Leadership Summit PC. Women's PGA Championship 2015 Wednesday, June 10 Press Conference

Transcription

1 Women's PGA Championship 2015 Wednesday, June 10 Press Conference Leadership Summit PC THE MODERATOR: It is my distinct pleasure, it's a great honor to be on this stage for just a couple of minutes to conduct this press conference this afternoon. I want to give you some thoughts about what we're going to do here. This is going to be a little bit more interactive, not necessarily breaking news here but sharing information. This week is big, not only for the LPGA, for KPMG but also for The PGA of America and the entire game of golf as we try to grow this game and also grow leaders today and in the future. Today specifically is as big for the game and for leaders as Sunday ill be for the eventual winner who will hold the trophy. The leadership summit is ongoing. We have a couple folks on stage who have spoken today or will speak this afternoon. I'm going to get off the stage, want to acknowledge a couple of folks who are in this room not on the stage who are a big part of inspiring each other to create this event. So I'd like to introduce them first: John Veihmeyer, the chairman for KPMG; Pete Bevacqua, the CEO of The PGA of America; Mike Whan, the Commissioner of the LPGA. They have inspired each other to create this event this week and also provide this stage here where we talk about inspiring greatness and empowerment of women. That is a big message this week. I want to thank you all for being here today. The panel includes five women leaders to speak on topics of elevation of a major, empowerment of women and inspiration of a future generation. Let me introduce them. To my left here, on the stage, U.S. chairman and CEO elect of KPMG, Lynne Doughtie. Chief teaching officer and LPGA Foundation President, say hello to Nancy Henderson. LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member and business leader, welcome Annika Sorenstam. Secretary of The PGA of America, say hello to Suzy Whaley. And just off the stage, the president of NASDAQ, Adina Friedman. Adina, let me start with you first of all. You've been inside the summit this morning. Can you share the vibe? Tell us, what's the feeling in there, how it felt for you standing on the stage and being part of this event. ADINA FRIEDMAN: I think the greatest thing about the summit is that we are bringing together both current leaders and leaders that I would say they are already leaders in their field but they are really the future of the business, of the businesses that we manage. And so there's a lot of excitement, a lot of common messages but also I think some great, frank advice and personal experiences I think people can relate to. So it's been a great morning so far. THE MODERATOR: Lynne, you're going to speak this afternoon. You've been in there as well. This is not just about elevating a major championship. This is about elevating women, empowerment of women. Can you tell us about how this all came to be, the leadership summit and what it means to you to be a part of it. LYNNE DOUGHTIE: It is a tremendously exciting day for all of us at the KPMG Leadership Summit and the vibe in the room, everyone is just riveted by the speakers that we have. And this is all about, it's really simple. It's like we want more women in the C-Suite and that's what this summit is all about. It's taking, as Adina said, we have CEOs and leaders in politics, media, sport, all in the room with the next generation of leaders, women who may be just one or two spots away from the C-Suite. They were hand picked by the leaders within their organization to participate in this and this isn't about just one day. There's going to be a year-long process in working and development program with these women. We have groups sitting in tables talking about what they have heard today and it's a great opportunity to create an environment where women feel inspired by current leaders in today's environment. THE MODERATOR: John Veihmeyer has spoken about the importance of this as a part of this major golf championship; that if not for the summit itself and the collection of all these superstar female leaders, there would really be no true reason to jump on board and be a part of this. This is a big part of the platform. Can you share your thoughts on that and why this is so special? LYNNE DOUGHTIE: Well, it's very special. Well, I think combining the leadership summit with a major golf championship, we have a really unique opportunity to bring golf and business together. And one of the really great opportunities for a number of these women is sometimes they are experiencing golf for the first page 1 of 6

2 time. We had clinics yesterday. They are able to watch the championship, as well, and one of the things that we'll be talking about later this afternoon is the relationship building, the networking that happens, and so not only are we empowering women to be part of the C-Suite, we are also encouraging them to get involved in the game of golf. And actually, I'm a testament to that. I'm a new golfer as part of this and having a lot of fun with it. THE MODERATOR: Annika, you won this event three times. You're a business leader, as well but let's talk about from a player perspective and seeing major championships like this elevated. We keep hearing the word elevating of major championships in women's golf. What does it mean to you? What are your thoughts about seeing an increased purse, increased TV exposure, network TV, networking, as a part of this he sent? ANNIKA SORENSTAM: It's terrific. Just talking to other players and the caddies and just getting the feel, being here, it's amazing. Elevated is a good word. I think you elevated-elevated it. It's amazing. I spoke to John yesterday and he said the goal