The National Women’s Leadership Summit

The National Women’s Leadership Summit (NWLS), organized by the Louisiana Center for         Women and Government housed at Nicholls State University, is a three-day gathering of women leaders  who will participate in dynamic roundtable discussions about energy and environmental issues.

Established in 2009 to promote the different perspectives of women from across the country, the Summit has quickly grown to become a benchmark of the influence of women’s voices in public policy.  The NWLS in Arkansas will focus on finding a pragmatic approach to balancing our energy needs while protecting the environment.  
       
Participants will be women of achievement whose ability to bring relevance and timeliness to the  discussion will result in a Women’s Leadership Compact.  The Compact will outline a policy roadmap for addressing energy and environmental issues.  By signing the Compact, Summit attendees will demonstrate their interest in advancing policy change at the local, state and national level. 

The Summit begins with a Welcome Reception on Thursday, September 9th followed by a full day of panel discussions and a luncheon keynote address on Friday, September 10th by entertainer and actress Naomi Judd. 

The final day will culminate with a closing presentation by the event’s Honorary Co-Chairs U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA).  The Senators will review the components of the Compact and incorporate them into their presentation remarks about the future of energy and environmental policy.  

Panelists include:
April Ambrose, Viridian
Kay Arnold, Entergy
Sandra Byrd, Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
Claire LaFrance, Ecological Conservation Organization
Sarah Lyle, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Institute for 21st Energy

Mary Landry, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral, federal on-site coordinator of the Gulf Coast oil spill
Martha Jane Murray, Clinton Climate Initiative
Tiffany Rogers, Arkansas House of Representatives
Suzanne Watson, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Kathy Webb, Arkansas House of Representatives

For more information or to register, visit www.nationalwomensleadershipsummit.com