How can more women feel empowered to become entrepreneurs and shape the future of Silicon Beach?
Loyola Marymount University’s Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship will host a mentorship and networking event featuring some of the top women entrepreneurs in Silicon Beach as part of a series of programs for Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 12-18.
“Positive Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment and Recognition” will include breakout sessions and a panel discussion from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 at the LMU Playa Vista Campus. Speakers include Lara Sweet, CAO of Snap; Rachel Payne, CEO of FEM Inc., a research company focused on the role of gender in media; Cam Kashani, CEO of COACCEL, which offers business coaching; and Ellen Ensher, LMU professor of management and a recognized mentoring expert.
“This event, which was conceptualized by LMU entrepreneurship students, gives us an opportunity to really shape the future of Silicon Beach for women,” said Darlene Fukuji, associate director of LMU’s Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship.
The inaugural women’s entrepreneurship summit is one of several programs marking Global Entrepreneurship Week, which takes place during one week each November. During that time, thousands of events and competitions in 170 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while providing connections to potential collaborators, mentors and investors.
“This is the first year that we’ve formally joined the Global Entrepreneurship Week movement,” said Dayle M. Smith, dean of LMU’s College of Business Administration. “We are excited to be involved in this international initiative and offer programs that inspire our students and celebrate the many diverse and innovative entrepreneurs in Silicon Beach and beyond.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 13, LMU will partner with the New York-based nonprofit group SuitUp. The organization has invited high school students to campus to meet with LMU student mentors in the College of Business Administration. The students will be split into teams and develop business plans around a popular brand – with the goal of giving the high school students an early introduction to business strategy, finance, marketing and development.
The week culminates with LMU’s fifth annual Startup Weekend that begins on Friday, Nov. 16 – a frenzied 54-hour competition among teams of designers, developers, engineers and marketers working to launch companies.
Learn more about LMU Global Entrepreneurship Week here. All events are open to the media. To RSVP, call 310.258.INFO, or email news@lmu.edu
