The WomEn's Conference

The DCR Chamber is pleased to announce the return of the 3^rdAnnual WomEn's Conference on March 14, 2013 at the Lost Spur Golf and Event Center in Eagan. The event will connect professionals like yourself while enriching your personal and professional lives.

The 2012 WomEn's Conference was a huge success! Over 200 women attended, plus even a few men, with over 40 exhibitors displaying their products and services! The keynote speakers; Shaunice Hawkins, Louise Griffith and Theresa Rose, Energized, Educated and Empowered the audience.  The day concluded with a wine reception that featured the DCR Chamber Foundation and non-profit partner, The Lewis House. It was the event of the year!

Tweet about The WomEn's Conference: #DCRTWC

Keynote Speaker:  Jennifer "JJ" Schaidler
Jennifer Schaidler is a Senior Executive with expertise in retail merchandising, sales and marketing with extensive knowledge in the consumer electronics, mobile, entertainment and digital content segments.  JJ held executive positions for leading companies such as Best Buy and Sony Music Entertainment, and has excelled as a selling/buying partner to major companies like Walmart, Apple/iTunes, Verizon and Target.  As a broadly skilled business leader, she is known for deconstructing complex business problems, and for crafting and then executing strategies to capitalize on market opportunities.  Most recently JJ has been consulting for retailers and technology companies on digital transformation.  In her work she helps guide marketing, merchandising and IT professionals migrate their businesses to drive cost-effective traffic and sales.

Breakout Speakers: Anne Pryor and Kathleen Crandall
Anne Pryor is known as a Connector with more than 20 years of experience in facilitating meaningful connections as an Online Visibility Consultant specializing in creating and coaching LinkedIn strategies for attorneys, business owners, and sales and marketing executives. Anne co-founded Meaningful Connections with Kathleen Crandall in 2008.  They have coached and taught more than 40,000 people to assess, understand, and communicate their brands both on and online for great business development and career opportunities.  With her diverse network, Anne helped generate millions in dollars in sales for previous employers, using LinkedIn. As a former Sr. Director of Wellness and Innovation at Carlson Marketing she designed solutions for Fortune 500 clients.  Previously, she was the first employee to open Mall of America’s Knott’s Camp Snoopy and she directed sales and marketing for Valleyfair and Lifetouch Portrait Studios (JCPenney and Target studios).

Kathleen Crandall helps bring personal brands to life.  In her role as a Personal Brand Strategist and a Meaningful Connector, she inspires and motivates people to understand the power of their personal brand and leverage it to get what they desire.  A nationally-known speaker, coach and workshop facilitator, she is known for helping people achieve professional and personal goals in business, networking, job search and life.  A graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Kathleen spent more than 20 years building corporate, product and service brands through marketing and public relations.  In 2008 she and Anne Pryor, Online Visibility Strategist, launched Meaningful Connections to help people bring their personal brands to life and increase online visibility.

Panel Speakers- Beth Krehbiel, Jennifer Smith, and Theresa Wise
Beth Krehbiel, chief executive of Fairview Ridges Hospital, is responsible for ensuring the delivery of consistent high quality care and service to patients in a compassionate, safe environment.  She directs strategic and tactical planning efforts that both supports the mission and strategic direction of Fairview Health Services and responds to the program and service needs of Minnesota Valley communities and residents.  Beth has over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. A native of Minnesota, Beth is a registered nurse with a clinical background in acute care, behavior health, home care and hospice.    Beth joined Fairview Ridges Hospital as president in 2007. Previously she served as chief operating officer for Fairview Red Wing Health Services. 

Jennifer Smith co-founded Innovative Office Solutions in June of 2001.  Innovative Office Solutions provides office supply/furniture products to businesses of all sizes who value a relationship-oriented approach.  With a “Relationships Matter” belief system, Innovative’s intent was to change what customers can, and should, expect from suppliers.  The company quickly became one of the fastest growing multi-million dollar office supply companies in the Midwest.  Jennifer was also involved in the founding of Medcare Products, Inc. in 1998.  She served as the President of Medcare from 1998 until the founding of Innovative Office Solutions in 2001.  She continues to be an owner, Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Products. 

Theresa Wise is senior vice president and chief information officer of Delta Air Lines.  Under Theresa's leadership, Delta integrated technology systems and business readiness plans following its merger with Northwest, combining more than 1,200 IT systems in what has become recognized as a blueprint for airline mergers.  Today, Theresa leads a team of more than 2,000 professionals who innovate and leverage technology solutions to enhance the customer experience.  In 2011, "Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal" named Theresa "CIO of the Year" in recognition of her lifetime of work in IT and leadership through the Delta, Northwest integration process.  Previously, Theresa served as Northwest's senior vice president and chief information officer, overseeing the airline's IT group.


Non-Profit Partner- RESOURCE, Inc.
For over 50 years, RESOURCE, Inc. has been empowering people to achieve greater personal, social and economic success. The Women’s Programs are small, integral programs of Employment Action Center, one of RESOURCE’s four divisions, producing life-changing results for thousands of women in Minnesota. Women’s Programs play an essential role in RESOURCE’s core commitment of promoting diversity in the Twin Cities workforce.

Women In Transition commenced in 1980, providing a vital career resource to more than 9,000 women throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding communities. This results-oriented, nonprofit career center offers supportive, small-group and personal empowerment workshops. Highly interactive personalized sessions are open to all women regardless of work experience, education or income level.

Women Achieving New Directions provides career exploration and job-upgrading services to low-income, employed single mothers who want to provide a stable financial setting for their families. WAND provides educational evening workshops focusing on empowerment, professionalism, and financial literacy, as well as one-on-one employment counseling.

Career Transitions for Women  our incubator program  assists high-potential career women in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area achieve maximum work and life satisfaction through career planning, positioning and coaching.

The WomEn's Conference's partnership with the Women’s Programs of RESOURCE Inc., will contribute to fulfilling women’s dreams of walking in your shoes.


Thank you to our 2013 WomEn's Conference Sponsors!

Premier Sponsor




 

 Contributing Sponsor

Partner Sponsor