Global Seminar Series
Connecting girls to learn & unite with each other to understand their roles in our global community.
Launched in May 2020, the Global Seminar Series aims to provide an opportunity for high school girls globally to connect, learn, and collaborate as they address relevant pressing global issues. The Global Seminar Series (GSS) prepares students to become informed and empowered to take action by exploring one global issue through an interdisciplinary lens, interacting with experts in various professions, and participating in collaborative group projects.
To date, the GSS has engaged:
Join us for Global Seminar Series #9
Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: Navigating the AI Frontier
(Title generated by ChatGPT)
October 14, October 21, and November 4, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ET on Zoom
Cost: FREE
As disparities persist across global societies, gender inequities continue to plague our world. This fall we will focus on artificial intelligence’s transformative force, which poses challenges and opportunities for social and economic development and for the betterment of our future as girls and women.
By focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it is already affecting society on a global scale, we will delve into the pros and cons, including:
- how AI can inherit societal biases.
- what we can do to make AI more inclusive.
- how AI influences job availability and accessibility in different fields of work and countries.
- how AI creates economic gaps and how it can be used to bridge those gaps and empower regions.
- how to promote an unbiased understanding of the impacts of AI on a global scale.
AI is here to stay and as it becomes more integrated into our daily lives, it is imperative that we advocate for opportunities for underrepresented peoples to become more involved so we are all better informed and create more diverse utilization of AI, with less bias and a better understanding of how it can be used by all.
Our fall virtual Global Seminar Series – Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: Navigating the AI Frontier (Title generated by ChatGPT) – will address these important questions:
- What is AI?
- What is the future of AI?
- How will it impact you?
- How can we harness AI as a powerful tool to help change the world in a positive way?
- How can we address shortcomings while using AI to our advantage?
- Will AI replace humans?
- How will AI influence job availability and accessibility in different fields and countries?
- If artificial intelligence collects information from outside sources, how can we be sure it does not inherit and perpetuate societal biases? What can we do to promote fairness and inclusivity?
- Developing countries often face challenges when adapting to AI; how can artificial intelligence be used to bridge economic gaps and empower different regions around the world?
Join us to connect with your peers from around the world, contribute to this important dialogue about AI, become better informed and learn and grow as a global citizen!
Information on keynote and panelists coming soon!
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Katie Ayers
Dr. Katie Ayers likes to think of herself as a professional feminist and LGBTQ+ advocate. After attending an all-girls high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, working as a journalist for a few years before she was offered an ROTC scholarship to attend a university. In undergrad she majored in Journalism and Women's Studies until she was ultimately discharged in 2008 for admitting to being a lesbian (before the military ban on homosexuality was repealed). She spent much of her time in college advocating for feminist causes and helping to organize the first gay pride parade at Miami University. Following a Master's Degree in Women's and Gender Studies, she spent some time organizing against a gay marriage ban in North Carolina, working again as a journalist, and eventually entering a Sociology PhD program where she would center her research on women and focus her dissertation on women who, because of their aversion to the patriarchy, bought rural land and set up their own communities. Spending the summer of 2018 on these women's lands strengthened her resolve to advocate for more women's-only spaces and, after graduation in 2020, Dr. Ayers took the position she holds now as a History/Humanities teacher at Miss Porter's School, specializing in Feminism and Women's History as well as LGBTQ+ history in the U.S. and globally.
Panelists
Pippa Tubman Armerding '86
Pippa Tubman Armerding is a lawyer and business professional with 20 years’ experience operating across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas in multi-cultural, global environments and providing sophisticated strategic and legal advice to multinational corporations and academic institutions. Ms. Tubman Armerding has significant experience in developing targeted solutions, implementing business strategies, conducting in-depth research and writing business case studies. She is passionate about Africa and contributing to the development of the continent and making a difference in the lives of its people. She is currently the Executive Director of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Africa Research Center, an Independent Director of Godrej Consumer Products Limited, a member of the Advisory Board of the African Legal Support Facility and a Director of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Ms. Tubman Armerding is an alumna of Miss Porter’s School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree in international law from New York University School of Law. She is a member of the Bar of the State of New York.
