Leading female entrepreneurs to gather for university-wide symposium
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Florida welcomes several of its most successful alumnae entrepreneurs for its 2016 Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium on April 1 at University Auditorium.
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium, presented by the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center at UF’s Warrington College of Business, will address key trends and issues involving women in entrepreneurship, as well as innovative strategies for budding businesswomen. Inspiring entrepreneurs who have created a diverse mix of companies will share their stories and experiences.
The coordinator of the event, Professor Michael H. Morris, explains “Today, women are starting ventures as a faster rate than society at large. We want to celebrate women’s entrepreneurship and learn from the accomplishments of these amazing business founders.”
Scheduled entrepreneurs to appear are:
Dr. Kathy Fields (Keynote Speaker): Dr. Fields (BS ’79) is the Co-Founder of Rodan + Fields, the first prestige skincare line to exit the department store for the world of direct selling. Dr. Fields is a Stanford-trained, board certified dermatologist, who is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. In 1995, Dr. Fields and Dr. Katie Rodan launched Proactiv Solution, the world’s best-selling acne system. Dr. Fields was included on Forbes’ first-ever “America’s Richest Self-Made Women” in 2015, a list which included Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sandberg, Vera Wang and Beyoncé Knowles.
Leah Lytle (Speaker): Lytle (BSPR ’94, MAMC ’96, MBA ’02) is the Founder of Artsy Abode, a unique group of 17 gift boutiques featuring apparel and accessories from Pandora Jewelry, Vera Bradley, Brighton Jewelry and other popular gift lines.
Allison Adams (Panelist): Adams (BSBA ’91) is the Founder of Oxford Exchange, a mixed-use business in Tampa that offers a restaurant, retail shop, commerce club, and space for special events.
Kim Kaupe (Panelist): Kaupe (BSBA ’08) is the Co-Founder of ZinePak, which creates custom, interactive publications for targeted super-fans of music, movies, sports, events and brands. Kaupe has been named to Forbes’ 2014 30 Under 30: Music, Inc. Magazine’s 35 Under 35 and secured a $725,000 investment as a guest on ABC’s Shark Tank.
Dr. Anne Stokes (Panelist): Dr. Stokes (MA ’91, Ph.D. ‘98) is the President and CEO of SEARCH Inc., a leading nationwide and global provider of cultural resources services to government and commercial customers in the defense, energy, transportation, and development markets. Dr. Stokes was named one of the Orlando Business Journal’s 2015 CEOs of the Year honorees.
The event, which is open to faculty, staff, students and other members of the UF community, begins at 9 a.m., and admission is free. Guests may register online.
