WEL SIGNATURE EVENT: Innovate, Inspire, Lead: Women Shaping the New Workplace CEO Panel Discussion

WEL SIGNATURE EVENT: Innovate, Inspire, Lead: Women Shaping the New Workplace CEO Panel Discussion

September 29, 2026 | 5:30 pm

$75.00 WEL Members | $125.00 Guests

Join us for an inspiring and insightful panel event, “Innovate, Inspire, Lead: Women Shaping the New Workplace,” where accomplished women leaders share their journeys to success, strategies for growing businesses in evolving work environments, and approaches to managing multi-generational teams. Our distinguished panelists—Sharena Ali, CEO of Cinch Home Services, Babette Hankey, CEO of Aspire Health Partners, Jacqui Hartnett, CEO from Starmark Industries, Caitlin Stella, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Center at Memorial, and —will discuss THEIR PATH TO SUCCESS,  overcoming obstacles, fostering strong company cultures, embracing AI adoption, and driving continuous innovation. Moderated by Melanie Dickinson, Editor of the South Florida Business Journal, this event promises engaging conversations and valuable takeaways for anyone interested in leadership, workforce dynamics, and the future of work.

MEET THE MODERATOR

Melanie Dickinson – Melanie Dickinson is President and Publisher of the South Florida Business Journal, where she leads the region’s top source for business news, data, and events. She has been instrumental in transforming the publication into a digital-first, multi-platform media company, driving strong audience growth and industry recognition.

With a career spanning more than two decades within the American City Business Journals network, Melanie previously served as publisher of the Birmingham Business Journal and held leadership roles in Philadelphia.

She is the founder of the Bizwomen Leadership Council in South Florida and serves on the boards of United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Broward Workshop, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.

MEET THE PANELISTS

Sharena Ali – Sharena has 30 years of experience leading digital, product and customer experience innovation within the consumer insurance and related fields.

Sharena oversees the company’s high-level strategy and robust growth efforts. She is a visionary and proven leader, whose depth of experience and commitment to data driven innovation aligns with our mission at Cinch Home Services. Prior to her appointment as CEO, Sharena served as President at CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, a partnership insurance distribution business that managed more than $1 billion in customer premiums. She has also held senior roles at Homesite Insurance, AIG, Travelers, and Progressive, leading technology adoption, product development and establishing successful partnerships. Sharena is an Independent Director with Hiscox Insurance and Stearns Bank and serves on the Board of Literacy Green Bay. She enjoys reading, tennis, and golf. Sharena also mentors founders in the Insurtech/Fintech space through Creative Destruction Lab – a nonprofit global startup program. Sharena holds an MBA in Finance from York University (Toronto) and a BSc in Toxicology from the University of Toronto. More recently she attained the Qualified Risk Director® designation from the Directors and Chief Risk Officers Institute.

Babette Hankey – Babette Hankey is the Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Health Partners, one of the largest not-for-profit integrated community behavioral health care companies in the Southeast. Ms. Hankey has worked in the field of behavioral healthcare for over 30 years, of which 5 years she worked in the White House Drug Policy Office under the Bush and Clinton administrations. Babette has is a recognized leader for her innovative program designs that blend resources and build systems for some of the most vulnerable and underserved individuals and their families at the local, State and National levels. Babette served as the co-host of the radio show ‘Prescription for Change’ and has been a guest speaker on various radio and news shows. She has testified before the State Legislature and Congress and has served as a panelist on numerous federal, state and local presentations and commissions. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, Smith School of Business and her Master’s degree from UCF School of Public Health. Additionally, Ms. Hankey holds a certificate in Leadership for Senior Executives from the prestigious Harvard Business School. Babette also holds certifications in prevention, telehealth and trauma.

Due to her outstanding leadership and contributions, she has also been honored with being named as a Top 20 CEO and a Women Who Means Business by the Orlando Business Journal. Aspire Health Partners was also named one of the Top 100 Women Led Businesses for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Among other awards, she received the prestigious Polaris Star Award for her Mental Health Leadership. Most recently, Babette co-founded Influential Executive Women, Inc., a Florida not for profit, that elevates and celebrates women executives and their champions of which she is the Vice Chair of the Board.

Jacqui Hartnett – Starmark is a marketing services company powered by Agile Methodology. Jacqui is the talented executive that leads Starmark’s day-to-day operations. Her financial acumen and creative vision galvanizes the agency’s growth. Key to Jacqui’s growth strategy is a reliance on technology, and Starmark’s ability to differentiate itself in the marketplace through bold, interactive concepts. Jacqui’s enthusiasm for her work and her faith in the power of marketing inspire Starmark’s staff and clients alike. Jacqui began her career with Starmark, and returned to the agency in 2005 as chief operating officer. She was promoted to president in 2010 and to CEO in 2025. Prior to rejoining Starmark, Jacqui served as executive vice president and partner with GFX International in Chicago, an Inc. 500-ranked national graphics solutions company. Under Jacqui’s leadership, GFX grew from a couple dozen employees to a staff of over 200. GFX served major national brands including McDonald’s, Sears, Citibank and largest retailer in the United States – the U.S. Postal Service.

Caitlin Stella – Caitlin is CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and pediatric healthcare for Memorial Healthcare System. She started her professional career as the start-up administrator for UCLA’s Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART), funded by NIH as one of the first autism centers in the country. She also co-managed an epidemiologic study of autism in California, published as a report to the legislature in 2002. After completing her Master of Public Health (MPH) at UCLA, she joined PwC’s national healthcare consulting practice working with healthcare clients across the country. She was a senior executive at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles before becoming Chief Administrative Officer at UCLA for Mattel Children’s Hospital and women’s health.

She is currently the Chair of the Board for the Museum of Discovery and Science and is a board member of Make-A-Wish, and the Jack and Jill Center. She was also appointed to the national children’s hospital Solutions for Patient Safety board beginning in January 2025.

Some of Caitlin’s awards include Florida Trend’s 500 Most Influential Business leaders; Becker’s Healthcare’s113 great leaders in healthcare and 177 women hospital presidents and CEO’s to know; the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEO award; Junior Achievement’s Hall of Fame; and the Ira Alpert Service Award from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.

She serves on the Broward Council of Economic Advisors and belongs to Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and International Women’s Forum (IWF). She has Chaired Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night twice; Co-Chaired the March of Dimes Walk and Co-Chaired the 2022 Heart Ball with her husband, Todd. She is a member of several professional organizations as well as CEO’s Against Cancer for the American Cancer Society and Junior Achievement’s Circle of Wise Women.