Track I - Career Advancement/Leadership

The Courage to Innovate: The Intrepreneurial Imperative

Cindy Solomon, President, Solomon & Associates, Inc.

Moderator: Ann Barlow, President, West Coast Operations, Peppercom Strategic Communications; Director, PBWC

Every article, magazine and website is telling us that to succeed in today's marketplace we must innovate, innovate, innovate. And yet, so few companies are able to create and nurture innovation in their vast and hierarchical organizations. As we are being asked to do more with less, AND create entrepreneurial cultures that rely on innovation, ingenuity and invention, we must look at the skills and tools we need as leaders to create the "Courage to Innovate" in our teams and companies. Learn the secrets to creating an intrepreneurial culture within any organization, regardless of size or industry which not only embraces, but thrives on the challenges and risks of innovation and change.

Creating Stellar Beginnings

Fran Zone, CEO, Zone Communication; Creator, The Zone Method (TM)

Moderator: Jackie Speier, Former State Senator; Founder, PBWC

All’s well that STARTS well. Award-winning communication strategist, Fran Zone, will share tips for creating beginnings that will build your career while deepening the important relationships in your life. Fran is the creator of The Zone Method™, a proven process for getting desired outcomes, developing leadership style, and leveraging what is assumed of you. The Zoned include former White House staff, Merrill Lynch, Fortune, NBC Olympics, Chevron, and NASCAR. Get ready to start your engine!

Track III - Work/Life Strategies

Business and Social Skills to Out-class the Competition

Syndi Seid, Founder, Advanced Etiquette; Certified International Protocol Officer

Carol Batte, Manager, Marketing & Community Relations, Northern California & Pacific West Regions, American Airlines

It’s no longer enough to be dressed for success. And it’s simply no longer acceptable to be socially inept. In the competitive business arenas of the 21^st century, companies look increasingly to those who possess class and style – the intangibles that make others comfortable. In this session, you will learn how to present yourself with confidence and authority in order to generate the positive impressions required to establish business contacts and develop clients.

Track IV - Healthy Living

Real Food: What to Eat and Why

Nina Planck, President, Real Food; Author, Real Food: What to Eat and Why

Moderator: Monica Randel, Registered Dietician, Kaiser Permanente

Sixty-five percent of all American adults are overweight or obese and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me make clear what we shouldn’t eat, but what are the alternatives? Come hear the “patron saint of farmer’s markets” tell us why traditional foods are more nutritious and how diet and health have been affected by trends and fads in the last 100 years. She will explain how ancient foods like beef and butter have been falsely accused, while industrial foods like corn syrup and soybean oil have created a triple epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Track V - Financial Empowerment

A Modern Girl's Guide to Personal Finance

*Sharon Kedar, Chartered Financial Analyst; Author, On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl's Guide to Personal Finance

Moderator: Shirley Gordon, Vice President- Operations, State Farm Insurance; Director, PBWC

Most young women would love to live a carefree lifestyle filled with lunches, Louis Vuitton, and lattés, but what you might not know is that doing so can lead to future financial breakdown. Whether you’ve been living paycheck-to-paycheck, are trying to save for a down payment on your first home, or are hoping to one day retire in comfort, this non-nonsense session will teach you how to balance your desire to live well today with the need to save and invest for tomorrow.

Track VI - The Entrepreneurial Woman

Women Entrepreneurs Define Their Own Success

*Aundrea Lacy, Founder & Owner, Luv's Brownies; Author, Brownie Points: Seven Steps to Success for Women Entrepreneurs From One Who Made It

Yvonne Glenn, President & CEO, Trofholz Technologies, Inc.

Shari Fitzpatrick, Founder & President, Shari's Berries, Inc. and The Berry Factory

Amparo Perez-Cook, Vice President/General Manager, Bustos Media of California

Moderator: Jann Taber, President, RebelPR

In the United States, an estimated 500,000 women - two out of every three entrepreneurs - start businesses each year. Whether you are already an entrepreneur, thinking of becoming one soon, or just want to learn some savvy strategies that apply to any venture, come learn the keys to success for small business owners and managers. In this session, five successful entrepreneurs will share their stories and discuss starting their businesses, marketing and growth techniques, overcoming obstacles, giving back, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

Workplace Survival Skills

*Elizabeth Freedman, Principal, Elizabeth Freedman & Company; Author, Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace Without Hanging Yourself

Moderator: Dana Williamson, Political Affairs Manager, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

How do you turn your first job into a launching pad for a great career? It takes savvy and emotional intelligence to make excellent choices in the workplace, but mostly it takes what no newbie has: experience. In this session you will learn the dos and don’ts of office behavior as well as interview techniques, proper dress tips, handling a difficult boss or colleague, effective self-promotion, and relationship-building advice. Watch yourself be transformed from a new professional into a successful employee.

Track VIII - Young Women's Program

Careers of the Future: Which One is Right For You?

Panel of women from a variety of industries just starting out in their careers will share the steps they took to land their current jobs and offer valuable advice to the high school girls.

Martine Kusiak, Director, Global Business Process Operations, Oracle University, Oracle Corporation

Alisa Okelo-Odongo, Governmental Relations Consultant, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Priscilla Orozco-Green, Claim Supervisor, State Farm Insurance

Natalie Paulsen, Marketing Director, Sacramento Magazine

Moderator:Pallas Hupe, Anchor/Reporter, CW31

Come meet a panel of inspiring women representing a variety of careers and industries. Hear how they got the jobs they have today, the education they needed, the choices they made, and the lessons they learned. They will share their wisdom, experience, and insights so you can learn what path is best for you.

* Nationally-recognized author