A Candid Conversation on Being a Caregiver Today

Reshma Saujani is a leading activist and the founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms. She is the author of the forthcoming book, PAY UP. Reshma has spent more than a decade building movements to fight for women and girls’ economic empowerment, working to close the gender gap in the tech sector, and most recently advocating for policies to support moms impacted by the pandemic. Reshma is also the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect, and her influential TED talk, “Teach girls, bravery not perfection,” has more than five million views globally. Reshma began her career as an attorney and Democratic organizer. In 2010, she surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress. Reshma lives in New York City with her husband, Nihal, their sons, Shaan and Sai, and their bulldog, Stanley.

Kelly Williamson is president of APCO Worldwide’s North America region. She specializes in building and protecting reputation by developing corporate, public affairs and issues management programs. She was recently named a Champion in the 2018 PRWeek Hall of Femme, and a 2018 Top Women in PR by PR News.

While truly global in her outlook and client work, Ms. Williamson has also had enormous impact in the local North Carolina market. After founding APCO’s Raleigh office, she developed it into a rapidly growing team of talented communications practitioners. She is also the youngest female member of APCO’s Global Leadership Team, where she is responsible for the company’s Key Client Initiative, which focuses on creating a targeted approach to client leadership for top clients. Her 19 year tenure at APCO features career highlights that range across diverse industry sectors and regions, from leading a global multi-million dollar technology account across more than 40 geographies to building a coalition of local nonprofits in North Carolina and successfully advocating for them to retain their tax-exempt status for throughout multiple legislative sessions.

Ms. Williamson is currently an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in the Media and Journalism School. Prior to joining APCO, she served as a financial management consultant for the Principal Financial Group.

Leanne High is a director at APCO Worldwide, based in Raleigh, NC. Where she has experience developing and managing the implementation of media and communication strategies for organizations and corporations in numerous industries including education, health, nonprofit, consumer, and housing. Leanne is also the program lead for APCO Encore, a program designed to enable caregivers who have taken time out of the workforce to re-enter on a flexible basis in order to continue to build their careers, while meeting personal obligations.

Leanne has helped spearhead national reputation campaigns and communications initiatives for B2B corporations, health systems, nonprofits, and universities. She leads APCO’s global communications work for Educational Testing Service, providing strategy and counsel surrounding thought leadership, message development, and digital and earned media, positioning the organization as a leading global learning company. Leanne also has experience creating and managing strategic communication initiatives with North Carolina’s major health systems including Atrium Health and Duke Health, where she implemented a system-wide internal communications structure. She has also built and implemented brand and marketing campaigns, most recently with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the Partnership for a Healthier America encouraging consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Elle Arlook leads the firm’s Equity & Justice practice, a division of APCO Impact. Mrs. Arlook has a depth of experience in supporting corporate, non-profit and association clients navigating complex issue environments at the intersection of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Prior to this role, she led media relations and traditional corporate communications efforts within APCO’s corporate communications practice. She has worked on clients that range from household names like McCormick and CarMax to lesser-known, highly regulated, billion-dollar companies like Transurban. Mrs. Arlook brings to clients an expertise in managing challenging environments, bringing the best out of large teams, and delivering against impactful communications strategies.

Mrs. Arlook previously served as director at a boutique multicultural public affairs and crisis communications firm in Washington, D.C. In this role, she managed national partnerships, strategic influencer relations, multicultural communications, grassroots marketing, and reputation management for clients including the National Urban League, Walgreens, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, Toyota, YMCA of the USA, and the Connecticut Health Foundation.

Ravelle Worthington is the Founder & CEO of Mommy Brain, the go-to maternal wellness platform providing accessible support for perinatal education, expert-led guidance, and a diverse community of peers -- giving women the tools to thrive both at home and in their careers. She is passionate about maternal health and creating equitable spaces for moms. Learn more about our services at mommybrain.com.