Women Entrepreneur Panel

1. CRAIN’SFIFTHANNUAL
CRAIN’S
BUSINESS
FORUM
SMALL
Women Business Owners Tell All
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
The Mid America Club 20 East Randolph, 80th Floor Chicago, IL 60601
RSVP by Friday, February 22 Continental breakfast will be served.
What is the single greatest business challenge women face today?
Hear from a panel of women business owners share their greatest
business challenges and how they tackle the on-going necessity of
growing their business.
Issues facing small businesses are numerous but here we focus on
these key factors:
How to close more deals Effectively promote and market
Workforce management your business
Building relationships Ways to increase your cash flow
Thomas Mucha, Assisting Managing Editor, Crain’s Chicago Business
Mr. Mucha oversees Crain’s Chicago Business’ award-winning Focus
section, covering the small business sector monthly. He also produces
Entrepreneurs in Action, a monthly video series that brings life to Chicago’s
most innovative, successful and interesting small businesses.
SESSION MODERATOR
Deborah Chambers Chima, President and CEO, Chambers Consulting Group, Ltd.
After a 24-year career in the retail industry, and over 20 years with McDonald’s
Corporation, Ms. Chima founded her organizational consulting, diversity
training and coaching firm to drive professionals and organizations toward
greater heights through the power of leadership development and team
dynamics. Clients include Navistar International, Shell Oil, Sears Holding
Company, Lowes and McDonald’s Corporation. Ms. Chima is the 2007-2008
President of the National Association of Women Business Owners. She was
recognized by Premier International Who’s Who Registry of Outstanding
Professionals in 2007-2008 and was a 2006 recipient of the Business
Ledger Influential Women in Business Award.
PANEL SPEAKERS
Leslie Lancry, President and Founder, Language Stars
Ms. Lancry founded Language Stars in 1998, and the company has grown
to offer programming to over 4,500 children across Chicagoland at its
7 proprietary learning centers as well as within 60 elementary schools.
The company’s future expansion plans involve replication of its model
nation-wide. Before founding Language Stars, Leslie was manager of
strategic planning for Disney Consumer Products in Europe and previously
worked as a management consultant at Bain & Co. in France, Germany,
Russia, the United Kingdom and the U.S. She was recognized as one of
Crain’s 40 Under 40 in 2007.
Gail Ludewig, President and CEO, TotalWorks
Ms. Ludewig is a third-generation owner of TotalWorks, and has been
with the family business for more than 20 years. Through her leadership,
TotalWorks has evolved from a typesetting shop to a provider of content
production and management solutions. Prior to joining TotalWorks,
Ms. Ludewig was vice president and chief financial officer of Total
Communications Systems in Pittsburgh. She serves on the board of
directors and is a member of the executive committee of the IPA (The
Association of Graphic Solutions Providers). She also serves on the
board of directors for the Chicago Foundation for Women.
Sharon M. Weinstein, President & Founder, Core Consulting Group, LLC
Core Consulting Group partners with clients from various industries to
address critical business, operational, and human resources imperatives.
Ms. Weinstein leads the field in healthcare and wellness consulting with
numerous published articles and as the author of seven books. She is
founder of the Integrative Health Forum, an alliance of licensed healthcare
practitioners committed to creating the evidence base for wellness practice.
Ms. Weinstein was recently named an International Advisor to the
Nightingale Initiative on Global Health. She was also recognized by the
National Association of Women Business Owners as an Exceptional
Woman/Exceptional Leader for 2007 and 2008.
RESERVE YOUR PLACE AT CHICAGOBUSINESS.COM/EVENTS TODAY.
QUESTIONS? CALL (312) 280-3172.
PRESENTING SPONSOR CO-SPONSORS
TICKETS: $50 IN ADVANCE, $55 AT THE DOOR
TABLE OF TEN: $450. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!