Women in Law & Leadership Summit: Atlanta
Leading Through Growth, Change & Influence in the South
Atlanta has emerged as one of the most dynamic business centers in the United States – home to global corporations, rapidly scaling industries, and a new generation of leaders shaping the future of business. As organizations navigate transformation, workforce evolution, technological disruption, and heightened stakeholder expectations, women leaders are increasingly being called upon to drive results while building cultures that foster resilience, innovation, and long-term success.
The Women in Law & Leadership Summit: Atlanta brings together senior legal executives, corporate counsel, business leaders, and rising decision-makers for an engaging and practical exploration of leadership in a rapidly evolving environment. Through candid conversations and actionable insights, the program examines how women are building influence, navigating organizational change, leading through uncertainty, and creating pathways for the next generation of leadership.
Attendees will gain strategies for strengthening executive presence, cultivating sponsorship and advocacy networks, managing competing professional and personal demands, and leading with authenticity in increasingly complex organizations. Discussions will also explore the future of leadership, the evolving expectations placed on women executives, and the opportunities that emerge when diverse perspectives are empowered at the highest levels.
Designed for women who are driving business outcomes, shaping organizational culture, and advancing the future of leadership, this summit provides a forum for meaningful connection, practical insight, and professional growth in one of America’s most influential and rapidly expanding markets.
*5 CLE Credits GA State
- Leading Through Disruption: Redefining Power, Purpose & Progress
- From Token to Trailblazer: Building Enduring Power for Women in Leadership
- Micro-Bias, Macro Impact: Rewriting the Culture of Leadership
- Who Opens the Door? Building Sponsorship Pathways That Last
- The Power of the Pivot: Reinvention and Resilience in Women’s Leadership
- Voice, Visibility & Influence: The New Metrics of Leadership Success
- The Currency of Advancement: Credit, Visibility and Compensation
- Law, Leadership & Legitimacy: The Ethics Tightrope for Today’s Women Leaders
- Chief Legal Officer
- C-Suite Executives
- General Counsel
- Deputy General Counsel
- Associate/Assistant General Counsel
- (Senior) Vice President, Legal
- (Assistant) Vice President
- Chief Compliance Officer
- Chief Operating Officer
- Head of Legal Operations
- (Senior) Corporate Counsel
- (Senior) Counsel
- Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer / Head of Inclusion & Belonging
Agenda
Disruption has become the new constant – from global instability to AI acceleration to shifting social norms. Women leaders are at the forefront of navigating this complexity, redefining what resilience, innovation, and purpose mean in real time. This session examines the evolving skill set required to thrive amid uncertainty—how to lead transformation with empathy, future-proof decision-making, and a sense of purpose that inspires enduring progress.
This panel will explore:
• Turning disruption into opportunity and sustained influence
• Adaptive leadership techniques for managing volatility and complexity
• Balancing innovation with empathy in organizational transformation
• Reimagining leadership to align values with progress
Ashley Nightingale is Associate General Counsel at The Lumistella Company, where she leads the IP & Entertainment Legal function, sets global intellectual property strategy, and serves as the senior legal authority on emerging technology and AI governance.
She advises executive leadership on legal, business, and technology matters, developing governance frameworks and risk-management strategies that enable innovation while protecting enterprise value. Ashley’s work focuses on the evolving legal implications of AI-generated content, helping organizations navigate disruption through practical, business-focused solutions.
Prior to joining Lumistella, she served as a Director in Morgan Stanley’s Technology IP & Data Legal group, advising on technology, intellectual property, and data privacy matters supporting the firm’s global operations.
Despite decades of progress, women’s foothold in senior leadership remains fragile amid DEI rollbacks and shifting corporate priorities. The challenge is no longer access—it’s endurance. This session examines how women can transform visibility into lasting influence, convert symbolic roles into structural power, and lead with authenticity in environments still calibrated for conformity. The conversation moves from representation to strategy, exploring what it takes to secure real authority, build trust, and create leadership pipelines that don’t regress with the next corporate trend.
This panel will explore:
• Turning representation into enduring authority and measurable influence
• Mentorship and sponsorship strategies that prevent leadership backsliding
• Navigating evolving expectations around inclusion and leadership style
• Building political capital and executive trust in uncertain times
Mariángela Corales is the General Counsel, Vice President of Legal and Compliance, and Corporate Secretary for Goodwill of North Georgia, one of Georgia’s largest and most impactful nonprofits. In her role, she leads a team of dedicated legal and business professionals across the organization, focusing on legal and employment matters, risk management, safety, compliance, workers’ compensation, real estate development, and DE&I initiatives. Mariángela provides strategic advice and counsel to the CEO and Board of Directors, ensuring the organization operates within the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct.
