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2010 Seminar Series

Monthly Seminar Descriptions

January 29: “Perceptions of the Glass Ceiling: Voices of Minority Women” – featuring Kym Harris, Ed.D., Sr. Dir. of Employee & Leadership Development & Training for Manheim, a Div. of Cox Enterprises.   Kym has had a distinguished 25 year career in HR and Talent Development in the public and private sectors as well as higher education. She received the John Blackburn Award for her exemplary leadership model presented by AAUA and was recognized as one of the “Women Putting their Stamp on Atlanta.”  Kym is also president & CEO of Vision Compatible Coaching, LLC and co-founder of Girls with Vision which partners with the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Read highlights.

February 19: “International Assignments: Opportunities and Challenges for Women” – featuring a panel of top UPS leaders: Amy Whitley, Lisa LeFave, & Anne Schwartz. Amy is VP of HR for the world’s largest package delivery & supply chain solutions company, with over 420,000 employees in 200+ countries.  Her many accomplishments and contributions include the first Women’s Ldshp. Dev. Program at UPS.  Lisa is VP of Global Customer Solutions, has a distinguished career in sales and marketing, incl. overseas assignments in Europe and responsibilities in South East Asia.  Anne is Dir. of Learning & Development and oversees all such programs for the global enterprise.  Her career began 23 years ago as a seasonal driver and progressed to head of HR for the Asia Pacific Region for Supply Chain Solutions. She’s now back at UPS Headquarters. Read highlights.

March 26: “A Journey in Leadership and Self Awareness” – featuring Kathleen Kurre, the very talented and creative CEO of TechBridge, a technology nonprofit that supports 36 agencies and hosts 200+ websites.  Previously, Kathleen was Executive-in-Residence in the Interdisciplinary Institute for Leadership & Entrepreneurship at GA Tech; a lecturer in the College of Mgmt.; and most recently, on the faculty of a Ldshp. Dev. Program for Biomed. Engineering Ph.D’s.  Her background includes 30+ yrs. in the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors, spanning the financial and healthcare industries.  She holds a B.S. in Math from Purdue, a Masters of Divinity and is a sought-after speaker and writer.   

April 23: “Power Shift: The Redefinition of Power and Success” – featuring Laura Lee Gentry, Managing Partner of Egon Zhender’s Atl. Office and the firm’s leading expert in the SE on talent and organizations across the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Sectors.  Prior to joining EZI 9+ years ago, she was an operational and strategic leader in the Communications industry with companies like Steadfast.net and BellSouth International.  Her work spanned Latin America as well as Denmark and Germany.  Laura Lee is also a civic leader, serving on the Boards of the Commerce Club, Hands on Atlanta / Hands on Network, and Points of Light.  She received her MBA at the London Business School and her BA Cum Laude in Finance from UGA.  She’s also a devoted wife and mother of three.

Read highlights.

May 21: “The Right Mix for a Whole Life: Lead, Care, Give”-  featuring Ann Stallard, CEO of Graphic Communications, one of metro Atlanta’s top printing and imaging companies.  A highly successful businesswoman for 30+ years, Ann is recognized locally and nationally as an entrepreneurial leader, e.g., Women-in-Business Advocate of the Year, White House Task Force on Women’s Business Ownership, C of C Task Force on Small Business, former president of NAWBO, and recipient of numerous awards.  Combining a business life with a passionate purpose for community services, Ann was the first businesswoman elected national president of YWCA, chaired the World YWCA nominating committee, co-founded UW’s Women’s Legacy, and in 2009, was elected Chairman of the Board of United Way of America. Entertaining and totally inspirational, she’s a sought-after speaker and writer, and one of ATL’s 100 Most Influential Citizens. Read highlights.

June 18: “Turning Adversity into Advantage in Business and Life” – featuring Ralph de la Vega, President & CEO – AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets – one of ATL’s top corporate leaders.  Since Oct. 2008, he has led all consumer marketing, sales, content and converged services, customer care and operations for wireless and wired.  In prior roles, Ralph served as COO of Cingular Wireless; president – BellSouth Latin America; and president of BellSouth’s Broadband & Internet Services.  A Cuban immigrant at the age of 10, Ralph’s life and career are chronicled in his 2009 book entitled “Obstacles Welcome.”  Well known for his community service, he currently chairs both Jr. Achievement Worldwide and the Hispanic Initiatives for the Boy Scouts of America.  Ralph serves on the GA Research Alliance Bd. and among other honors, was inducted into the Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame. He holds engineering and MBA degrees and has earned a “life and leadership degree” by achieving over-the-top results. Read Highlights