Josselyn Navas
Josselyn Navas is an analyst in the Global Markets division of Goldman Sachs. She is responsible for providing trading execution services to large institutional clients. Josselyn is a first-generation college student and graduated magma cum laude with a major in economics and a minor in data science from the University of Chicago. Josselyn is originally from Ecuador but grew up in Queens, NY. During her free time, she enjoys going on runs, writing for her personal finance blog, and dancing salsa.
Addie Gundry '05
Pluie founder and CEO, Addie spent most of her career in the kitchen. She studied with Christian Etienne in a Michelin starred restaurant and honed her skills in kitchens in California and New York. She appeared on The Food Network, wrote for Martha Stewart Living, and designed food and beverage products at a Chicago innovation agency. Addie is the author of several cookbooks, making elegant recipes easy and approachable for any cook. Three years ago, she had a son, and after that, a daughter. As a mom, Addie quickly realized how horrific public changing tables are so she put down her knives and left the kitchen! She founded Pluie and with the help of a talented team Addie set out to change the table.
Renée C. Triay '86
Glam2Go founder, Renée C. Triay started her career in sales and business development for the television and entertainment industry at Univision Networks in Miami, FL (1991-1996). She worked for Oppenheimer Ltd in Bermuda as Director of client services for an emerging markets fund (1997-1999) and In 2000 moved back to Miami. Since 2004 Renée has lived in Mexico City focusing on new technologies and growth opportunities within the Mexican and Latin America for US companies (Vonage, One Command). She graduated with a BS in Communication from Boston University in 1991 and from Miss Porter’s School in 1986.
Guest Speakers
Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins, founder and CEO of Wonderbag, is a visionary South African entrepreneur and political activist who has dedicated her life to promoting justice and equality. At the heart of Collins' mission is the Wonderbag, a revolutionary non-electric slow cooker that has transformed the lives of millions of women in developing communities around the world. By simply boiling food on a stove and then placing it in the insulated Wonderbag, the food can continue to cook for up to 8 hours without any additional heat or energy source needed. This sustainable and affordable solution not only saves time and fuel costs, but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions from cooking fuels, creating carbon credits, and driving sustainable solutions that save lives. Collins and her Wonderbag have been recognized and celebrated at major events such as Davos, the London Stock Exchange, and the United Nations, among others. The Wonderbag has also been named one of Time Magazine's Top 50 Genius Companies in the World and recognized as one of the top 10 most innovative companies by Fast Moving (SA).
Praisemore Mhlanga
Wonderbag Manufacturing Entrepreneur Praisemore Mhlanga is a true inspiration in the world of entrepreneurship. Her journey began with a simple passion for sewing, learned from her mother's hand-powered sewing machine. After moving to Cape Town with her husband Tapiwa in 2009, Praisemore began selling curtains and bedspreads door to door, starting with just R200. In March 2021, an incredible opportunity presented itself when Tapiwa joined Wonderbag as a driver. When the Wonderbag team learned about Praisemore’s Impressive sewing skills and business acumen, they approached her to makeWonderbags. Without hesitation, Praisemore seized the opportunity and took her business to the next level. She secured new premises and employed eight people, teaching them the art of sewing. Thanks to Praisemore's hard work and dedication, her business quickly grew. By June 2021, her team was sewing an impressive 300 Wonderbags each week. Today, Praisemore's business produces a staggering 2200 Wonderbags per week and has moved to a bigger premises at a business park. Praisemore has also created jobs for more than 27 people, improving their lives and supporting their families. Her incredible success story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and seizing opportunities when they arise.
Our past Global Seminar Series:
- The Pandemic: A Call to Action (Spring 2020)
- The State of Democracy and the Global Impact of the U.S. Presidential Election (Fall 2020)
- Social Media 360: The Unsung Hero or the Insidious Villain? (Winter 2021)
- Sharing our Global Stories: Making the Invisible Visible (Spring 2021)
- Global Political Polarization – The Hidden Pandemic (Fall, 2021)
- The Climate Crisis: From Acknowledgement to Activism (Spring, 2022)
- Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights: Advancing the Global Conversation Among Youth (Fall 2022)
- The Economics of Being Female: The Wealth Gap, The Wage Gap, and What To Do About It (Spring 2023)
Register for the Global Seminar Series
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