BDB chief to address Women’s Empowerment Forum at Palm Beach State College April 1
Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, will be the keynote speaker during the second Palm Beach State College Women’s Empowerment Forum from noon to 1 p.m. April 1.
Smallridge will speak about her personal journey to her leadership role on the Business Development Board. The talk will be given in the BioScience Technology Complex, room SC127, on the Palm Beach Gardens campus, 3160 PGA Blvd. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online at www.palmbeachstate.edu/CCE/Leadership or by calling 561-207-5708. Attendees may bring their lunch; coffee will be provided. The event is sponsored by HERLIFE Magazine and Oceana Coffee. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Smallridge has worked for the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County for 24 years. She serves as one of the longest tenured economic development presidents in Florida and has a solid track record in facilitating some of the largest job creation projects for Palm Beach County. Most recently, Smallridge was appointed to the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors holding the one seat that represents all economic development boards throughout the state.
She also oversees all operations of the Business Development Board, which is one of only two Accredited Economic Development Boards in Florida. In 2004, Smallridge became the first female president of a South Florida economic development board after serving in many different capacities within the organization including the lead role for recruitment, retention and expansion from 1988-2004.
The next guest speaker will be Jeri Muoio, mayor of West Palm Beach (June 3). All talks will take place at the same time and location.
The Women’s Empowerment Forum is presented by the College’s Center for Leadership and Professional Studies, which provides training opportunities in a variety of professional leadership topics. As part of the College’s Corporate and Continuing Education division, the center offers individual courses, customized employee training, professional certification exam prep and special offerings like the Leaders Empowering Action Program designed to help managers become leaders.
