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At the NAWBO Greater Philadelphia Leadership Conference, you’ll discover innovative approaches to business growth from extraordinary entrepreneurs. Register now to discover, share and connect. Our biennial Leadership Conference is a unique event where leaders in business come together to share their secrets to success.

Linda Descano, Citi	Judith von Seldeneck, Diversified Search	Suzanne Evans, Suzanne Evans Coaching LLC	Suzanne Pease, Ampersand Graphics

Our keynote speakers this year are Linda Descano, CFA (Chief Administrative Officer, Marketing and Global Affairs & President, Women & Co. at Citi) and Judith M. von Seldeneck (Founder, Chairman and CEO of Diversified Search - one of the largest women-owned business in the country). They will be sharing their experiences with women business owners in the Philadelphia area and helping attendees learn how to be "The Best of the Best." This is a unique opportunity to learn from two women who are leaders in their fields.

Following the keynote speakers, you'll have the opportunity to learn from leaders in marketing, sales and branding who will share tangible tools and tactics for growing your business. The final part of the day will offer more intimate sessions with Speakers Suzanne Evans and Suzanne Pease as well as opportunities for networking.

Date/Time

April 12, 2012
8:30 am - 1:30 pm

Location

Villanova Conference Center
601 County Line Road
Radnor, PA 19087

Keynote Speakers

Linda Descano, CFA
Chief Administrative Officer, Marketing and Global Affairs & President, Women & Co.
Citi

Linda is President and CEO of Women & Co., a division of Citibank that provides women with financial resources and a community for building their financial knowledge, exchanging financial insights, and accessing tips and tools for creating financial strategies based on the realities of women’s financial lives. Linda joined Women & Co. in 2003 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed as President in 2007. In addition to her Women & Co. responsibilities, Linda also serves as a Managing Director in Citi’s Global Consumer Marketing and Internet Office.

Previously, from 1999 through 2002, Linda was a Director and Portfolio Manager in Citi’s Private Portfolio Group, where she co-managed customized investment portfolios for individuals and institutions and oversaw the firm’s socially responsible investment program. Before that, Linda served as Senior Vice President and Director of Environmental Affairs for Citi predecessor company, Salomon Inc., which she joined in 1994. Prior to embarking on a career in finance, Linda spent several years working in environmental consulting.

An accomplished speaker, over the course of her career, Linda has spoken at hundreds of conferences on an array of personal finance, investment and leadership topics. She is a member of several professional associations, including the CFA® Institute, New York Society of Security Analysts, and New York Women in Communications. Linda serves on the Board of Directors of the Girls Scouts of the U.S.A. and the Director’s Council of the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. She also chairs the New York Board of Step Up Women’s Network and serves as a member of Step Up’s national board. Linda is a member of Forbes Executive Women’s Board, the National Organization of Italian American Women, the National Association for Female Executives, and Alley to the Valley. From 1997 through 1999, Linda chaired the steering committee of the United Nations Financial Institutions Initiative on the Environment.

Passionate about education and science, Linda endowed the Nina Anna Scholarship, in honor of her grandmothers, Nina Gaspari Pennachietti and Anna Fortunato Descano. She also supports the Prudy Astrella Legacy Scholarship in honor of her inspirational 5th grade teacher, Ms. Astrella, and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

Among her many accomplishments, Linda was awarded a 2011 Luminary Award from Womensphere, honoring her for the work she does in actively changing the lives of women, and was the New York recipient of the 2009 Corporate w2wlink Ascendancy Award for her career achievements and her dedication to mentoring women. In 2008, Linda was recognized as a Wise Woman by the National Organization of Italian American Women. She received a Human Rights Leadership Award from Church Women United in 1999 and an Environmental Leadership Award from the United Nations Environment Programme – North America in 1997.

