Furman University\u00a0Women\u2019s Leadership Institute is kicking off its inaugural conference on Jan. 13 with Aphrodite Konduros, judge of the S.C. Court of Appeals, as the headliner.<\/p>\n
Konduros, a member of the South Carolina and Greenville Bar and a member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on the Profession and the S.C. Senate Judiciary Sentencing Reform Commission, is a natural for the conference, said Victoria Kirby, director of Furman\u2019s Center for Corporate and Professional Development and the Women\u2019s Leadership Institute.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe believes in what we\u2019re doing, in women\u2019s issues, in promoting and celebrating women,\u201d Kirby said.<\/p>\n
The conference, sponsored by the Center for Corporate and Professional Development, gives women in the top rank of leadership at their corporations or organizations a chance to meet others in the same position.\u00a0Up to 40 senior women leaders from South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina are expected to attend, and the conference is open nationwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been in corporate America for a long time,\u201d said Kirby, a 2003 Furman alumna\u00a0who helped build a communications company. \u201cIt can be very lonely at the top. The glass ceiling does exist. There aren\u2019t as many top female leaders\u201d as male leaders. The conference will \u201cbring successful, strong women together and provide connections outside their companies.”<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to be with each other, encourage each other, network with each other,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The women attending \u201chave risen to the senior level. We try to give them an environment so they can mentor others\u201d and groom new leaders, she said.<\/p>\n
Women can be nominated to attend the conference or can self-nominate. Well over 100 nominations were received for the 2015 conference, she said.<\/p>\n
When calling for nominations, Kirby said, \u201cWe live in an increasingly global society and are faced with economic, political, and cultural challenges. Now, more than ever, we need inspired leaders\u2014women who can be transformative in business, politics, and communities. The Institute is looking for women who have demonstrated successful leadership, community involvement, and have a desire to help others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once nominated, prospective attendees fill out an application and send in their resume.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very competitive process,\u201d Kirby said. She and the Institute\u2019s board of directors then evaluate the applications. Criteria include being a senior leader in their organization, demonstrating leadership, being active in community service, and being willing to assist other women.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very important to be well-rounded,\u201d she said, and all aspects of an applicant are considered.<\/p>\n
The January 13 conference begins with an evening orientation and kickoff that includes a cocktail reception and a dinner. In addition to the speaker, the women will participate in team-building exercises at the Younts Center on Furman\u2019s campus. The remaining sessions will be lunch meetings on Feb. 10, March 3, March 17, and April 7. Graduation will be an evening session on April 28 with Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Furman\u2019s President, as the keynote speaker.<\/p>\n
The sessions will each include a speaker for about an hour followed by a corporate education forum that will bring in Furman faculty and other experts from throughout the country, Kirby said. Each forum will focus on a specific topic, which the participants have expressed interest. All will be geared toward leadership and all will be interactive.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince we\u2019re an academic institution, this is truly professional development\u201d and the participants will earn continuing education credits.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes a lot of time to leave your job and attend a conference,\u201d she said. The continuing education credits are a concrete result of that commitment.<\/p>\n