Women succeeding in business is topic of upcoming symposium Nov. 18-19

"The Role of Women in Management" is the title and theme of the 2004 Women's Management Council Symposium at Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management at Sage Hall this Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18 and 19.

The series of talks and panels will bring together MBA students, alumnae and high-profile women managers to explore the unique opportunities and challenges that confront women in business. The event, which is open to the public for a $10 fee, is sponsored by the Women's Management Council, a student group at the Johnson School.

The symposium begins with a talk Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in B08 Sage Hall by Park Distinguished Speaker Naomi Kelman '81, MBA '83, president, North America, Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc. Introduced by Robert Swieringa, the Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean at the Johnson School, the talk will be followed by a reception in Sage Hall's Dyson Atrium and will feature an introduction by Karin Ash, director of the Johnson School's Office of Career Management.

Friday's events will take place in B09 Sage. They will begin with opening remarks by Johnson School Associate Dean Cathy Dove, at 8:30 a.m., followed by a panel from 8:45 to 10:10 a.m., "Highways and Byways: Different Pathways to Success." Panelists are Carrie Barber, MBA '02, investment banking associate, CSFB; Cande Carroll, co-founder of GreatBoyfriends.com; and Abby Westervelt, MBA '97, Cornell director of corporate and foundation relations. Randy Allen '68, Johnson School consultant-in-residence and CEO, Girls Explore LLC, will moderate.

Morning speakers are Susan M. Beauregard '79, manager, General Electric Global HR Shared Services, 10:25-11:10 a.m.; and Sheryl Colyer, managing director and head of administration, U.S. retail and high net worth, Citigroup Asset Management, 11:20 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

The keynote address, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. is by Bonnie Howell '70, MPA '72, senior adviser and former president and CEO of Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca.

Closing remarks following lunch at 1:10 p.m. in Sage Atrium are by Amanda Soule, MBA '05, current Women's Management Council president.

For more information, contact Meredith Rutherford, mrr32@cornell.edu, or see the WMC Web site: http://www.forum.johnson.cornell.edu/students/orgs/WMC.