The 22nd Annual WPO Chicago Summit 2025 – Navigating the Unknown: Economic Strategies for Women CEOs

Bring the Intention Back to Buying Black

“What we’re seeing right now isn’t just a political shift – it’s a deliberate turning away from communities that have always been pushed to the margins,” Nikki Porcher, the Atlanta-based founder of nonprofit Buy From a Black Woman, told The Story Exchange. “The reduction in DEI commitments, cuts to inclusive funding programs, and the silencing of conversations about equity all have very real economic consequences, especially for Black-owned businesses.”

Which is why Porcher wants to bring the intention back to buying Black – and she’s got just the directory to make it happen. This past Juneteenth, Porcher debuted Buy From a Black Business.

Three Tips to Foster a Thriving Business Culture

The longer days with summer and renewed momentum offer a great opportunity to reflect on what keeps your team strong and resilient. One of the most effective, yet often underestimated tools is recognition.

Like any good habit, recognition thrives with consistency. 

Here are a few thoughtful ways to reignite the power of recognition in your workplace – this month and beyond. 

ChatGPT Prompts To Help Grow Your Business

ChatGPT has quickly become a household name, with businesses of all sizes leveraging the AI-powered tool to automate tasks and advance their workflows. While its adoption has been rapid, understanding the best practices to maximize its benefits takes time.

Here are 13 useful prompts for ChatGPT, along with methods for fine-tuning them to get high-quality results that help grow your business. 

Real Growth Comes From Intentional Focus, Adaptability and Human Connection

Forget the startup myths. A co-founder of Thnks and a Salesforce EVP share how real growth comes from intentional focus, adaptability, and human connection.

As WPO members will tell you, the founder’s journey is often oversimplified, the path from a scrappy startup to a profitable business frequently boiled down to a few moments of inspiration that make founders look like magicians. As this article says, the narrative glosses over the frequent moments of uncertainty that founders go through.

Learn more and remember to focus on what matters.

Surviving and Thriving In Uncertain Times

The challenges facing organizations have intensified, driven not only by the rapid rise of AI but also by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding new policies that emerge with each election cycle and changes brought on by younger generations.

Many businesses today are grappling with declining revenues, stagnant pipelines and reduced conversion rates, making the need for transformation even more urgent.

As this power shift accelerates, businesses must rethink their branding, marketing and customer engagement strategies to remain relevant today.

Here are six key strategies that Ali Payani believes can help businesses navigate today's uncertainties and emerge stronger. 

Confront Market Realities Head-On and In Real-Time

The continuing rollout of tariffs by President Donald Trump has prompted a spectrum of strategic responses from U.S. CEOs, offering a window into how top executives lead through economic and political disruption. For aspiring leaders, these responses provide timely lessons in navigating volatility with both foresight and finesse. 

Women President Organization (WPO) members are also demonstrating a range of leadership strategies under pressure. Their responses along with the U.S. CEOs, reflect not only the complexity of executive leadership but also the deep interconnection between business strategy and geopolitics.