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To enhance the potential for graduates and alumni to advance in their professional journeys. Create awareness of the capabilities they need to navigate through their careers, and empower them through training, coaching, and mentorship. Encourage them to “build the muscle” needed through active engagement and leadership in social impact and community programs. Ultimately, create a network effect in which successful alumni can, in turn, lift others.

The Business of Caregiving

March 6–7, 2026

CORE 3rd Floor, ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù, East Bay (CSUEB)

Forum Overview

The Women in Leadership (WIL) Forum 2026 explores “The Business of Care”, positioning caregiving not only as a social necessity but as a dynamic and growing economic sector driving innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and inclusive leadership. From childcare to eldercare to disability-centered services, caregiving shapes labor markets, financial systems, technology design, and community well-being. This two-day forum convenes students, founders, financial experts, researchers, and community leaders to examine how innovation, equity, and impact intersect across the caregiving ecosystem.

The goal: elevate caregiving as a strategic leadership and business issue while fostering collaboration across sectors and generations.

WIL Forum Agenda at a glance

March 6

Student Showcase for Demo Lab and Data Summit on Caregiving

March 7

The Future of Caregiving – Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact

Day 1- Friday, March 6 (12:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

• 12:00 PM – Lunch
• 12:10 PM – Welcome (Provost Anthony Muscat)
• 12:20 PM – Caregiving and Disability Justice Panel ( with CDJR) – A conversation with Alina Engleman and Sarah Taylor
• 12:40 – 2:10 PM – Demo Lab: Innovating Caregiving Project Team Presentations (led by Lan Wang)
• 2:30 – 3:20 PM – Data Summit Student Research Presentations (led by Filippo Rebessi)
• Speed Networking to follow

Day 2- Saturday, March 7 (9:30 am - 4:30 pm) 

• 9:30 - 9:50 Registration and light breakfast
• 9:50 AM -  In session 
• 10:00 AM – Welcome to WIL – Asha Rao and Rupal Hollenbeck

Keynotes

• 10:15 AM – Keynote: Deka Dike, CSUEB Alumna and Founder of Omatochi
• 10:30 AM – Keynote: Vanessa Valerio, Co-Founder, CareIndeed
• 10:45 AM – Ashley Mates, Northern California Regional Manager, UDW/AFSCME - Ca Childcare policy and providers 

Coffee Break - 11:00 – 11:10 AM

Speakers - Financial Resilience Across the Care Continuum

Networking Lunch (Round tables by topic)

WIL Data Summit

• 1:00 PM – WIL Data Summit Finalist Presentations 

Student finalists present research and data-driven projects focused on caregiving innovation, equity, and real-world applications for elders, children, and people with disabilities.

Demo Lab

• 1:30 PM – Demo Lab Finalist Presentations  – Caregiver tools and prototypes

Awards - 2: 15 PM 

Careers & Networking hour - 2:30 – 3:30 PM 

 
Closing Reflections & Next Steps - 3:30 – 4:00 PM

We are a donor funded program made possible by the generosity of people like you!

Support the Women in Leadership Program by donating to ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù Educational Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Federal Tax ID is 94-6128893. Gifts to the ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù Educational Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Click here for gifts by mail or fax.

Donation by check can be made payable to: ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù Educational Foundation, Cashier’s Office, SA 1200, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward, CA 94542-9988. Please specify that the donation is for the Women in Leadership Program. 

Contact us about Corporate Sponsorships. We appreciate your generosity!