DCA Announces Featured Speakers for

2011 NJ Governor's Conference for Women

Central Park Jogger Trisha Meili and Jeri Sedlar, former editor of Working Woman Magazine, Headline Conference Sessions  


 

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lori Grifa today announced that Trisha Meili, whose fight for survival after being attacked in New York City's Central Park gripped the nation, and Jeri Sedlar, a social researcher, motivational speaker and former editor of Working Woman Magazine, will headline two of the educational sessions at the 2011 NJ Governor's Conference for Women. The conference is slated for Tuesday, May 3, at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

"Trisha Meili, who turned a personal tragedy into a story of hope and possibility, and Jeri Sedlar, who's made it her life's work to promote work/life balance, personify this year's conference goal, which is to inspire women to seize opportunities and overcome adversity to accomplish their goals in life and work," Commissioner Grifa said. "Their stories are sure to capture the audience and appeal to the diverse group of women attending the conference."

The theme of the 2011 NJ Governor's Conference for Women is "Read All About It." Attendees can choose from 15 different educational sessions in such areas as career development, personal finance, healthy living, business startups and leadership. The session topics and speakers were designed to address conference participants' interests and backgrounds. It was previously announced that New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno will deliver the conference's breakfast keynote address and host a conversation with former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman about women in executive positions.

Ms. Meili is the author of the best-selling memoir I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility. She survived a near death attack in April 1989 while jogging in New York City's Central Park, overcame the trauma, and continued a successful career on Wall Street and then with the nonprofit The Bridge Fund of New York Inc. Today, Ms. Meili speaks to groups about her journey of recovery and healing and gives workshops on transforming adversity in which she offers lessons on how to manage through unpredictable change and get back on the road to life.

Ms. Sedlar is the former Editor-at-Large of Working Woman Magazine, where she worked on work/life balance and "glass ceiling" issues. She is Senior Advisor to The Conference Board on the Mature Workforce and the author of DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! 5 Steps to Fulfilling Work that Fuels Your Passion, Suits Your Personality and Fills Your Pocket and ON TARGET- Enhance Your Life and Ensure Your Success. Her research on issues associated with retirement led her to create a five-step process that helps people find new purpose, passions and work possibilities that promote healthy and productive aging.

The conference will include a networking reception on Monday, May 2, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Crown Ballroom of the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel. Also, attendees will be able to visit a day-long health fair for giveaways and free health information and screenings such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, exercise demonstrations, nutritional guidance and skin care assessments.

The Governor's Conference for Women is hosted by the DCA's Division on Women and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, a DCA affiliate. The conference is self-sustaining, funded entirely through sponsorship opportunities and registration fees. 

Registration is now open for the 2011 NJ Governor's Conference for Women. For more information or to register, visit us online at www.njwomensconference.com

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