EmpressofBiz, Pa Governor's Conference for Women Preview, 9-30-10

2010 PA Governor’s Conference for Women
Background and TALKING POINTS

The seventh annual Pennsylvania Governor’s Conference for Women is taking place October 14, 2010 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

The event is co-hosted by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Pennsylvania Commission for Women.

This year’s theme is “Your time is now!” and attendees will be encouraged to be fearlessly resilient, to rebound with purpose and power and to lead with intention.

Conference Background

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Conference for Women is a non-profit, non-partisan, one-day event that features more than 75 renowned speakers sharing inspirational stories and leading seminars on the issues that matter most to women, including health, personal finance, business and entrepreneurship, work/life balance, the environment and more.

The conference offers incredible opportunities for business networking, professional development, and personal growth.

Keynote Speakers

Ellen Alemany (Citizens Financial Group CEO) - chairman and chief executive officer of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. and RBS Americas, the North and South American operations and subsidiaries of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc. Recognized by Forbes Magazine and U.S. Banker Magazine as one of the most powerful women in banking.

Kelly Corrigan (Author) - an accomplished author and columnist. Her book “The Middle Place” spent six months on The New York Times bestseller list and her columns have appeared in Glamour and Good Housekeeping.

Eve Ensler (American playwright) - is the award-winning author of “The Vagina Monologues,” which has been published in 45 languages and performed in more than 130 countries. She is also the founder of V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, which has raised $70 million and educated millions through art and activism.

Jessica Herrin (“Serial Entrepreneur” and founder and CEO of Stella & Dot) -
is founder and CEO of Stella & Dot, a nationwide direct seller of boutique jewelry, and a “serial entrepreneur” who previously co-founded WeddingChannel.com, the world’s leading wedding site.

Mae Jemison (Astronaut) - launched into orbit aboard the space shuttle Endeavour in 1992, as the world's first woman of color to go to space. She is the founder and president of two technology companies; she also founded and chairs The Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, which hosts an annual international science camp.

Career Fair

Led by Women For Hire CEO Tory Johnson, the workplace contributor on ABC's Good Morning America, the Career Fair takes place from 2:30 to 5:30pm. The Career Fair will feature workshops on career development and advancement as well as practical advice including one-on-one resume critiquing and “speed mentoring” with local career coaches and executives.

This year’s Career Fair will also feature a “Meet Up” with Tory Johnson where attendees will get the opportunity to ask Tory any question about careers — from getting hired, to advancing in a job to starting or growing a business.

Registration

The registration rate is $135/individual Special discount for Empress of Biz listeners..

For more information or to register, visit www.PAGovernorsConferenceforwomen.org

Sponsors

The co-presenting sponsors for this year’s conference are UPMC Health Plan and Citizens Bank.

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Guest on the Empress of Biz

Selena’s e-mail: selena@nextgenwomen.com

Brief Bio on Selena:

Selena Rezvani is a recognized author, speaker and consultant on women and leadership. She is the founder and president of NextGenWomen, LLC, a consulting firm whose goal is to propel more women into leadership positions and to help companies position an inclusive workplace as a competitive advantage. Rezvani is also the author of the acclaimed career guidebook, "The Next Generation of Women Leaders: What You Need to Lead but Won't Learn in Business School" (Praeger, 2009). Her breadth of knowledge makes Rezvani a frequent resource for news media and an in-demand business speaker. She has been quoted, interviewed and profiled by CareerBuilder, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and NBC and ABC. Rezvani is a regular commentator on NPR's nationally syndicated "The 51% Perspective" and writes a women and leadership column for The Washington Post. Rezvani received her B.S. and M.S.W. degrees from New York University, and has an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins, where she graduated first in her class. 1. www.nextgenwomen.com

And more on her participation in conference program:

11:30 am – 12:30 pm SESSION 2

Negotiating Your Way to the Top
Author Selena Rezvani shares the hardest won lessons of the 30+ c-level women she interviewed in her book, “The Next Generation of Women Leaders,” specifically around making requests. Attendees will learn how to leverage their strengths in workplace negotiations--including preparing for them, maneuvering through them and maintaining relationships after negotiations. Together we will learn how to:
• Portray and embody behaviors that build, rather than reduce, their credibility
• Use new and creative negotiation techniques for use in any kind of bargaining situation
• Express themselves in ways that convey influence and experience

Speaker: Selena Rezvani, founder and president, NextGenWomen and author, “What You Need to Lead But Won't Learn in Business School”

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Second Guest

From: Hannah Calvert <hcalvert@pstrategies.com>
– Emily Bennington – .

