Unleashing the Power of Female Leadership: Key Strengths and Attributes to Take Your Seat at the Table

Shameka is an award-winning certified meeting professional, certified association executive, speaker, and thought leader with over 8 years of industry experience. Shameka is passionate about people, leadership, and successful businesses. She has a knack for making meaningful connections through events and an insatiable appetite for helping others maximize their potential. 

She is especially inspired to help people take their events, organizations, and careers to unprecedented levels. Shameka is the Principal and Chief Events Officer of EventsNoire, where she drives revenue growth, sponsorships, and member engagement through the creation of relevant and on-brand event experiences, in-person and virtually, for non-profit organizations, associations, and corporations.

Peter J. O’Neil, FASAE, CAE, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASIS International, the largest global membership organization for security management professionals that crosses industry sectors, embracing every discipline along the security spectrum from operational to cybersecurity. O’Neil, an accomplished association management executive, joined ASIS in January of 2016, bringing a broad scope of strategic leadership experience and business acumen. 

Prior to joining ASIS, O’Neil served as CEO of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), an international professional society representing occupational and environmental health and safety professionals. In addition to AIHA, O’Neil had oversight of three limited liability companies, a related education-oriented Foundation, and a Foundation that establishes guideline values for human chemical exposure limits.  

O’Neil earned his Bachelor of Science in International Relations from Syracuse University in the State of New York, and completed additional post-graduate work in public administration, knowledge management, and association management. He is past Chairman of the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) and the ASAE Foundation, and he has served on numerous committees and boards throughout his twenty-seven years of association leadership. Peter achieved the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential in 1998, was named a Fellow of ASAE in 2006, and was recognized with ASAE’s highest individual honor, the Key Award, in 2019. 

Peter lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children, Bryn (23), CJ (20), and Liam (15). 

Karen Calder, M.Ed., CPC, is a former executive and the founder of Karen Calder Consulting & Coaching. For 30 years, she has helped organizations and CEOs transform their cultures, develop highperforming leaders, and create unique talent solutions to meet business needs.

The lack of advancement for women in organizations propelled Karen to delve into the power of mindset and habits that support or limit an individual’s success. She also found the same to be true for organizations implementing change but struggling to execute successfully. Her vision today is to teach women to lead at their best and to assist CEOs and their teams in creating change-ready, high performing cultures.

Molly, a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), helps clients succeed through maximizing value they receive from Eved’s procurement platform. Previously, Molly was Senior Manager, Conference Services at the American Dental Association managing technology solutions and meeting planning for ADA’s annual meeting. She began her career at Experient as a Meeting & Event Manager. Molly currently serves as a board member for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Greater Midwest Chapter and is a student membership liaison for Purdue University, where she is a proud hotel management alumna and ambassador for all things Boiler Maker.