An annual conference focused on professional development and networking opportunities for women is scheduled for Monday, May 20, at Montana State University.

The Women’s Leadership Conference, hosted by the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Strand Union Building Ballroom A.

Registration is open, and early bird tickets are $125 through April 1 and $150 starting April 2. Discounted tickets are available for current students and for table sponsorships that include six registrations.

The conference features breakout sessions and guest speakers. This year’s theme is “Leading at Every Level.”

Kathleen Williams, currently serving as the Montana state director for USDA rural development, will be the keynote speaker. Williams has worked for 41 years in economics and natural resource planning and policy in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. As this year’s keynote, she’ll speak on her experiences in leadership roles, her resilience and discipline when navigating typically male-dominated industries, her path to achieving balance between her professional and personal life, as well as making time to stay grounded and positive in the face of challenges.

Other speakers and panelists include Lori Addicks, CEO of Larkspur Group; Kristen Beveridge, a digital design leader and CEO for Pando; Paige Billings of Dot Digital Media; Jillian Deitle with Aspire Sales Consulting; Amanda Diehl with Sky Oro; Karen Lum, owner of K. Lum Consulting; Avanlee Christine of Avanlee Care; and Toby O’Rourke, President and CEO of KOA. A full list of speakers is available on the conference website.

Conference registration includes educational sessions, event materials, a networking reception, meals, a happy hour social and a silent auction. Up to 5.7 continuing professional education credits for CPAs are available. Proceeds from the conference fund scholarships, which are awarded to students who have proven to be leaders and mentors both on and off campus.

The Women’s Circle of Excellence was created in 2006 by a group of MSU alumni and business college staff. The first conference was held in 2008, coinciding with the 115th anniversary of the business college. The event has since been renamed the Women’s Leadership Conference.

For more information and to register, visit: montana.edu/business/wcoe.

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