In 1998, Tech alumna Shannon Scott received a flyer advertising what was the first Georgia Tech Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), and she was intrigued.    

“Between the time I sent in my registration and the conference, I found a job at Georgia Tech,” said the training specialist in Diversity Management and Compliance. “The first conference turned out to be my first week working at Tech, and I felt like I had returned home. After that, I looked for a way to get involved and have been on the WLC Advisory Board ever since.”

The WLC was created to bring women on and off campus together and promote leadership. It is open to anyone interested in attending — whether male or female — from Tech, the Atlanta area and beyond. The event is planned by Tech students who are advised by the Women’s Resource Center.

This year’s conference will open on Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. with a networking reception; dinner; keynote from Annie Eaton, director of the CSC Policy Compliance Initiative and professor in the Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, North Carolina State University; and the presentation of the 2011 Women of Distinction Awards. The awards go to an outstanding faculty and staff member, alumna, and graduate and undergraduate student.

The conference continues on Nov. 5 with breakfast and lunch keynote addresses from Gail Evans, author of “Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman,” and Laura Finney, CEO of We Can Do That and Laura Finney Enterprises sessions. There will also be a selection of breakout sessions to attend, which in years past have ranged from a Zumba dance fitness class to a session on using LinkedIn for networking purposes.

“This conference is an outstanding source of professional development that is right in our own backyard,” Scott said. “I have heard life-changing speakers and workshop presenters at this conference.”

Take advantage of the early registration rates of $10 for students and $25 for nonstudents until Oct. 14. After that date, the rates are $15 and $30 for each group until Oct. 21.

“I’d put this conference up against any professional conference you might attend,” said Stephanie Ray, associate dean of students and advisory board member. “Attending or volunteering is worth your time and energy. This is a Tech signature program, and no one can do it better.”

To register or learn more about the conference or volunteering, visit this website.