Tuesday, March 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m. ET

Penguin Random House, 1745 Broadway (between 55th & 56th Streets), Cerf-Lane Room, NYC

$20 for WMG, PRH employees, and partner organizations; $25 for non-members; $10 for active Scholars

5:30 - 6:15 Wine, cheese, and networking

6:15 - 7:30 Program

We’re often told that impact requires independence and hustle. But the truth is simpler—and more powerful: the most meaningful legacy is built together. Drawing on research, personal stories, and real-world practice, our expert panel will examine how cultivating togetherness can deepen our sense of belonging and expand our capacity to lead. They'll provide conversation prompts, practical playbooks for cultivating human connection, and a powerful reminder: joyful purpose grows where intention and togetherness meet. Come for inspiration and insight; leave activated with a plan to build connection, lead in harmony with your values, and shape a legacy rooted in community (and maybe make a new friend).

Meet the speakers:

Aiko Bethea is an innovative leader with executive experience across government, philanthropy, nonprofit, and private sectors. She has held senior roles with the city of Atlanta, the Gates Foundation, and the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Aiko works with leaders and teams at Fortune 100 companies and global nonprofits as founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting. Forbes recognized her as a top anti-racism educator for companies, and Culture Amp named her a DEI Influencer to Follow. She previously led development of The Daring Way™ and Dare to Lead™ facilitator communities at the Brené Brown Education and Research Group, shaping belonging strategy for more than 1,500 facilitators worldwide. Her writing has appeared in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and The New York Times bestselling anthology, You Are Your Best Thing. Aiko's forthcoming book, Anchored, Aligned, Accountable, will be published by Penguin Random House in April 2026.

Allison Gilbert is one of today’s most influential authors and speakers on human connection and social health. An Emmy Award–winning journalist, she is the author and co-author of six critically acclaimed and bestselling books, including The Joy of Connections, co-authored with late American icon Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Allison also hosts Connected Lives, 92NY's signature conversation series about how we create and sustain meaningful relationships in today’s world. Allison has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CBS Sunday Morning, and NPR. She lives in Westchester, New York with her husband, Mark, and they're right now planning to move back to NYC. So if you know any apartments, chat with Allison after this discussion! Connect with her on Instagram @itsallisongilbert.

Rha Goddess is the entrepreneurial soul coach behind hundreds of breakthrough changemakers, cultural visionaries, and social entrepreneurs. Her mission? To revolutionize the way we live, work, play, and handle our business. From the onset of her more than 30-year career as a cultural innovator, social impact strategist, and creative change agent, Rha has drawn on the power of creativity, culture, and community to move hearts, minds, and policy. In 2011, she founded Move the Crowd, a social enterprise that trains leaders and entrepreneurs working at the intersection of values, profitability, and impact. Rha has partnered with organizations including Google, Lululemon, Delta, Fidelity, Girls Who Code, and The Ford Foundation. Her work has been featured in Time, Ms., Variety, Essence, Redbook, Forbes, CNBC, and Fortune. She is the author of The Calling: Three Fundamental Shifts to Stay True, Get Paid and Do Good and Intentional Ambition: Redefining Your Work for Greater Joy, Freedom, and Fulfillment.

Genevieve Piturro left a successful television career after a life-changing moment with a child in a homeless shelter led her to ask, “Is this enough?” In 2001, she founded Pajama Program, a national nonprofit that has since delivered more than 8.5 million pajamas and books to children in need. Now celebrating 25 years, the organization has expanded its mission under its new name, Beyond Bedtime. A sought-after TEDx speaker, Genevieve challenges leaders to rethink how they lead with her message, Lead with Love: Stop Bossing, Start Loving. Through her Purpose ACER workshops, she equips managers with tools to elevate performance and cultivate meaningful workplace cultures. A Fordham University graduate, she has shared her leadership insights on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and national morning programs. Genevieve is also the award-winning author of Purpose, Passion and Pajamas.

Karen Salmansohn is a multi-bestselling author, behavioral change expert, and the creative force behind NotSalmon.com, with over 2 million books and courses sold worldwide. She began her career winning CLIOs at New York's top ad agencies before pivoting to write what she calls "self-help for people who wouldn't be caught dead doing self-help" (books that merge psychology, philosophy, and feisty humor). Her breakthrough bestseller, How To Be Happy Dammit, landed her columnist roles at Oprah.com and Psychology Today, and was featured in both a viral Eminem music video and a PBS documentary on happiness. Her latest book, Your To-Die-For Life (a #1 new release), argues that mortality awareness is NOT morbid—it's motivating. Karen's Substack newsletter, The Stand Up Philosopher, is a top-ranked philosophy publication with 80,000 subscribers. She also coaches authors and entrepreneurs on branding, marketing, and platform growth. For more, visit yourtodieforlife.com.

Meet the moderator:

Ann Shoket is the author of The Big Life: Embrace the Mess, Work Your Side Hustle, Find a Monumental Relationship, and Become the Badass Babe You Were Meant to Be. She has been a key architect in shaping the national conversation about and for millennial women. As editor-in-chief of Seventeen from 2007 to 2014, she repositioned the iconic fashion and beauty brand to dominate as the most relevant voice for its 13 million readers. As part of the launch team of CosmoGIRL in 1999, Ann helped revolutionize teen magazines by talking openly about important emotional issues that weren’t yet addressed by traditional publications. Ann has appeared regularly on Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, CNN, Access Hollywood, and E! News, and was a guest judge for four seasons on America’s Next Top Model. She is currently CEO of The Li.st and the founder of New Power Media.

Refunds available up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of the event.

Wednesday, March 25, 12-12:30 p.m. ET

WMG members only; FREE (Zoom)

Spend 30 minutes with Co-Presidents Jodi Brockington and Jane Wesman, and members of the Board, in a brief virtual meeting to:

• Vote in the new Board

• Welcome new members

• Review highlights of the past year

• Talk about opportunities to volunteer.

We value your time and participation, and hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 9, 6:30 p.m. ET

[words] Bookstore, 179 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, NJ

WMG members only; FREE

You can never have too many books—or bookstores. Meet WMG members Nicole DiMella and Elisa Ung at [words] Bookstore, an independent shop with a mission to provide vocational training and employment for individuals with autism. At 7:30, we’ll continue next door to Coda Kitchen and Bar for dinner, drinks, and show-and-tell with our latest book finds. Patio dining is available if weather permits. Both spots are just steps from the NJ Transit Maplewood stop.

Note: attendees pay for their own books, food, and beverages.

WMG’s Small Group Socials are a long-standing tradition and remain one of our most popular program series. This is a wonderful way to facilitate meaningful connections among members. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to the host directly. All member contact information can be found in the Member Directory.