THIBODAUX – The Louisiana Center for Women and Government, headquartered at Nicholls State University, will host a conference this week in New Orleans focusing on environmental and energy-related issues. The inaugural, three-day National Women’s Leadership Summit is scheduled to kick off at the InterContinental Hotel on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Several nationally recognized women leaders will be on hand to address the conference and participate in panel discussions, including Donna Brazile, a weekly contributor and political commentator on CNN’s The Situation Room and American Morning. Brazile is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including Washingtonian Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington, D.C., Essence Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women in America and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Award for Political Achievement.
Additional conference participants include CNN correspondent Susan Roesgen; U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski; U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu; former Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco; First Lady of Louisiana Supriya Jindal; Janet Clark, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Marathon Oil; Melanie Kenderdine, associate director of strategic planning for MIT Energy Initiative; Neile Miller, director of the Office of Budget at the U.S. Department of Energy; Kathy Gardner, environmental and regulatory compliance director for BP; and Karen Florini, senior attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund.
Women governors and members of Congress nominated individual summit participants based on interest, leadership and expertise in the areas of energy, environment and natural resources. The program includes presentations by national experts in these fields and follows a public service leadership model designed to enhance skills and foster relationships among leaders with similar concerns.
Established in 1991 and headquartered at Nicholls State University, the Louisiana Center for Women and Government encourages and promotes the leadership of women by providing resources and non-partisan support through educational workshops, training seminars and outreach programs. With more than 600 members from eight regions across Louisiana, the center promotes women in government and public service, acknowledges achievements of women and teaches all citizens about the importance of public service and responsible citizenship.
For additional information, call the center at (985) 448-4770.
