UA Information Technology Research Institute Presents Conference for Women

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Information Technology Research Institute, a research unit in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, is sponsoring a day-long conference for women in technology on Friday, Feb. 29.

The Women in Technology Conference, "Take the Leap," will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at the University of Arkansas Center for Continuing Education on the Fayetteville square.

"The conference is designed to inspire and empower working women to take a leap into personal and professional success," said Eric Bradford, managing director of the Information Technology Research Institute. "We are providing motivating speakers, relevant break-out sessions and networking opportunities at the conference."

Keynote speakers include Hilda Gurley-Highgate, assistant general counsel of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Colleen Nick, founder and executive director of the Morgan Nick Foundation.

Gurley-Highgate is the author of Sapphire's Grave, a story set primarily in Warren and Vance Counties in North Carolina. Before moving to Arkansas, she practiced law for 14 years in Michigan while also working as a hospital pharmacist on the side. She is a registered pharmacist in Michigan, Virginia and New Jersey.

Nick founded the Morgan Nick Foundation in 1996, a year after her daughter Morgan was kidnapped. She is nationally recognized as a spokesperson and advocate for missing children. Nick was a key part of the adoption of the AMBER Alert, know in Arkansas as the Morgan Nick Alert. She has spoken at many events, including National Missing Children's Day, and was active in the creation of Team Help Offering Parents Empowerment (Team H.O.P.E) where she serves as a team captain.

• Taking Risks: Your Strengths and How You Use Them - Mary K. Williams, LCSW psychotherapist

• Self Defense - Randy Edwards, Impact Martial Arts

• Work & Life: Creating and Cultivating a Spirit of Celebration - Theres Stiefer, director of the Walton Center for Management and Executive Education

• Sustainability: Work, Life, World - John Coleman, sustainability coordinator for city of Fayetteville; Sarah Lewis, envirosystems professional, Springline Consulting Group; and Steve Rust, executive director, Fayetteville Economic Development Council

• Professional Networking Luncheon - Blake Woolsey, Executive Communications Consultants

• Diversity Today - Tyson Foods Inc. Representative

• Use It or Lose It: Keeping Up with Today's Presentation Technology - Jeanette Balleza, Scribe Marketing

• Panel Discussion - "Take The Leap"

     Cindy Riemenschneider, associate professor of information systems, Walton College

Kym Patterson, chief security officer, state of Arkansas DIS

Susan Norton, chief information officer, Fayetteville Public Schools

Kimberly Edmunds, regional vice president, Cox Communications Kansas/Arkansas

For more information and to register, go to http://itri.uark.edu/events/wit or call (479) 575-4291.

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Eric T. Bradford, managing director, Information Technology Research Institute
Sam M. Walton College of Business
(479) 575-5291, ebradford@walton.uark.edu