July 23: “A High Energy Journey: Corporate and Civic Leadership” – featuring Suzanne Sitherwood, the first woman in 95 yrs. to chair the GA Chamber of Commerce. Four other roles include SVP of Southern Ops. for AGL Resources, and president of AGL, Chattanooga Gas, & FLA City Gas. Known for her political acumen and technical knowledge, Suzanne led the chamber’s Environment & Energy Committee to secure the passage of the first statewide water plan in 2008;  serves on the Gov.’s Energy Policy Council,  the Children’s Healthcare Bd., the New Century School Advisory Bd., the Carter Center Bd. of Councilors and the ATL Dream Advisory Bd.  In 2009 she was honored as a YWCA “Woman of Excellence.”  Suzanne holds an engineering degree from the Southern College of Technology and is honored alum. Read Highlights

August 27: “The Life and Times of a True Trailblazer” – featuring Elizabeth Wilson, former Commissioner and Mayor Emerita of Decatur, GA.  “Mayor Wilson” played a key role in the desegregation of the Decatur public schools and libraries in ‘60’s and is a pillar of strength, integrity and character.   In 2008 Agnes Scott recognized her with an honorary doctorate and the Decatur Educ. Foundation created a scholarship in her honor for her dedication to cause of justice.  Another significant accomplishment was the establishment of a community health center starting with zero funding.  Mayor Wilson continues to support unmet needs s in her community and is a champion for “seniors helping seniors.”   To commemorate her many contributions, the citizens of Decatur commissioned an 11 FT. bronze sculpture on the city square. 

September 17:  “Men With Vision: How & Why They Support Women” - featuring Charles Huddleston and Dr. Guido Sacchi.  Charles is a shareholder in the Labor & Employment Dept. with Baker Donelson.  A trial lawyer for 30 yrs, he chaired the State Bar’s Diversity Program; rec’d the first “Men for WIN” award for supporting female political candidates; co-chaired AWF’s Men with Vision Campaign; and in 2008 won the Community Service Award from the Tip Off Club for helping hundreds of young women earn college basketball scholarships.  Guido is the CEO of Moneta, an innovative online payments company.  Formerly, he was CIO and SVP for CompuCredit; serves on the TAG Bd, chaired the GA CIO Ldshp. Assoc., was one of ComputerWorld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders, and is a graduate of Leadership ATL.  He’s also an avid supporter of WIT serving as a judge for Women of the Year Awards several times.

October 22: “New Insights: What Women Don’t Get About Men and Vice Versa” – featuring Shaunti Feldhahn, a former Wall Street analyst - now best selling author, speaker, and nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist.  Her most recent books have sold 1M+ copies, and have been translated into 18 languages.  Included in her popular “Only” series are For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men and For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women.  Her newest is The Male Factor.  Shaunti travels extensively speaking to various audiences & has appeared on Fox News, PBS, TNT, Soap Talk, and FamilyLife Today.  Her weekly opinion columns are printed in newspapers around the country.  She and her husband and sometimes co-author, live in Atlanta with their family and enjoy living “at warp speed.” Shaunti also holds a masters in public policy from Harvard.

November19: “Leading a Nonprofit: A Great Role - Strong Women” – featuring Donna Buchanan, COO, United Way of Metro ATL & Vikki Millender-Morrow, CEO, Girls, Inc. Donna joined UW in 2008 after completing a highly successful 15 year tenure as president of JA of GA. Her stellar nonprofit career includes numerous committees and boards and she received significant recognition for her leadership, e.g., the Charles R. Hook Award, the highest national JA award presented. Vikki is also a recognized leadership role model, and began her professional career with an EE degree and a Masters in Public and Private Mgmt.  She’s a recent graduate of the Diversity Leadership Academy.  Prior to joining Girls, Inc. in Jan. 2008, she served on the board and did fundraising for various nonprofit organizations in ATL. Both Donna and Vikki were nominated for Turknett’s Leadership Character Award in the nonprofit category.

December 17: “An Invitation to Ethical Leadership” – featuring Dr. Betty Siegel, former president of Kennesaw State University and an icon in ethics, leadership and character.  Since stepping down from KSU, Dr. Siegel has traveled the globe as an invited speaker and thought leader.  From England, to S. Africa, to China, she’s greeted like a “rock star” along with stellar leaders like the Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Stephen Covey, Peter Senge, Meg Wheatley, and the Lord Mayors of Ireland.  While serving on over 40 boards, receiving literally dozens of legacy and life time achievement honors and awards, Dr. Siegel remains a teacher at heart, a proud “coal  miner’s daughter” , and a leader who thrives on interaction with others.  Her warmth, wit and wisdom are renowned making her a world-class speaker, and a true “inspiritor.”