This year, EXPLORE invites us to step boldly into new realms of thinking, to embrace the wonder and awe that curiosity can inspire, and to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of work, life, and community. Together, we will explore the possibilities that emerge when we open ourselves to new ideas, new experiences, and new ways of leading—within, without, and beyond.
The conversations will be BOLD and BRAVE, exploring spaces beyond expectation—from pioneering leadership in space travel to understanding the internal drivers that shape our lives. We’ll delve into the forces that define us and question the themes that may—or may not—truly represent who we are. Through workshops, panels, interactive discussions, music, and dance, we’ll examine the world as it unfolds, both seen and unseen.
Feel the energy as over 800 attendees gather in person, joined by thousands virtually, to share in the transformative experience of Generation W: EXPLORE.
Dr. Mussallem is a consultant in the Division of Hematology Oncology at Mayo Clinic and Assistant Professor of Medicine. She is a board-certified lifestyle medicine breast specialist at The Robert and Monica Jacoby Center for Breast Health and serves as Medical Director for Mayo Clinic Florida Humanities in Medicine.
In 2015, she founded the Integrative Medicine and Breast Health Program at Mayo Clinic Florida, a patient-centered program that works with breast cancer patients during and after a breast cancer diagnosis, introducing them early on to the importance of lifestyle optimization alongside conventional cancer treatments with a goal to reframe cancer as a “teacher of life,” leading patients to discover renewed vitality through healthier living. Her research focus includes the impact of whole-food, plant-based nutrition, and weight management on breast cancer outcomes, awareness of alcohol-related breast cancer risk, and breast cancer survivorship quality of life.
In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Mussallem is active in medical education, which includes director of the Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum at Mayo Clinic and co-director for the International Medical Breast Training Program. She is Chief Executive Editor for the National Consortium of Breast Centers and Breast Wellness Magazine. She serves as the physician for Blue Zones Jacksonville Steering Committee and the Mayo Clinic Experience Committee.
In recognition of her work, Dr. Mussallem has received many awards and honors, including being named 2022 American College of Physicians Florida John G. Langdon Volunteerism in Medicine Award and the 2021 Marquis Who’s Who in America Top Doctor for her leadership, dedication, and achievements in integrative oncology.
Consultant in the Division of Hematology Oncology, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Medical Director at Mayo Clinic
Considered one of the top voices in AI and the future of work, Ian Beacraft is a trusted advisor to the world’s most innovative companies. The founder and Chief Futurist of Signal and Cipher, Ian leads a strategic foresight and development agency guiding companies through the rapidly changing technology landscape to find meaningful routes to innovation that impact the bottom line, inspire cultural change, and create new products and services.
Previously responsible for P&L’s and innovation departments at the largest agencies in the world, Ian is known for making bleeding-edge technology understandable and monetizable. Brands he has advised include Samsung, Intel, Coca-Cola, Google, Microsoft, Nike, Universal Pictures, and dozens more.
He’s known as a Gonzo Futurist, actively experimenting with new and emerging technologies before they leave the research lab to understand the implications and applications for the future of work and society at large. Ian is the first person ever to host a news segment as a synthetic human, the Future Report on Defiance Media, streaming to over 100 million devices around the world.
Founder and Chief Futurist, Signal and Cipher
Irene Chang Britt is an accomplished independent board director, serving on the boards of Dunkin’ Brands Group, Tailored Brands, Brighthouse Financial, and BayBridge Seniors Housing, where she is Chairperson. A National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow, Irene frequently speaks on corporate governance best practices and chairs the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committees for multiple boards. She also serves on the NACD New York Chapter Board of Directors and has been recognized in the NACD Directorship 100 and as a Laureate of the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame.
A former Fortune 500 C-Suite executive, Irene has a proven track record of transforming businesses for industry-leading growth. She spent over a decade at Campbell Soup Company, where she held roles including President of Pepperidge Farm and Global Chief Strategy Officer. Her leadership experience spans senior roles at Kraft Foods/Nabisco and Kimberly-Clark, where she excelled in marketing, sales, and R&D. Irene holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
Experienced Board Chair and Committee Chair
Isaiah Oliver serves as the third president of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation, which works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. In this role, he oversees an experienced, 25-person staff, which manages $649 million in assets as of 12/31/2023 and distributed more than $69 million in grants in 2023.
Prior to leading The Community Foundation, he served as the CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint (MI), a top 100 community foundation, established in 1988 with peak assets of $299 million. Isaiah serves as chair of the Association of Black Foundation Executives board of directors, as well as on the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy’s Leadership Council, on the Community Foundations Public Awareness Initiative steering committee, and is chair-elect of the CF Leads national board of directors. Isaiah is a Fellow of the inaugural class of the Civil Society Fellowship, a Partnership of ADL and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Isaiah earned his Bachelor of Applied Arts from Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Gamma Delta Boule’ of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
He and his wife, Shay, have four children: Zaiah, Carrington, Chelyn and Isaiah II.
President, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
Jannet Walker-Ford is the Advisory and Planning Business Line Executive at WSP in the U.S., overseeing business performance and integrating technical expertise with strategic solutions to deliver successful infrastructure projects across all sectors. Previously, she served as National Transit and Rail Leader, driving growth in national transit and rail markets, including systems, freight, passenger rail, and zero-emissions initiatives. With over two decades of expertise in management consulting, technology, and transportation systems, Jannet is a nationally recognized leader and advocate for equity in transportation and the transformative power of public transit.
