ATHENA International: Professional businesswomens organization dedicated to leadership initiatives for women.

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

	The Courage Code. It's Yours. Break It. Own It. Use It. Tuesday, 1:30-2:45, Session A Wednesday, 10:30-11:45, Session D It undermines, excludes, dominates. Yet, it is seldom talked about. Throughout the world there is an unspoken language about courage - a courage code - that is distinctly masculine. With this code, women’s everyday courage is hardly noticed, barely understood and rarely honored. This enlivening seminar by Megan Raphael, the author of The Courage Code will explode your old definitions of courage and give you an entirely new way to view your life. You will see how courageous and powerful you already are, be inspired to live authentically, and gain ways to be even more courageous as a leader.
Read more about Megan Raphael

	The Power and Soul of Public Speaking: Inspirational Speeches of Civil Rights Leaders to Help Enhance Our Public Speaking & Leadership Tuesday, 1:30 - 2:45, Session B Join us and be inspired. Hear messages of advocacy by great American and international civil rights leaders including Barbara Jordan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Fanny Lou Hamer, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez, Anna Maria Arias, Mahatma Gandi, Yuri Kochiyama and others. The ATHENA Leadership Model embraces Fierce Advocacy and Courageous Acts as two leadership tenets to help women implement effective leadership. Our public speaking and leadership will be enhanced by incorporating messages of compassion, sharing, and thankfulness. Every workshop participant will receive a folder of the PowerPoint and public speaking and business web resources and tips.
Read more about Sue Kozel and Terri Hornsby

	Leaders Who Build A Highly Motivated & Energized Workforce Tuesday, 1:30- 2:45, Session C Tuesday, 3:15 - 4:30, Session D Jeff Wolf is one of America’s most dynamic speakers and one of the country’s top executive business coaches. His presentation last year, The Essence of Effective Leadership, received rave reviews and was one of the highest attended sessions of our conference! Join Jeff as he takes you through a fast-paced inspiring session that will leave you motivated and energized. You will take an insightful look at learning how to: Lead in a way that energizes people Ask the tough questions Hire the right people Recognize the importance of the "little things" Incorporate fun at work And much more
Read more about Jeff Wolf

	Borderless World: Women Leading and Succeeding in the International Marketplace Tuesday, 1:30 - 2:45, Session D Discover how the world’s global interconnectedness affects women! Prepare to hear a lively exchange from an international panel of experts that will share how you can: Capitalize on the "world-is-flat" trend Take advantage of conducting business in the global marketplace as a woman Learn from other women concerning the course of our important work As an added bonus, each panelist will share her top three secrets to leadership success. You will walk away ready to lead and succeed in the international marketplace. Panelists: Sandra Pupatello, Minster of Economic Development and Trade, & Women’s Issues Priti Rao, Senior Vice President, Infosys Technologies Limited Angela Sheen, Managing Consultant, ASA Performance Management Jerrie Ueberle, Founder and President, Global Interactions, Inc Moderator: Laurel Delaney, President, GlobeTrade.com and LaurelDelaney.com

	Lessons of Leadership Tuesday, 3:15 - 4:30, Session A Believing that left unexamined, history is bound to repeat itself, this "tell it like it is" session is designed to help you profit from the wisdom of others’ leadership lessons. The focus will be on how leadership styles can change and develop as a result of the willingness to learn from others. You’ll hear personal stories of growth that have resulted in leadership success and walk away inspired to examine your own leadership style. Panelists: Ann Marie Almedia , President and CEO, Associated Women's Business Centers Emily Barr, President and General Manager, ABC 7 Chicago Kay McCurdy , Partner, Lord Bisell & Brook, Chicago, IL Moderator: Todd Popham, Manager, Mid Atlantic Zone, State Farm Insurance

	Unleashing the Empowered Confident Woman Tuesday, 3:15 - 4:30, Session B Get ready to unleash your greatest potential, be confident and create the future you truly desire. Identify and develop your highest personal strengths! Harness your inner power and discover how to empower yourself and others for career and personal fulfillment. With DeLores' passion to uplift and inspire others, her sincerity is felt, and her audience learns the keys for their own personal transformation that will make a dramatic difference in their career and life.
Read more about DeLores Pressley

	Have We Come A Long Way? Tuesday, 3:15 - 4:30, Session C Have we come a long way? What do the numbers say about women? The answer is, plenty! This session will focus on the statistics regarding: Young women on campus Women in corporate America Women in start up companies Progress seen by women of color Women around the globe You’ll see women "by the numbers" and discern the reasons behind the trends as well as the barriers and accelerators to future advancement.
Read more about Toni Riccardi

	ATHENAPowerLink - Business Mentoring That Gives Back Tuesday, 3:15 - 4:30, Session E Sharing one’s own expertise as a means of helping others attain business success is what ATHENAPowerLink is all about. This national mentoring program has been in the business of giving back for over a decade equipping business owners with the knowledge necessary to increase their growth and profitability. Find out how to initiate this compelling economic-development opportunity in your community by partnering with host organizations; forming governing bodies; securing sponsors’ investments; recruiting and selecting potential ATHENAPowerLink companies; and building effective advisory panels. Benefits abound for all involved!

	Networlding ~ Cut Your Sales Cycle by 50% or More Wednesday, 10:30-11:45, Session A Join best-selling author and president, Melissa Giovagnoli, of Networlding and learn how to cut your sales cycle by 50% or more. In this unique presentation Melissa will share her twenty years of perfecting a process for accelerating sales. She will also interview her friend and colleague at Office Depot, Stephanie Fuller, Director of International Business Development who is also a "maven of connection." The audience will participate in a lively interactive discussion.
Read more about Stephanie Fuller and Melissa Giovagnoli

	The Finesse of Finance Wednesday, 10:30-11:45, Session B You will be inspired to achieve your full financial potential and take positive action after attending this session. From the fundamentals of investing and debt management to the complexities of juggling your personal and business finance priorities, you will enjoy this informative, interactive opportunity to engage with a panel of financial experts. They will address your ideas, goals and concerns pertaining to: Achieving your personal investment goals Managing debt Accumulating and preserving personal wealth Understanding the key issues in estate planning Financial Planning Options and Alternatives Small Business and Corporate Finance Issues and Opportunities
Read more about Julie Hendricks and Maureen Prochenski

	International Philanthropy - Relationships That Effect Change Wednesday, 10:30-11:45, Session C Women and children in rural Africa face incredible challenges daily...and their voices are rarely heard. By building collaborative international relationships, our collective strength, determination and unity can be a powerful force for social and economic transformation. Attend this session to hear tangible ways that you can serve as a fierce advocate for others.
Read more about Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika and Vicky Wauterlek

	ATHENA Award Program The Next Level Wednesday, 10:30-11:45, Session E Moving from good to great requires planning and perseverance. This session will provide a first hand look at collaboration at its best and is designed for anyone who is currently involved with or interested in implementing an ATHENA Award Program in their community. A panel of program facilitators from communities with successful programs will share how to: Raise awareness and support for outstanding ATHENA celebrations Cultivate a culture of ATHENA leadership in your community Take your ATHENA Award Program to the next level Be prepared to pose your questions during the "Ask the Experts" Q & A.
Read more about Robin Kottke