Mercy to Host Women Business Leaders

Some of Michigan’s most successful and influential women will participate in ’s “Women Mean Business Symposium,” sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Michigan, on Thursday, April 14, at 6 p.m.

The event is open to the public and is targeted at female high school and college students and their mothers as well as young women professionals. Tickets are $20.  Reservations can be made online at mhsmi.org.

Led by Mary Kramer, publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business, panelists will share lessons-learned and forecast their vision for the work world of tomorrow. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with accomplished business women and participate in a break-out session and a question and answer period.

“We are preparing a new generation of young women to enter the professional ranks,” said Mercy principal Carolyn Witte. “We thought it only fitting that they hear from some of the trailblazers who have gone before them.”

Participating along with Kramer will be Anne Doyle, former TV reporter, author and speaker; Denise Ilitch, president, Ilitch Enterprises; Faye Nelson, CEO, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy; Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press columnist and author; Kathleen Ryan, a 1987 graduate and Oakland County probate judge and Jane Shallal a 1974 graduate and past president of the Food and Petroleum Dealers Association.  In addition, each table will have a local woman business owner, entrepreneur, professional or leader from southeastern Michigan who will conduct the table discussion. Mercy alumna Luanne Thomas Ewald, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, vice president, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

“There is no question the work world has changed dramatically for women over the last few decades, and who better to tell the tale than these tremendous women?” said Kramer.