Women's Leadership Conference


Registration Info

Registration for the 2008 Women’s Leadership Conference has closed

General Information

The 21st annual Women's Leadership Conference, “Exposed: Women Leaders Caught Red-Handed”, will be held on the 2nd floor of the J. Wayne Reitz Union February 10th, 2008 from 9 am to 5 pm. The cost is $25 for individuals or $20 for individuals in groups of 5 or more. The cost includes the day’s events as well as breakfast and lunch. The registration deadline is February 4th, 2008. For more information, please contact the conference director, Valerie Torge, at vtorge@ufl.edu.


FAQs

Brief History of Conference
The Women's Leadership Conference was founded by Dr. Helen Marmechev, a former Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and the first female vice president at the University of Florida. She saw that there was a void in programming for women on campus and therefore decided to start the conference 19 years ago. The conference began with 4 workshops and 75 participants. Last year there were 30 workshops and 200 registered participants.

What does my registration fee cover?
The fee covers all conference activities including a guest speaker, three educational workshops, an organizational fair, networking activities, cultural entertainment, giveaways, prizes, breakfast, and lunch.

What is the Women's Leadership Conference?
The Women's Leadership Conference is an annual event put on by the Women's Leadership Council that began in 1988 as a way to bring women leaders together and improve their leadership skills. It strives to equip women with the skills necessary to achieve their goals and encourage them to embrace the challenge of leadership, and also to provide women with peer support, role models and educational programs that will help them to develop a sense of self. The conference accomplishes this by offering a variety of workshops, 3 of which participants may choose to attend, a career panel with community professionals, an inspiring keynote speaker, networking activities, and an organization fair with a variety of groups represented.

What workshops are available?
Participants can choose from a variety of topics from three general categories: Calling, Leadership, and Awareness.

Do I have to be a leader to attend?
The conference offers opportunities for both established leaders and aspiring leaders.

What should I wear?
Business casual or professionally appropriate attire is recommended. This includes a blouse and slacks or a skirt.

What if I am coming from out of town?
Below are driving directions to the J. Wayne Reitz Union and a list of local hotel contacts. If you need further information please contact the Women?s Leadership Council.

Driving Directions to the J. Wayne Reitz Union
From I-75, Exit #384 (State Road 24/Archer Road)
East on Archer Road for 2.6 miles to North-South Drive
Turn left onto North-South Drive for 1/2 mile to Museum Road
Turn right on Museum Road for 1 block
Turn left into the Reitz Union's driveway

From US 441 (13th Street)
Turn west on Museum Road for 1/2 mile.
The Reitz Union is on the right, just past Center Drive

From State Road 24 (Waldo Road)
South on SR 24 to University Avenue (SR 26)
Right on University Avenue for 1.7 miles to US 441 (13th Street)
Left on US 441 for 1/2 mile to Museum Road
Right on Museum Road for 1/2 mile
The Reitz Union is on the right, just past Center Drive

From the Gainesville Regional Airport
Exit the airport drive
Right on SR 222 (39th Avenue) for 4 miles to US 441 (13th Street)
Left on US 441 for 3 miles to Museum Road
Right on Museum Road for 1/2 mile
The Reitz Union is on the right, just past Center Drive

Local Hotel Contacts

Best Western Gateway Grand
4200 NW 97th Blvd.
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 331-3336

Cabot Lodge
3726 SW 40th Blvd.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 375-2400

Comfort Inn
2435 SW 13th St.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 373-6500

Comfort Inn West
3440 SW 40th Blvd.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 264-1771

Courtyard By Marriott
3700 SW 42nd St.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 335-9100

Fairfield Inn By Marriott
6901 NW 4th Blvd.
Gainesville, FL 32607
(352) 332-8292

Hampton Inn
4225 SW 40th Blvd.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 371-4171

Hilton University of Florida
1714 SW 34th St
Gainesville, FL 32607
(352) 371-3600

Holiday Inn - University Center
1250 W. University Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 376-1661

Holiday Inn - West
7417 Newberry Road
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 332-7500

Knights Inn
2820 NW 13th St.
Gainesville, FL 32609
(352) 376-1211

La Quinta Inns Inc
920 NW 69th Terr.
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 332-6466

Ramada Limited
7413 Newberry Rd
Gainesville, FL 32605
332-8001

Red Roof Inn
3500 SW 42nd St.
Gainesville, FL 32608
336-3311

Reitz Union Hotel
P.O. Box 118505
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-2151

Residence Inn By Marriott
4001 SW 13th St.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 371-2101

Schedule of Events

9:15-9:45am
Check-in and Continental Breakfast: Rion Ballroom

10:00-10:45am
Opening Activities: Opening Remarks, Icebreaker, Pageant of WLC Ladies, Keynote Speaker

11:00am-12:00pm
Workshop Session One

12:10-1:10
Lunch and Entertainment

1:20-2:20
Career Panel

2:30-3:30
Workshop Session Two

3:40-4:40pm
Workshop Session Three

4:45-5:00pm
Closing Program: Remarks & Giveaways

Keynote Speaker

UF Women's Volleyball Coach, Mary Wise!!

