BY HEATHER GOYETTE
UCLA Today
The UCLA Alumni Association is sponsoring its
first major women’s conference on Nov. 9 to address such
critical issues as health care, philanthropy, financial planning,
family planning and balancing work and home life.
Successful women — including California
state Sen. Sheila Kuehl ’62; Patricia Ganz M.D. ’73,
director of the Jonsson Cancer Center, Division of Cancer Prevention
and Control Research; and Rosina Becerra, associate vice chancellor
for faculty diversity — will share their thoughts and
strategies, describing the diverse paths administrators, faculty
and alumnae have taken into the world beyond UCLA.
“UCLA Women Leading the Way: Connecting
and Honoring the Past, Present and Future” also gives
participants the chance to share stories with each other and
expand personal and professional networks.
“Call it a girl thing, but women have
to create their own networks,” said Jennifer Openshaw
’88, M.B.A. ’98, conference chair and founder of
Women’s Financial Network, Inc. “There is no more
powerful network than UCLA’s own when it comes to helping
those who have passed through our distinguished university.”
Openshaw, who will deliver the keynote welcome
address, is the author of “What’s Your Net Worth?
Click Your Way to Wealth.” A conversation with “Oprah
Winfrey Show” producer Kandi Amelon ’89 —
during which the two talked about their special connection as
UCLA communication studies majors — not only helped Openshaw
land on the popular TV talk show, but also prompted her realization
of the importance of networking, she said.
“Connections like that can make all the
difference in a woman’s life,” Openshaw said. “Whether
we’re climbing the corporate ladder or trying to figure
out how to balance work and family, connections to each other
can teach us how to get ahead or simply how to stay sane.”
Held in Ackerman Union and the James West Alumni
Center, the conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost
is $50 for Alumni Association members and $75 for others. For
more information or to register, visit www.UCLAlumni.net/info/WomensConference,
or contact Dana Valentino at (310) 206-0609 or DanaV@UCLAlumni.net.
