2014 Professional Women's Leadership Event
The annual Professional Women's Leadership Event (previously known as the Business & Professional Women’s Colloquium) has become a community tradition and one of the most talked about women’s social events of the year. The 2014 event took place on April 16 and was a great success!
The award for 2014 Business Professional Woman of the Year was given to Julie Eckstrom, First Farmers and Merchants Bank. The other nominees were Dee Whipple of Musty-Barnhart Agency, Patty Brown of the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce, Julie Peterson of Sargent's Nursery, Tracy Kirchner of Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical and Cyndi Smith of Edina Realty.
According to the Red Wing Republican Eagle, Julie Eckstrom joined First Farmers and Merchants Bank in 2003 as a teller. She quickly rose to customer service representative, commercial lending assistant and business banking officer. She works alongside Brett Elford, the bank president, who said, "Our business portfolio has grown due to Julie's hard work in setting up deposit accounts, making loans, dealing with the day-to-day issues of the client and documentation preparation."
Check out our Facebook photo album for pictures from the event, including the Expo,lunch, fashion show and keynote speaker Jessica Miles.
The 2014 schedule:
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Business Expo: Over 28 businesses featured with products and services of interest to women! Check out our Facebook page for up-to-date vendors that will be in attendance. This is also a great time to network with other business and professional women!
12:15 p.m. Luncheon Buffet & Fashion Show A scrumptious "Taste of Italy" luncheon buffet with decadent chocolate desserts will be served. A spring fashion show will entertain over the lunch hour, presenting the newest fashions which will include business and business casual wear.
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Business Professional Woman of the Year Award
A special awards ceremony honoring all nominees with the presentation to the "Business Professional Woman of the Year." Nominees will receive recognition with a special gift and certificate. The winner will receive a prize package valued at over $300 compliments of Express Employment Professionals.
2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Keynote Speaker Jessica Miles: "Finding the Balance Between Work and Play"
As a busy mom to three children, all under the age of four, and as a working professional with a high-demand job as a television anchor and reporter, Jessica Miles is always striving to find the balance between work and "life." Balance in her professional career in a high-stress industry, and balance at home dealing with challenging family dynamics. It’s a constant work in progress. Hear her tips on how to succeed at both, gleaned from the thousands of interviews she has done with high-profile politicians, to business executives, and stay at home moms. Her inside advice on how to make it all work is motivating and inspiring.