Haslam College of Business Women in Business, Entrepreneurship & Leadership Summit: Embrace Change, Empower Resilience

Dionna Widder

Dionna Widder is the chief revenue officer with Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena, where she works closely with team members, fans, partners and community leaders. Previously, Widder served as the chief revenue officer for Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash, the vice president of ticket sales and service for the Cleveland Cavaliers and a director in the NBA’s team marketing and business operations group. Widder also hosts the “Women Blazers” podcast, which features impactful conversations with women in sports and entertainment.

Claudia Caballero

Claudia Caballero is president and CEO of Centro Hispano de East Tennessee, where she has significantly impacted the Latino community through her eight years of leadership. Beyond her role at Centro Hispano, she is a dedicated mentor to young Latinos and actively participates in various boards and programs. Caballero has also received numerous professional and community accolades, and is bicultural and bilingual, having been raised in Honduras and the U.S.

Marianne Wanamaker

Marianne Wanamaker serves as the dean of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, as well as a professor of economics and public policy. She is the recipient of several teaching awards, and her expertise is in labor economics, education and workforce development. Wanamaker also serves in research roles for multiple organizations and was the former chief domestic economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors, where she also served as the senior labor economist.

Jasmine Newton

Jasmine Newton is a portrait photographer, speaker, mentor and community leader. After working in customer service, she pursued her true passion full-time, launching Javon Renee Portraits in 2015 to create timeless and empowering portraits. In 2024, she expanded her impact with TheJasmineNewton.com, offering practical advice on balance, boundaries, and authenticity. Newton actively contributes to her community, serving as a board member and volunteer.

Catherine Porth

Catherine Porth is the founder and executive Director of Let Her Speak, a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating women’s wealth, power and influence. She founded Let Her Speak to create spaces where women can share their unique experiences, foster community and develop the confidence needed to rise into leadership roles on their terms. Porth’s career spans over 15 years across industries, and she has worked with an array of corporations, nonprofits and startups.

Sara Easler

Sara Easler is the assistant dean of International Programs and Partnerships for the Haslam College of Business, responsible for developing international strategy, relationships and identifying international education opportunities for students. She manages the International Programs and Study Abroad unit as part of the Center for Student Engagement and Success, serving as a resource for students, faculty and staff.

Breanna Hale

Breanna Hale is the executive director for the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Coming from Utah Valley University’s Entrepreneurship Institute, she brings vast experience in developing entrepreneurship programming, building a network of mentors and resources for students and increasing student business funding. She has served on the boards of Tech Coast Venture Network, WeAngels and the Mountainland Association of Governments Revolving Loan Fund. She received a B.A. in communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine.