CAMARILLO — According to Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), there are 13 million U.S. businesses owned by women, representing 42% of all American businesses. And a 2024 Wells Fargo Newsroom report indicated that women-owned businesses surged at almost double the rate of men’s from 2019-2023.
Local women business owners who are a part of this nationwide sisterhood or others in the business community who support women business owners can enjoy a day of inspiration and networking from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 8 on the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) campus at the inaugural “Women’s Business Conference 2024” co-hosted by CSUCI and the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA).
The conference is being held on International Women’s Day and will include workshops on negotiation, the intergenerational workforce and inspiration from ParkMyFleet Chief Innovation Officer Kristin Slanina, who will deliver a keynote speech around lunchtime.
“She was chosen because she has a great background in leadership in STEM-focused fields, with a focus in the automotive industry and transportation,” said Dean of the CSUCI Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics Sue Andrzejewski. “When we chose our speakers and panelists, it was with the thought: ‘What does a diverse, inclusive lineup look like?’”
The day will begin with a continental breakfast followed by a welcome from CSUCI President Richard Yao and WVCBA President and CEO Nancy Lindholm. Next will be an Intergenerational Panel Discussion moderated by Montecito Bank & Trust and CEO Janet Garufis to gain insights on at least four generations working together in the 21st century: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.
“I know in my case I have some challenges knowing the best way to manage some of my team members,” said Lindholm (a baby boomer). “The more we can understand where each generation is coming from, what they’ve been exposed to and what they expect, the easier it is for us.”
Just before lunch is a negotiations workshop with leadership development and executive coach Gloria M. Miele, Ph.D.
Keynote speaker Kristin Slanina will cover a range of topics centered on what it was like to excel for the last 30 years in the male-dominated automotive industry. Before she joined ParkMyFleet, Slanina’s expertise in the future of American mobility allowed to her succeed at several companies involved in emerging automotive technology.
In 2016, she was named one of the “60 Who is Steering Self-Driving Vehicles” by Automotive News and makes it a priority to mentor other women in business.
The closing address will be from District 5 Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez, who was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill the seat vacated by the untimely passing of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez in August of 2022. Lopez was an Oxnard City Councilmember from 2018-2022 and named to the 2023 “40 under 40” list by the Pacific Coast Business Times.
“This conference is open to anyone in the community,” Andrzejewski said. “And we have sponsorships to support up to 40 CSUCI students of any major to attend. We are intentionally placing two students at each table. This is a great professional opportunity for our students to meet and learn from mentors in our community.”
Cost of the conference is $120 a person. To register for the event or explore sponsorship opportunities, visit: Women’s Business Conference 2024.
The 2024 Women’s Business Conference is sponsored by Title Sponsors CBIZ Women’s Advantage and Kaiser Permanente; Major Sponsor The Port of Hueneme; Supporting Sponsors AMR and Gold Coast Ambulance, CSU Channel Islands Foundation, The Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, KeVita, Inc. – Tropicana Brands Group, and Marketing Maven; Program Sponsor UCLA Health; and Media Sponsor Pacific Coast Business Times.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS — California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is Ventura County’s only public university and opened in 2002 as the 23rd campus in the CSU system serving the regions of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles counties, as well as the entire state. CSUCI is located between Camarillo and the Oxnard Plain, midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles and 25 miles north from Malibu.
The campus is nestled against the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and is a 10-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean. With more than 5,600 students, 24,500 alumni, and 1,000 employees, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education with more than 90 academic degrees, teaching credentials, certificates, and professional and community programs.
Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI’s Social Media.
The University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs, events and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the respective area below as soon as possible, but no later than seven (7) business days prior to the event/activity:
CSUCI Students: accommodations@csuci.edu
CSUCI Employee and members of the public: angela.portillo@csuci.edu