WICE Lessons Learned Symposium

Women in the Chemical Enterprise Lessons Learned from Laboratory and Life Symposium

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • 2:00 – 6:00 PM CT

McCormick Place Convention Center • A2 – SOUTH HALL CHEMPOD 7

WCC Chair: Indu Kheterpal • WCC Program Chair: Danniebelle Haase

Organizers and Presiders: Danniebelle Haase and Emma Kelley

2:00-2:10 PM Introductory Remarks

2:10-2:40 PM Impact in the Intersection: Reflections from the ACS Women Chemists of Color Program

Gloria Thomas-Fuller, Southern University and A&M College

2:40-3:10 PM Professional Growth and Leadership Through Service on the Women Chemists

Committee: Advancing My Academic Career and Expanding Opportunities for Women Chemists

Amy Balija, Loyola University Chicago

3:10-3:40 PM Building Across Boundaries: Science, Identity, and Leadership in the Chemical Enterprise

Shabnam Hematian, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

3:40-4:10 PM Forging Your Own Path: Why Women Leave STEM Early and Empowering Them Instead to Start Their Own Companies

Cherelle Bishop, Silver Fir Consulting

4:10-4:40 PM Intermission

4:40-5:10 PM Toward Gender Equality in Scientific Organizations: A Report from the International

Science Council, the Inter-Academy Partnership, and the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science

Mark Cesa, INEOS

5:10-5:55 PM Panel Discussion

Peter Dorhout (Iowa State University), Judith Giordan (ecosVC), Amy Balija, Mark Cesa and Gloria Thomas-Fuller

5:55-6:00 PM Closing Remarks