Women’s Leadership Conference hosted more than 500

More than 500 people attended the 8th annual Women’s Leadership Conference held April 4 at Arkansas State University. The event, hosted by the Women’s Leadership Collaborative and the Women’s Business Leadership Center (WBLC), is held to empower and encourage individuals in the workforce.

“I attended in the past and learned from some things from amazing speakers that I apply to my life today,” said attendee Kennidi Ridgell, community liaison with the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Keynote speaker Patricia Riddlebarger, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Entergy Corporation, shared insights about ways attendees can reach their full potential.

“My goal for today is for you to feel uplifted and energized,“ said Riddlebarger.

Entergy is a Fortune 500 energy company and has more than 12,000 employees and 3 million customers across the southeastern U.S., including most of Arkansas.

During her keynote address, Riddlebarger introduced a series of leadership lessons with women to help them along the way in life and in their professional futures.

“There will be times when we face challenges and there will be times when we try and fail, but you cannot give up,“ said Riddlebarger.

A variety of breakout sessions featuring females in leadership positions provided different opportunities for attendees to learn from other women.

“I love all of the great energy coming out of all of A-State’s women’s programs,” said Stephanie White, mayor of Keo.

“You can volunteer. You can become a mentor. You can form your own circle of women,“ added Riddlebarger.

The first conference was held in 2015. It wasn’t held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.