USC Women’s Conference Set for March 13
USC alumnae of all ages and backgrounds will come together on March 13 at the Davidson Conference Center for the inaugural USC Women’s Conference.
Subtitled “Women Empowering Women,” the forum will explore topics such as financial strategies, professional networking and women’s health issues.
Launched with the support of founding sponsor Bank of America, this new USC Alumni Association signature event is eagerly anticipated by Trojans such as Anne Hopkins, a member of the conference host committee, who said, “I’ve been waiting a long, long time for a conference like this.”
Co-chaired by alumnae Bryn DeBeikes and Carol Fox, the host committee of alumni leaders and volunteers, USC deans, senior university administrators and senior alumni association staff members spent months developing and planning the conference agenda, which ultimately was organized into two morning sessions, followed by a networking luncheon.
According to Fox, the host committee’s guiding principle for the conference is to “inspire women to think about specific ways they can support and work with each other.”
DeBeikes agreed, adding, “As a mother of two daughters, I want them to understand the many challenges women face. I want them to be empowered for the future advancement of women in our society.”
The USC Women’s Conference will open with DeBeikes and Fox giving an overview of the day’s agenda before turning the podium over to Martha Harris, senior vice president for university relations. She in turn will welcome the attendees on behalf of the university and introduce USC Roski School of Fine Arts Dean Ruth Weisberg.
The dean will introduce the conference’s keynote speaker, accomplished painter Gayle Garner Roski, who will reveal “The Art of Being a Woman,” i.e., balancing career and family.
The focus then will shift to “Hot Topics in Women’s Health” for the morning’s first session, presented by the Doctors of USC, one of the conference sponsors.
Helena Chang Chui, Laila I. Muderspach and Leslie A. Saxon of the Keck School of Medicine of USC will present consumer-focused information about the university’s medical expertise and clinical research in the areas of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease during a panel discussion moderated by Jane Brust, associate senior vice president, health sciences public relations and marketing.
The next session, “Achieving Personal and Professional Success,” will cover topics ranging from gender politics in corporate America to the unique challenges women face taking care of elderly family members.
Emmy-winning KTLA Morning News co-anchor and USC alum Frank Buckley ’87 moderates the panel, comprised of the following speakers: Daphna Gans, a postdoctoral research fellow in the study of aging at the RAND Corp.; Nancy Lueck, regional director of public relations and special events for Bloomingdale’s; Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry; and Courtney Surls, the university’s recently appointed vice president for development.
Scott Mory, associate senior vice president for alumni relations, will introduce luncheon speaker Janet W. Lamkin, president of Bank of America California, who will bring the conference to a close with her exploration of “Financial Empowerment: Keys to Improving Your Life and Your Community.”
Following Lamkin’s remarks, attendees will have the opportunity to connect and share insights during a networking session sponsored by the USC Marshall School of Business.
For more information on the conference and to purchase tickets, visit https://alumni.usc.edu/womensconference/