In addition to her work at Goodwill, Mariángela is a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she shares her extensive knowledge and experience with the next generation of business professionals. She also serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), advocating for children in the foster care system, and is a board member for the Latino Community Fund Georgia, supporting initiatives that promote the well-being of Georgia Latino communities.
Mariángela’s contributions to the legal field have been recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, which named her Corporate Counsel of the Year-Community Champion.
A first-generation Cuban American, Mariángela was born and raised in South Florida. She began her academic journey at Florida State University, earned her Bachelor of Arts from Florida International University, and went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami. She now resides in the metro-Atlanta area with her family, where she continues to make a significant impact both professionally and within her community.
Candice Cannon Rudd is a global regulatory and product counsel with deep experience guiding C‑suite leaders through complex financial, technology, and data‑driven regulatory landscapes. As Senior Counsel at Mastercard, she leads global regulatory and product strategy for Mastercard Services, enabling innovative, compliant product development across the Americas and worldwide. Her career spans integral legal roles at Equifax, FIS Global, Beazley Insurance Group, and private practice where she has built a reputation for influencing effective collaboration, driving enterprise-wide compliance, managing high-stakes litigation and investigations, and shaping public policy. Recognized as a Top 100 African American Lawyer, she is known for translating complex regulation into clear, business‑forward strategy.
Candice is a graduate of Spelman College and Loyola University School of Law. She is a wife and mother of two, a member of Jack & Jill America, Inc., and enjoys living in the Atlanta area with her family.
Even as organizations champion equality, subtle cultural forces still determine who gets credibility, visibility, and opportunity. Small biases—how ideas are received, who’s invited to lead, who gets second chances—create massive downstream impact. This session confronts those hidden dynamics head-on, unpacking how they manifest in senior leadership and what practical reforms dismantle them. It highlights actionable systems that replace passive awareness with measurable equity and accountability.
This panel will explore:
• Identifying and addressing “second-generation” bias at the leadership level
• How micro-inequities shape team trust, culture, and client outcomes
• Building accountability into evaluation, promotion, and pay systems
• Converting cultural awareness into sustainable structural change
Leadership trajectories are shaped by who gets invited into rooms where decisions are made. This session focuses on the mechanics of access – how sponsorship opens doors, transfers credibility, and builds durable leadership pathways for women. Rather than relying on informal networks or individual goodwill, the discussion centers on designing sponsorship systems that withstand leadership turnover, market shifts, and cultural pushback. It positions sponsorship as a long-term investment in leadership continuity and organizational strength.
This panel will explore:
- How access and advocacy shape leadership outcomes over time
- The role of senior leaders in transferring credibility and opportunity
- Designing sponsorship pathways that scale beyond individual relationships
- Preventing leadership backsliding by institutionalizing advancement support
Keynote Fireside Conversation Hosted by: Ryanne Saucier, VP Legal Affairs, Fox Television Stations
No leader is immune to life’s unexpected challenges. Whether navigating personal loss, career setbacks, changing priorities, or moments of profound uncertainty, the ability to adapt and move forward often becomes the true measure of leadership. In this candid and inspiring conversation, accomplished women leaders share the experiences that tested them, transformed them, and ultimately shaped the leaders they are today, offering powerful insights on resilience, authenticity, and finding purpose through life’s most unexpected chapters.
Discussion Topics:
- Career pivots, setbacks, and the lessons learned along the way
- Leading through personal challenges while maintaining professional excellence
- Reinvention, resilience, and redefining success at different stages of life
- How authenticity, vulnerability, and purpose strengthen leadership impact
Leadership longevity requires reinvention. From economic shifts and corporate restructuring to personal transitions, modern women leaders are rewriting their narratives mid-career—and emerging stronger for it. This session focuses on resilience as a strategy, not a reaction. It offers insight into recognizing inflection points, reframing setbacks, and converting change into professional renewal. The conversation elevates reinvention as a defining skill of contemporary leadership.
This panel will explore:
• Recognizing when a pivot is strategic rather than reactive
• Transforming transition periods into opportunities for growth
• Cultivating resilience and confidence amid uncertainty
• Redefining success through adaptability and forward movement
Sonya Richardson is a transformational leader and AI governance professional with deep expertise in responsible AI, data quality, and enterprise data strategy. As a leader in Data and AI Governance at Red Hat, she specializes in governance-as-code, metadata strategy, and scalable frameworks that bridge innovation with ethical accountability. With over a decade of experience, Sonya is recognized for building trusted, AI-ready data ecosystems that drive operational excellence.
An engaging public speaker, Sonya presents on AI ethics, data leadership, and the intersection of technology and personal growth. She is passionate about helping organizations navigate technological change with integrity and vision. Certified as an Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP) by the IAPP, Sonya blends technical leadership with purpose-driven empowerment to inspire transformation in both individuals and global enterprises.
In today’s landscape, authority is measured by influence, not title. Women leaders are leveraging their voices, ideas, and platforms to shape industries, policies, and culture. This session explores how to build authentic visibility that drives impact—transforming expertise into thought leadership and leadership into advocacy. It’s about mastering presence, expanding reach, and using influence to open doors for others while defining success on new terms.
This panel will explore:
• Building authentic executive presence across physical and digital spaces
• Expanding influence through thought leadership and storytelling
• Managing visibility with confidence and credibility in high-profile roles
• Using one’s platform to drive advocacy, mentorship, and systemic change
DeRetta Rhodes, MBA, PhD is a vision driven executive who has broad experience in Strategic Planning and Human Resources spanning multiple industries including professional services, media, financial services, and non-profits. Dr. Rhodes is going into her eighth season with the Braves after arriving in January 2019. She joined the organization as a Senior Vice President of Human Resources before being promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief People Capital Officer, in January 2021. She was elevated to her current role, Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer, in January 2022.
Dr. Rhodes, oversees communications, community affairs and people capital (Human Resources) for the organization’s Major League and The Battery Atlanta operations. She has transformed the people capital department, expanded the culture of the organization with training programs and employee resource groups and created an internal workforce development council. Prior to joining the Braves, Dr. Rhodes was the Executive Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Vice President of Human Resources at First Data, Vice President of Human Resources for Turner Broadcasting and held leadership positions at Ernst & Young, ADP, HomeGrocer.com and YUM Brand.
Dr. Rhodes received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, her master’s in business administration (MBA) from Clark Atlanta University and her PhD in adult education from the University of Georgia. She is a certified facilitator for HOGAN Assessment and HOGAN 360.
A Kansas City native, Dr. Rhodes, has also served in the Metro Atlanta community, in various board member roles and activities. She serves on several boards such as Executive Board Member of the Atlanta Braves Foundation and Trustee Member, Vice President & Secretary, International Women’s Foundation and Governing Board Member and HR & Compensation Chair of the Woodruff Arts Center, to name a few.
Rhodes completed her Ted Talk (TEDxUGA) in 2018 and has been recognized as 2026 Georgia Titan 100 Hall of Fame, Georgia Titan 100 (2024, 2025), and 2026 Tribute to Women of Achievement (LiveSafe). She was also recognized as 2025 YWCA Women of Achievement, 2024 Women of Influence by Atlanta Business Chronicle and 100 Women of Influence (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) by the Atlanta Business League. She is the author of Courage of Voice: Empowering Women to Open Professional Doors.
Dr. Rhodes lives in Atlanta, Ga. with her husband, Leon, and her three sons, Cole, Austin and Jordan.
Dana Mango is a senior risk management professional with deep expertise in navigating complex, multinational risk environments. A trained lawyer who began her career as a trial attorney, she brings a unique legal and operational lens to global risk. She currently serves as Senior Director of Global Risk Management at Iron Mountain, where she leads enterprise-wide risk strategy across a diverse platform that includes data centers, asset lifecycle management, digitalization and records and information management. Her work focuses on addressing emerging risks tied to digital infrastructure, data security, and global operations at scale. She is passionate about translating complex risk concepts into actionable insights for business leaders.
Prior to Iron Mountain, Dana spent over a decade with the ANDRITZ Group, where she built and led a global insurance program spanning operations in more than 40 countries. She is known for reducing total cost of risk, structuring innovative insurance solutions, and aligning cross-functional teams across legal, finance, IT, and operations to proactively manage exposure.
Money tells only part of the story. The real equity gap lies in who gets credit, visibility, and advancement opportunities. Women in senior roles continue to encounter uneven recognition for comparable results—particularly in team-based or high-pressure environments. This discussion reframes equity as a holistic system encompassing pay, recognition, and opportunity flow. It examines how organizations can align compensation structures, audit recognition bias, and build cultures that reward impact, not just optics.
This panel will explore:
• How recognition gaps perpetuate pay and promotion inequities
• Concrete tools for auditing and recalibrating credit and compensation systems
• Negotiation approaches that reassert value and authority
• Embedding fairness through transparent structures and leadership accountability
For women at the helm of law firms, corporations, and public institutions, every decision is magnified through a sharper lens of scrutiny. In an era of political division and amplified media narratives, ethical leadership has never been more complex—or consequential. This session tackles the tension between authenticity, responsibility, and reputational risk. It examines how to lead decisively without compromising integrity, uphold principles amid political or institutional pressure, and transform scrutiny into strength.
