Women's Professional Development Conference
03.25.2007 —Headliners include Jane Fonda, Shelly Lazarus, and Luma Mufleh
Bay Path College will hold its 13th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference (WPDC) on Thursday, May 1, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. This year’s theme will focus on Authenticity, with keynote speakers Jane Fonda, Shelly Lazarus, and Luma Mufleh.
Jane Fonda, award-winning actress and humanitarian, has for more that six decades led a life that has been on the center stage and in the public eye. Daughter of famed American actor, Henry Fonda, she is equally known for her considerable acting talent as she is for her involvement in social change. A two-time Oscar winner for her roles in Klute (1971) and Coming Home (1978), she has received acclaim for her performances in The China Syndrome, Nine to Five, On Golden Pond, and The Dollmaker. A committed political and environmental activist, since 1994 she has been the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund, and is also a board member of the Women & Foreign Policy Advisory Committee of the Council on Foreign Relations, Women’s Media Center, and V-Day: Until the Violence Stops. Recently, Ms. Fonda released her memoir, My Life So Far, which with candor and eloquence chronicles her life and achievements, as well as her personal journey to lead an authentic life.
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Shelly Lazarus has been in the advertising, marketing, and communications arena for more than three decades. Under her leadership, Ogilvy & Mather has implemented the 360 Degree Brand Stewardship® principles that have guided successful campaigns for such notable companies as IBM, Kodak, American Express, and, most recently, Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty. Using nontraditional advertising methods and creative ways of communicating, the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty has quickly emerged as a breakthrough marketing effort that is known for promoting brand awareness and its adherence to authenticity.
Luma Mufleh, community activist and social entrepreneur, is also the inspirational coach for the Georgia-based Fugees—short for refugees—a team comprised of young players from over 17 war-torn countries. An immigrant from Jordan and a graduate of Smith College, Luma first noticed the group playing barefoot at their apartment complex. She stopped to join the game and soon found her role evolving from occasional player to coach to advocate for the needs of the players and their families struggling to find their way in America. In time, she closed her business and founded Fugees Family. The nonprofit organization provides tutoring, assistance with housing, and health and educational programming for refugee families beginning anew in America. The success of Luma’s programs has led to a book and movie contract with Universal Studios to tell the Fugees story.
In addition to the keynote speakers, the day features breakout sessions, book signings, a vendor showcase, and networking opportunities. Each year, the WPDC attracts over 1,000 participants from all over the region and is one of the premiere events in the area. The Conference has also attracted leading area and national sponsors because of its continued commitment to relevant and educational topics.
For further information on the Conference and to register, go to www.baypath.edu. Registration and information is also available by calling 413.565.1293 or toll free at 1.800.782.7284, ext. 1293, or e-mail wpdc@baypath.edu.
Bay Path is a four-year private college with an enrollment of over 1600 students at its Longmeadow campus, and satellite campuses in Sturbridge/Charlton (MA) and Burlington (MA). The College offers undergraduate degrees for women; graduate degrees for men and women; and Bay Path Online, the College’s online center offering graduate degrees and certificates.
