SouthCoast Women's Forum
The SouthCoast Women’s Forum is the ideal setting for leading business professionals, and aspiring women in business to connect, learn, and be inspired by other women!
For information on sponsorships and exhibit space, please contact Deven Robitaille at (508) 999.5231 ext. 208.
Past speakers:
Ashley Paré – CEO & Founder of Own Your Worth
Ashley Paré is the CEO & Founder of Own Your Worth, an organization on a mission to break glass ceilings through career negotiation. As a leadership and negotiation coach, Ashley helps clients release self-limiting beliefs, feel confident and earn more. She leverages over 12 years of global corporate Human Resource experience and continues to work with organizations to create inclusive cultures. Ashley is a TEDx Speaker and has been featured in The New York Times, Glamour, CNN Money and more. She lives with her husband in Boston, MA. You can learn more about her work at http://www.ownyourworth.com
Shaleen Title, Commissioner, Cannabis Control Commission
Shaleen Title was jointly appointed in 2017 by the Massachusetts governor, treasurer, and attorney general to serve in the social justice seat on the Commission. Named to the Boston Business Journal’s 2018 list of the 50 most powerful people in Boston, she has won several awards for her advocacy work and her efforts to bring more women and people of color into drug policy reform and the cannabis industry.
Before her appointment, she co-authored the Massachusetts marijuana legalization referendum and has consulted on state and local marijuana policy around the country. As an attorney specializing in marijuana regulations, she has provided regulatory expertise for leading marijuana consulting firms.
She also served as founder of a women-led recruiting firm and as a founding board member of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, where she led the drafting of the first model bill created to give states guidance to implement a process of reinvestment and reconciliation.
Commissioner Title holds a business degree, law degree, and Master’s degree from the University of Illinois and was previously a consultant at Deloitte.
The discussion will be moderated by Shelley Cardoos, Director of Programs, E For All
After graduating from UMass Dartmouth with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Shelley began working for AHEAD, LLC. While working for this entrepreneurial South Coast company, Shelley created and grew her own t-shirt and design business as well as running CRAFT-O-RAMA, a local arts and crafts event. Over the years, CRAFT-O-RAMA transformed into a seasonal holiday pop-up shop featuring crafts by local artists.
Shelley’s love for community, creativity, business, and mid-sized cities led her to EforAll. In September 2015, Shelley joined Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), a nonprofit focused on economic and social impact through inclusive entrepreneurship. As Executive Director, she helped launch the program in New Bedford and Fall River and was promoted to Director of Programs for EforAll in January 2018.
Shelley has been on the board of Downtown New Bedford Inc. and also served as a committee member for Love the Ave and South End Engaged. She has volunteered for AHA! Steering Committee and 3rd Eye Youth Empowerment, Inc. She coordinated New Bedford Open Studios in 2010, was member and chair of the New Bedford Local Cultural Council, co-founded Soap Box Social and New Bedford Art Museum’s group Contemporaries. Shelley was honored to receive the SouthCoast 5 Emerging Leader Award in June 2015.