2016 WLP Fall Symposium Program

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
Helping Women Lead, Achieve & Take Their Place at the Table
Palma Ceia
A 2012 report by the Credit Suisse Research Institute, Gender Diversity and Corporate Performance, showed
that businesses are more successful with women in the boardroom. Following a 2012 study of 2,400 companies
globally, the Institute found that net income growth over the past six years averaged 14 percent in companies
with women directors, eclipsing their counterparts without female board members, which posted only 10
percent growth. Catalyst, a research group focused on women’s advancement to senior leadership, found that
Fortune 500 companies with more women directors outperformed those with fewer women board members on
a broad range of financial indicators. So why does more than half the population constitute only 17 percent of
the representation on Fortune 500 corporate boards? Join us as we convene a solutions oriented conversation
on this topic, helping you identify the core competencies necessary for successful board leadership, and
determine the best path to attaining appointment to a corporate board seat.
Marie Tomassi
Managing Shareholder, Trenam Law
MODERATOR
Marie Tomassi is the managing shareholder of Trenam Law, one of Tampa Bay’s largest regional law
firms, as well as a member of the firm’s executive board. As managing shareholder, Marie is deeply
involved in leading the firm and executing its overall business strategy. Under Tomassi, the firm has
expanded its community involvement by supporting local organizations including Southeastern
Guide Dogs, United Way, Habitat for Humanity and local arts groups. Tomassi also leads the firm’s
appellate practice group and is Florida Bar board certified in appellate practice and has more than
25 years of experience in complex commercial litigation and ERISA matters. Tomassi regularly
publishes and has presented numerous seminars in bar association programs on appellate law. She
is consistently recognized by Florida Super Lawyers and by Best Lawyers in America for her work in
the field. Most recently, she was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America as 2016 Lawyer of the
Year for her appellate practice in St. Petersburg. Tomassi is actively involved in the community, is a
graduate of Leadership Tampa Bay and a former member of the Board of Directors for the Mahaffey
Theater Foundation. She received her undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from the University
of South Florida, where she was recognized as a King-O’Neal Award Winner, and her law degree,
summa cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law where she graduated first in her class.
Jessica Blume
Director, Publix Super Markets Inc.
Jessica Blume was vice chair of Deloitte LLP from March 2012 until retiring in August 2015 and
managing director of Research and Innovation from November 2009 to March 2012. Previously, she
served as national managing director - consulting from 2006 to 2009; Southeast regional managing
director - consulting from 2003 to 2006; and Atlanta managing director - consulting from 2001 to
2003. Her qualifications include extensive experience in business and accounting, serving on the
Deloitte LLP governing board for six years and on various committees and qualifying to serve as an
Audit Committee financial expert. In 2016, Blume was elected to the Board of Directors for Publix
Super Markets, Inc., an employee-owned supermarket chain based in Lakeland, Florida. She is a
member of the Governance and Compensation Committees. During her career with Deloitte, she was
active in community service. She has been a United Way Alexis De Tocqueville member since 1995
and has assisted United Way in developing both national and local strategies and currently serves
on the Sarasota United Way Board. She spent six years as a trustee for City Year national board and
was a member of the Finance and Audit and Site Selection Program Committees. Through this role
she oversaw Deloitte’s investment in education and her own personal passion and desire to improve
the education system. Blume graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in
accounting and is a licensed Florida CPA. She is currently engaged with the College of Business as
advisory member for the formation and launch of their new integrated business degree.
22 #USFWLP • 11 TH ANNUAL WLP FALL SYMPOSIUM