Indy Chamber announces 2019 Women in Business Retreat

Emmy-winner Catt Sadler & Linda Rendleman of Women Like Us Foundation headline agenda built to ‘Inspire, Influence and Impact,’ February 28-March 1

INDIANAPOLIS, December 17, 2018: The Indy Chamber’s Central Indiana Women’s Business Center, a cooperative program in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced the 16^th annual Women in Business Retreat today; Emmy-winning journalist and Indianapolis native Catt Sadler will keynote the event along with Linda Rendleman, her mother and partner in the locally-based Women Like Us Foundation.  The Retreat – February 28-March 1 at the Alexander Hotel in Indianapolis – also offers a packed agenda of experts, panels and inspiring speakers to empower female leadership, networking, civic involvement, and professional advancement.

The Women in Business Retreat is one of the longest-running women’s retreats in the state and the Chamber’s largest ‘Women in Business’ event, which also includes quarterly professional development opportunities.  The 2019 series, organized by the Central Indiana Women’s Business Center’s advisory council, kicks off with a programming preview and special screening of  ‘RBG,’ the critically-acclaimed documentary on trailblazing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, on January 29^th at the Anthenaeum Foundation.

“The Indy Chamber is building a stronger economy that creates more inclusive opportunities,” said Indy Chamber Chief Revenue Officer Julie Grice.  “Our Women in Business series recognizes the challenges that still face women today, while celebrating their many civic and economic contributions.”

Women make up the majority of the population but occupy only one in five senior executive positions in U.S. corporations, make up just a quarter of the nation’s business owners, and confront a persistent wage gap versus male co-workers.  Twenty-year media veteran Catt Sadler highlighted this issue while leaving the ‘E’ network over a fair pay dispute, and has continued to speak out on earnings equity and workplace harassment.

Sadler is also working with her mother, author and documentarian Linda Rendleman, to expand their Women Like Us Foundation.  Her experiences as a single mom, cancer survivor and champion of women’s rights inspired Rendleman to write a successful series of ‘Women Like Us’ books and launch the foundation in 2009 to support women’s causes around the world and share stories of women making a difference.

“The theme of this year’s Retreat is ‘Inspire, Influence and Impact,’ and it’s clear that Catt and Linda embody the activist spirit of those three verbs,” said Denise Herd, President of Herd Strategies and this year’s Central Indiana Women’s Business Center’s advisory council.  “They’re compelling speakers for an important cause, and as fellow Hoosiers, they add a local perspective to global issues.  I’m sure they’ll have our attendees ready to take on the world.”

Sadler and Rendleman are advancing gender equality through film, writing and advocacy.  Their message of empowerment dovetails with the Indy Chamber’s efforts to break down barriers to education, employment and entrepreneurship to build a more inclusive economy.

“In corporate boardrooms and small businesses, on red carpets and the judicial bench, women are making a difference – I’m confident this year’s Women in Business Retreat will inspire more of us to take action and pursue our ambitions,” Herd finished.

The rest of the two-day Retreat includes insight from other trailblazing women: In the case of ‘Indiana Jean’ Deeds, who hiked the Appalachian Trail at age 51, the trail is a literal one.  For former Lieutenant Governor Kathy Davis, the journey led from the upper echelons of business to the Statehouse and back.

Also hailing from the public sector, Indiana Secretary of Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo will talk about how skill training paves the path towards success in the job market.  Other speakers include Barbara Branic, Kim Graham Lee (IWL) and Rabbi Sandy Sasso.

Learn more about the Indy Chamber’s Women in Business Retreat, including the agenda and other speakers, at:

https://indychamber.com/wib-retreat/ and register here.  For a preview of the Retreat and other Women in Business programs, register for the kickoff and ‘RBG’ screening at the Anthenaeum here,

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About The Indy Chamber:

The Indy Chamber is the voice of progress and improvement for the Indianapolis region's business community. With membership of nearly 2,000 businesses in the Indianapolis region, the Indy Chamber is leading the effort to strengthen the business climate, improve the state of education, revitalize neighborhoods and enhance the region's workforce. For more information, visit IndyChamber.com.

Media Contacts:

Chris Watts, CW Strategies, 317.514.3184, [email protected]