Philadelphia – November 06, 2026 -- More than 9,000 attendees filled the 23rd annual Pennsylvania Conference for Women, where speakers including Lindsey Vonn, Tayari Jones and Mindy Kaling focused on career setbacks and comebacks.
Vonn and Jones recount career-defining setbacks
Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn described a devastating accident in February that ended with her being helicoptered off the mountain 13 seconds after leaving the starting gate. Her recovery has required multiple surgeries, with a tenth scheduled for the coming Monday.
Author Tayari Jones, a New York Times bestseller and TIME100 Honoree, said an earlier publisher dropped her as a financial liability. She finished her book and attended the only event left on her calendar, where children's book publisher Judy Blume introduced her to another publisher.
Kaling and Kelce address expectations and public dialogue
Mindy Kaling, a Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated writer, producer and actor, said people have tried to box her in since childhood. "I have never asked permission," she said.
Kylie Kelce, host of the Not Gonna Lie podcast and Eagles Autism Foundation advocate, said the show exposed a need for women to hold in public the conversations they have privately with close friends. Marketing executive Bozoma Saint John also addressed attendees.
Breakout sessions cover AI leadership and burnout
Dozens of experts led breakout sessions and mini-masterclasses on leading in the age of AI, decision-making in uncertain times, and sustaining performance without burnout.
CFW schedules virtual national event for March 3, 2027
CFW, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization behind the conference, says it has reached more than 1 million professionals over more than two decades. Its virtual National Conference for Women on March 3, 2027, is set to bring together more than 15,000 professionals nationwide.