More than 700 people showed up on April 12 for the 5th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference in Anaheim, presented by the Building Industry Association/Orange County Chapter (BIAOC) and The New Home Company (NEW HOME, NYSE: NWHM). The event is dedicated to furthering opportunities for women and addressing the unique challenges they face in home building.

NEW HOME Chief Marketing Officer and the founder of the conference, Joan Marcus Webb, served as this year’s chairperson for the fifth and final time.

Joan Webb of the New Home Company.
Joan Webb of the New Home Company.

The sold-out conference, held at The Grove of Anaheim, was launched in 2015 as a critical platform objective of Webb when she served as BIAOC President. It has grown every year since. Webb passed on the leadership of the conference to Ali Wolf, Director, Economic Research for Meyers Research, who will serve as Chair for the 2020 conference.

This year’s conference, which once again was open to men and women, was themed “Oh the Places You’ll Go” and was highlighted by a roster of featured speakers, including Randi Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media. Zuckerberg is the former Head of Marketing at Facebook, an entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author and tech media personality. Also providing keynote addresses was Dianne McGrath, a successful researcher, consultant and Mars One Astronaut Candidate, and Megan Telles, a reporter with KTLA 5 News in Los Angeles.

“I’ve put my heart and soul into this conference and it has become one of the most gratifying accomplishments in my career,” said Webb. “Diversity in the workplace remains one of the most vital components of our industry as it continues to evolve. While this conference has become a platform to discuss the unique challenges, opportunities, accomplishments and perspectives from both genders that we all encounter in our professional lives, we still have a lot of work to do.”

“Creating more leadership positions for the talented women in home building is a topic that needs constant attention, so we are thrilled with the support the conference receives,” continued Webb. “I’m proud of my five years as the chairperson and look forward to the event’s continued success under the leadership of Ali Wolf who is equally as passionate about this cause.”