UC San Diego Women’s Conference
With over 20 years of experience managing events and conference planning, I was thrilled to be part of the team behind UC San Diego’s Women’s Conference in 2012 and 2013! The conference is an annual event which draws over 700 attendees to share ideas that inspire and empower women.
As a member of the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women, one of my roles was to act as Chair of the Organizing Committee for conference. During this time, I directed an incredible group of women and together we accomplished so much!
- Secured keynote speakers
- Created a vendor fair with exhibitors
- Scheduled breakout sessions led by business professionals, healthcare providers, scientists and award-winning faculty
- Provided catering- breakfast, lunch and snacks for over 700 attendees
- Created both digital content and print materials, established social media channels, and designed a new logo
- Worked with a photography and videography team to capture each moment
Services performed on this project
However, my proudest moment of the event was watching as these two women, whom I met on a bike ride a few months before, capture the hearts of everyone in the auditorium.
Event and conference planning comes down to logistics. Timing. Execution. But, you also need to create something memorable. So while out on a cycling group ride, as we climbed higher towards the top of Mt. Laguna, I met Julie Moss and Kathleen McCartney Hearst.
Kathleen and Julie are the famous female duo that stole the show at the 1982 Ironman World Championships in Kona. Covered by ABC’s Wide World of Sports, I remembered watching it as a young girl. Julie has the lead, then starts to walk, wobble, and collapses from complete exhaustion. She falls 4 times. Then, when she’s no longer able to stand, she crawls the last few yards towards the finish line. Kathleen though, is hot on her trail, gaining momentum with each foot strike.
If you aren’t familiar with their story, and how it ends, watch them tell it (start at the 11th minute) in a most spectacular fashion.
For two women who had never spoken to such a large audience before, they brilliantly shared their journey of self-discovery. Strength. And perseverance. For me, and everyone at the conference, we felt like we were there. Cheering from the sidelines on Ali’i Drive. A standing ovation followed. There was hardly a dry eye in the house.
Julie Moss and Kathleen McCartney Hearst’s incredible finish at the 1982 Ironman can also be watched here, narrated by Phil Liggett.
