The Information Technology Research Institute, a research unit in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, is sponsoring a day-long conference for women in technology on Friday, March 13.

The Women in Technology Conference, "Paving the Way: Leading the Next Generation of Women in IT," will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Center for Continuing Education on the Fayetteville Square.

"This conference is designed to inspire and empower working women. It focuses on mentoring, leadership and how the next generation of women in IT depend on you to pave the way for their personal and professional success," said Eric Bradford, managing director of the Information Technology Research Institute. "We are providing motivating speakers, relevant break-out sessions and networking opportunities at the conference."

The keynote speaker is Ronnie Caropreso, senior vice president and business unit executive of technology and operations, Bank of America. Caropreso oversees the nationwide network of computing platforms for Bank of America. Before joining the Bank of America in 2002 she was senior vice president of technology solutions for First Data Corp. She began her career with IBM and led the development effort of the U.S. Treasury's Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Denver-Daniels School of Business.

For more information and to register, go to http://itri.uark.edu/719.asp or call 479-575-5291.

Breakout sessions include:

• Strategic Planning - Tamara Petrusawich, director, IS strategy and enterprise architecture, ConocoPhillips
• Business Intelligence - Carmen McKenna-McWilliams, consulting practice leader, Acxiom Corp.
• Work-Life Balance - Therés Stiefer, director, Walton College Center for Management and Executive Education
• Professional Networking Luncheon
• Personality of Business -Blake Woolsey, executive communications consultants, Mitchell Communications
• Security and Privacy - Kym Patterson, chief security officer, state of Arkansas DIS
• Impact of Economy - Katherine A. Deck, director, Walton College Center for Business and Economic Research
• Speed of Business-Project Management - Janet K. Ply, president, Pendére Inc.
• Organizational Change Management - Lynne Sangmino, Cox Communications
• Increase Diversity - Adriana Whilhelm, project leader IS international, Tyson Foods Inc.
• Panel Discussion - "Paving the way"
  • Sharon Wibben, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  • Katherine A. Deck, director, Walton College Center for Business and Economic Research, University of Arkansas
  • Rebecca Miles, instructor, Walton College, University of Arkansas.

For more information and to register, go to http://itri.uark.edu/719.asp or call 479-575-5291.