Conference Program

You are cordially invited to attend the Executive Women in Texas Government 21st Annual Professional Development Conference. The conference will be held on Monday, November 19, 2007 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. The 2007 EWTG Conference features three prominent keynote speakers, as well as more than 30 workshops to provide participants with opportunities for hands on learning and development of leadership skills for multiple career levels. We also expect over 25 exhibitors showcasing information, goods and services to enhance your conference experience. Once again, EWTG will feature an exciting Silent Auction to help raise funds for the EWTG Scholarship program.

The EWTG Conference is open to all interested professionals and is designed for those who work in Texas Government at all levels and for those in affiliated organizations that support the purposes of EWTG.

Keynote Speakers

Commissioner Hope Andrade of the Texas Transportation Commission will deliver the morning keynote address. Appointed by Governor Rick Perry in December, 2003, Commissioner Andrade plays an integral role in the oversight of the statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Ms. Andrade, of San Antonio, has been in business since 1979 and remains actively involved in the day to day operations of the companies she has co-founded. Using her education from Our Lady of the Lake University and The University of Incarnate Word, Andrade built upon many valuable skills creating service-sector businesses. These skills were further enhanced by her participation in the Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Ms. Andrade has earned numerous recognitions including the Esperanza Award (Hope for Children) by the Southwest Mental Health Center (2001); Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration (2000); the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award by the Republican National Committee (1999); and induction into the Leadership Hall of Fame by Leadership San Antonio (2000).

During lunch, Linda Larsen will deliver her thought-provoking view of “The 5 Principles of Powerful Persuasion: Mastering the Art of Getting to ‘Yes’! ”. Linda is not your typical business woman. Yes, she is the founder and CEO of a successful communications company she started over 18 years ago. And as such, she is passionately committed to helping people upgrade their thinking, improve their communication and increase their bottom line. But more than that, she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her message across and make it stick.

Linda’s passion and spontaneous humor stem from over 20 years as a professional actress in film, television and on the legitimate stage. Her experience and training (she holds an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Florida and a Master of Fine Arts from Florida State University) give her the unique ability to combine the entertaining, dynamic aspects of live theater with practical, high value content to produce lasting, positive changes.

Linda’s presentation is devoted to exploring the vital elements we must employ in strategic thinking, decision making and communication. You’ll gain knowledge on how to create influence and positive results in everyday interactions in the workplace, at home and society in general and discover how to deliver your point of view, product or service and achieve positive outcomes for continued success.

The afternoon closing keynote speaker is Claudia Stravato. Claudia is the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle. In this capacity, she serves as a strong voice for women’s health and the services we need to maintain good health. She will deliver her remarks at the closing session of the conference culminating with presentation of the 2007 Woman of the Year award.

Claudia’s service to the State of Texas for more than 30 years includes her roles as Director of Professional Education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Chief of Staff to Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, Deputy Comptroller for Comptroller Bob Bullock, in addition to other positions. As a founding member, Claudia helped organize EWTG’s first meeting, wrote the original EWTG constitution and bylaws and prepared and distributed the first EWTG newsletter – before our organization had a formal structure. She was honored as EWTG’s Woman of the Year in 1994 and remains an active EWTG member.

Conference Schedule