Women's Leadership Conference to be held in Joburg

QualityLife Company is delighted that for the second year running the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and SAfm are throwing their weight behind this initiative. In addition, they're pleased to announce new partnerships with Women 24 and the UCT Graduate School of Business. (GSB)

Debby Edelstein, women's leadership consultant and co-founder of Quality-Life Company, initiated the conference - now in its 7th year - which has become well known for boasting a slew of accomplished women leaders as keynote speakers and on its panels within a warm, informal environment.

Some of the confirmed speakers for 2012 include: Phylicia Oppelt, editor of The Times newspaper; Phuti Malabie, CEO Shanduka Group; Lauren Siebrits, CEO of IFFCO and Rapelang Rabane CEO of Yeigo.

Internationally acclaimed speakers

Two internationally acclaimed speakers and authors will join the conference via video link-in from the UK and the US: Lynne Franks, author of The Seed Handbook: The Feminine Way To Create Business and Dr Elizabeth Debold, gender and women's leadership expert who has lectured at Harvard.

From the comfort of the IDC venue, delegates will be able to enjoy a combination of presentations, panel discussions, group dialogue processes and informal networking sessions. This combination provides the context for women to discover their own leadership potential and make sure that they can reap the rewards in their personal lives and within their organisations.

At the conference a number of relevant topics will be explored including:

• Shaping the Future - what you need to know now to leave a legacy
  
• "I don't know how she does it" - the elusive quest for work-life balance
  
• A place at the table - strategies in mastering organisational politics
  
• Upstander or Bystander? Why the world needs more superheroes
  
• Personal and Career Development: What you need to do to take charge
  
• Awaken the entrepreneur within: (and its lesser-known daughter, "intrapreneurship")
  
• Using blogging to make your voice heard - powerfully, sustainably, credibly
  
• Taking a fresh look at innovation - what it is, how to drive it, where to find it

The conference has established a reputation over the years for showcasing musical talent as well as speaking talent. This year blues musician Kathy Raven and the Diamond Quartet will provide musical interludes.

Registration is now open, and group discounts and special rates for NGOs and small businesses are available. To find out more, call Lizzy Mafalo on +27 (0)1) 880 9749 or email az.oc.efilytilauq@yzzil with the subject line 'WLC' with your query.