Susan L. Taylor is synonymous with Essence magazine, one of the most celebrated African-American owned business success stories of the past three decades.She was fashion and beauty editor, editor-in-chief and editorial director. For 27 years, she authored one of the magazine's most popular columns, "In the Spirit."

She was the first and only African-American woman to be recognized by the Magazine Publishers of America with the Henry Johnson Fisher Award, the industry's highest honor. She is the recipient of the NAACP President's Award for visionary leadership and has honorary degrees from more than a dozen colleges and universities.

Taylor is the author of two books: In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L. Taylor, Lessons in Living and Confirmation: The Spiritual Wisdom That Has Shaped Our Lives. She is currently completing a third book, All About Love, which draws from 25 years of her "In the Spirit" column.

As a speaker, Taylor delivers inspiring messages of hope and possibility to encourage us to reclaim and reorient our lives and society, and create peaceful, productive and sustainable communities.

Christine Todd Whitman is the president of the Whitman Strategy Group, a consulting firm that specializes in government relations, energy and environmental issues.She is the author of the New York Times best seller, It's My Party Too (2005).

Gov. Whitman founded a political action committee by the same name, and in 2007 merged that PAC with the Republican Leadership Council (RLC). The RLC supports fiscally conservative and socially tolerant candidates.

President George W. Bush tapped Gov. Whitman to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from January of 2001 until June of 2003.She was the 50^th Governor of the State of New Jersey, serving as its first woman governor from 1994 until 2001.

Gov. Whitman continues to serve the citizens of the United States.She is a board member of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which oversees U.S. foreign aid to developing nations based on policies to encourage sustainable economic growth and responsible government.

Breakouts:

• Conversations at the Top (Senior Leader Session 9:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.)

The world is always changing, and Chris Clarke-Epstein helps audiences become masters of that change.Clarke-Epstein has created presentations that inspire audiences to look at their world from a fresh perspective.Then, she shows how to apply new knowledge, and make changes necessary to grow as a leader.

She understands how adults learn.Her audiences get specific take-aways from investing time with her—what she calls ROA, or Return on Attention.

Clarke-Epstein has written or contributed to nine books;her most recent, 78 Important Questions Every Leader Should Ask and Answer, challenges readers to expand their understanding of what being a leader means and requires.

As a professional speaker for more than 20 years, Clarke-Epstein's sessions are always a compilation of high content, purposeful activities, interactions—and fun.

Breakouts:

• LeaderSmart: Illuminating Women's Way of Leading (9:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.)
• Staying Smart: Learn the Most Important Game of the Future (3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)

Paula Jagemann is Director of eCommerce Industries, a $30 million software company she founded in 1988.The company's software focuses on accounting and inventory management for small-to-medium sized businesses in office products and other reseller-intense industries.Jagemann recognized the opportunity for a new company, raised $89 million in venture capital, and grew revenue from zero to $31 million.The company now has a dominant position in the software vertical markets where eCommerce Industries operates, serving 2,500 customers who rely on its software to transact business.

As Founder and CEO of OnlineOfficeSupplies.com (1998-2000), Jagemann took the first pure-play office products dealer online and grew revenues from zero to $20 million per year in just 18 months.

In 2006, Jagemann was added to the Kauffman Foundation's e-venturing web portal for entrepreneurs as an Editorial Entrepreneurial Advisor.Previously, she served as a Board Member for The National Committee for Entrepreneurship, funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

She graduated Cum Laude from Hood College with a B.A. in Economics.

Breakouts:

• Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship (9:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.)
• Branching Out: Ways to Grow Your Business (1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.)

Dr. Ellen Levy is the founding Managing Director at Silicon Valley Connect, where she works with large corporations, startup companies and entrepreneurs on technology trends and opportunities for innovation.

She also develops strategic business initiatives for the social networking company LinkedIn, is the Network Advisor for venture capital company Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and just completed her tenure as a Deputy Chair for the 2007 Clinton Global Initiative.

Levy received her Ph.D. from Stanford University, where she studied human-computer interaction and how people navigate and process information.At Stanford, she spearheaded a program that facilitated collaboration between the University research community, Silicon Valley and industry partners.

As a consultant, advisor and speaker, Levy advocates new models for productive interactions between universities and industry.She stresses the importance of understanding the impact and opportunities derived from technological innovation and entrepreneurship.She also focuses on innovation ecosystems and professional social networks.

Breakouts:

• Use Social Networking to Your Professional Advantage (9:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.)
• Conversations at the Top (Senior Leader Session 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
• Use Social Networking to Your Professional Advantage (3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)

Ann Pardo, M.S., is Director of Behavioral Health at Canyon Ranch, Tucson AZ. Pardo's interest is in human beings as composites of spiritual, social and physical behaviors, thoughts and feelings.

