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JONESBORO - The Women's Leadership Collaborative and Women's Business Leadership Center (WBLC) will host the ninth annual Women's Leadership Conference (WLC) on Thursday, April 3, in Centennial Hall of Reng Student Union.     The theme for the conference this year is "Bold."  

"This one-day conference features a keynote address by a distinguished leader, workshops designed to hone skills in key areas, and interactive discussions to engage students and professionals," said Dr. Patricia Quinn Johnston, executive director of WBLC.    Keynote speaker Lenore Trammell wears many hats in her position at Big River Steel, serving as chief administration officer, chief compliance officer, and general counsel.     Trammell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. With a bachelor's degree in economics from Howard University and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School, she held her first position in steel at Rouge Steel working in pricing and sales. She has a reputation built on success.     "The WLC is a forum for leadership and professional development created to inspire and activate high school and university students and professionals in the community," said Johnston.    During this one-day conference, speakers like Trammell offer insights into what their professional experiences have been like.  

"We are thrilled that Hytrol is the presenting sponsor for this energizing opportunity for our community to connect and thrive," Johnston continued.     "We are grateful to all of our sponsors and volunteers for making this conference possible. This conference is intended to cultivate and enrich the academic experiences of our students, enhance career and mentorship networks, and celebrate the remarkable strengths of our speakers and attendees."     In addition to the keynote speaker, there will also be several breakout speakers as follows:  

-- Cindy Boyle, IT risk and compliance national practice leader and partner at Forvis Mazars, will lead the session, "Be the CEO of your career."    

-- Mary Beth Piorkowski, retired managing director of Microsoft's U.S. Financial Services Business, will lead the session, "Interviewing: Achieving Success Through a Better Understanding of the Person on the Other Side of the Desk."     -- Susan Naylor, senior vice president and wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, will lead, "Your Financial Journey."     -- A panel led by Dr. Rachelle Martin, who works as director of corporate and foundation relations and medical advancement at Washington University School of Medicine, will discuss "Perfectionism for Women Leaders: Navigating Manifestations and Mitigation Techniques." This panel will include Dr. Cindy Goodwin-Sak, leadership strategist and founder of Valiant Leadership and Dr. Kristen Prince, chief operations officer of Searcy Physical Therapy.   -- Dr. Hilary Schloemer, associate professor of management at the Neil Griffin College of Business, will lead "Putting the 'I' in Resilience: Building Your Capacity to do Hard Stuff."    -- Dr. Tochi Amagwula Keeton, board-certified obstretician-gynecologist and obesity medicine physician at Healthwise Wellness, will lead "Sustainable Success: Balancing Health and Career for Women Leaders." 

-- Casey Kidd, executive director of the Family Crisis Center, will speak on "Together we Act, United we Change."    -- A panel discussion led by the leaders of the Arkansas Delta Women's Leadership Academy (ADWLA) will speak on "Women Transforming the Delta." This will be led by ADWLA co-founders Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication and Andrea Allen, executive director of the Delta Center for Economic Development. This panel will include Stephanie White, mayor of Keo; Kennidi Ridgell, program coordinator for Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care; Juanita Acosta, program manager and community navigator supervisor for El Centro Hispano; and Tara Thomason, director of annual giving, A-State Alumni Association.

-- Dr. Tywanna Smith, president and founder of The Athlete's Nexus, will speak on "The Bold and the Beautiful Leader."  Hytrol Conveyer Co., Inc. is the presenting sponsor of this free event. To register, one may follow this link: AStatealumni.org/WLC. For more information, contact WBLC@AState.edu.