Glidewell Dental welcomed female leaders in the dental industry to the CDS Midwinter Meeting by sponsoring the Women in Dental Technology’s (WIDT) fifth annual Chicago breakfast at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park hotel.

Pam Johnson and Valerie Berger, cofounders of Inside Dental Technology (IDT), began the WIDT group five years ago to provide an environment and platform for women working in the dental industry. WIDT represents a larger network of female executive leaders who are making an impact on the dental profession. The group’s two-hour breakfast serves as a gathering dedicated to connecting, networking and learning. This year, close to 100 women in the dental industry came to support the event.

“It’s a great way to kick off the Midwinter conference and reconnect with industry friends and leaders,” said Berger, vice president of AEGIS Communications, laboratory division. “The program is always an inspiration that keeps me going throughout the year. Women empower women, and I feel honored to be amongst such an outstanding group of female leaders.”

Stephenie Goddard, executive vice president of Glidewell Dental, presented the keynote address, “Mindfulness: The Practice of Being Fully Present,” which served as an informative, empowering and experiential session dedicated to learning and exploring professional development techniques. In her discussion, Goddard referenced the fast-paced, immediate-minded nature of today’s world and its tendency to limit people’s problem-solving capabilities, creative thinking skills, and ability to establish meaningful relationships. Mindfulness was presented as a solution to help individuals develop increased emotional intelligence, cognitive capacities, self-awareness, creativity, awareness of others and critical thinking.

Past guest speakers have included Gale Gand, winner of the 2001 James Beard Foundation Outstanding Pastry Chef award; Ellen Rogin, financial expert and a New York Times best-selling author; and Dr. Tawana K. Ware, a former president of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD).

As the annual Chicago breakfast came to a close, Johnson commented: “It is inspiring and empowering each year to experience this gathering of industry leaders who are making such a positive and progressive impact on our profession at every level. Best of all, we are all friends who are willing to share and support each other in our endeavors and aspirations. It is truly an honor to be counted among this group.”

WIDT’s annual Chicago breakfast continues to represent a concerted effort to help the industry become more inclusive of women in management positions. While statistics are steadily rising and showing growth, the dental industry is still considered a male-dominated profession. However, events like the WIDT breakfast underscore how women continue to challenge the status quo by obtaining leadership roles, speaking publicly about the work they’re doing, networking, and helping to develop other female leaders within the dental community.

For those interested in joining the Women in Dental Technology group or attending future events, contact Valerie Berger at vberger@aegiscomm.com, or call 224-632-0770.