Emily e-mail address: ebennington@msn.com

Brief bio on Emily:

Emily Bennington is coauthor of "Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job." After her own bumpy transition from campus-to-career, Bennington found her calling working with businesses to create superb organizational and onboarding experiences for interns and entry-level hires. She applies these same "back-to-the-basics" skills as founder of Professional Studio 365, where she leads training programs and workshops for employers looking to get the most out of their young talent. A frequent speaker on the topic of career success, Bennington has been featured on CNN and ABC News, as well as quoted in publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, US News and World Report, Yahoo Jobs, and the Washington Post Express. She is also a regular contributor to Monster.com and The Huffington Post. Bennington is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. www.ProfessionalStudio365.com

And here is more on Emily’s role in the conference program:

CAREER FAIR POWER SESSIONS (2:45 pm – 3:45 pm SESSION 3)

Strategies to Utilize Technology for Maximum Performance
It is becoming increasingly more challenging to stay focused on work with the constant distraction of a ringing phone or an overflowing email box. In a world of wireless, Blackberries, laptops, cell phones and working remotely, technology can be both a blessing and a curse. This session will explore strategies and tips for using technology to increase rather than hinder performance. Attendees will learn practical tips and strategies to:
• Effectively manage the time spent on sending and responding to emails
• Identify a plan for using technology that works best with your way of life
• Set boundaries to focus better on the task at hand
• Manage your technology better so it doesn’t consume you in the office or at home

Speaker:
Emily Bennington, founding partner, Professional Studio 365 and author, "Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job"

Thanks JoAnn!

Website link: www.nextgenwomen.com

Short bio: Selena is an author, speaker and consultant, whose goal is to propel more women into the top echelons of leadership. Selena’s debut book, The Next Generation of Women Leaders (Praeger, 2009), is the career guidebook she always wished she’d had but could never find. A major underpinning of her book is the 30+ interviews she conducted with c-level women around the country. Selena wrote Next Generation while pursuing her MBA at Johns Hopkins, where she graduated first in her class. Selena also holds a Masters degree in social work from NYU. In 2009, Selena created her own successful consulting business, NextGenWomen LLC, where she works with corporations to build leaders and foster gender balance at top ranks. Selena writes her own column in The Washington Post covering issues related to women and leadership. She is also an active volunteer, serving as a regional vice president with the National Association of Women MBAs, where she helps developing leaders excel upon graduating.

Talking points:

Learn how Selena focused her passion on emerging women leaders and what she’s learned from the executives she interviewed, the women she’s coached, and the audiences she’s spoken to around the country.

Selena, it sounds like you’re thriving -- and passionate about helping others to do so. How did you get to this point?

·

What excited you about women and leadership? Why this topic?

· You present around the country all the time―at places like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton…what kind of response have you gotten from the female audiences you’ve presented to?

· What barriers remain for women who want to lead in the business world?

· Given these barriers, what are you trying to achieve?

· Why do you think there still is a pay gap in the salaries of male and female leaders?

· You talk a lot in your book about how important it is for women to make their career aspirations known, and above all else to ASK. How would you coach someone through making a request?

· What should women avoid doing at work?

· Can you talk about the challenges women face in achieving the work-life balance?

· What advice can you offer to a professional who wants to differentiate herself and stand out on the job?

· What would you say the one defining experience in your journey has been that made the difference in your success?

· What has been vital in keeping you afloat?

· Selena, how can we “pay it forward” for women just coming up?

· So clearly, women are rallying around this and your book’s repeatedly been #1 on Amazon in its category. Why is this striking a chord with women?

· How has the process of writing this book and finding your core passion changed you?

Contct Selena: 267-496-6797