A graduate of the University of Memphis (B.S. in Management Information Systems) and Central Michigan University (MBA), Jannet has been widely honored for her leadership and advocacy. She is the Immediate Past Chair of WTS International and serves on several national boards, including the APTA Executive Committee and the Eno Center for Transportation. Her accolades include the 2024 WTS International Jannet Walker-Ford Breaking Barriers Award, 2023 Railway Age Women in Rail, and 2022 APTA Business Member of the Year, among others, highlighting her impact on the transportation industry and her commitment to diversity and innovation.
US Advisory & Planning Executive, WSP
Jennifer Musil is a researcher and strategic consultant, currently serving as the Global President, Research at The Harris Poll. Jennifer has spent the last 15+ years executing research-based consulting for a variety of established and emerging companies.
In her role at The Harris Poll, she helps brands to answer bespoke research questions through a cultural lens – ensuring data and insights are contextualized within broader cultural narratives to help organizations not only understand what's happening today but also anticipate what's next. She recently launched The Harris Poll Sports Practice and the inaugural Sports Momentum Index to help brands, leagues, and athletes understand the current sports moment.
Based near Sedona, Arizona she enjoys running, hiking with her family, a great book, and cheering on her daughters at their sporting events.
Global President of Research, The Harris Poll
Kelly J. Watson is a Senior Partner with IBM Global Business Services, where she leads a team of over 5,000 professionals delivering financial, risk, operational, and technology solutions for clients in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Government, and Higher Education. With more than 30 years of business and operations experience, Kelly also serves as a Lead Account Partner for a Fortune 50 company and oversees Market Development for the Public Sector in the Americas. Previously, she served as Senior Advisor for Sector Development to the New Jersey Governor’s Office and Economic Development Authority and had a distinguished career at KPMG LLP, where she held key leadership roles, including Partner in Charge of the U.S. and Americas Risk Consulting Practice and Office Managing Partner for New Jersey.
A passionate advocate for leadership development, Kelly is active in numerous philanthropic and professional organizations. She chairs the board of W.O.M.E.N. in America, serves as Dean of the C-Ahead Program for the Committee of 200, and sits on several boards, including the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and BioNJ. Recognized for her leadership, Kelly’s accolades include Consulting Magazine’s Top 25 in Excellence in Leadership and NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business. A Fordham University graduate and certified public accountant, Kelly resides in New Jersey with her husband and two children.
Senior Partner, IBM
Patricia "Patti" McElroy is President of the VyStar Foundation and Senior VP at VyStar Credit Union, leading philanthropic and community engagement efforts. A former commercial litigator specializing in securities and banking, she has dedicated her career to supporting nonprofits and communities nationwide. Passionate about inclusive education, the arts, and community revitalization, she holds degrees from Temple University School of Law and Yale Divinity School. She serves on the boards of OneJax, LiftJax, Jacksonville MOCA, and the Jacksonville Symphony advisory board. In 2021, she was recognized as a Women with Heart honoree by Volunteers in Medicine.
President, VyStar Foundation
Hollywood veteran Tina Lifford has played over 100 characters in her long-standing career, including most notably, the vivacious Aunt Vi on the critically acclaimed television drama Queen Sugar. Tina has starred opposite Hollywood greats including Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Lopez, and Bruce Willis. Outside of acting, Tina is the author of The Little Book of BIG LIES, released by HarperCollins and chosen by Forbes.com as a must-read to make 2021 your best year yet. Tina is a visionary thought leader in the field of Inner Fitness. As the strategist and architect behind The Inner Fitness Project, she brings deep wisdom, personal experience, and respect for the human condition that allows her to engage people in the process of internal transformation, healing, and resilience building. As an author and speaker, Tina fosters the idea that we can all live life well and thrive.
Actress, Author and CEO of Inner Fitness Project
Parking for the event is available in Lots 1 and 2, (both located by the Fine Arts Center Garage), as well as the Fine Arts Center Garage itself.
Guests will NOT need to enter an event code to park within these lots. If guests choose to park in different lots, they will need to pay for parking.
Hosted With
Address: 1 UNF Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32224
Generation W is proud to offer LauncHER, a program designed to elevate women entrepreneurs and their businesses. More than just a platform, LauncHER is an opportunity to gain visibility, credibility, and confidence as you showcase your business to nearly 1,000 Generation W attendees.
If selected for one of the limited LauncHER spots, you’ll not only receive robust marketing leading up to and during the Generation W event, but you’ll also gain invaluable connections and inspiration as part of a dynamic community of women leaders.
Generation W: EXPLORE is just around the corner and we would love for you to be part of it! Our event would not be possible without community members like YOU leading our volunteer force!
Whether you can join us for a few hours or the whole day on March 28th, your time and participation will make all the difference. By joining the W Volunteer Team, you will help set the tone for the inspiration and connections for this year’s event.
7:00 AM – Registration and Breakfast
8:00 AM – Program Begins – Speakers, Panels and More!
12:00 PM – Lunch and Breakouts
2:00 PM – Afternoon Programming
4:00 PM – Connection Reception
