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KPMG Joins EMC as Platinum Sponsor for 30th SOM Leadership Conference
(March 31, 2009) -- In addition to its outstanding lineup of speakers, the 30th School of Management Leadership Conference has another pride-point: international tax, audit, and advisory firm KPMG has joined EMC as a platinum event sponsor, the highest sponsorship level available.
KPMG's decision was based on the dynamic experience they had at the 2008 conference as a gold sponsor. "It was an honor to be a gold sponsor of the event last year," said KPMG's Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, who is a speaker at this year's conference. "My personal experience was terrific and the feedback we had from our attendees was absolutely terrific." Hannan is a Midwest area managing partner, tax, for KPMG. She is the chairperson of the firm's Women's Advisory Board, and co-chair of its Diversity Advisory initiative.
EMC is sponsoring the conference at the platinum level for the second year, as part of a three-year commitment. The global technology services giant, headquartered in Hopkinton, Mass., and employer to over 40,000 people, is a longtime sponsor of the conference.
According to Jackie Glenn, senior director and chief diversity officer at EMC, "The Simmons Leadership Conference is one of the finest means of development in the world for professional women. It greatly complements EMC's commitment to enable the women of EMC to meet, network, and accelerate development of their careers, and we are very proud of EMC's continued participation and Platinum sponsorship of this wonderful event."
EMC Chairman, President, and CEO Joe Tucci has exhibited a strong history of commitment to the SOM. He was a speaker at last year's leadership conference, where over 200 EMC employees were in attendance. Additionally, EMC and the SOM are currently working together to develop a custom leadership program for EMC's high-potential women.
Conference Executive Director Joyce J. Kolligian, MBA stressed the symbiotic relationship sponsors enjoy with the conference. "Corporations are drawn to the miracle of this one-day event to enhance their brands to a diverse audience of extraordinary business and professional women," Kolligian said, "and without their support, this conference could not exist."
Now marking its 30th year, the 2009 SOM Leadership Conference is the premier one-day professional event for women. This year's speakers include actress Diane Keaton; Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear; Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland; and renowned international journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault.
All proceeds from the conference support scholarships to the Simmons School of Management, offering the first and leading MBA program in the world designed specifically for women.
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