Greensburg, PA – 2/1/2003 – Seton Hill University’s National Education Center for Women in Business welcomes Rosabeth Moss Kanter, international business leader and Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, as keynote speaker for its sixth annual women focused small business conference, “Building a World Class Business: Redefining Business As Usual”. The March 11, 2003 conference, which focuses on changing economic times and its impact on small business growth will take place at the Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh to accommodate the growing number of entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who attend this premier event.

Considered one of the most prominent business trailblazers in the world, Dr. Kanter has shared the platform with Prime Ministers and Presidents as well as CEOs. In her latest work, Evolve!: Succeeding in the Digital Culture of Tomorrow, she explores what she calls “e-culture” – a new way of living and working that will transform every aspect of today’s organizations.

Named one of the “50 most powerful women in the world” by The Times of London, Dr. Kanter is also recognized as one of the “100 most important women in America” and is ranked 11th among the “50 most influential business thinkers in the world”. She is the co-founder of Goodmeasure Inc., whose consulting clients have included some of the world’s best companies. Goodmeasure is in the process of developing electronic Web-based versions of Dr. Kanter’s leadership and change tools, to help embed them in the daily work of organizations everywhere.

“Today’s business owners are facing challenges that until a year ago were not even identified,” said Jayne H. Huston, Transitional Director of Seton Hill University’s National Education Center for Women in Business. “There are a lot of uncertainties that entrepreneurs, particularly woman, face in today’s economy when making crucial decisions that affect the growth of their businesses. We feel that Dr. Kanter’s message on our ever-changing business climate has never been more timely or needed in our region.”

Responding to the need for women business owners to find a forum for additional networking resources, the 2003 conference will feature an early morning breakfast with kick off speaker Karen Puchalsky, Co-Founder, President & Chief Operating Officer of Pittsburgh-headquartered business-to-business e-commerce consultants, Innovative E-Commerce Inc. An e-commerce pioneer, Ms. Puchalsky’s experience spans 25 years, including assignments in management, consulting, marketing and sales. In 2002, Innovate E-Commerce was identified as one of the top 10 information technology companies in the region in the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s “Tech 50” awards; and Innovate was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the six-county area on the Pittsburgh Business Times’ “Pittsburgh 100” list.

Seton Hill University’s annual conference affords women business owners from the tri-state area the opportunity to participate in workshops with business experts, as well as network with CEO’s and presidents of the area’s top companies. This year the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) will present two educational sessions: But, That’s How We’ve Always Done it!! (with Deirdra E. Makowiecki, President, MAKK Strategies), and How to Get Your Net Working! (with Patty Kreamer, President, Kreamer Connect, Inc.).

Four additional concurrent sessions are also planned for the busy executive: Marketing Techniques for Tight Budgets (with Pam Selker Rak, President, CommuniTech & Suzanne (Suzy) Teele, CEO and Founder, Aceda LLC), You Can’t Win if You Can’t Keep Score ( with author, Suzanne Caplan), The Soul of an Organization (with business author and trainer, Richard S. Gallagher), and “Reaching Farther. Together.”( a panel discussion with members of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Women President’s Organization).

In addition to traditional networking venues, conference participants will be treated to a special reception recognizing the Top 25 Women Business Owners as published by the Pittsburgh Business Times at the conclusion of the all day event. Jazz Vocalist, Jessica Lee, known for her ability to promote both Pittsburgh’s business community and its jazz and blues heritage during Entrepreneurial Thursdays at Dowe’s on Ninth in Pittsburgh will perform at the reception.

For the sixth consecutive year, PNC Bank is the exclusive lead sponsor of the 2003 small business conference. Additional sponsors include, the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation, First Commonwealth Bank, the Pittsburgh Business Times, SBN Magazine, KDKA Radio, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Highmark Life and Casualty Group, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Dominion Foundation, Schneider Downs & Co. Inc., UPMC Health Plan, Onyx Woman Magazine, Ernst and Young, LLP, Direct Response Marketing, Buchanan Ingersoll, Kennametal, Inc. and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Registration information for Seton Hill University’s National Education Center for Women in Business small business conference, “Building a World Class Business: Redefining Business As Usual”, featuring Rosabeth Moss Kanter, is available online at www.e-magnify.com, or by calling 724-830-4625. Cost for full day attendees is $ 125.00. Participants may also register for Dr. Kanter’s luncheon keynote address only for $40.00, with special rates for corporate tables. Deadline for registration is March 5, 2003.

* Editor’s Note: Interviews with Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Karen Puchalsky may be arranged by contacting Suzanne Thinnes at 724/830-1001 or thinnes@setonhill.edu.