Third Annual Women’s Leadership Conference Set for March 10

This year’s Women’s Leadership Conference will feature deans across three UCR colleges in a leadership discussion, as well as keynote addresses by speakers Candace Wiest, president and CEO of West Valley Bancorp. Inc. and West Valley National Bank, and Joanna Wagner, managing director and vice president at Fidelity Investments.

All are welcome.

Breakout sessions will focus on topics relevant to women in the workplace, including, among other things: women working in government and civics; emotional intelligence at work; work-life integration; women in television; women in non-profit, and women working in male-dominated fields.

Candace Wiest, president and CEO of West Valley Bancorp. Inc. and West Valley National Bank, will be opening keynote speaker.

“When I was 21 I became a single mom of three children under four. I only had a high school diploma but I had something more powerful. A dream for a better life for me and my kids. I took that dream and broke it down into a plan that included a timeline and actions plans,” said Wiest, who became CEO of her company after only seven years in banking.

“Some people might have thought I didn’t have a chance to meet those goals, but I didn’t listen. I just outworked my critics and ran my own race,” she said. Wiest will speak about focus and gratitude on the path to success.

The event, which will also provide networking opportunities for participants, is aimed to provide advice for students and young professionals navigating the workplace. Nine breakout sessions will host 18 alumni panelists, many of whom are well established in their careers. Industries represented include everything from entertainment to government.

The conference is Saturday, March 10, and will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in HUB 302. Staff, alumni, community members, and students are encouraged to attend. Reservations may be made online. Registration fees range from $25-$30 and are free for Student Alumni Association members.

Registration includes the leadership luncheon and discussion, noon to 1:30 p.m. The luncheon will feature Milagros Peña, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Kathryn Uhrich, dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences; Emma Simmons, associate dean of Student Affairs at the School of Medicine; and Nicole Weaver-Goller, executive director of development at the School of Medicine. Discussion will focus on speakers’ professional stories, exploring how each entered higher education and what challenges they’ve conquered along the way.

* please note that this information is subject to change

Women Working in Government and Civics

Violeta Aguilar-Wyrick ’09 Field Director for the Service Employees, International Union Local 121 RN (Labor Relations)
Patricia Lock Dawson ’88 Political Advisor and Strategist, PLD Consulting; Riverside Unified School District Board of Trustees- President; two-time gubernatorial appointee to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Elizabeth Romero ’05 Assistant Vice Chancellor, Government & Community Relations, University of California, Riverside
Keona Henderson ’08 Probation Officer, County of Riverside & Founder Positive Women Meet Up LLC.

Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Candace Gruber The John Maxwell Team Certified Coach, Trainer & Speaker & Project Manager Analyst, University of California, Riverside

Work Life Integration

Jennifer Carlson ’92 Senior HR Consultant and Executive Coach, JP Carlson Consulting
Ann Oliver ’74 Vice President, Participations at Sony Pictures Entertainment
Kristi Bieber Regional Director of Development, University of California, Riverside

Women in Television

Reyna Harvey ’14 Weekend Anchor/Reporter, Sinclair Broadcast Group
Leslie Lopez ’09 Weekday morning meteorologist, ABC7 Eyewitness News
Lynn Gutstadt ’77 Managing Partner, LG Communications Consulting

Professional Networking

Karen Tom ’87 Deputy City Attorney, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office
Anna Lo ’00 CEO, Pacific Transportation Federal Credit Union & UCR Alumni Association Board Member
Marlenee Blas Pedral Student Employment Coordinator, UCR Career Center, University of California, Riverside
Sabine M Freij Associate Director of Graduate Admissions, School of Business Administration, University of California, Riverside

Building Professional Presence and Image Consulting

Bernice Maldonado ’02 Image Coach and Principle Consultant, Growing Forward

Making Social Impact: Women in Non-Profit

Claudia Sandoval ’05 Director of Donor Relations, California Art Club
Rene Jones ’92 Global Head of Philanthropy & Employee Enrichment, United Talent Agency
Janice Penner Executive Director, Riverside Downtown Partnership
Ninfa Delgado ’95 Vice President, Riverside Community Health Foundation

Women In Male Dominated Fields