Santa Clara University presents
Theresa Strickland, Chief Home Design Strategy and Branding Officer, Sears Holdings
Keynote Speaker
Women's Leadership Conference

Leading Through Change

Hosted by Microsoft Conference Center
Saturday, April 25, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.

How do you successfully lead through a changing environment? Change is inevitable in nearly all aspects of business and life, and adapting to change requires creative thinking and innovation. Join us as Theresa Strickland, Chief Home Design Strategy and Branding Officer at Sears Holdings, discusses how to lead a company through change when faced with hardships and uncertainty.

"...The importance of identifying a white space in the competition, targeting the market, building a brand stack around that white space, and then building the product into a marketing strategy. This is how you navigate through changing, tough times."

~Theresa Strickland, Chief Home Design Strategy and Branding Officer, Sears Holdings

11:10 a.m. -12:15 p.m.

Entreprenuership in Silicon Valley
Speaker: Julia Rasor

Gain invaluable advice in starting your own business venture. Julia covers steps to help you create a business plan, acquire funding, and manage unexpected challenges. You will also discover the common traits of a successful entrepreneur and whether you possess them. Finally, Julia will discuss how to thrive at your own business venture, despite the evident challenges of entrepreneurship.

Leading Through Innovation
Speaker: Cheryl Shavers

Innovation and creative thinking are crucial to the success of individuals and corporations. Cheryl Shavers explores leadership through innovative thinking in a changing environment. In this session, learn how and why creativity is key to your professional success. Learn and be motivated, as Cheryl shares stories of how original, inspired thinking has helped individuals, companies, and clients prevail during tough times.

Working Globally, Working Across Cultures
Speaker: Claudia Galvan

A look at how to successfully work with different cultures, within your company or with other companies, globally

1:10 p.m. - 2:15 p.m

Personal Finance Panel
Speaker: Joan Young, Ian Macalllister, Michael Hsu, Weldon Poole

This panel will feature speakers from various finance industries, such as Venture Capitalism and Investment Banking. The panelists will discuss trends and changes in the currently tumultuous market. You will learn how various types of financial organizations have been affected by current economic events and the measures they are adopting to manage through the challenges. You will also be given insight into future prospects in this industry and an understanding of the preparation necessary to enter it at this time.

Thriving in Changing Environments
Speaker: Martha Galley

Leading through Change: Victor or Victim? In order to thrive in times of great change, you must embrace the new reality and understand why changes are occurring. Through that understanding, you can then develop strategies to navigate through the shifting environment and ultimately exploit new opportunities that arise from the chaos.

Leading through Professionalism: The Four Qualities of Courageous Leadership
Speaker: Anthony Metten

In 2009, the only real competitive advantage any organization can claim is a continuous flow of new ideas and innovation. That innovation comes from one asset alone: people. And those people are only as free, only as creative, and only as valuable as their leaders empower them to be.

In this engaging and thought-provoking lecture, Anthony Metten will explore the key characteristics of courageous leaders - those individuals that inspire, motivate, appreciate, and encourage their people. Leaders that serve those they lead. Leaders that don't just build a following, they build more leaders.

Join us for an informative and educational workshop, and:

Discover what daring leaders most desire to be, and to do.
Learn why the leader's "story" is integral to the success of any organization.
Hear how courageous leaders leverage their talents and those of their teams.
Explore how you can dare to lead - from any position in your organization.

2:25 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Leading with Flexibility- from Risk Management to Customer Relations
Speaker: Les Adler

Leading through Emotional Intelligence
Speaker: Jenepher Dawson

What is emotion? Understand the causes and consequences of specific emotions. Learn about positive emotional energy and the 5 emotion levels to sustain superior performance. Manage change through emotional intelligence.

Branding 2.0 - How to Brand Yourself Using Social Media & Web 2.0
Speaker: Edith Yeung

LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are not just like other social networking web sites or Web 2.0 buzzwords. As a purposeful professional, learn how to leverage these networking tools to brand yourself, your business, and to let the world know about you!

3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

5Dynamic - Self Assessment Workshop
Speaker: Bonita Banducci & Julia Sullivan

5 Dynamics is an on-line assessment that maps your energy flow in the process of leading, learning, creating and collaborating. You will be sent a link to complete the assessment and receive your report when you register for the conference. Bring your report with you to the 5 Dynamics session to learn how to be effective in using your energy cycle strengths in your work, working with the different strengths of others, and designing your work to fulfill your vision for "balance."

Leading through Business Development during Turbulent Times
Speaker: Brian Curran, Lan Nguyen, Gary Wiseman

Learn how Business Development can successfully lead a company through turbulent times. How an individual can position themselves w/in a company during these changes.

Job Search/Life Coach Workshop
Speaker: Shannon Small

"Effective Job Searching Tips in Turbulent Times"
Are you concerned with job searching in this highly competive environment? This session will show you how to clearly articulate your strengths and differentiate yourself in a crowded job market. Additionally, learn how to use social networks and online tools to enhance your brand.