Overview:

The Dallas Mavericks Women of the Mavs Empowering Network (W.O.M.E.N.) Employee Resource Group hosted its fifth annual Women’s Symposium, which brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across North Texas. The event encouraged attendees to reflect on the power of community, visibility, and intentional leadership. Guests heard from influential voices, including Mavericks CEO Rick Welts and Mavericks President Ethan Casson, who underscored the organization’s commitment to uplifting women in sports, business, and beyond. The symposium reinforced the message that when women amplify one another’s voices, their overall impact reaches far beyond a single room.

A Celebration of Women’s Leadership

In a candid celebration of Women’s History Month, the Dallas Mavericks Women of the Mavs Empowering Network (W.O.M.E.N.) Employee Resource Group hosted its fifth annual Women’s Symposium on March 10, bringing together leaders, innovators and changemakers from across North Texas.

Centered around the theme “Stronger Together,” the event encouraged attendees to reflect on the power of community, visibility and intentional leadership. Guests heard from a lineup of influential voices, including Mavericks CEO Rick Welts and Mavericks President Ethan Casson, who underscored the organization’s commitment to uplifting women in sports, business and beyond.

Dallas Mavericks Dallas Mavericks host the fifth-annual Women’s Symposium on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Perot Museum in Dallas, Texas. (Nicole Malunowicz/Dallas Mavericks)

Throughout the day, speakers shared personal stories of resilience, leadership and mentorship, reminding attendees that meaningful progress happens when women support and empower one another.

The Power of Voice and Visibility

One of the symposium’s most compelling conversations was the panel “The Power of Voice and Visibility,” featuring Christine Perez, editor of D CEO magazine, and radio personality DeDe McGuire, host of the nationally syndicated “DeDe in the Morning” show. The discussion was moderated by Gina Miller.

The panel explored how storytelling, authenticity and intention shape influence across media platforms.

Perez reflected on the importance of persistence early in her career. After pitching a story that unexpectedly landed in Cosmopolitan magazine, she realized that perseverance could open doors that initially seemed closed.

Dallas Mavericks Dallas Mavericks host the fifth-annual Women’s Symposium on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Perot Museum in Dallas, Texas. (Nicole Malunowicz/Dallas Mavericks)

“If I hadn’t kept calling, I never would have gotten the job,” Perez said while recounting how persistence helped launch her journalism career.

She later credited mentorship and encouragement from the late D Magazine founder Wick Allison as a key factor in building her confidence.

“Other people did see something in me and supported me,” Perez said. “It was really wonderful to have that kind of support.”

Since becoming editor of D CEO in 2018, Perez said her guiding principle has been to “use the megaphone wisely” when deciding which stories to spotlight across North Texas’ business landscape.

Authenticity in Media and Community Impact

McGuire spoke candidly about the responsibility that comes with having a public platform and the importance of staying authentic.

“Nowadays in radio, it is all about authenticity,” McGuire said. “I can’t lie about who I am. I am who I am.”

The longtime broadcaster also described the moment she realized the impact of her voice while working in national radio. Watching influential radio host Tom Joyner use his platform to drive civic engagement and community initiatives inspired her to think more intentionally about her own influence.

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“I realized, wait a minute, I can do something else with this microphone,” McGuire said.

That realization eventually led to the creation of the DeDe McGuire Foundation, which provides scholarships and resources to women pursuing education and career advancement. Through her morning show, McGuire also highlights financial literacy initiatives such as “Money Mondays,” aimed at helping listeners build stronger financial futures.

“People don’t realize it has entertainment value, but it’s also helping the community,” she said.

Navigating Criticism and Owning Your Space

The conversation also addressed a common challenge for women in visible leadership roles: criticism.

McGuire emphasized the importance of focusing on the positive rather than the negativity that sometimes comes with public visibility.

“Not everyone’s gonna like you,” she said. “If I see 300 comments and two don’t like me, I’m not getting ready to concentrate on those two.”

Perez shared a similar lesson learned after a particularly pointed critique early in her career.

“Learn to have fun, remember it’s a small minority,” she said. “And who really cares?”

Both speakers encouraged women to embrace their voice, trust their instincts and remember that their perspective has value.

“Everybody has a voice. Everybody has a story to tell. Everybody is worthy,” Perez added.

Building Community Through Sisterhood

Beyond the panels and keynote conversations, the symposium created space for attendees to connect and reflect. A closing reflection activity invited guests to share personal affirmations and words of encouragement, reinforcing the event’s theme of collective strength.

Participants spoke openly about the importance of showing up for one another and creating supportive networks across industries and communities.

Dallas Mavericks Dallas Mavericks host the fifth-annual Women’s Symposium on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Perot Museum in Dallas, Texas. (Nicole Malunowicz/Dallas Mavericks)

As one attendee reflected during the closing session, simply sharing encouragement between women can be transformative: “There’s strength in sisterhood.”

The fifth annual symposium reinforced that message, leaving many guests inspired to lead with confidence and uplift others along the way.

During Women’s History Month and beyond, the Mavericks’ W.O.M.E.N. initiative continues to demonstrate that when women amplify one another’s voices, with their overall impact reaching far beyond a single room.

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