Name: Stakeholder Mastery – Influence Across the Enterprise (AMER)
Start: 2026-05-07T17:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-07T18:15:00+01:00

AMER

WeQual Rising Leaders: Stakeholder Mastery – Influence Across the Enterprise

Many initiatives don’t stall because the work is weak. They stall because the right stakeholders were never fully aligned from the start.

For managers leading cross-functional work, this is often one of the earliest leadership tests. Good ideas and clear plans are rarely enough. Progress depends on understanding the priorities, constraints, and incentives shaping other people’s decisions.

In this session, we explore how experienced leaders build real stakeholder alignment. You’ll learn how to map stakeholder interests, frame initiatives beyond your own function, and build support through understanding and trust rather than persuasion or internal politics.

Viveca Fairbanks-Henderson is a transformational enterprise leader with more than three decades of experience leading large, complex global organizations. As Senior Vice President, Global Enterprise Programs at Ecolab, she drives enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen execution, operational excellence, and leadership capability. Known for disciplined, results-oriented leadership, she aligns strategy with organizational capability to deliver sustained performance. A Purdue University–trained electrical engineer, she brings rigorous analytical thinking to senior leadership roles. Recognized as the 2024 Americas WeQual Business Transformation Award winner, she is widely respected for developing inclusive, high-performing teams and future leaders.

Key takeaways:

Why initiatives stall inside organizations
How to understand stakeholder priorities
How to manage work across functions
How to influence without formal authority

Viveca Fairbanks-Henderson

Senior Vice President, Global Enterprise Programs

Ecolab

Viveca Fairbanks-Henderson is a transformational enterprise leader with more than three decades of experience leading large, complex global organizations. As Senior Vice President, Global Enterprise Programs at Ecolab, she drives enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen execution, operational excellence, and leadership capability. Known for disciplined, results-oriented leadership, she aligns strategy with organizational capability to deliver sustained performance. A Purdue University–trained electrical engineer, she brings rigorous analytical thinking to senior leadership roles. Recognized as the 2024 Americas WeQual Business Transformation Award winner, she is widely respected for developing inclusive, high-performing teams and future leaders.

Emma Hicks

WeQual

SVP, Product & Learning

Emma is an experienced strategic leader specializing in professional development at
C-suite and senior management levels. With over 20 years’ experience across global sectors, she brings deep expertise in leadership education and a genuine passion for continuous professional growth.

A Fellow and Advisory Board Member of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), Emma also holds certifications from the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and previously served on the Education Committee of the European Confederation of Directors Associations (ecoDa).

Before joining WeQual, Emma spent nearly a decade with the IoD, shaping the strategic direction of its global executive programs, including the prestigious Chartered Director qualification. She later joined HR technology company Connectr, first as interim COO and then as Chief Commercial Officer, leading its mission to build more inclusive leadership pipelines.

Earlier in her career, Emma held senior roles with Reed Learning, designing and delivering internationally recognized qualifications for more than 100 corporate and academic partners.

At WeQual, Emma leads the global membership and program function. Creating communities where senior leaders connect, reflect, and develop through shared experience. Her work aligns with her core purpose: Helping individuals achieve their career goals and enabling organizations to succeed through inclusive, effective leadership.

Outside of work, Emma has a young family — Joshua (10), Jasmine (7), and Monty the cockapoo (3) — who keep her active, grounded, and grateful.

Ovin Mohan

WeQual

Director of Leadership Development

Ovin has coached more than 1,000 senior leaders from the world’s largest organizations – from Apple and HSBC to NATO and Christie’s – helping them lead with clarity, confidence, and renewed focus. Known by clients as “exceptional”, “brilliant”, and “amazing”, his coaching is both challenging and deeply human.

A former athlete and Head of Leadership Development in the UK’s largest management institute, Ovin combines performance psychology with practical leadership habits that drive real results. He’s lived and worked across London, Chicago, New York, and Valencia, bringing a global perspective to every conversation.

In this session, Ovin helps leaders step back from constant delivery to reconnect with their purpose and priorities – a vital reset for sustained impact.