Women’s Future Leadership Forum - Day of Inspiration Gives Promising Girls Skills to Succeed

Nov. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Princeton, NJ - A panel of five female New Jersey executives and 50 women of diverse professional backgrounds inspired nearly 70 promising high school-aged girls from Trenton and Somerset by sharing personal success stories and serving as mentors as part of the Women’s Future Leadership Forum on Friday, October 28 at Princeton Marriott Forrestal in Princeton, NJ.

During the Women’s Leadership Forum, presented by Junior Achievement of New Jersey and sponsored by Accenture, ETS and Tyco International, the panelists participated in a question and answer session that was followed by a one-on-one mentoring session between the students and female executives where they discussed how to give a 'personal' elevator pitch. The day concluded with Junior Achievement Personal Finance breakout sessions sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, Tyco International and The Provident Bank Foundation.

Both the panelists and mentors were impressed with the students’ dedication and drive to enhance their skills.  During the event, Pamela J. Craig, Event Chair and Chief Financial Officer at Accenture, shared her personal story about taking risks and emphasized the importance of speaking up.

“We all need counsel and perspective so we can continue to grow,” Craig told the young women in attendance.  “So speak up and give your mentors – your teachers, your family and your friends – the opportunity to help you.  That way, they can support you as you chart your path toward a successful career.”

The effort is part of Accenture’s Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship initiative, which will equip 250,000 people around the world by 2015 with the skills to get a job or build a business.

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Junior Achievement (JA) is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential hands-on programs. JANJ is the New Jersey Chapter of Junior Achievement.