Women’s Conference set for Nov. 1

By Michelle Price
UCBJ Managing Editor

COOKEVILLE – Don’t miss your opportunity to improve your negotiation skills, quiet your inner critic and learn to become your best self as the Tennessee Tech College of Business hosts their second annual Women’s Leadership Conference on Nov. 1 featuring Dr. Kim Barnette, Dr. Susan Wells, Susan Peppercorn and Alicia Lynch.

The 2019 line-up of speakers is a diverse group of women leaders who have achieved great success in their careers, ranging from a non-profit to a Fortune 500 company, and now desire to inspire other women to reach their full potential, both professionally and personally.

Dr. Kim Barnette will share the story of utilizing her professional talents to launch Saone Partners, an initiative to advocate for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education. Barnette has a background in the arts and believes that having the balance of the arts and sciences allowed her to remain well rounded and grounded while achieving her goals. Dr. Barnette’s session will be “Lifting Each Other Up in Leadership: Who will I sit with at lunch?” 

Tech’s own professor, entrepreneur, attorney, and mediator Dr. Susan Wells has over 30 years of experience in the business and legal worlds where she has consulted in the areas of business intelligence, conflict management, organizational leadership and computer forensics. An award winning faculty member in the Tech College of Business, Susan is the Director of the Governor’s School for Business Innovation and Technology. She will lead participants in an interactive session, “Finding Your Inner Negotiator,” to develop and enhance negotiation and conflict management skills.

Susan Peppercorn is a coach, writer and speaker specializing in assisting individuals with successful career transitions that align with their values, interests and capabilities. 

As a writer for Harvard Business Review and author of various articles, Peppercorn has addressed topics such as overcoming the fear of failure, taking control of your onboarding and conquering self-doubt. She will speak on resilience, personal branding, and positive psychology. All participants will receive a copy of her book, “Ditch Your Inner Critic At Work: Evidence-Based Strategies To Thrive In Your Career.”

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Alicia Lynch will close the day by sharing “Lessons in Leadership.” Lynch is now the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at SAIC, a fortune 500 company. She is widely praised and often recognized as a visionary leader known for her unwillingness to tolerate complacency, and her ability to get everyone to perform at the top of their capabilities.

Although it’s billed as a women’s leadership conference, men are encouraged to attend.

The event will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the University Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration and a continental breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

The cost to attend is $85 or $600 for a table of eight. To register visit, https://www.tntech.edu/business/womensconference.php .  

A conference sponsorship is available for $800 and includes registration/table for eight and provides a table outside the event for sponsors to display company information. Anyone with questions about conference sponsorships should contact Cheryl Montgomery.

Michelle Price is the former managing editor of the Upper Cumberland Business Journal and can be reached via email. Send an email.

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