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Heather Spilsbury

Heather Spilsbury is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for 50/50 Women on Boards, overseeing and executing its global brand efforts and its operational structure to foster the campaign’s growth. As an accomplished creative marketing strategist and business development executive, Heather educates stakeholders on industry patterns to create content-rich multichannel campaigns tailored to convert audiences into advocates, increase profit margins, raise capital, and drive acquisitions.

Previously, as the VP of Marketing and strategy at a creative agency in LA, she grew the agency from $3MM to $26MM in less than three years and founded the agency’s marketing division. Heather also serves on the board of HPRLA and is a senior consultant at Brilliant. 

She brings more than 15 years of experience in Public Relations, Marketing, and e-commerce working for Edelman, Golin, Havas, and The Recording Academy across CPG, OEM, Energy, Health, Tech, Lifestyle, and Beauty industries. Passionate about contributing to under-resourced communities, she began volunteering as a math tutor in minority public schools and most recently through organizations like Everytable and The Fulfillment Fund.

Heather graduated from Seattle University with a degree in Business Management and Economics and a minor in Fine Arts. Heather is a continual learner, Google/Bing Certified in Display, Search, Video, and Analytics, and accredited by UCLA Extension for Crisis Communication, Data Analytics, and Predictive Modeling.

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PREVIOUSLY 2020 WOMEN ON BOARDS

Code of Conduct: Governing Data & Emerging Tech

Boards are no longer observers of emerging technology; they are stewards of how it’s governed. This panel goes beyond awareness to examine how directors can structure oversight, define accountability, and measure governance effectiveness in AI, data use, and digital innovation. Panelists will share practical strategies for building governance systems that ensure transparency, ethical decision-making, and responsible innovation at scale.

Speakers include: Sita Lowman, Nithya Das, Suresh Sharma, Byron Loflin

Your First Board Meeting: A Director’s Playbook

Designed for aspiring and newly appointed directors, this session offers practical guidance on how to step confidently into your first boardroom. Learn what to expect in early meetings, how to contribute with purpose, and how to quickly build credibility and trust among seasoned peers. Gain insight into board dynamics, unspoken protocols, and the critical questions new directors should be ready to ask and answer.

Tactics that Work: Case Studies in Navigating Shareholder Activism

In this tactical, director-focused session, participants will engage in case-based exercises to dissect real campaigns and pressure scenarios. From activist letters to proxy fights, explore how boards can craft strategic responses that reinforce governance integrity, protect corporate reputation, and align with long-term priorities. Walk away with actionable tactics and frameworks to strengthen board preparedness in the face of growing investor scrutiny.

Inside the Boardroom: Resilience Planning in Action

This interactive session places directors inside the boardroom during moments of disruption. Through tabletop exercises and real-world scenarios, participants will explore how boards can apply structured frameworks to assess geopolitical risk, anticipate threats, and make decisive decisions under pressure. Designed as a classroom-style session, this breakout provides practical tools to strengthen oversight and build a proactive board response strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reputation & Response: How Boards Navigate Shareholder Activism

As shareholder activism intensifies, boards face mounting pressure to defend strategy, protect corporate reputation, and engage stakeholders with clarity. This panel brings together seasoned directors to explore how boards can respond effectively while maintaining credibility, board alignment, and stakeholder trust. Hear real-world insights on navigating activism in today’s high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Speakers include: Gaby Sulzberger, David Cahoy, Rachael Coffey, Eduardo Gallego

Navigating Global Markets: Trade, Tariffs, and Supply Chain Strategy

As global disruptions reshape business models, this panel will explore how boards can navigate the practical complexities of trade, tariffs, and supply chain shifts across regions. Panelists will share how directors are guiding companies through regulatory changes, sourcing challenges, and new market risks, while seizing opportunities for growth and operational agility.

Speakers include: Titi Cole, Mia Mends

Strengthening Oversight: Risk Management and Board Resilience

This keynote will equip directors to think globally about risk through the lens of geopolitical foresight, cross-border tensions, and long-term instability. Learn how boards can strengthen oversight and guide enterprise-wide resilience by anticipating disruption and embedding a proactive risk culture in a changing world.

Speakers include: Rodger Baker