Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Sold-Out Event Sparks Ongoing Dialogue on Accomplishments, Challenges

Global women entrepreneurs are experiencing success in spite of ongoing challenges, according to presenters at this year's TEDxBayArea Women event, held on December 8, 2011 at Cisco headquarters in San Jose, CA.

The sold-out conference brought together nearly 300 people to hear 18 speakers with diverse backgrounds and experience discuss issues surrounding the role of women entrepreneurs from all parts of the world. More than 500 additional people watched the event through live video streaming.

Among the day's memorable moments:

• Kay Koplovitz, founder of USA Network, spoke about how women have the power to change the economy by "swimming with dolphins," who survive by coming to the rescue of others in need.

• Lindy Wafula, founder of the Project Africa nonprofit organization and a candidate for parliament in Kenya in 2012, presented a moving tribute through poetry and song to family members lost to AIDS.

• Kara Swisher, co-producer and host of The Wall Street Journal's D: All Thing Digital, discussed life lessons learned from her recent stroke and why slowing down doesn't make sense in a talk simply titled, "More."

• Tayana Etienne, a Haitian entrepreneur, focused on how women are working together to build networks in Haiti.

• Ann Winblad, co-founder of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, talked about why venture capitalists still matter and why women are needed in the VC community as much today as ever before.

• Vivek Wadhwa, of Singularity University, addressed the ongoing issue of gender inequality locally in a talk entitled, "Can Silicon Valley be a Meritocracy When it Leaves Out Half of Our Population?"

"We're pleased that this conference has focused attention on the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs around the world, as well as sparking ongoing dialogue about next steps to support this entrepreneurship," said Tatyana Kanzaveli, organizer of the conference and the licensee for TEDx Bay Area. "Our goal is to keep the excitement alive and continue building a community that leverages the excitement generated at last week's event."

Replays of all of the presentations are available now on the TEDx YouTube channel,

About TEDxBayArea

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx Bay Area is part of a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks videos and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED organization provides a license and guidelines for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are organized locally.

Follow TEDxBayArea:

• Twitter: @TEDxBayArea, #TEDxBAW

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TEDxBayArea.

• Event Page: http://tedxbayarea.com/tedxbaw2011/

•LinkedIn Group: TEDxBayArea-Global-Women-Entrepreneurs-Conference

For more information about TED, visit www.TED.com.

Tatyana Kanzaveli

Licensee

TEDx Bay Area

Los Altos, CA

650-888-9080