BIOGRAPHY: Since arriving at the University of Florida in 1991, Wise has propelled a once lackluster program into the epitome of excellence. She???s 16-for-16 with 16 Southeastern Conference Regular Season Championships to her credit. In fact, Florida has so dominated the SEC in her tenure that Wise is one of only two coaches in conference history in any sport, men's or women's, to win as many as 16 consecutive conference titles. She's also the leading coach in SEC history with 275 victories, while no other coach has reached 200. And the Gators have made a little NCAA history along the way too. Florida went more than 10 seasons from 1994-04 having not lost a regular-season SEC match - a feat unmatched by any school.

Prior to guiding the Gators, Wise honed her talents at Kentucky as an assistant for five years from 1986-90. During her progression from a graduate assistant to an associate head coach, the Wildcats won a pair of SEC titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times. Before moving on to Lexington, Ky., Wise had previously served as the head coach at Iowa State from 1981-84. At the time of her hire, she became the youngest Division I head coach in history before eventually guiding the Cyclones to an 81-63 record, which also included a second-place finish in the Big Eight Conference.

Wise graduated from Purdue in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in physical education after a standout career as a setter for the Boilermakers. A dean's list student, Wise was a member of Purdue's 1979 and 1980 Big Ten Championship teams. A native of Evanston, Ill., Wise resides in Gainesville with her husband, Mark, and their two children, Matt (18) and Mitchell (13).

List of Workshops

PRESENTER: Dr. Lauren Pasquarella Daley

TITLE: Career or Family? Issues Surrounding Career Choice For Women

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Many women wonder if their career choices will complement their decisions on whether or not to start a family. This program will address some of the issues surrounding career choice and family, such as myths surrounding career choice and the current state of family leave in the USA. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss their personal experiences.

 

PRESENTER: Kelly Popielinski

TITLE: Finding a Balance

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Women today are diverse and involved in more aspects of life than they every have been before. How can we manage it all? Here’s our secret: find a balance between work and life starting now! This interactive workshop will provide you with all the tools you need to start balancing your life even before you leave college.


PRESENTER: Amy Panikowski

TITLE: The Real Women of Peace Corps: Working with Global Communities through Leadership and Service

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: A panel of returned Peace Corps volunteer women intends to discuss their roles as female leaders and the challenges faced in communities with clearly defined gender roles.
In addition, some volunteers will discuss their experiences working to empower young girls. Each volunteer served in a different country from various regions around the world.

 

PRESENTER: Ann H. Becks

TITLE: Making the Big Move a Smooth Move

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: You've been offered your dream job or have been accepted into your top choice graduate program! Only problem?
It's not in town or back home. Whether it's Burlington, Vermont, or California, relocating to a new place is not something to be anxious about. Learn how to figure out if this is the right move and make your big move a smooth move.

TITLE: Emotional Intelligence and Lifelong Success

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: What do employers look for in employees? Very few would immediately say a "4.0 GPA". Instead, many would identify characteristics such as people skills, reliability, and
loyalty- aspects of one's EQ. Learn about what makes up your EQ and the connection to personal and professional success.

TITLE: Career, and Family, and Home- Oh, My!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: What do you do if you want to have it all- the corner office on the 34th floor with an assistant, a 2,100 square foot house in the "right" zip code, and the life partner who is always by your side? While it may not be easy, it is possible for you to achieve all of your goals!

 

PRESENTER: Leslie Hahn

TITLE: Listening to Yourself: How Journaling Can Help You Tell Your Story

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Much of what we write when asked to free write helps us uncover our hopes, dreams, and passions. Take a break from your busy day and spend some time reflecting on yourself and learn about the power of journaling.

 

PRESENTER: Jeanne O'Kon

TITLE: Women's Leadership: Are We "Ready" for a Woman President?

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Particpants in this interactive workshop will learn about the current status of women in domestic and foreign politics. The upcoming U.S. presidential election will be discussed, and particpants will be encouraged to discuss how women's current and future political leadership is beneficial to our country and to set goals for themselves relative to public service.

 

PRESENTER: Diana Karol-Nagy

TITLE: Do Men and Women Communicate Differently?

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Women and men are not alone in experiencing miscommunication and communication problems because of sex-differentiated communication styles. This presentation will help you understand and overcome those differences.

 

Philanthrophy and Charity Drive

This year we will be collecting donations for the Girl's Club. Contributions including arts and craft supplies such as coloring books, crayons, markers, glue, etc. and/or games will be greatly appreciated!

Scholarship Fund

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for students who require assistance with the conference registration fee.

Scholarship Fund Application