Shared Services & Outsourcing Week Conference
Monday, March 24, 2025
Access the PDF version of the 2025 agenda here.
SSOWomen's Day
8:20 am - 8:50 am
Registration
8:50 am - 9:00 am
Chairwoman’s Opening Remarks
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Shared Services: A Launchpad for Women's Careers
Discover the unique benefits of a career in shared services offers women. From flexible work arrangements to accelerated skill development and increased visibility, shared services provide a powerful platform for career growth. Learn how to leverage these advantages to propel your career to new heights in a supportive and collaborative environment.
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Panel | Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling: Overcoming Gender Barriers in Shared Services
Shilinda Johnson -
Sr. Executive Director,
The University of Alabama
Shared services, while offering opportunities for career growth, can also present unique challenges for women. This session will explore the gender disparities prevalent in shared services. We'll examine underlying biases, discuss strategies to build influence, and provide tactics for advocating for oneself. Leave more empowered to challenge gender barriers and thrive in your careers.
10:00 am - 10:10 am
Short Transition Break into Interactive Discussion Groups
SSOWomen's Day Interactive Discussion Group
10:10 am - 10:40 am Career Pathing in Shared Services: The Transition from Expert to ExecutiveSSOWomen's Day Interactive Discussion Group
10:10 am - 10:40 am Transitioning at the End of Your Career: Leveraging Your Shared Services Experience in Your Next Chapter Jo Anne Dimitriou - Former Head of Shared Services, Air Force Service Center
10:40 am - 11:10 am
Nurturing Your Career: Mentorship, Coaching, and Sponsorship in Shared Services
Mercedes Sullivan -
Vice President, HR Storefront Architect,
TIAA
Mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship are all essential roles in driving your career forward in shared services, but they are all different things with different purposes. Learn how to find the right mentor, leverage coaching for skill development, and cultivate powerful sponsor relationships to help with career moves. We'll address challenges and provide practical strategies to build a robust support network.
11:10 am - 11:20 am
Short Transition Break into Interactive Discussion Groups
SSOWomen's Day Interactive Discussion Group
11:20 am - 11:50 am IDG | Workplace Hostility in Shared Services: Strategies for Building Influence, Managing Difficult Personalities, and Asserting One's Voice Kirti Talwar - Global VP, Order to Cash, Johnson Controls
SSOWomen's Day Interactive Discussion Group
11:20 am - 11:50 am IDG | Power Dynamics in Shared Services: Navigating Complex Stakeholder Relationships
11:50 am - 12:20 pm
Building a More Inclusive Shared Services: The Role of Male Allyship
Kenneth Newton -
Director, Service Delivery at NASA Shared Services Center,
NASA
Male allyship plays a crucial role in supporting women's advancement in shared services. Learn what allyship truly means, how it differs from mentorship and sponsorship, and effective strategies for men to become allies. We'll address potential challenges and emphasize the compelling business case for gender diversity.
12:20 pm - 12:50 pm
Keynote Session | Leading GBS for an F20 Company
12:50 pm - 1:20 pm
Closing Panel | Women at the Helm: Navigating the BPO and Tech Terrain
Ashlie Crosby -
Senior Director Finance Shared Services,
Cushman and Wakefield
Mari Hern - VP, IT Business Services, USAA
The BPO and Tech industries are undergoing rapid transformation, presenting both challenges and opportunities for women leaders. This session will delve into the unique dynamics of these sectors, examining the factors that differentiate them from other industries in terms of female leadership. We will explore the key challenges women face in ascending to leadership positions in BPO and Tech, as well as the strategies they employ to overcome these obstacles.
1:20 pm - 2:20 pm
Lunch for SSOWomen / Takeaway Lunch for Site Tour Participants
The BPO and Tech industries are undergoing rapid transformation, presenting both challenges and opportunities for women leaders. This session will delve into the unique dynamics of these sectors, examining the factors that differentiate them from other industries in terms of female leadership. We will explore the key challenges women face in ascending to leadership positions in BPO and Tech, as well as the strategies they employ to overcome these obstacles.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
SSOWomen's Drinks Reception
Site Tours
12:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Site Tour Registration Opens
Siemens Site Tour
1:30 pm - 6:00 pm Discover the Siemens GBS Organization EvolutionSiemens Global Business Services transformed from operating as an internal shared services entity to a customer-centric organization driven by digitalization and customization is a success story with over 20 years of experience. As business dynamics shifted and customer expectations evolved, we at Siemens GBS recognized the need to keep up with modern expectations and transform our processes to better serve our customers. We enable Siemens AG units worldwide and external customers to accelerate their business transformation into a sustainable and digital future. Its portfolio comprises services driven by expertise and the latest technology – with a strong focus on innovation and digitalization in areas like business administration, human resources, supply chain management, sales, marketing, and engineering. Our core business focuses on these strategic areas:
- Business Solutions Services
- Engineering Services
- Hire to Retire Services
- Opportunity to Cash Services
- Purchase to Pay Services
- Project Services
- Record to Report
AdventHealth Site Tour
1:30 pm - 6:00 pm Unlock Shared Services Excellence at AdventHealthEmbark on a journey to uncover the shared services magic at AdventHealth the second-largest employer in Florida, just after Disney. Immerse yourself in the world of shared services as we split attendees into two groups for an in-depth tour, culminating in a dynamic panel discussion featuring executives from both HR and Finance shared services.
- Delve into the innovative HR shared services team, spanning HR shared services, talent acquisition, employee relationship service, and a Center of Excellence (COE).
- Explore the efficient finance shared services team, including accounts payable, travel/expense, and invoice processing, showcasing streamlined operations.
- Conclude the tour with an engaging panel discussion, where HR and Finance shared services executives come together to share their insights, fostering a deeper understanding of shared services excellence.
Johnson & Johnson Site Tour
1:30 pm - 6:00 pm Meet Johnson & Johnson's Modern Global Services HubTampa serves as the North America regional hub and a center of excellence for Global Services, J&J’s award-winning GBS provider with six capability centers around the globe powering over 135,000 employees. As J&J's in-house business innovators, Global Services is committed to driving game-changing solutions that profoundly impact health for humanity. During the visit, guests will learn about the work we do in Tampa, its impact across J&J, the next gen capabilities we are building, our culture and the ways we are making a difference in the Tampa community.
