The Rutgers-Camden Community Leadership Center (CLC) is hosting its Spring 2019 Symposium on the Role of Women Entrepreneurs in Local and Global Community Development. 

The semester event is utilized to share the best practices from experts in several fields, such as local and global community development, higher and urban education, early development, and health and wellness. This event will take place in commemoration of Women's History Month.

"The CLC decided to focus on the role of women entrepreneurs in local and global development to demonstrate the power and impact of women leaders who build capacity for families, children, and communities to create equity and justice for women around the world," Matthew Closter, senior research associate at Rutgers, said. 

Panelists will share and discuss their experiences working with local and global women's groups to build capacity in their families and communities, and sustain their economic livelihood.

The keynote speaker will be The Honorable Marjorie Margolies, president of the Women's Campaign International (WCI). Margolies was a long-time television journalist for NBC, earning five Emmy Awards; she was also the first woman elected to Congress in Pennsylvania. 

Other speakers will be:

• Jennice Fuentes, founder and managing partner of Fuentes Strategies and BoricuActivaeEd. As the long-time Chief of Staff for Representative Luis Gutierrez, Fuentes served as the principal advisor, political strategist, and top manager for the Rep. 
• Susan Shin Angulo, freeholder of Camden County. Angulo is the first Korean-American woman elected to a municipal, county, or statewide office in New Jersey. 
• Dr. Christine Martey-Ochola, president of the Sub-Saharan Africa Chamber of Commerce. Under her direction, the chamber facilitates U.S. business entry into multiple African countries, advises hundreds of companies on best business practices in Africa, and presents at many international business forums on African trade and investment. 

The speakers will also discuss the role women entrepreneurs play in community development. 

"These four speakers have incredible accomplishments in public service, nonprofit and corporate leadership, and science and technology," said Closter. "They represent diverse populations who continue to grow their social and economic footprint in the region and around the world."

According to the United Nations, gender equality is fundamental to delivering on promises of sustainability, peace, and human progress.

The symposium will take place on Thurs., March 14, 2019 from 8:30am to 1:00pm at the Rutgers-Camden Campus Center Multipurpose Room.