Development of a North Carolina conference for women began with conversations between Shannon McFayden, Mary Tribble and Gwynn T. Swinson. Initial discussion focused on the fact that women play a critical role in the fabric of our society and in maintaining an economic and social competitive advantage for North Carolina.

The result was an inaugural North Carolina Conference for Women on October 19, 2006 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The conference was sold out a month prior to the event, welcoming an overwhelming response of more than 1,500 women. The resounding success of the conference led this to be an annual event.

Shannon McFayden, Senior Executive Vice-President, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Relations, is serving as an Honorary Chair of the conference and is spearheading Wachovia’s effort to support North Carolina Women through this conference.

Shannon serves as Senior Executive Vice-President, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Relations for the Wachovia Corporation.  In this capacity, she leads Human Resources, Community Relations and Corporate Communications.  Additionally, she is co-leading the company's multi-year Efficiency Improvement Program.  An active community leader as well, Shannon currently chairs the United Way Capital Campaign Planning Committee board.  She is the Immediate Past-Chair of the boards of Kindermourn and Child Care Resources, Inc. She serves as a Board Member of the United Negro College Fund, Charlotte Country Day School, the Community School of the Arts and the Johnnetta B. Cole Institute for Inclusion and Diversity. Shannon is also the co-founder of the North Carolina Conference for Women.

Gwynn T. Swinson, former Secretary of Administration under Governor Mike Easley, played a key role in the initial development of the conference.  Now serving as Vice President of Government and Community Affairs and External Relations at Duke University Medical Center and Health System, Gwynn continues her service to the conference as an Honorary Chair.

A native of Belhaven in Beaufort County, Gwynn Swinson earned a bachelor's degree from Antioch College in 1973, a juris doctor degree from Antioch School of Law in 1976, and a master's degree in law from Duke University School of Law in 1986.  In 1993, Swinson went to work in the Department of Justice, where she most recently served as special deputy attorney general for administration. In that role, she oversaw many of the personnel and budgeting functions of the department. Prior to that, she served first in the Health and Public Assistance Section and then as section head for the Citizens' Rights Section.  Before joining state government, she was the associate dean for admissions at Duke University School of Law. Swinson also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice for five years where she received numerous awards and served as an assistant branch director for the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Civil Division.

- Back To Top -

Mary Tribble, President of Tribble Creative Group, leads a team of professionals to ensure creative logistical attention for every detail of this conference.

Mary Tribble, CSEP, established Tribble Creative Group in 1985 to help organizations communicate to their audiences through
strategic event marketing and management. Tribble oversees a staff of 17, which implements project management, public
relations, graphic design and in-house video production. Located in Charlotte, NC, the company produces events and
meetings throughout the country. The company has received dozens of national and regional awards for its creative approach to event management and production. Tribble has been honored as Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Woman of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Charlotte Chapter of the International Special Events Society. In August of 2007, she was inducted in the national Event Professionals Hall of Fame. She volunteers on a number of non-profit boards including the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Diversity Council, Entrepreneurial Leadership Circle at the McColl School of Business, Catawba Lands Conservancy and Reynolda House Museum. She founded and co-chairs the Charlotte Green Team, a committee charged with greening Charlotte’s events, meetings and facilities.

- Back To Top -