This panel will explore:
• Navigating heightened ethical and reputational pressures in leadership
• Building credibility through consistency and transparent decision-making
• Leading through controversy without sacrificing core values
• Turning public challenge into an opportunity for institutional trust-building
Discussions hosted by a topic expert.
Roundtable 1: The Audacity of the Ask: Asking for What Matters
Roundtable 2: The Power of the Pivot: Reinvention in Leadership
Roundtable 3: Backwards and In Heels: The Non-Linear Advantage
Roundtable 4: Authentic Leadership and Building a Personal Brand
Roundtable 5: Seat at the Table – or Voice in the Room?
Speakers
Ashley Nightingale is Associate General Counsel at The Lumistella Company, where she leads the IP & Entertainment Legal function, sets global intellectual property strategy, and serves as the senior legal authority on emerging technology and AI governance.
She advises executive leadership on legal, business, and technology matters, developing governance frameworks and risk-management strategies that enable innovation while protecting enterprise value. Ashley’s work focuses on the evolving legal implications of AI-generated content, helping organizations navigate disruption through practical, business-focused solutions.
Prior to joining Lumistella, she served as a Director in Morgan Stanley’s Technology IP & Data Legal group, advising on technology, intellectual property, and data privacy matters supporting the firm’s global operations.
Mariángela Corales is the General Counsel, Vice President of Legal and Compliance, and Corporate Secretary for Goodwill of North Georgia, one of Georgia’s largest and most impactful nonprofits. In her role, she leads a team of dedicated legal and business professionals across the organization, focusing on legal and employment matters, risk management, safety, compliance, workers’ compensation, real estate development, and DE&I initiatives. Mariángela provides strategic advice and counsel to the CEO and Board of Directors, ensuring the organization operates within the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct.
In addition to her work at Goodwill, Mariángela is a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she shares her extensive knowledge and experience with the next generation of business professionals. She also serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), advocating for children in the foster care system, and is a board member for the Latino Community Fund Georgia, supporting initiatives that promote the well-being of Georgia Latino communities.
Mariángela’s contributions to the legal field have been recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, which named her Corporate Counsel of the Year-Community Champion.
A first-generation Cuban American, Mariángela was born and raised in South Florida. She began her academic journey at Florida State University, earned her Bachelor of Arts from Florida International University, and went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami. She now resides in the metro-Atlanta area with her family, where she continues to make a significant impact both professionally and within her community.
Candice Cannon Rudd is a global regulatory and product counsel with deep experience guiding C‑suite leaders through complex financial, technology, and data‑driven regulatory landscapes. As Senior Counsel at Mastercard, she leads global regulatory and product strategy for Mastercard Services, enabling innovative, compliant product development across the Americas and worldwide. Her career spans integral legal roles at Equifax, FIS Global, Beazley Insurance Group, and private practice where she has built a reputation for influencing effective collaboration, driving enterprise-wide compliance, managing high-stakes litigation and investigations, and shaping public policy. Recognized as a Top 100 African American Lawyer, she is known for translating complex regulation into clear, business‑forward strategy.
Candice is a graduate of Spelman College and Loyola University School of Law. She is a wife and mother of two, a member of Jack & Jill America, Inc., and enjoys living in the Atlanta area with her family.
Sonya Richardson is a transformational leader and AI governance professional with deep expertise in responsible AI, data quality, and enterprise data strategy. As a leader in Data and AI Governance at Red Hat, she specializes in governance-as-code, metadata strategy, and scalable frameworks that bridge innovation with ethical accountability. With over a decade of experience, Sonya is recognized for building trusted, AI-ready data ecosystems that drive operational excellence.
An engaging public speaker, Sonya presents on AI ethics, data leadership, and the intersection of technology and personal growth. She is passionate about helping organizations navigate technological change with integrity and vision. Certified as an Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP) by the IAPP, Sonya blends technical leadership with purpose-driven empowerment to inspire transformation in both individuals and global enterprises.
DeRetta Rhodes, MBA, PhD is a vision driven executive who has broad experience in Strategic Planning and Human Resources spanning multiple industries including professional services, media, financial services, and non-profits. Dr. Rhodes is going into her eighth season with the Braves after arriving in January 2019. She joined the organization as a Senior Vice President of Human Resources before being promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief People Capital Officer, in January 2021. She was elevated to her current role, Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer, in January 2022.
