Gwen Thompkins Announced as Women Making Waves Keynote Speaker

For the sixth annual Women Making Waves leadership conference, Tulane University’s Office of Alumni Relations wanted to find a keynote speaker whose path embraced the global and local, and whose accomplishments and deep ties to the local community reflect what it means to be a Tulane alumna. It was a tall order, but with NPR veteran, New Orleans native and proud Newcomb College graduate Gwen Thompkins (NC ’87) they hit the mark. 

Thompkins, who double-majored in Russian and history during her time at Newcomb College, has gone on to an illustrious career as senior editor of National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition, as a former East Africa bureau chief for NPR, as the holder of Nieman and Watson fellowships and as the current host of WWNO’s Music Inside Out. 

Women Making Waves, which brings together alumni, faculty and staff, provides a welcoming and insightful environment where women share their experiences and learn how to overcome challenges in order to reach their full potential. The event, capped at just 300, offers attendees something truly unique—the opportunity to engage on a deep level with individuals who have successfully navigated the personal and professional challenges women face. 

Director of Alumni Career Services Nicole Bush says, “Each year Women Making Waves seems to get more personal, with our speakers opening up and sharing their stories with each other. Because of technology and social media, personal connections are harder to come by these days. At Women Making Waves, you can connect on a deeper level than you can at bigger conferences or through online groups.”

Bush was enthusiastic about Thompkins' keynote speech, “She’s been a foreign correspondent who will have insights about the effect of major world events as well as a long-time student of music who can offer specific insights to an industry which is of huge interest to people in New Orleans.”

Save the date for the sixth annual Women Making Waves event, which will be held on March 7, 2020 at the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life on Tulane University’s Uptown Campus.