Florida Diversity Council, a member of the National Diversity Council, is pleased to announce that Natalia Zea, CBS4 Weekend Anchor/Reporter will emcee the Glass Ceiling Awards at the Inaugural South Florida Women’s Conference scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Kovens Conference Center, on the campus of Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181.
Natalia Zea anchors the CBS4 News weekend evening broadcasts and reports nightside on weekdays. She has been with CBS4 News since October of 2006. Natalia Zea’s passion is telling stories that take the viewer deep inside our community. Whether the focus is on local government issues, crime, or positive highlights of South Florida her hope is that the viewer not only learns something, but also feels something from the story.
The conference is a statewide event focusing on professional development, community, networking, entrepreneurship and women’s health. This conference gives women a tremendous opportunity to grow, develop, learn and make connections. In addition, the conference lends itself to be a statewide dialogue for Women in the south Florida area.
This year’s theme is “Experience the Power of Connection.” Val Demings, Chief of Police, Orlando Police Department, will be this year’s keynote speaker. Chief Demings was appointed by Mayor Dyer to serve as Chief of Police for the City of Orlando in December, 2007. Previously Chief Demings served as Deputy Chief to the Patrol Services Bureau and has held various law enforcement positions. Prior to her entrance to the Policy Academy, she had been a Social Worker in Foster Care.
In addition to her regular job assignments, Chief Demings served 12 years on the Crisis Negotiation Team, Commander of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team, and Executive Vice President of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Florida Police Chiefs Legislative Committee, Orange County Chiefs, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) Executive Board. Chief Demings serves as co-chair of the Gang Intervention Regional Task Force.
Chief Demings is involved in the following social service organizations; Saint Mark A.M.E. Church Trustee Board and Women’s Missionary Society (which has included mission trips to Peru and Haiti); Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority; The Links, Inc., Orlando Chapter; Central Florida Police Athletic League Board; YMCA Achievers Program; Valencia Community College Board; United Negro College Fund Board; Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitative Center; NAACP; Community Education Program mentor; Regional Commission on Homelessness; Heart of Florida United Way Board; founder of Operation Positive Direction, a youth mentoring program; and numerous other affiliations.
The conference has three tracks: Entrepreneurship, Professional Development and Community. In all, there will be 16 sessions and over 40 exceptional presenters.
Prior to the start of the conference, the Florida Diversity Council will recognize xx women with its “Glass Ceiling Award”. The Glass Ceiling Award is designed to honor women that have shattered the glass ceiling in professions generally dominated by men.
In addition, there will be the opportunities for exhibitors to display their goods and services.
Registration, breakfast and networking will begin at 7:45 a.m. with the Glass Ceiling Award presentation beginning at 8:20 a.m. Individual ticket cost is $79.00. Online registration can be completed at https://www.nationalwomensconference.com/Florida/registration.php. Contact Dennis Kennedy for information regarding corporate event sponsorships at dennis.kennedy@nationaldiversitycouncil.org .
America’s workplace has been and continues to be dominated by men especially in the area of leadership. Women are significantly underrepresented in both the board rooms and the c-suites. However, there are Women who have overcome barriers to climb to the top. The Florida Diversity Council seeks to recognize and honor these Florida women who have not only achieved personal success but have made it possible for others to more easily follow in their footsteps.
The criteria for recognition as a Glass Ceiling Award recipient are:
• Demonstrates leadership excellence
• Maintains a record of accomplishments in areas of expertise
• Bears a record of a steady increase in responsibility within their career
• Exhibits positive influence on those underneath her leadership
• Displays integrity and portrays highest ethical standard among colleagues and individuals
Venita Garvin Valdez, Conference Chairperson, is pleased to announce the following women leaders as the recipients of the 2011 Glass Ceiling Award:
1. Dr. Ana Viamonte Ros, first woman to become Surgeon General, State of Florida
2. Carmen Johnson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Total Rewards, JM Family Enterprises
3. Cynthia Dick, Fire Chief, City of Tallahassee, Florida, Fire Department
4. Dora Cortinas, Vice President, IT Business Solutions, Burger King
5. Emma E. Silcox, Lieutenant Commander, United States Coast Guard
6. Francia Baez, Head of Global Diversity and Inclusion, Visa
7. Karen M. Sharp, CEO and President, First State Bank of the Florida Keys
8. Kristy Johnson, Shareholder, Carlton Fields, P.A.
9. Pat McKay, Partner, Templeton & Company
10. Ruth Giansante, Vice President, Associate General Counsel, Compliance, IP & Employment, World Fuel Services Corporation
11. Susan J. Saturday, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Bluegreen Corporation
12. Tammy Levent, CEO, Elite Travel
13. Tery Howard, Vice President of Information Technology, Miami Dolphins & Dolphin Stadium
According to Ms. Valdez, “The mission and purpose of the South Florida Conference is to advance and empower women. We do this by addressing social, cultural, economic and political challenges that women experience through an engaging and interactive agenda.” In order to deliver on the promise of this conference, the agenda is designed around three key characteristics: empowerment through relevant information and practical ideas, motivation through lively and unique interactions and experiences, and inspiration through opportunities for self-reflection and growth.
Whether your goal is to build your network, impact your community, achieve work-life balance, advance your career, improve your health, or market yourself, The South Florida Women’s Conference will provide you with the inspiration, information, connection and motivation you need to write your next chapter.