SC Chamber announces A’ja Wilson as the Keynote Speaker for the 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium
February 11, 2025
This week, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce revealed A’ja Wilson as the highly anticipated Keynote Speaker for the 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium.
The annual Women’s Leadership Symposium celebrates the contributions of women in advancing South Carolina and its business landscape. This all-day event recognizes the distinct leadership perspectives women bring and delves into the opportunities and challenges women face in the business world. As a native South Carolinian, an internationally recognized basketball superstar, a multifaceted businesswoman and much more, A’ja Wilson is the definition of an inspirational leader who has years of experience championing the women of our great state.
A’ja Wilson is a professional basketball player and one of the most dynamic and impactful women in sports. The 2023 Finals MVP, 3x WNBA MVP, 2x All-First Team, 6x WNBA All-Star, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, 2018 WNBA 1st Overall Draft pick, and 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year is the face of the WNBA and the back-to-back World Champion Las Vegas Aces, which she helped lead to their first title in franchise history.
In her collegiate career, A’ja attended her hometown school, the University of South Carolina, and led the program to its first NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, in 2017. There, she was also the recipient of many individual accolades, such as the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award, three straight SEC Player of the Year awards, and first-team All-American for three consecutive seasons. During her senior season, A’ja swept all National Player of the Year awards (Wade, AP, Honda, USBWA, Wooden, and Naismith) as the best Women’s College basketball player for 2018 and became the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women’s basketball history. Upon graduation, the school erected a monument in her honor.
Off the court, A’ja is an entrepreneur and author. She started Burnt Wax, a candle business inspired by how aromatherapy brought a sense of tranquility and calm during some of the most challenging times in her family’s life and provided the energy boost that they needed to deal with everyday life. She published a book, “Dear Black Girls: How To Be True To You”, which quickly rose on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
A’ja is also a big advocate for giving back, mentoring kids, and social justice. She also founded the A’ja Wilson Foundation with her parents, Roscoe and Eva Wilson. The AWF serves as a resource for children and families who struggle with Dyslexia along with working to shift the culture of students to prevent bullying.
All these accolades landed A’ja among the 2024 Sports Illustrated 50 Most Influential Figures In Sports, 2024 Time100 Most Influential People, and Forbes 2021 30 Under 30 lists. A’ja loves spending time with her two dogs, Ace and Deuce, and staying active regarding her health and fitness. The generational talent who continues making history is an elite-level UNO and Board Game player who loves music, modeling, fashion, photography, watching movies, escape rooms, traveling, books, podcasts and “The Office.”
“The SC Chamber is very honored to have one of South Carolina’s very own, A’ja Wilson, as our keynote speaker,” said SC Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Cynthia Bennett. “A’ja has accomplished so much in her career in such a short period of time. She is the epitome of a true leader who is paving the way for others to be just as successful.”
This year’s Women’s Leadership Symposium, presented by BlueCross BlueShield South Carolina, will be held on March 13, 2025, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. In addition to A’ja Wilson’s Keynote, attendees can expect impactful panel discussions, fireside chats, ample networking opportunities, silent auction, and presentation of the ATHENA Awards. All proceeds from the silent auction will go towards the SC Chamber Education and Workforce Foundation’s 40th annual Business Week program.
Click here to view the full agenda for the 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium and register to attend today.
About SC Chamber
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the State’s leading voice for business with a vision to make South Carolina’s economy the most vibrant in the United States, creating opportunity and prosperity for all. A statewide organization that fights for pro-job and business policies at the state and federal level, it strives to promote free enterprise; define and advocate for the business agenda; convene, connect, and educate businesses; and partner with key allies. Our member insights shape the policies we write and the agenda we promote at the State House. Learn more at http://www.scchamber.net.
