UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Registration closes Tuesday night, April 19, for the 2022 Powerful Women Paving the Way Conference, a two-day virtual career empowerment event scheduled for Thursday and Friday, April 21-22.
The event, which is co-hosted by the Penn State College of Smeal and the Penn State Women in Business student organization, is celebrating its 13th year with four successful keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
The annual event brings together students and professionals of all genders to share experiences, insights and advice while navigating workplace equality and acceptance.
“Powerful Women Paving the Way is a professional development opportunity allowing students, faculty and staff, alumni, and business professionals to discuss various leadership issues as they pertain to women and professionals in the current business environment,” Emily Bowman, marketing chair for the conference, said.
Those interested in attending the event should submit registration materials by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. The registration fee — which includes a Vera Bradley bag, a free T-shirt and other company offerings — is $20 for students and $50 for non-students. Registration will be capped at the first 350 participants.
The event will kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday with speaker Kathryn Dougherty, who earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting, finance and economics from Penn State in 2009 and was a former member of Women in Business. Dougherty is the founder of Spritz Beverages Co.
This year’s morning keynote speaker will be Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s, who will speak from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. on Friday.
Penn State alumna Mary Beth Trypus will return this year to speak at PWPW Talks from 10:50 to 11:50 a.m. Trypus is the chief revenue officer at Vera Bradley.
Jessica Rusu, chief data, information, and intelligence officer at the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, will deliver the afternoon keynote address from 1-2 p.m. Friday. Rusu graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s in management science and information systems in 2001.
The morning breakout sessions, from 9:55 to 10:40 a.m., include:
- The New Normal: navigating the transition back to hybrid and in-person events
- Networking IRL: networking tips and best practices
- Pay it Forward: learning the basics of financial literacy
- Women in Leadership Fireside Chat: hear from JP Phillips and Jolene Christensen, two vice presidents of human resources at Kohl’s
The afternoon breakout sessions, from 2:10 to 2:55 p.m., include:
- Fighting Failures: Exploring the concept of "Glass Cliff," with women in power during times of crisis
- Changing Lanes: Navigating mid-career changes
- When Worlds Collide: Speaking to the concept of team intersections and their importance
This year’s theme for the event is “Illuminate.” To learn more, visit the Women in Business website.