with Stacy Lewis was to make it big. It's big and it's bold and I think it's fantastic. I think this is something that the LPGA has worked very hard onto get. I feel like they really deserve this. Obviously with Mike Whan and his team The PGA of America coming together and creating this special tournament is really, really cool. I walked around yesterday getting a feel for the course. I've never been here and I kept telling my husband who was driving the cart, I said, "I wonder what it's like to hit this shot, this golf course, wow." Women enjoying playing historical courses, as well. This is a classic. So it's fantastic to put this event on this venue to close to the Big Apple and certainly to have a sponsor like KPMG come in and make it big and bold, I'm very proud to just have a little part of it and certainly get inspired by the leaders who have spoken already this morning and more to come in the future, I think is fantastic. THE MODERATOR: Good job having your husband driving the cart. Just want to slide that in. Suzy, you're the first female ever elected to a position of such high, I'm going to say power, and empowerment opportunity at The PGA of America. Talk about that platform for you and what you plan to do with it through things like this. SUZY WHALEY: Well, we're so proud to be part of this with the KPMG and the LPGA. I'm a PGA professional, an LPGA TNC member, a former LPGA Tour player. For me, this is a special week. With Derek Sprague who is here, our president; Paul Levy our vice president; Pete, the three of us and the executive team and all of our members across the country are committed to women's golf. We want more women on courses. Our mission is to serve our members and to grow the game and for us to do that, we can use a venue like this on this tremendous golf course at Westchester Country Club where we hope to inspire the young girls that sit in front of us to maybe sit up here with us one day; to sit in Lynne's chair as the CEO of a company and a chairman; and same as Adina, to have them perhaps be the next Stacy Lewis. Just show them that the opportunities are endless for them within the game and within the business world. THE MODERATOR: You just segued into this perfectly. This is a great opportunity to acknowledge some of the future of the game before I go to you. Why not introduce the young girls who are here. We. Invited the winners of the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship from Augusta National to come see not only future leaders in business but also their role models in golf. Would you please stand and be recognized (applause). That gets me to you, Nancy. Key piece of the partnership is obviously elevating this opportunity for the best players in the world, and they are doing that. But also a part of this is something near and dear to you, which is the LPGA teaching and club professionals, now eight spots in this championship for them and increased purse. I don't want to give away all of the things you would like to talk about, but how important is that as a message for what you deliver each and every week. NANCY HENDERSON: Absolutely and I have to reiterate Suzy's sentiment. As an LPGA and PGA member for more than 20 years, I'm so excited to be part of the new chapter of the LPGA Championship. I can tell you that 60-plus years ago when the 13 founders started the LPGA and created the LPGA Championship, we know how hard it was back in 1950 for them to turn their passion for golf into their golf career. So it's really exciting to see and I know the founders, and I spend a lot of time with them, are so proud to see where this event has been elevated to in the new chapter with the partnership with the LPGA, the PGA and KPMG. Our club professionals who are here this week, there are eight of them who are competing against the best players in the world, and our mission from the teaching division way back in 1959 when we started was to help grow the game of golf and not only to get more golfers engaged but also more women and more girls. It's so exciting to see those club professionals being able to compete and to test their skills, as well, because we all start out as a passion for playing the game and sharing that passion with others. THE MODERATOR: Suzy, I want to include you in this next question. And the by the way there will be opportunities for questions from anybody here. Want page 2 of 6

3 to make this a bit of a town hall meeting opportunity. But Get Golf Ready and the PGA Junior League near and dear to you and everybody at The PGA of America. Are we in a good spot with girls golf right now? You first, Nancy, about growing the game in that way. NANCY HENDERSON: I have to say, one of the things I'm most proud of that we've accomplished over the last few years is we've been able to grow the number of girls in our LPGA USGA girls golf program from 5,000 girls in 2010 to we'll be at 50,000 girls involved in Girls Golf by the end of this year, and it's just a commitment to the joint efforts of the industry to really get behind getting more and more girls engaged in golf. First and foremost, we teach the game of golf to girls but we also teach them life skills that help prepare them to be confident, successful individuals in life and will help prepare them for hopefully that C-Suite opportunity that they may have. THE MODERATOR: Suzy, you spoke about the power of invitation. How does that play into Girls Golf and future leaders. SUZY WHALEY: We believe, all of us, that we all came to the course through an invitation. I was invited by three boys from the swimming pool when I was nine years old to go to the golf course. We invited Lynne, as an example at the PGA golf show when we did a moderated panel and really encouraged Lynne to come and play the game and she did just that and