Salem College welcomed Triad-area college students to campus for a day of professional development, networking and inspiration at its inaugural Women’s Conference, Developing Emerging Professionals, Saturday, September 29, 2012.

This day-long event provided students the opportunity to learn and practice many of the skills critical to building a successful career in today’s highly competitive and ever-changing marketplace.

Participants learned about networking, resume writing, business etiquette and a number of other topics from an impressive lineup of local and regional female business professionals: Cynthia G. Marshall, President, AT&T NC; Brandy Nelson C'97, Principal, Rocky River High School, Mecklenburg County; Hilary Kosloske, Senior Managing Director, Scott and Stringfellow, LLC; Jessica Faulkenberry C'01, Sr. Vice President and Director, Integrated Relationship Mgmt, BB&T; Deana Bass C'95, Owner and Managing Partner, Bass Public Affairs; Ramonda Kyser, Senior Consultant, FARR Associates; Cheryl Lindsay, Director of Global Inclusion, Community Engagement and Project Mgmt, Hanes Brands, Inc.; Dorothy Henley C'91, Former Director at RJ Reynolds Holdings; Margaret Spring, Chief of Staff, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Kristie Staton, Marketing Manager, Clark Powell; Susan Smith C'72, VP Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Barbara Cardenas, Executive Director, YMCA of San Jose, CA; Jacqueline McBride, Former Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Salem College; Mary Salem Thacker C'72, Owner, Etiquette Essentials.

The conference culminated with a keynote address by critically-acclaimed actress and activist, Kathy Najimy, who has appeared in more than 20 films, including starring roles in the Sister Act movies, Hocus Pocus and Hope Floats. In television, she is highly regarded for her part in Chicago Hope and the opening musical number of the 1995 Academy Awards. She has also performed on Broadway, and was in the first production of “The Vagina Monologues.” A Lebanese American, Najimy is an outspoken advocate for women’s issues, especially those regarding the image and confidence of young women.

The Women’s Conference is sponsored by the Salem College Center for Women in Business and the Salem Signature Leadership program, made possible by grants from BB&T and area sponsors.