Dr. Rhodes, oversees communications, community affairs and people capital (Human Resources) for the organization’s Major League and The Battery Atlanta operations. She has transformed the people capital department, expanded the culture of the organization with training programs and employee resource groups and created an internal workforce development council. Prior to joining the Braves, Dr. Rhodes was the Executive Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Vice President of Human Resources at First Data, Vice President of Human Resources for Turner Broadcasting and held leadership positions at Ernst & Young, ADP, HomeGrocer.com and YUM Brand.
Dr. Rhodes received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, her master’s in business administration (MBA) from Clark Atlanta University and her PhD in adult education from the University of Georgia. She is a certified facilitator for HOGAN Assessment and HOGAN 360.
A Kansas City native, Dr. Rhodes, has also served in the Metro Atlanta community, in various board member roles and activities. She serves on several boards such as Executive Board Member of the Atlanta Braves Foundation and Trustee Member, Vice President & Secretary, International Women’s Foundation and Governing Board Member and HR & Compensation Chair of the Woodruff Arts Center, to name a few.
Rhodes completed her Ted Talk (TEDxUGA) in 2018 and has been recognized as 2026 Georgia Titan 100 Hall of Fame, Georgia Titan 100 (2024, 2025), and 2026 Tribute to Women of Achievement (LiveSafe). She was also recognized as 2025 YWCA Women of Achievement, 2024 Women of Influence by Atlanta Business Chronicle and 100 Women of Influence (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) by the Atlanta Business League. She is the author of Courage of Voice: Empowering Women to Open Professional Doors.
Dr. Rhodes lives in Atlanta, Ga. with her husband, Leon, and her three sons, Cole, Austin and Jordan.
Dana Mango is a senior risk management professional with deep expertise in navigating complex, multinational risk environments. A trained lawyer who began her career as a trial attorney, she brings a unique legal and operational lens to global risk. She currently serves as Senior Director of Global Risk Management at Iron Mountain, where she leads enterprise-wide risk strategy across a diverse platform that includes data centers, asset lifecycle management, digitalization and records and information management. Her work focuses on addressing emerging risks tied to digital infrastructure, data security, and global operations at scale. She is passionate about translating complex risk concepts into actionable insights for business leaders.
Prior to Iron Mountain, Dana spent over a decade with the ANDRITZ Group, where she built and led a global insurance program spanning operations in more than 40 countries. She is known for reducing total cost of risk, structuring innovative insurance solutions, and aligning cross-functional teams across legal, finance, IT, and operations to proactively manage exposure.
Pricing
| Register By | In House Counsel | Law Firms & Vendors |
|---|---|---|
| November 17, 2026 | Complimentary for Qualifying In-House Professionals | Networking Sponsorships, contact: info@centerforceusa.com |
- Payment is due in full at the time of registration and includes lunches, refreshments and detailed conference materials.
- Your registration will not be confirmed until payment is received and may be subject to cancellation.
- You may substitute delegates at any time. CenterForce does not provide refunds for cancellations.
- For cancellations received in writing more than seven (7) days prior to the conference you will receive a 100% credit to be used at another CenterForce conference for up to one year from the date of issuance.
- For cancellations received seven (7) days or less prior to an event (including day 7), no credit will be issued. In the event that CenterForce cancels an event, delegate payments at the date of cancellation will be credited to a future CenterForce event. This credit will be available for up to one year from the date of issuance.
- In the event that CenterForce postpones an event, delegate payments at the postponement date will be credited towards the rescheduled date. If the delegate is unable to attend the rescheduled event, the delegate will receive a 100% credit representing payments made towards a future CenterForce event. This credit will be available for up to one year from the date of issuance. No refunds will be available for cancellations or postponements.
- CenterForce is not responsible for any loss or damage as a result of a substitution, alteration or cancellation/postponement of an event. CenterForce shall assume no liability whatsoever in the event this conference is cancelled, rescheduled or postponed due to a fortuitous event, Act of God, unforeseen occurrence or any other event that renders performance of this conference impracticable or impossible. For purposes of this clause, a fortuitous event shall include, but not be limited to: war, fire, labor strike, extreme weather or other emergency.
- Please note that speakers and topics were confirmed at the time of publishing, however, circumstances beyond the control of the organizers may necessitate substitutions, alterations or cancellations of the speakers and/or topics. As such, CenterForce reserves the right to alter or modify the advertised speakers and/or topics if necessary. Any substitutions or alterations will be updated on our web page as soon as possible.
- All discounts must require payment at time of registration and before the cut-off date in order to receive any discount.
- Any discounts offered whether by CenterForce (including team discounts) must also require payment at the time of registration.
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