of leaders to discuss modern leadership and innovation. The event featured inspiring thought leadership, cross-disciplinary workshops, and extensive networking opportunities.
Paul Woolmington, CEO of Canvas Worldwide, praised the event for its insightful discussions and the caliber of attendees. He highlighted the session on “The Role and Responsibilities of the Modern Day Board,” which he moderated, as particularly impactful. The panel featured esteemed professionals like Sarah Fay, Chairman of Ziff Davis, and Shiva Rajgopal, Professor at Columbia Business School, who shared their experiences and perspectives on corporate governance and leadership.
Steven Wolfe Pereira, Founder & CEO of Encantos, commended the Salon for fostering meaningful conversations about the intersection of technology, media, and culture. He participated in the panel “Consumers’ Lives, Marketers’ Lives – And The Space In Between,” alongside Gayle Troberman, President & CMO of iHeart Media, and Rishad Tobaccowala, Co-Founder of The Athena Project. The discussion delved into the evolving relationship between consumers and brands in the digital age.
Kirthiga Reddy, Co-Founder of Virtualness.io, expressed her appreciation for the event’s focus on actionable insights and peer-based discussions. She contributed to the panel “The Digital Economy – A Revolution or an Evolution?” moderated by Eric Bader, Advisor and Board Member at MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research. The session explored the transformative impact of digital technologies on various industries.
Other notable attendees included Ann Mukherjee, Board Member at Mondelez, who delivered the opening keynote on why the CMO should be the CEO, and Ambassador Harry K. Thomas (ret.), who shared his insights on leadership, character, and mentorship. The event also featured workshops on topics such as acquiring influence through speaking and industry thought leadership, fostering a data-driven culture, and understanding the impact of AI on marketing and attribution.
Overall, the Athena Project Founders’ Salon provided a platform for leaders across various sectors to engage in meaningful dialogue, share experiences, and explore strategies for navigating the complexities of modern leadership. The event’s emphasis on actionable insights and peer-based learning resonated with attendees, leaving them inspired and equipped to drive innovation and growth within their organizations.