A native of Philadelphia, Linda attended Temple University and graduated with a bachelor of arts in geology. She holds a Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Judith M. von Seldeneck
Founder, Chairman and CEO
Diversified Search

Judith M. von Seldeneck is Founder, Chairman and CEO of Diversified Search, headquartered in Philadelphia. For thirty-five years, she has been a pioneer in the search industry and a leader in placing qualified women and diversity candidates. Mrs. von Seldeneck has received many industry and community awards and she has been recognized by the executive search industry as setting the standard for retained executive search. Mrs. von Seldeneck has been active for many years on numerous public, private, and not-for-profit Boards of Directors. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Citizens Financial Group and previously Tasty Baking Company and Teleflex, Inc. She was recently named to the Comcast and NBC Universal Joint Diversity Council, and is Chairperson of the Women's Advisory Council. Mrs. von Seldeneck currently chairs the Private Sector Outreach Board, a partnership between the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor of Philadelphia. Some of her not-for-profit Boards include the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (former Chair), Global Philadelphia Association, and the Executive Committee of The Committee of Seventy. Previous Boards include Hyde School (former Chair), The Caron Foundation, CEO Council for Growth, WHYY and the International Women’s Forum. She was one of two founders of the Forum of Executive Women over 30 years ago which today is the largest association of women business leaders in the Philadelphia area. Prior to starting Diversified, Mrs. von Seldeneck served in Washington, DC as Executive Assistant to Vice President Walter F. Mondale.

Professional Activities & Achievements

• BusinessWeek, Top 50 Most Influential Executive Recruiters in the World, 2008
• Philadelphia Business Hall of Fame
• Gardner W. Heidrick Award for Excellence in Executive Search Winner
• Eleanor Raynolds Award for Excellence in Executive Search Winner
• Paradigm Award Winner
• Trailblazer Award Winner
• American Heart Association Heart of Philadelphia Award
• Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction Civic Leadership Award
• League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
• Eagles Fly For Leukemia
• Committee of 200, Founding Member

Education

BA, Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Speakers with Breakout Sessions

Suzanne Evans

Suzanne Evans, owner and founder of Suzanne Evans Coaching, LLC, is the tell-it-like-it-is, no fluff boss of business building. She supports, coaches, and teaches over 30,000 women enrolled in her wealth and business building programs. Having surpassed the seven figure mark herself in just over three years, she's coached her private clients to total revenues exceeding 8 million dollars. This year she will launch her Global Impact Project, a not for profit serving women worldwide in education, entrepreneurship, and equality.

Suzanne Pease

Suzanne Pease is owner and operator of Ampersand Graphics, a graphics design firm creating corporate images for businesses of all sizes.  Suzanne started her company in 1985.  Suzanne Pease has been a speaker for numerous events.  Titles of her talks include: “The Power of Women in Business,” “The Glass Ceiling—Where are We Now?”, “Defining Success,” “Making Choices,” “Branding & Corporate Image Management,” and “Entrepreneurship—Dream or Nightmare?” 

She served for 7 years as a judge for the National Teen Business Plan Competition conducted by An Income of Her Own and participated in the Guardian Girls Going Places events. She has served as a judge for the Mirassou Optimist’s, Wells Fargo Trailblazer and NJ Family Business of the Year Awards.

Ampersand Graphics is featured in The Guerilla Marketing Handbook for good brochure and logo design and has won awards from the NJ Communications Advertising & Marketing Association and JSPRAA.

In 2005, she discovered rocks and beads. What began as an interesting distraction and an incentive to shut down the computer at quitting time, became a fascination and ultimately a second business designing semi-precious, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

She chaired the first NAWBO S.E.E.D. Competition & Conference in 2007. She envisioned and outlined the NAWBO book series that became a reality in 2005. In 2008, she created an Entrepreneurial Readiness Program for her NAWBO chapter. She currently serves as editor and designer for the NAWBO Central Jersey quarterly newsletter.

