LATROBE, PA — The Institute for Supply Management (ISM)-Pittsburgh Inc.’s 7th annual Women Who Lead Conference will be held on Nov. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Fred M. Rogers Center on the campus of Saint Vincent College.
ISM-Pittsburgh will co-host the conference with SVC and co-sponsor the event with the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. The day is curated for women but inclusive for all. Prospective attendees include both undergraduate and graduate students, emerging and experienced professionals, entrepreneurs and academicians.
“Everyone is welcome, and everyone will benefit from attendance,” said Lisa Romango, ISM-Pittsburgh executive director. “Our pillars of the conference are leadership, engagement, opportunity and networking, and we want everyone to have exposure to these pillars and to feel empowered at the end of the day.”
While ISM-Pittsburgh’s focus is on supply chain and purchasing issues, Dr. Michael Urick, dean of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government at SVC, said the sessions will be general enough to be appreciated by individuals from a variety of industries.
“I’ve been involved with this conference since it began and really like how it has grown over the years,” said Urick, a former ISM-Pittsburgh board member and president. “The speakers are always great, but I enjoy how the attendees and speakers interact with each other so positively throughout the day. It is a great learning experience.”
The conference offers a variety of presenters, including Dr. Dana Winters, C’06, vice president for enrollment and student success at Saint Vincent College, who will present “The Journey to Leadership and Success.”
“My hope is that every woman walks away with a sense of confidence and a reminder of the strength she already carries,” Winters said. “Leadership isn’t about status or title. It’s about the courage and commitment to invest in the growth of others.”
The event will also feature a panel of Saint Vincent’s Women in Business students.
“The intent of the day is for attendees to learn from dynamic, energetic and engaging individuals who speak on their personal and professional challenges, opportunities and success in the world of procurement—and far beyond,” said Romango, who noted a prime goal is to have attendees feeling equipped to be “better in life and work.”
“I hope that attendees get a sense of the opportunities and also challenges that are unique for women in leadership roles in order to help them become even more effective influencers and decision makers,” Urick said.
While the McKenna School has long been involved with the Women Who Lead Conference as a sponsor and through attendance, this year’s gathering will be the first one hosted at Saint Vincent College.
“I’m very excited to bring this conference here,” Urick said.
Additional presentations include “The Shadow You Cast: Leading with Impact and Intention” with Barbara Bobula, vice president of patient experience at Allegheny Health Network; “Swift Leadership: A Taylor-Made Approach to Influence and Decision Making” with Dr. Mariah Yates, an associate professor in the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University; and “Beyond the Business Card: Building Meaningful Connections that Last” with Briana Tomack, president and CEO of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The registration deadline is Nov. 6. Additional information can be found online at ISM-Pittsburgh. SVC students, staff and faculty are admitted free of charge. Group discounts of five attendees or more are available. To register for the conference (even if you only plan to attend part of the day), email Lisa Romango or call 412-400-4731.