With more than 20 years' experience in therapeutic interventions, she remains passionate about finding creative solutions for common problems.Her areas of special interest include stress management, spirituality, depression, body image, relationships, and creativity.

Pardo has a master's degree in counseling from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, as well as a bachelor's degree in dance therapy from Columbia College of Chicago. Pardo is also certified in gerontology and is an American Counseling Association approved clinical supervisor.

Pardo is a judge for screenplay competitions, a published writer and a gifted presenter.

Breakouts:

• Your Body Being Itself (10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.)

Marian Salzman is one of the world's leading futurists/trendspotters. Britain's Independent newspaper awarded her a perfect 10-for-10 rating for trend predictions in January 2006.She is executive vice president, chief marketing officer for America's largest and oldest advertising firm, J. Walter Thompson (JWT).

Salzman is credited with spotting cultural trends, including the rise of "singletons" and "metrosexuality." In 2005, she coined the buzzword, "ubersexual," to describe the new male ideal.

Prior to joining JWT, she was president of Young & Rubicam's Intelligence Factory, the company's global think tank.In the early 1990s, when she was only 30, she founded Cyberdialogue, the first online market research company in the world.

Salzman is author or co-author of more than a dozen books on topics ranging from cultural shifts to current affairs to the youth market and the commercial workplace.She is an alumna of Brown University, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University

Breakouts:

• Consumer Zeitgeist (10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.)

Mary Shapiro is an Assistant Professor at the Simmons School of Management, Boston, MA, where she has served on the faculty for more than 10 years.She is an instructor in the MBA program, teaching Communication Strategies, Team Leadership, and Career Strategies.

Shapiro has designed and delivered executive programs for the Simmons School of Management, specializing in four areas: teams, communicating in a diverse and virtual environment, personal effectiveness and influence, and strategic career management for women.

She developed The Communication Styles Diagnostic, a tool that has been used by thousands of managers to improve their effectiveness with individuals and teams.She has co-authored two books: I've Got a Job Interview, Now What? (2003)and Take Charge of Your Career (2005).

In her 20 years as a consultant and executive trainer, Shapiro has worked with executives from Fortune 500 companies and other organizations, such as Merck Pharmaceuticals and Harvard University, to develop infrastructure and skills competencies critical to teaching their organizational goals.She has created and delivered seminars on public speaking, team strategies and leadership.

Breakouts:

• Changing Career Paradigms (9:05 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.)
• Credibility and Authority for Women Speakers (10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

Gina Schreck is founder and president of two Colorado companies that focus on improving communication and developing that elusive quality we call charisma in leaders and individuals.She is "Cheerman of the Bored" for the Pinnacle Group, and directs SchreckTalk Keynotes, both of which she founded in 1995.

She has spent more than a decade explaining to audiences how to lead successful teams, improve relationships, reduce stress, and feel more energized.She also helps people and organizations improve their presentation and communication skills.Schreck knows that great presenters connect with audiences, and individuals who present themselves with confidence get ahead with co-workers and customers.

Schreck is a popular keynote speaker.Besides being a member of the National Speaker's Association, she is currently the president of the NSA's Colorado organization.

Schreck has written numerous communications books, including 10 Steps to Become a Pessimist:A Humorous Look at Attitudes!, and a soon-to-be-released book, Quit Putting People to Sleep: Presentation skills for today's sleepy work environment.

Breakouts:

• Survivor: Dynamic Team Skills to Survive and Thrive (1:30 p.m. -2:45 p.m.)
• Practicing Safe Stress (3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)

Using the principles he teaches today, Ed Tate became the 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking.Out of 175,000 members of Toastmasters International, Mr. Tate won the recognition - Toastmasters' highest award.

This internationally known keynote speaker has earned a reputation as a speaker who energizes, educates and entertains.He has spoken professionally in 46 states and 12 countries.

Tate is also a successful trainer and author.He worked with seminar company CareerTrack, where he often was booked for 100 presentations annually.He later became the Training Executive for the Denver Rocky Mountain News, where he established that company's training department.He created 27 programs to train more than 1,100 employees annually.In 2001, Tate led the transition team that combined that newspaper with its rival, The Denver Post, in a merger that involved more than 5,000 people.

As an author, Tate co-authored Motivational Selling—Advice on Selling Effectively, Staying Motivated and Being a Peak Sales Producer.He co-produced two CD audio albums, Speaking Secrets of the Champions and Connect with Any Audience.

Breakouts:

• Magnetic Selling (10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
• Making Managers Into Leaders (3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.)