Believing that the future growth is grounded in the accomplishments of the past, Ms. Pease organized the 2007, NAWBO Regional Leadership Retreat and the 2005 Past National Presidents Retreat to capture the experiences and knowledge of past leaders and develop future leaders. She continues to serve an advisory  roll for local and national leaders and has led strategic planning sessions for several chapter boards. She was recently installed as the Chairman of the Board of the Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Pease holds a B.S. from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and a Masters from Washington State University. She has been married to Rod Pease for 43 years and they have a son, Kevin.

Breakout Sessions

Be The Change Formula to Ultimate Financial Freedom

Discover the key core secrets to transform simple 15-minute conversations with prospective clients into the kind of massive revenue that can deliver you from have to worry about money--forever! Suzanne Evans will share her formula for converting conversations to cash.

By the end of this breakout session, participants will learn:

• How to structure your conversations so your prospects see possibility - instead of your fee.
• Keys to finding yourself absolutely at ease - and even looking forward to each sales conversation.
• Powerful mindset shifts that allow you to focus on the amazing gifts you have to offer, knowing they are worth every penny your prospect pays.
• Ways to talk about the benefits of your service, so your prospects are excited as you are to get started
• And most importantly - a simple system that allows you to be TOTALLY in sync with your values while selling.

Branding--More than Graphics

A brand is sometimes defined as a promise you make your customers. It is what not only identifies your company, but defines the substance your clients can expect. Brand development is not an add-on to a business plan; it is the basis of who you are. It can happen by careful design or by accident, but it will happen. Suzanne Pease will share the tools that can ensure that your brand will be recognizable, consistent and in conformance with what you deliver. 

The symbols of a brand are just that...symbols. The logo, colors and collateral materials should indicate company characteristics, but they are the tip of the iceberg in brand management...an outer cloak that hints a inner qualities. This seminar will give techniques that ensure the exterior image matches the value offering so that customers recognize, understand and return your brand when they have a need. 

• You will be able to create a brand statement that defines your company's identity
• You learn the elements that go into fashioning a consistent, recognizable brand
• You will be able to determine what your brand means to your customer; how that differs from what you wish it to stand for; and what steps you can take to align the two.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors of the Leadership Conference will gain high-level visibility at a unique biennial event for women business owners who come to learn innovative approaches to business growth from top entrepreneurs.

Download sponsorship flyer for complete details.

Presenting Sponsor - SOLD OUT

Give two-minute welcome speech at opening of conference and introduce NAWBO president. Get top billing for your logo on the website and email promotions sent to a list of 3,000-plus women business leaders. Top billing for logo on sponsor banner at event. Recognition from podium. One slide that you provide to advertise your company in a PowerPoint slide show running on a large screen during event. Two complimentary tickets.

(Investment: $1,200)

Keynote Sponsors - SOLD OUT

Introduce one of the two keynote speakers. Logo on the website and email promotions sent to a list of 3,000-plus women business leaders. Logo on sponsor banner at event. Recognition from podium. One slide that you provide to advertise your company in a PowerPoint slide show running on a large screen during event. One complimentary ticket. (Investment: $600; two available)

Meal Sponsors - SOLD OUT

Visibility during breakfast or lunch, with logo on each table. Logo on the website and email promotions sent to a list of 3,000-plus women business leaders. Logo on sponsor banner at event. Recognition from podium. One slide that you provide to advertise your company in a PowerPoint slide show running on a large screen during event. One complimentary ticket. (Investment: $300; two available)

PowerPoint Advertisement

One slide that you provide to advertise your company in a PowerPoint slide show running on a large screen during the event. Ticket not included. (Investment: $45 NAWBO members, $150 non-members)

Registration

Registration for the 2012 Leadership Conference is open - register before February 29, 2012 to save!

Registration

Early-registration special - register on/before February 29, 2012 to save!

• NAWBO Member, Alliance Member, or Corporate Partner: $ 75.00
• Non-Member: $ 85.00

Regular registration begins on March 1, 2012 and the conference fee will be $85 for members and $95 for non-members.

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