When asked to name the toughest opponent she ever faced, Serena Williams, one of the greatest athletes to ever live and an international trailblazing icon on and off the tennis court, gave a surprise answer.
“Myself,” Serena said.
In front of an energized a crowd of 1,500 business leaders and policymakers gathered at the Hershey Lodge for the 40th PA Chamber Annual Dinner, Serena discussed how she trained tirelessly, both physically and mentally, to set herself above the competition and become the most decorated tennis player of all time. Serena shared insights on leadership, resilience, inspiring others, and navigating challenges in her transition from sports to business during a fireside chat with PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein. She was welcomed to the stage by the Central High School in Philadelphia Girls Tennis Team, who met and posed for photos with their hero on stage.
The program also included presentations and Q&A with U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. Granholm discussed the future of energy in America and the Energy Department’s investment in new technologies. Rubio highlighted capitalism’s importance as the single most powerful tool for creating social and economic opportunities and the need for American leaders to recommit to supporting free markets and private enterprise.
The PA Chamber Annual Dinner is the biggest event of the year – a four-decades long tradition that brings business, civic, and government leaders together for an evening of networking, civility, and premier programming.