Highlights of the 2014 Women & Technology Conference
10:00 AM
Oglebay Resort & Conference Center, Wheeling, WV
The 2014 Women & Technology took place October 16-17 at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, WV, and attracted a crowd of nearly 100 for this two-day event. Those attending the conference learned concrete information on overcoming obstacles to success, being a better leader and building stronger teams. They also get top tips on career reinvention, and the best ways to make both money and social media work for you. The 2014 conference featured presentations by prominent women in technology, publishing, government and law.
They broadened personal and professional networks in a relaxed setting, while being invigorated by the perspectives of women from a variety of fields who are interested in wide-ranging technology sectors. Talented, highly qualified, successful women shared their experiences in career advancement and overcoming obstacles on your journey, as well as exploring the nuances of both leadership and teams and how to make them win for you. They learned how to leverage social media for success at work and at home, picked up tips for negotiating salary and bonuses when joining a new company or seeking a promotion and discovered what career reinvention could do for them.
During free time, they took one of the many nature walks available at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, a place where beauty and history meet in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle.
TechConnectWV founded the Women & Technology Conference in 2012 to encourage and inspire women involved in technology education, research, private enterprise, the public sector, investing and entrepreneurship.
Date
October 16-17, 2014
Location
Oglebay Resort & Conference Center, Wheeling, WV (Please make reservations directly with Oglebay Resort in the TCWV block of rooms by September 12 by calling 800-624-6988 or 304-243-4000 or by visiting www.oglebay-resort.com)
Agenda
Presentations and workshops took place throughout the conference.
Sponsors
This conference was presented by TechConnect West Virginia with the support of the following sponsors:
Agenda for Your Formula for Success
Is the grass always greener? A panel of experts will examine and discuss what it takes to learn from failure, overcome obstacles, and achieve success. Learn about best practices and how to avoid costly, and often time-consuming, mistakes.
Panelists:
Dr. Cerasela Zoica Dinu, Assistant Professor, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University
Dr. Kerri Phillips, Senior Professional Staff, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Susie Mullens, Program Director, Technology Assisted Care, First Choice Services/ATARI
You’re ready to transition from what you’re doing now into something new that really excites you. So what’s holding you back? Critical skills and expertise? Ability to speak a new professional “language”? Confidence that you will succeed? This workshop is intended for anyone considering a pivot, a course change, or a second act. We’ll cover proven strategies for assessing whether you’re ready to make the move, identifying the skills and attitudes you’ll need to succeed, preparing in advance for the big move, and tapping into sources of support, encouragement and constructive feedback.
Workshop Leader:
Jocelyn Sheppard, Principal Consultant, Red House Consulting
Featured Speaker Nikki Bowman, New South Media CEO
SBA Award Presentation of Woman-Owned Small Business Champion Award
Friday, October 17
Teams play an important role in career advancement in many organizations, and they can be critical for women. What’s your team “IQ”? When is the time right to “lean in?” Learn how women can prosper by being a part of winning teams. Pick up key strategies for effective team building. Leave with solid tips on how to make teams work for you and with you.
Workshop Leader:
Julie M. Smith, Ph.D., Co-Founder, The Continuous Learning Group, Inc.
Financial gurus will lead you through discussion of finances, including personal financial strategies and techniques; finding and securing your value and worth (e.g., how to negotiate a salary); and investing for the common good (or for your good). Learn how to harness financial power and make it work for you.
Panelists:
Susie Nelson, Executive Director, Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
Dr. Gina Fantasia, Director of the University Business Center, Fairmont State University
Laura Howe, Financial Advisor, The Huntington Investment Group
What is leadership? How can you become a leader? Hear from women in diverse leadership positions about the necessary skills to make an impact, the steps to finding a mentor, the best practices for work-life balance, the importance of community and political savvy, and more.
Panelists:
Ellen Cappellanti, Deputy Managing Member, Jackson Kelly, PLLC
Ilana Diamond, Managing Director, Alpha Lab Gear
Audrey Russo, CEO, Pittsburgh Technology Council
Tweets, likes, endorsements, mentions, tags. What does it all mean? Listen to this expert panel discuss the ins and outs of social media, and learn how you can leverage it to develop and grow your company and your career.
Panelists:
Emily Calandrelli, Harvard NASA Tournament Lab, FOX’s Xploration Nation: Outer Space
Carrie Scanlon, Bordas and Bordas Attorneys, PLLC
Kristen Perko, Direct Online Marketing, Wheeling
