A black female global serial entrepreneur with a career spanning 30 years, Tiffany Norwood will travel from Washington, D.C. to serve as the keynote speaker at the Inaugural S.C. Women’s Business Summit on Nov. 16, 2018, hosted by The Women’s Business Center of South Carolina at Columbia College on its downtown Columbia campus. The conference, held in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week and International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, is sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Commerce Office of Innovation and Grow with Google.

The S.C. Women’s Business Summit is a full-day conference with rock star keynotes, up-close networking, and practical strategies for growth. Women business owners and leaders from across the state – and the Southeast – will come together in an annual summit of fellowship, learning, and growth. Ticketholders can expect skills-building in negotiations and finance, inspiration for dreaming bigger, tactical business development strategies, and networking with business women from all over South Carolina.

“During Global Entrepreneurship Week, we have the chance to acknowledge the pivotal role women business owners play in lasting prosperity for families, communities, and nations across the globe,” said Dr. Kasie Whitener, co-founder of the Women’s Business Center of S.C. “Here in South Carolina, we have more than 150,000 women business owners. We are raising our hands together to support women-driven business, as well as companies and organizations that value strength in diversity."

Featured keynote speaker Norwood is a global serial entrepreneur with a career spanning 30 years, seven start-ups, two IPOs, and a patent. In her 20s, she raised $670 million to fund a global satellite radio start-up called WorldSpace; within a couple of years, XM Radio was born, and it is now a part of Sirius XM. Norwood is considered one of the pioneers of digital broadcasting. She was an early player in the broadband industry as the Head of European Operations for Time Warner’s Road Runner, and in the 1990s, she also personally executed some of the first-ever global digital content licensing deals, including Bloomberg News with Michael Bloomberg and CNN International content with Phil Kent. Norwood has an MBA from Harvard and a bachelor’s from Cornell University. She travels the world speaking to audiences of thousands, having addressed entities such as the United Nations and the Italian Parliament.

The S.C. Women’s Business Summit will feature four additional keynote speakers:

Elaine Pofeldt is a journalist, writer, editor, and author of The Million-Dollar One-Person Business. She founded and ran a business plan competition for FORTUNE Small Business and is a featured expert on multiple media outlets.

Martha Brown, president and CEO of La-Z-Boy Southeast, catapulted into leadership of the family-owned, award-winning company, which has a large retail and distribution footprint in the Carolinas. Brown is also a proud Columbia College alumna. 

Pamela Eyring is the president and owner of The Protocol School of Washington, the nation’s first and only accredited school focusing on international protocol, business etiquette, and communication skills training. 

Marsha Barnes, founder of The Finance Bar, is a sought-after Certified Financial Social Worker, financial educator, and commentator. She was recognized as a Female Tech leader by Digital Finance Institute and focuses on raising women's financial empowerment.

The S.C. Women’s Business Summit will offer afternoon breakouts that are hands-on, tactical sessions:

· Sessions with Google's Get Your Business Online featured entrepreneur and Women’s Business Center coach Shennice Cleckley.

· “Business Plan Slush Fest” featuring Columbia entrepreneurial community leaders, during which participants receive blind and live feedback on their Lean Canvas.

· Session with sales expert and frequent WBC contributor Beth Renninger, past executive of Verizon Wireless and director of the Center for Sales Success at the Darla Moore School at University of South Carolina.

Additionally, a midday mentoring luncheon will give attendees access to some of the state’s most accomplished female leaders, including the following:

· Marsha Barnes, founder of The Finance Bar (Charlotte, N.C.)

· Martha Brown, CEO of La-Z-Boy Southeast (Charlotte, N.C.)

· Sarena Burch, senior vice president, risk management & corporate compliance of SCANA Corporation (Columbia, S.C.)

· Laura Corder, director of the Office of Innovation at the S.C. Department of Commerce (Columbia, S.C.)

· Lauren Harper, advisor, policy and communications at Office of the Mayor of the City of Columbia (Columbia, S.C.)

· Meghan Hickman, executive director of EngenuitySC (Columbia, S.C.)

· Tameika Isaac-Devine, Columbia City councilwoman and mayor pro tem, attorney, entrepreneur (Columbia, S.C.)

· Dr. Elaine Jeter, medical director at Palmetto GBA Tammy Johnson, president & CEO at High Spirits Hospitality (Greenville, S.C.)

· Margie Pizzaro, attorney at The Pizzaro Law Firm, radio show personality, and Columbia College alumna (Charleston, S.C.)

· Beth Renninger, director of the Center for Sales Success at the Darla Moore School of Business (Columbia and Charleston, S.C.)

· Diana Stevenson, CEO of Grace Outdoor (Columbia, S.C.)

· JoAnn Turnquist, president & CEO at Central Carolina Community Foundation (Columbia, S.C.)

· Joy Young, program director, leadership & organizational development at S.C. Arts Commission (Columbia, S.C.)

“Women business owners in South Carolina are doers and dreamers. They are ambitious and they are clear about their purpose. They see a better future for themselves, for their families, and for their communities. They are rising to their highest potential, and they are reaching around to bring others along,” said Women’s Business Center of S.C. co-founder and McNair Center executive director Katherine Swartz Hilton. “The Women’s Business Summit is designed for women on a growth trajectory in their business. For women who want to thrive: in their business, in their life, and in their community.”

“Since her founding in 1854, Columbia College has been on the cusp of foresight and innovation. Our experience working with women and student entrepreneurs since 2015 through the McNair Center for Entrepreneurism and since May within the Women’s Business Center of South Carolina, confirms the College is uniquely experienced and positioned to take on this international charge,” said Columbia College President Dr. Carol Moore.

Registration is open for the Summit, ticket prices ranging from $49-149. Women's Business Center Founder's Circle "VIP Tickets" are also available, which include full conference registration, a private reception, and a small group strategy session with Norwood. Founder's Circle tickets are $1,000, a portion of which is a charitable donation to support the important work of the Women's Business Center. Register at scwomensbizsummit.com, call 803.470.6306 (voice/text), or email [email protected] for additional information.