Salem College will again welcome Triad-area college students to campus for a day of professional development, networking and inspiration as the school hosts its second annual Women’s Conference, Developing Emerging Professionals, Saturday, September 21, 2013.

This day-long event will provide 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 will learn about networking, interview skills, business etiquette and a number of other topics from an impressive lineup of local and regional business professionals: Naomi Takeuchi, President and Founder, 1000 Cranes, LLC; Cheryl Lindsay, Director, Global Inclusion, Community Engagement and Project Management, Hanesbrands, Inc.; Damien Birkel, career counselor, author, founder of Professionals in Transition; Ancella Livers, Senior Consultant, Center for Creative Leadership; Jennifer Wynn O’Kelly, owner of O’Kelly Design Studios and Muse Scenic; Jessica Faulkenberry, Vice President Integrated Relationship Management, BB&T; Blythe McLean, Director Social Research, Bellomy Research, Inc.; Dr. Marla Broadfoot, freelance science writer and editor; Charlotte Purvis, owner Purvis Communications, Inc.; Randy Wooden, Director, Professional Center at Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC; Doris Paez, Executive Director, Forsyth Futures; Mary Salem Thacker, owner, Etiquette Essentials.

The conference will culminate with an evening event designed around the theme of Sheryl Sandberg’s New York Times bestseller, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. This event is open to the community followed by a short reception.  The event will consist of a panel of highly successful women leaders from across the United States telling their “Lean In” story and providing participants with supportive and encouraging advice to help them “Lean In” and pursue their career ambitions. The panel includes Julie Schoenfeld, entrepreneur and CEO of Perfect Market, Inc.; Maryellen Gleason, President and Executive Director, Milwaukee Symphony; Susan Pauly, President, Salem Academy and College; Carol Hansen, President and CEO, Tatonka Capital Corporation. The panel will be moderated by Wanda Starke, evening co-anchor of WXII News 12. 

The Women’s Conference is sponsored by the Salem College Center for Women in Business, and the Salem Signature iLead program, made possible by grants from BB&T, the George Foundation and area sponsors. The evening keynote address will be offered free of charge to the public. A nominal registration fee of $25 will be required of conference participants. Registration is available online at womenscon.com. Questions can be emailed to conference@salem.edu.