We invite you to attend the 15th Women’s Summit® at Bryant University on Thursday, March 15, 2012.  As reflected in our theme, “Fifteen Years of Empowering Women,” we will celebrate an important milestone on that day.

Women are projected to account for 51 percent of the increase in total labor force growth between 2008 and 2018, according to statistics from the Department of Labor. The largest percentage (40.6 percent) will work in management, professional, and related occupations.

Many are where they are today because of their tenacity and the support of others. This is certainly the case with the Women’s Summit. Women and men have championed this conference from its inception in 1997 when my husband, Bryant President Ron Machtley, encouraged its creation. The co-chairs and committee worked long and hard, aided by Bryant faculty, staff, and students, and the conference flourished over the years.

Hundreds of workshop speakers have shared their knowledge with others – and expected no payment in return. Our generous sponsors have underwritten the cost of dynamic keynote speakers and provided the opportunity for their employees to attend the Women’s Summit, along with thousands of others throughout the region. Scholarship donors have helped those who could not have otherwise attended.

Last year, keynote speaker Linda Alvarado, president and CEO of Alvarado Construction, Inc. and part owner of the Colorado Rockies Baseball team, said, “It is hard to change history, but women can make history by stepping up to the plate and taking a swing. It is important for us not to be the one and only [woman] to make it to the top, but it is important for us to open doors for other women to do the same.”

We hope that the Women’s Summit inspires and empowers you to open your own doors – both personally and professionally. See you on March 15th as we celebrate “Fifteen Years of Empowering Women.”

Sincerely,

Kati Machtley
Director, The Women’s Summit®
Bryant University