Women of Color Task Force to host 23rd conference

By Mary Owen

The Women of Color Task Force (WCTF) will host its 23rd annual career conference 8 a.m.-4 p.m. March 4 in the Michigan League.

Hoover (Photo by John Schultz)

The large-scale career development event will feature workshops on a wide range of topics, including project management, retirement planning, skills assessment, fitness, public speaking, self-defense, dispute resolution, leadership, diversity, women's health issues, networking, and careers in research and science.

The event is open to everyone. About 600 people are expected to attend.

Toni Hoover, vice president and development site head for Pfizer Global Research and Development Michigan Laboratories in Ann Arbor, will deliver the keynote address. In her position at the world's largest research-based pharmaceuticals firm, Hoover is responsible for drug development in all research areas housed at the Ann Arbor campus.

Hoover will speak about her challenges as the only female Black vice president in Pfizer's research and development division, in addition to the importance of diversity in both academic and corporate worlds.

"I'll be discussing my journey to the ranks of senior leadership at Pfizer," Hoover says. "My story will speak to the relevance of diversity in a global industry that is based on innovation."

Hoover, a Harvard graduate, was promoted to vice president in 1998 at Warner-Lambert, a company that was acquired by Pfizer in 2000. She says it is an honor to be part of the cooperative dedication to diversity by the University and Pfizer.

"I feel that it's my responsible to continue to mentor women within the organization to ensure that I'm not the only one for much longer," she says.

The conference is organized by the WCTF, a staff organization that promotes professional development opportunities for employees and serves as a forum for discussion about the status of women of color on campus.

The conference theme is "Inclusion and Opportunity: Recognizing Everyone's Contribution." It will focus on the importance of having a skilled and diverse workforce, emphasizing the role of staff and the impact of their special contributions at the University.

"The conference focus this year is on the importance of the role of staff in achieving the University's mission," says Janice Reuben, program director for the Center for the Education of Women (CEW). "We offer staff training for different areas of their lives."

The conference will feature more than 50 professional and personal development workshops, a networking lunch for conference attendees and an exhibitor area. There also will be free massages and blood and cholesterol screenings.

Laurita Thomas, associate vice president and chief human resource officer, will participate in a newly created workshop on strategic leadership.

"Right now the conference is the single-largest event that focuses on career and professional development for staff," says Thomas, a former member of the task force. "It attracts expert speakers and provides resources and tools for enhancing staff performance and contributions to the university and to ourselves as individuals. Learning is maximized by the opportunity to dialogue and share experiences. It's a very rewarding investment of time."

In addition to Thomas, other University sponsors include Lester Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs; Carol Hollenshead, CEW director; and Susan Kaufmann, CEW associate director.

To register, fax a registration form to (734) 998-6203 before Feb. 23. Conference cost for U-M staff, faculty and students is $55 for the conference and $75 for the conference and lunch. For non-U-M participants, cost is $75 for the conference and $95 for the conference and lunch. Registration is available the day of the conference, but there will be an additional $10 fee.

For more information and a full list of workshops, visit http://www.cew.umich.edu/wctfconf.htm.