Million Dollar Women Symposium to Focus on Non-Profit Leaders

Popular Enterprise Center event scheduled for November 9th

SALEM, Mass., Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Enterprise Center at Salem State University has just announced the details of its seventh annual Million Dollar Women Symposium. This frequently sold-out event will take place at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem on Wednesday, November 9th with two new features: First, the panelists will be women who have founded or who lead non-profit organizations with budgets of $1 million or more. Second, the format has been modified to include a full breakfast rather than lunch and to conclude by 11:30 a.m., at the request of previous attendees.

Laura Swanson, the Enterprise Center's COO, explained this year's theme. "Non-profit organizations contribute to the local economy and this year the non-profit focus is an opportune one. At a time when organizations of all types are struggling, non-profits face extraordinary pressures and need strong, capable leaders to guide them. These women have proven they have what it takes. And they show other women how they, too, can succeed in the non-profit world."

The high-powered panel will include Margo Casey, Executive Director, North Shore United Way; Tiziana Dearing, CEO, Boston Rising; Annie Harris, Executive Director, Essex National Heritage Commission; Lynn Margherio, Founder and CEO, Cradles to Crayons; and Dr. Patricia Maguire Meservey, President, Salem State University. Additional information on the program and participants is available at www.enterprisectr.org.

The popularity of the Million Dollar Women Symposium, which has been sponsored every year by the Beverly Cooperative Bank, can be traced in part to the rare opportunity it presents for aspiring business women to hear firsthand how these women achieved success, to ask them questions, and to benefit from the advice they share. Attendees routinely use words like "empowering" and "inspiring" to describe this event, commenting on how much they appreciate panelists' willingness to speak of the personal as well as professional challenges they've experienced in their work life. Prior panelists often return to the symposium year after year.

This year's symposium should be no different.  As Christine Sullivan, CEO of the Enterprise Center, remarked, "Many women are drawn to the non-profit world; some spend their entire working lives there, while others transition to this arena after a career in for-profit businesses. We wanted to showcase women who have been successful in this demanding arena.  They face the same business challenges as leaders of for-profit businesses, not to mention the unique issues confronting organizations financially dependent on others in order to fulfill their mission."

Due to the popularity of the symposium, early registration is encouraged.   The program, including a full breakfast, costs $30 prior to October 28th, $35 after that date.   Special rates for tables of eight are also available. Register at www.enterprisectr.org or by calling 978-542-7528.   

The Enterprise Center at Salem State University is the "go to" place for business owners at every stage of business development, providing business owners with the knowledge and skills to grow profits and succeed and serving as the voice of the small business community through advocacy and action.  The Enterprise Center is located at 121 Loring Avenue, Salem, MA  01970.  Phone 978-542-7528. www.enterprisectr.org.

SOURCE Enterprise Center at Salem State University