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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, September 21, 2006

Kelley School of Business holding symposium focusing on women entrepreneurs Oct.6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 21, 2006

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Indiana University's Kelley School of Business will host the first "Symposium for Women Entrepreneurs: Achievement and Tenacity" (SWEAT) on Oct. 6.

The full-day program will focus on opportunities, challenges and successes for Indiana's women entrepreneurs. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St., Bloomington. A networking reception will immediately follow the closing session in the IMU's Federal Room. Although the symposium is focusing on female entrepreneurs, it is not limited to women.

There is a registration fee of $50 for non-IU attendees. IU faculty, staff and students are invited to attend for free but must register. For more about the schedule and registration information, go to https://www.kelley.iu.edu/jcei/ or call 812-855-4248.

Keynote speakers for the symposium will be Patricia Miller, co-founder and co-president of Vera Bradley, based in Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Joan Gillman, former executive director of the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and currently the director of special industry programs in the University of Wisconsin School of Business. Miller will share the Vera Bradley story while Gillman will discuss opportunities for successful networking.

Two panel presentations will be given, showcasing successful women entrepreneurs with Indiana ties. Participating in the morning presentation "Starting and Growing Your Business" will be Kathy Carrier, chief executive officer of Briljent, LLC, of Fort Wayne; Jane Ford, an Indiana native and co-founder and co-creator of San Francisco-based Benefit Cosmetics; Jane Martin, general partner, Village Ventures, Bloomington, Ind.; and Jean Wojtowicz, president, Cambridge Capital Management Corp., Indianapolis.

On the afternoon panel "The Balancing Act: Women Who Do It All" are Crystal Black Davis, owner of Indianapolis-based Savvy Events and Marketing, and partner in Ice Ultra Lounge; Kerry Feigenbaum, co-founder and co-owner of Scholar's Inn and the Bakehouse, Bloomington; Judy Nagengast, CEO of Continental Design and Engineering, Anderson; and Kathy Reehling, president and CEO of Crew Technical Services, Indianapolis.

"SWEAT exemplifies the Johnson Center's commitment to fostering entrepreneurial relationships within the state as well as celebrating diversity in the entrepreneurial business community," said Donald F. Kuratko, executive director of the center and the Jack M. Gill Chair of Entrepreneurship at IU. "We hope that this program will generate excitement and stronger bonds between IU and the entrepreneurial communities by creating networking and mentoring opportunities.

"As a part of the Kelley School, the Johnson Center is dedicated to establishing entrepreneurial experience for students and expanding the connection between the university and Indiana's entrepreneur community" Kuratko added.

The Kelley entrepreneurship major was recently ranked first in the nation among undergraduate business programs in public schools by U.S. News & World Report.

SWEAT is sponsored by the Kelley Association of Women MBAs, Undergraduate Women in Business, the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Dye Speaker Series.

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