As hundreds of executives from the media and marketing worlds gathered yesterday under the AWNY banner, at glitzy dinner to honor media luminary Wenda Harris Millard, we sat down with two of the evening speakers: GE’s CMO Linda Boff and Carolyn Everson, advertising chief at Facebook.

Both longtime acquaintances of Millard, they speak to her talent, leadership and the power and influence of the MediaLink consultancy she joined seven years ago as President and COO.

Boff calls her the “beating heart of our industry.”  Everson lauds her unique role as mentor and leader of women.

Facebook sponsored the evening.