The Quad County Urban League (QCUL) will host its 4th Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit Friday, March 16 at the Chicago Marriott Southwest Hotel in Burr Ridge. The daylong event includes dynamic keynote addresses and panel discussions featuring national, regional and local women leaders. The Summit was created to bring together seasoned professionals and emerging leaders to interact and share career-expanding advice.
New this year attendees will learn the auditioning and casting process for CNBC’s “The Job Interview” and participate in a “Perfecting Your Pitch” session with Jaemie L. Neely, Associate Director, Established Business Programs & PTAC Women’s Business Development Center and Quentella Enty, with the Chicago Urban League (CUL) Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Participants must register for the pitch competition by calling (773) 456-8080 or [email protected].
Keynoting the morning session of the Summit will be Jaquie Algee, vice president/director of community relation for Service Employees International Union Healthcare IL/IN/MO/KS. Panel discussions include #METOO led by Stephanie Schmitz Bechteler, Ph.D. of the Chicago Urban League Research and Policy Center. Participating panelists include Attorney Emily Farr, Ardent Law; Mary M. (Betsey) Madden, Illinois Department of Human Rights; and Lashonda Crockett, Pennie’s Teas. The Women on the Rise Panel, moderated by Deborah Crable will feature Chrishon Lampley, LCS Entertainment, LLC and CNBC’s “The Job Interview”; Raquel Graham Crayton, ROQ Innovation; Renu Malik, ACCLIVE; Judy Thomas, Garfield Produce Company; and Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, Service Master Restorations by Zaba. Shari Runner, President and CEO of the CUL will lead a ‘Political Dialogue’ with candidates for statewide office.
Once again, the QCUL will recognize outstanding women leaders from the four-county area served by the organization. The 2018 Women’s Empowerment Summit awards winners are: Patty Greene, Manager, Community Affairs & Grassroots at Southwest Airlines; Nina Hunter, Managing Director, Resource Management, Nicor Gas; Nicole Johnson-Scales, Senior Vice President Fifth Third Bank; Thomasin Johnson, retired educator; Chrishon Lampley, LCS Entertainment, LLC; Michele Meyers, Mutual Ground; Nicole Johnson-Scales, Fifth Third Bank, and Dr. Christina J. Sobek, president Waubonsee Community College.
“Each year we seek to make the Summit relevant to our participants by tapping into the sentiments permeating our country,” said Theodia Gillespie, president, and CEO of the Quad County Urban League. “The revelations brought forth by the #metoo movement and women’s determination to be self-sufficient as demonstrated by their increasing business ownership resonated with us, as we hope it will for all the participants attending this year’s event.”
About the Quad County Urban League
Founded in 1975, the Quad County Urban League (QCUL) helps secure equal opportunities for all disadvantaged persons and people of color, including African Americans, women, and persons with disabilities. Quad County Urban League is an affiliate of the National Urban League and is a United Way member agency. The QCUL serves DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois. Visit www.qcul.org for more information and follow us on Facebook.