Women’s Leadership Conference Comes to Prince William Nov. 14

Friday, November 2, 2012

Conference Designed to “Inspire Success” for Local Business & Community Leaders

This year’s Prince William Women’s Leadership Conference is once again designed to bring together women from throughout the region to learn from and inspire one another.  Brenda Blisk, CFP® CEO of Blisk Financial Group and Vice President of Spire Investment Partners will kick the day off with a keynote presentation on “Financial Independence for Women.” Attendees will hear from the second keynote speaker, Gail W. Johnson, RN, MS President/CEO, Rainbow Station, Inc. and PRISM, LLC, at lunch time.  Her presentation will focus on “Success: The Ability to Outrun Failure.”  An event of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, the conference was met with great enthusiasm when it debuted last year. 

“Thank you for giving us the privilege to listen to such incredible business women today,” said Luanne Lee of Gateway College Funding following the inaugural event. 

“Our planning committee has again secured inspiring speakers who have a wealth of experience and insight to draw from.  We our proud to bring this level of programming to the women of greater Prince William,” said Debbie Jones, Chief Operating Officer of the Prince William Chamber. 

Blisk ranks among the nation's leading wealth managers, named by Barron's as one of the Top 100 Women Financial Advisors in the country in 2010. Virginia Business Magazine also recognized her as one of the Top 50 Wealth Advisors in the state.  Blisk and her team are known for providing financial advice, holistic service, and personal attention to clients.  During her presentation, Blisk will draw upon her 26 years of financial experience to offer conference attendees guidance on avoiding investment pitfalls and planning for a secure retirement.  Blisk says that she has always enjoyed mentoring other women and looks forward to sharing her knowledge on this important topic.

Johnson is the founder and owner of the nationally accredited Rainbow Station early childhood education centers. The centers are set apart by having a registered nurse on hand, enabling them to offer emergency backup care for children with minor illnesses.  Johnson herself spent 40 years as a pediatric nurse.  In 1999 she created PRISM, the franchising company for Rainbow Station, which now has centers operating in Virginia, North Carolina and Texas.  Johnson has earned numerous business awards including Virginia Small Business Person of the Year and Smart Beginning’s Early Child Development Coalition Lifetime Achievement Award.

Workshops will provide information on a wide variety of topics, from “Making Networking Work for You” to “Building Your Resiliency Toolkit.”  The day closes with a social media panel discussing best practices and new trends in using this communications tool.

“The Prince William Chamber Women’s Leadership Conference is a wonderful opportunity for business leaders to gather, share ideas, network and be inspired…This event truly is a great opportunity for our community,” said Dalena Kanouse President & CEO of Management and Training Consultants, Inc (MTCI), whose company is the conference sponsor.

Patty Baisden, Vice President at QMT Windchimes, sponsor of the Women’s Leadership Series, remarked, “It is a joy to be involved with the women of Prince William County, Manassas Park, and Manassas City for this positive, empowering event.”

The conference will be held Wednesday, November 14, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Continental Event Center on Liberia Avenue in Manassas. For a full schedule or to register, visit www.pwWLC.com or call 703.368.6600.  The event is open to all; registration is $60 for Chamber members, $70 for non-members and includes access to all workshops and presentations, breakfast and lunch.  Special pricing available when registering a group of 10. 

Photo Caption:  Brenda Blisk, CFP® CEO of Blisk Financial Group and Vice President of Spire Investment Partners will take a look at “Financial Independence for Women” during her keynote speech at the Prince William Women’s Leadership Conference, taking place November 14 at the Continental Events Center.  A full list of speakers and workshops can be found at www.pwWLC.com. 

Photo Caption:  The Prince William Women’s Conference on November 14 brings women together to learn from one another, sharing strategies for business and personal success.