INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2026: MAKE YOUR MOVE
International Women’s Day 2026 is guided by the United Nations theme: Rights. Justice. Action.
This is a global call to turn principles into progress.
At Girls Who Print, that progress shows up through empowerment, access, and forward motion.
Our 2026 conference theme, MAKE YOUR MOVE, focuses on what action looks like inside careers, leadership journeys, and professional growth. It is about recognizing opportunity, building momentum, and taking intentional steps forward at every stage of a career in print and graphic communications.
This event explores how women move from potential to progress, how access becomes opportunity, and how informed decisions create advancement.
MAKE YOUR MOVE turns it into momentum.
Kick off the Girls Who Print International Women’s Day Conference 2026 with Deborah Corn as she sets the stage for “MAKE YOUR MOVE.” In this opening session, Deborah shares the global vision behind the event, the mission of Girls Who Print, and the real meaning of making intentional career decisions in a fast-moving industry. Grounded in research and real-world context, this session explores opportunity, risk, and momentum, and why timing matters more than perfection.
In this conversation, Keren Yakalov Zur, Founder and CEO of DAPAS, shares what it really means to “make your move” in your career. She discusses her journey from leading product strategy at HP Indigo to founding a startup focused on simplifying packaging for small businesses. The conversation explores leaving the comfort zone, building something from scratch, and using technology to make print more accessible and user-friendly, along with practical advice on taking risks, trusting your instincts, and moving forward with purpose.
In this conversation, Isabelle Billerey-Rayel, Business Development Lead Europe at DALIM Software, shares her journey through more than three decades in the print and technology industries. From being denied opportunities early in her career to building influence and trust in a male-dominated field, Isabelle discusses resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of making your work visible. The conversation explores career-defining decisions, including stepping into new roles, embracing change, and aligning personal and professional goals, along with practical advice on trusting yourself, communicating your value, and moving forward with clarity and purpose.
In this conversation, Karis Copp, Founder and Managing Director of Karis Copp Media, shares her journey from working in a pub to building a career in journalism, PR, and launching her own B2B communications agency in the print industry. She discusses taking chances without traditional credentials, recognizing opportunities, and growing a business from freelance work into a team. The conversation explores authenticity in communication, the role of human voice in an AI-driven world, and practical advice on trusting your instincts, making intentional career decisions, and finding your own path forward.
In this conversation, Nidhi Agarwal, CEO and Co-Founder of Design’N’Buy and Regional Director of Girls Who Print India, shares her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship in the print technology space. She discusses building a global software company, empowering printers through automation and open technology, and supporting entrepreneurs as they bring their ideas to life. The conversation explores visibility, leadership, and the power of community, along with practical advice on staying curious, speaking up, building relationships, and trusting your instincts to move forward with purpose.
In this panel discussion led by Ayanfeolowa Ibitoye, Regional Director, Girls Who Print Africa, Managing Director, PrintStreet, Ayomikun Taiwo, MBA, CEO of The Print Village, and Rita Nwozor, Creative Director of Prints By Pounds, share their journeys building print businesses in Nigeria and navigating a rapidly evolving industry. They discuss moving from solo operations to leadership, creating visibility, and taking bold actions to grow their businesses, including investing in learning, building credibility, and seizing opportunities.
The conversation highlights the power of community through Girls Who Print Africa, the realities of operating in a male-dominated environment, and the importance of confidence, resilience, and strategic positioning. From starting with limited resources to building thriving businesses, both panelists offer practical insights on becoming your own advocate, proving your value, and turning small beginnings into long-term impact.
In this conversation, Chelsea McDougall, Editor of Labels & Labeling and Content Director for the Labelexpo Global Series (now LOUPE), shares her perspective on shaping the global labels and packaging industry through media and events. She discusses the evolution of a major industry brand, her transition from editorial to marketing and back, and how gaining a broader commercial perspective strengthened her leadership and influence.
The conversation explores owning your role in the industry, building a reputation beyond a resume, and making strategic career moves without burning bridges. Chelsea also offers practical advice on relationships, consistency, and understanding your place within a larger ecosystem to move forward with clarity and impact.
Joanne Gore, President and Chief Strategist of Joanne Gore Communications and Regional Director of Girls Who Print Canada, shares her journey from corporate tech to building a global marketing agency. She discusses navigating layoffs, acquisitions, and career shifts, and how those experiences led her to take control of her path and create a business on her own terms.
Joanne offers practical advice on recognizing your value, preparing for change, and making intentional moves forward by understanding who you help, the value you bring, and why it matters.
Christine Yardley, President and CEO of Print Panther Direct and Founder of Christine Yardley Creative, shares her journey of pushing print beyond CMYK through embellishment, specialty finishes, and tactile design. She discusses how a shift in mindset, not job titles, led to a defining move in her career, investing early in emerging technology that transformed her business and creative direction. She also offers practical advice on trusting your instincts, taking risks without waiting for perfect timing, and staying persistent while evolving with the industry.
Sheilae Siagian, also known as “Sheila the Print Nerd” and a student at Toronto Metropolitan University, shares how she is bringing fresh energy into the print industry by showcasing its possibilities to the next generation. Through video content, plant tours, and industry outreach, she highlights the evolving technology, hands-on creativity, and career opportunities available in print.
Sheilae discusses being proactive in creating opportunities, the importance of mentorship and community, and her mission to change perceptions of print among students and parents. Her perspective offers a powerful reminder that curiosity, initiative, and visibility are key to building a future in the industry.
In this conversation, Sarah Ohanesian, Founder and CEO of So Productive, shares her journey from a successful career in marketing and print to becoming a productivity strategist, keynote speaker, and business owner. She discusses recognizing when it was time to make a change, trusting her instincts, and building a new path without waiting for perfect timing or formal credentials.
Sarah offers practical advice on gaining clarity, having the courage to act, and understanding the unique value you bring, along with insights on confidence, impact, and turning experience into momentum.
In this panel discussion, Faith Robinson and Emalyn Nelson from Ferris State University, Kathrine Francisco from Appalachian State University, and Kasey Musaka from Appalachian State University and an intern at AlphaGraphics share their paths into print, from high school programs to hands-on college experiences and internships. Kay Chin Bishop, Senior Lecturer at Appalachian State University, adds perspective on preparing students for careers and bridging education with industry.
They discuss career goals across sales, production, packaging, and design, along with the value of real-world projects, mentorship, and industry connections, offering a forward-looking perspective on building careers and shaping the future of print.
Emma Farquharson, CEO and Co-Founder of Shared Intel AI, shares how she transitioned from a STEM and research background into helping print businesses streamline operations through AI and automation. She discusses freeing teams from low-value work, improving workflows, and creating space for more meaningful, human-driven contributions.
Emma also offers a powerful perspective on taking action even when overwhelmed, building momentum through small steps, and aligning your work with your values. Her advice focuses on finding community, using tools like AI as thinking partners, and confidently taking up space to create impact.
Stephanie Gaddin, Board Chair of Women in Print Australia and CEO of Rocking Rose, shares how she impacts the print industry through advocacy, leadership programs, and initiatives that support gender balance and professional growth. She discusses creating opportunities through collaboration, including global connections between Women in Print Australia and Girls Who Print.
Stephanie also shares her experience making a major life move by immigrating to a new country, highlighting the importance of taking calculated risks, having backup plans, and not waiting for perfect timing. Her advice focuses on gathering information, reducing fear through preparation, and making intentional moves that support both personal and professional growth.
SPEAKERS
