JLL hosts ninth Annual Women’s Summit

This year, the Women’s Summit drew 55 nominated employees to JLL’s Chicago headquarters for a two-day program centered around leading with ambition. Co-sponsored by JLL’s Talent Center of Expertise and Women's Business Network, the event focused on the power of storytelling, how to lead authentically, and strategies for advancing women in the workplace.

Attendees had the chance to network and connect with each other as well as hear from leadership from across the company such as Sheila Penrose, Chairman of the Board for JLL, and Suellen Ravanas, Chief Financial Officer for JLL Americas, who hosted a fireside chat to kick off the summit. A vibrant discussion on women’s advancement in leadership was led by Greg O’Brien—CEO for JLL Americas, Ryndy Ditmars—JLL Americas General Council, Jill Kouri—Chief Marketing Officer for JLL Americas, and Steve Zsigray—Midwest Managing Director.  

Mary Bilbrey, JLL’s Global Chief Human Resources Officer, kicked off day two by engaging the attendees in dialogue on authentic leadership. A leadership panel described a day in the life of a JLL leader as well as thoughts on how to bring your best self to work. 

Angela Geffre, JLL’s Head of Global Talent, led a workshop on using 360 feedback to create robust leadership development plans. And the summit wrapped up with Jill Kouri and Christian Ulbrich, JLL’s Global CEO, discussing the firm’s growth trajectory and strategy going into 2020.

Over 500 women have participated in JLL’s Women's Summit over the past nine years, as part of JLL’s ongoing effort and commitment to advance women in leadership, to empower our female leaders and shape the future of JLL. 

Said Shellene Darling, Integrated Facility Management, Boeing Account Lead for JLL, about the event, “It was an incredible experience to interact with our executive leadership team and engage with other women leaders at JLL’s 2019 Women’s Summit. I left the summit with an energetic boost of inspiration and admiration for the leaders who spoke. The message I appreciated receiving from JLL’s leaders was the importance of having compassion, authenticity, confidence and being resilient.”

JLL Women's Summit 2019

(L-R): Paul Morgan—Americas COO, Corporate Solutions; Elizabeth Cooper—Executive Managing Director, Brokerage JLL Americas; Mary Taylor—Americas Integrated Facility Management Lead, JLL; and Neil Murray—Global Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Solutions

JLL Women's Summit 2019

(L-R): Jill Kouri—Chief Marketing Officer for JLL Americas; Greg O’Brien—CEO for JLL Americas; Ryndy Ditmars—JLL Americas General Council; Steve Zsigray—Midwest Managing Director; and Elizabeth Cooper—Executive Managing Director, Brokerage JLL Americas

JLL Women's Summit 2019

JLL Women's Summit 2019

(L-R): Nuvie Ewharekuko—Global HR Associate; Lani Aragon—Director, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity-JLL Americas; and Tracey Buettell, Manager, Programs

JLL’s Women’s Summit was a truly powerful event, not only because of the speakers but because of the personal connections I was able to build. I left the Summit inspired and energized to continue to grow my career at JLL.

Director, Occupancy Planning - JLL

The Women’s Summit was transformative and eye-opening for me. Hearing from an amazing cohort of women and leaders about their leadership experiences and skills was exactly what I needed at this point in my career. The highlight of the event for me was the story telling workshop and practicing how to tell your personal story, after hearing the story of other leaders.

Senior Vice President, Public Institutions - JLL