Highlighting professional women in business of all industries, the Pamplin School of Business is holding the Women in Business Showcase on March 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Portland Art Museum as part of the school’s Education Series. This event aims to offer meaningful takeaways for both students and other business women in their careers by inspiring and motivating them. Despite many events being canceled due to the novel coronavirus, this showcase will go as planned.
This event will feature women of various backgrounds who are of C-suite. The panelists will also be featuring UP alumni such as Lena Wittler ‘03, Janet Campbell ‘98, and Emcee/Moderator, Katherine Phillips Durham ‘88. It will be an interactive panel where everyone is free to ask questions.
“It’s a very uplifting event,” Lilia Grundy, director of graduate recruitment and corporate sponsorship said. “We had wonderful feedback from attendees last year that ultimately encouraged us to continue this event this year because it was just such a great feeling. We wanted to keep that momentum going.”
The questions posed to the panelists will highlight each of their own unique, personal journeys. They’ll talk about topics such as managing family life, whether or not they’ve had children and the many challenges they had to overcome to reach the top.
This event serves as a platform for all businesswomen in the United States. As of now, men still dominate as CEOs. Only 6% of CEO spots are held by women, unchanged from 2018.
“We are really highlighting that high-level C executive women in business,” Grundy said. “There are hundreds of events out there and even more women events. But this one is different in that we are spotlighting the women that have made it to the top. And it’s so important because they are becoming our role models and letting the next generation know you can get there too.”
The event will include a hosted reception (hors d'oeuvres, wine), a networking reception, and vendor tables.
University of Portland students are offered free admission by using the code: student20. General admission is $35. Tickets are selling fast — 276 out of 300 tickets have already been sold as of March 10.
“It’s never too early or too late to begin networking, you should always seek mentorship, and I think there's great opportunity for the next generation of working women in business,” Grundy said.
Tessa Rodgers is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at rodgerst21@up.edu.
