USF Sarasota-Manatee to host Women In Business Summit

• August 28, 2024
• Campus News, Events, Students

By Marc R. Masferrer, University Communications and Marketing

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is hosting the Women In Business Summit, presented by Bank of America, on Sept. 5, 2024. The summit will serve as a networking opportunity for students and community members interested in entrepreneurship, leadership and other business topics.

The half-day program will be held in the Campus Student Center ballroom and consist of two sessions featuring local women business leaders, including three USF alumnae. Author, leadership coach and USF alumna Julie Henry will deliver keynote remarks about the need of everyone, whether a student or a C-suite executive, to think critically about what type of leader they want to be in their careers.

Leadership, Henry said is not "a bullet point thing." It is an ongoing process requiring people to continue to learn how to lead as their circumstances change.

"I would encourage everyone to take as many leadership opportunities that they can and then filter that through their own lens," said Henry, who earned a master's degree in communication from USF. "People need to think critically and then trust their own judgement."

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with successful women professionals passionate about empowering women in the workplace. They'll also be able to discuss the latest business trends, share their experiences and gain valuable insights and strategies for career advancement.

"This event will be open to students and community members interested in opportunities to network, connect and learn from our area's leaders in business and entrepreneurship, whether they are beginning a new career, looking to make their next move, or hoping to create their own company," said Kaitlyn Kramer Reeves, associate director of development at USF Sarasota-Manatee and organizer of the summit. "For students, this will be an opportunity to network and learn from some of the best in our community, as well as opportunities to connect with companies like Bank of America to learn about internship and entry level opportunities."

"We are looking forward to this event that celebrates the achievements of women in our community and creates networking opportunities for local students," said Erik Vatter, president, Bank of America Sarasota-Manatee. "This sponsorship builds on Bank of America's longstanding efforts to support USF's mission to empower women across Sarasota-Manatee, fostering growth, opportunity and leadership in the region."

The summit is free and students are welcome to drop by the summit as their schedules allow. They do not have to stay for the full three-hour event.

See below for the full schedule and list of participants in the Women In Business Summit.

9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: Coffee and networking.

9:45 a.m. to noon: Speaker sessions.

Keynote

Julie Henry*, author and leadership coach.

Women in Leadership

• Jamie Kahns, market executive, Bank of America Sarasota-/Manatee
• Brittany Lamont*, president/CEO of Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
• Kelsey Knight*, vice president of global e-commerce, Slumberkins
• Dev Iglesias, area manager of external affairs, Florida Power and Light
• Kaitlyn Kramer Reeves (moderator), associate director of development, university advancement, USF Sarasota-Manatee

Women in Entrepreneurship

• Alex Davis*, CEO, AGA Tax and Consulting Services
• Kim Richmond, director, 26 West Entrepreneurship Center
• Neidra Thompson-Pemberton, founder/executive director, Funducation
• Monaca Onstad, founder and CEO, OnPlace and OnVie
• Heather Kosester (moderator), author and president/CEO of Invigorate Nexus Consulting Firm

* USF Alumnae

To register for the Women In Business Summit, sign up here.