through Get Golf Ready, through instructors that are PGA professionals and LPGA TNC professionals. We just ask people who play the game to extend that invitation, to reach out, to bring somebody to the putting green, share a lesson, invite them to a community day where you're raising money for your local community or charity classic. The more we reach out as golfers and extended arm and say we want you here, we welcome you here, you are a part of this; golf doesn't have to be 18 holes. Golf can be a putting experience with your family. So that invitation is crucially important and as we move forward within the game, we are all committed to that growth of the game and really that invitation is so critically important. THE MODERATOR: Back to the summit and back to your experience this morning. I want to get with you, as well, Adina, on this, but what are some of the consistent messages you've heard? You haven't spoken yet today but is there a theme among some of these great leaders? LYNNE DOUGHTIE: Let me tell you a little about some of the topics we've heard this morning. I think one that was extremely powerful was having mentors and sponsors, protégés part of a lively discussion with lots of audience participation where we had Dick Ebersol with Molly Solomon. I mean, what a powerful testimony to 300 people in the room to hear how Dick really saw the talent, and Molly harnessed that, nurtured that and you could just feel that relationship that has lasted a lifetime for them. And then we also -- an Adina was part of telling the story of, what is the career journey look like getting to this C-Suite and the CEO, also, of Duke Energy, Lynn Good, what a powerful story. She told her personal story, really going back to childhood lessons to dealing with crisis in the C-Suite and how you respond to that and the powerful message that sends to women as they think about their own careers. So just a sampling of what we've been talking about this morning. THE MODERATOR: What was the biggest thing you wanted people to leave the room with? Not that they have left the room yet. ADINA FRIEDMAN: One of the questions I got is what are the characteristics of the person who is ultimately going to make it to the C-Suite, and these are gender neutral characteristics: Whether it's passion for what you do, commitment to what you do, getting great results, you need to be able to show that you've been able to generate great results. But there's people skills, the ability to manage, lead and have people want to come with you, as opposed to feel like they have to come with you. Those great qualities of leadership. What's interesting is you're hearing is very consistently among all of the speakers. What I really like about is there's a lot of consistency in the message and I have two of my senior leaders there. It's like getting infused in them all day. I think that they will be able to realize how important those things are because as you get to the top, they all resonate. And I do want to say, my golf teacher is a woman, and she was a first alternate for this tournament. And so she is a player. She's really, really good. And if I didn't have a woman, I'm not sure honestly that I would be taking as many lessons as I'm taking because she knows how to teach me and we have a great connection. LYNNE DOUGHTIE: I have a woman coach, too. THE MODERATOR: Brittany Lincicome rang the bell yesterday and the market went down; and she threw out the first pitch at the Mets game, and they had no hits last night. She may need help today or counseling from any of you on the stage. You young girls, please go up to Brittany and ask for an autograph. She might be a little shaken today. Q. Obviously women are a key growth factor in golf, and I guess Suzy and Annika, how do we keep women to play with the multi-tasking and all of the responsibilities that women have day-to-day? How page 3 of 6

4 do you maintain participation in the game? SUZY WHALEY: I actually would love to hear Lynne's ran Adina's answer to this, too. They are the ultimate multi-taskers and I know they both play and that be really interesting to hear. What I'm focusing on and what the PGA has brought to the party are programs like Get Golf Ready that are simple five lessons, inexpensive where they meet other people to connect with so they can continue to play. I think it's very important that women find a network and a group that they can participate in maybe as three holes, six holes, nine holes. But for them, just individually, typically isn't what first attracted them to it. It's really that social camaraderie. Women are interested in their health and wellness and certainly we need to talk more about golf being a part of that. 18 holes is 10,000 steps, so a lot of miles and steps and calories burned and that's always an attraction for me in anything I do. So that would be something to talk about and share. And the competitive nature of it. Women are competitive and like the challenge that golf provides and we need to share that with them; that it's okay that your challenge may be just to be getting better than where you are. Doesn't mean that you are going to be Annika some day; you know, I try. But you still can have that selfinternal drive to continue to get better and continue to improve. As we move forward those programs like Get Golf Ready, finding a PGA professional, finding an LPGA TNC professional, finding an instructor that you connect with whether it be male or female is really critically important for people to continue and stay in the game because we do have data that shows the more lessons you take, the more you'll play and enjoy golfed. But also women need to get on course. Just having them as a practice facility or a lesson tee, for me and the women that I teach, typically doesn't do it. But when I show them the beauty that golf provides and I share with them the opportunities it can provide for their families, we get them to play more golf. THE MODERATOR: Annika? ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I agree very much with what Suzy was saying. I was just thinking about in relation to this tournament and yesterday again when I walked around, I saw a lot of women playing in the Pro-Am. I thought that was fantastic. And I really don't see that in a lot of Pro-Ams unfortunately. But it really is a good business tool. It would be great to get women just in a business setting be part of these events, too, and not feel like they are being kind of -- people walk past the ladies tee and forget that you were playing or you get very intimidated; I don't hit it as far, I can't participate. But I saw a lot of women yesterday had a good time, and another aspect of what Suzy mentioned, if we can use it as a business tool and having the confidence and not feel like you have to hit it 300 yesterday yards to play the game of golf, there's more to the game of golf than that. THE MODERATOR: We have a question from one of our senior reporters, the Commissioner of the LPGA. MIKE WHAN: I have a comment as most media would, and I have a question. The comment is for Annika. You made a comment before that as you were riding around, you said, I wonder what it would be like to hit a couple of those shots. I want you to be aware that the field criteria includes former winners. So if you really want to know what it feels like to hit a couple shots, we'll see you next year. On a more serious note, what surprised me last night at the Pro-Am party that included a hundred of our players is how many players were talking about the inspiration they got in playing in the Pro-Am with successful business leaders, and it might surprise you two on the end how much the inspiration is going back and forth. How important is it now and was it when you were playing to meet other women that were succeeding outside the yellow ropes because sometimes we live inside a pretty small tunnel which is just playing pro golf. Was it important to you to meet other women as you were growing up in golf to realize what was possible after the game? SUZY WHALEY: For me it was vitally important to have role models that were females, whether it be in business or on the golf course, and to your point, when we played in Pro-Ams, or at least my own personal experience, it was very rare that I had a female in my group. I was also actively a businesswoman and wanted to make those networks and connections that I could provide for my family so I could have sponsors or make an opportunity for myself to say, hey, I can come do this at a corporate event; I can be part of your business; I can share and help you ascertain clients, and it was a hard conversation at times to have when you were only seeing males that you were playing with. So how exciting that this particular event is a steppingstone for the next Pro-Ams as we move forward on the LPGA Tour to really share and showcase the fact that we want women out here; that whether you're new to golf or you've played a lot of golf, a Pro-Am situation is a great place to be. Not only do you get to play with somebody who can help you and teach you along the way during that particular Pro-Am but you're going to be able to meet leaders and female leaders that you can connect with and share stories with. Like I've heard this morning, it is so wonderful to hear other female leaders share their experiences, because those are things we can bring home not only to our members, The PGA of America, but to my own personal business and it's really nice to make that connection. ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I'm going to echo you again. Sitting in that room and just listening, it's just very page 4 of 6

5 inspirational. It's so important to have role models. Growing up I had role models in different sports because I played different sports and then there was golf. Now I've taken the step into business, you realize there are so many things that are very similar as a golfer and being successful, and not just the obvious of focus and concentration and hard work, but life is very similar. Then you look at these leaders and you go, they are humans, too. They have two arms and two legs. But they work very hard and you see the common denominators that we have, and if you have the drive, it gives you hope. It gives you -- it's like maybe I can do this and if you have the drive, I think it's really important that they have kind of paved the way in different ways, even though it's different industries with energy; and then there's NASDAQ and more stories to tell. In the end, it's the same thing. It makes me want to work harder and it makes me think of my kids and inspire them and all the kids that we meet through golf; it's possible, just keep working, and there are no shortcuts to success. You can do what you want to do. THE MODERATOR: I'm going to do what Mike forgot to do as a media guy is ask a follow-up question. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced? Obviously so successful in golf but making the transition to business which some players on the LPGA or women's golf would have to do because they have to have potentially a second career. What were some of the pitfalls or learning experiences for you? ANNIKA SORENSTAM: What I find interesting, first of all, there's a lot of players that feel like they are not any good at anything else and don't want to take the step into business or something else. They don't believe in themselves. But once they do, they have the courage and they realize there are other things than golf and then they succeed; because golf is such a great platform for future businesses and certainly the networking aspect of it. But for me, I mean, of course, I stepped away and I had a lot of confidence at the time and I thought I could do anything. But when you start a business in 2008 (laughter) I realized, wow, this is not so easy. On the golf course, I made the decisions and it's an individual sport and of course I had a caddie that helped me. But in the business world, it's all about being a team and I learned a lot today just listening about a leader is a team sport; you've got to work with your team, and that's the thing. When you're an individual player, you like to be able to do everything, and I realized that I'm not good at everything. As a matter of fact, I'm just good at a very few things. So you have to get a team around you to build you and the team up so we can achieve things together. And I think that was the biggest lesson I learned and I'm still learning it today. It's been real interesting and I think it's been more challenging than maybe the few years on Tour and making 3-footers, I like to say, those are easy. Now I'm really getting a challenge. THE MODERATOR: Nancy, the TNC membership, that is a business, they are trying to earn money and exposure and build their brands. Your thoughts on this? NANCY HENDERSON: You know, I think it's wonderful to have so many role models and people that you can look toward who have succeeded. I know for me, I was one of the first head professionals, directors of golf, general managers in the Orlando area in the golf industry, which does have 27,000 PGA of America members, 2,000 women; our role in that golf industry is small. It's nice to be able to have business women to look up to and have Annikas who successfully not only are world-class players but can transition into that business world. But our role models on the LPGA Tour are just amazing. And we have a new campaign for Girls Golf which is little girls, big dreams and it's all about dreaming and realizing that to Annika's point, anything is possible and great examples of anything being possible here on stage. Q. I was wondering if there was a time earlier this morning where you thought to yourself, I wish 15 years ago I had heard that from a woman at the front of the stage or if you wish you had an opportunity like this earlier in your career to hear this kind of advice. ADINA FRIEDMAN: I have to say I played my first Pro- Am yesterday and I wish I had done it earlier. And it was only because my coach told me, "You can do this." I was like, "There's no way I'm good enough." She said, "You're good enough. It's a scramble, there's no pressure." It was so much fun and now I really wish I had done it earlier in my life of playing golf. So I guess that's one thing is I wish I had done it earlier before. LYNNE DOUGHTIE: One of the things, we've just done a women's leadership study commissioned by KPMG and I'm going to talk about it later this afternoon but one of the themes coming out of that study, a point that we've raised up here today, and that's confidence. That's really what this summit is all about and it's actually -- seeing these young girls here today, one of the things that we found out in the study was that there were early childhood experiences where women today say they lacked that encouragement to lead and step out and try new things. We're trying to change that. And I think we are changing that through the summit and through the conversations that we're having. I think the golf community is changing that with what you're doing with young girls, as well, and I think focusing on building confidence will be critical for the next generation. page 5 of 6

6 THE MODERATOR: In the essence of time I'm going to give you each a kind of walk-away message with two questions, one for each of you. Nancy, please answer this question, kind of finish it for me: Golf in business needs for misdemeanor stars because, why? NANCY HENDERSON: Because the girls sitting in this row need to believe that anything is possible, and we have to develop that next generation of female leaders who can take that next step. It's all about elevation. This event, the summit, everything. That's why we just need to keep elevating young girls to keep believing anything is possible. THE MODERATOR: Annika, golf in business needs more female stars, why? ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Because I think golf is a game of life. I think everybody can play. I see it more now when I stepped away. It's a game that everybody can participate as a family but also use as a business tool. THE MODERATOR: Suzy? SUZY WHALEY: Not only because golf is a game for all but because there will be young girls that come behind those that sit in this front row and as they aspire and sit in these chairs and become leaders, more and more females will see their opportunities as time goes by. THE MODERATOR: To each of you on the ends, the biggest take away from this event this week should be what? LYNNE DOUGHTIE: Be confident. You can do it. You can do anything that you set your mind to, and I think when we watched -- when we work with the women on the Tour, and we see what they can accomplish and then vice versa, we see what we've accomplished in business, that's very powerful. ADINA FRIEDMAN: And I would say that women bring a huge amount of success to business and we should not underestimate the benefits and the power of having more women, just more diversity generally in the C- Suite because it provides better decisions. The ability for women to see that and realize it is possible and a critical part of making it happen. THE MODERATOR: Empowerment of women is huge, the hashtag, #inspiregreatness, we've heard a lot about that this week. You all are great in this business world and also in the golf world. I want to thank you for your time. page 6 of 6