New Bedford, MA— Who is the best mentor you ever knew? Who has taught you the most about leadership? Years ago, Michelle Yozzo Drake asked herself those very questions. As she searched for the best examples of leadership, she discovered the answer right in front of her: it was Mom! 

It was Mom – and all the mother figures in her life – who provided the tools Michelle needed to succeed in her life and career, who taught her what it really means to be a leader. Mom taught her priceless lessons that no one else has come close to matching such as how to negotiate for results; how to communicate with clarity and purpose; how to lead no matter where you stand in the group; how to groom teams to achieve greatness; and how to mentor the next generation of leaders.

Michelle applies these lessons every day as she coaches others to be outstanding leaders. Corporate leadership is due for an infusion of the time-honored traditions only Mom can provide. Mom’s wisdom – to move forward we often need to look back.

The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Michelle Yozzo Drake, professional speaker, consultant, and author of From the Kitchen to the Corner Office – Mom’s Wisdom on Leadership will be the featured speaker for the Sixth Annual SouthCoast Women’s Forum to be held at Rachel’s Lakeside, 950 State Road (Rte. 6), N. Dartmouth, on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Women’s Forum is a day to network, re-energize, learn, and celebrate women in business. This year’s forum will focus on an integrated approach to achieving success in the workplace, at home, and in all other areas of life.

Drake is the founder and CEO of the Cove Group, a management consulting firm in Mystic, CT.  For over 20 years, she has been coaching executives, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders to communicate strategically, helping to improve their sales, customer service, and their bottom line.

"We are very excited to have Michelle Drake speak at this year's conference.  She is such an engaging communicator with a unique ability to equate lessons learned while growing up from female role models to the skills we use today in the workplace.  This will be a very enlightening afternoon and one you won't want to miss." said June Goguen, Chair of the 2008 Women’s Forum Planning Committee.

Join Michelle as she explores the impact your Mom has had on your success. The price of admission to the Women’s Forum is $35 for Chamber members and $45 for non-members, and also includes table-top exhibits geared toward busy professional women, a full luncheon, two informative workshops and a special after-lunch group activity encouraging collaborative dialogue and knowledge-sharing. The day will conclude with an informal social networking mixer featuring a cash bar and cheese and crackers.

For more information, to register to attend, or to inquire about exhibitor opportunities at the Women’s Forum, please call the New Bedford Area Chamber by April 23. To register online, visit www.newbedfordchamber.com. The Sixth Annual SouthCoast Women’s Forum is sponsored by the Bridgewater Savings Bank and SEED Corporation.

The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business association based in the City of New Bedford, MA. Chartered in 1885, the Chamber serves nearly 1,000 member businesses of all sizes from virtually all industries in the ten communities of New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, Wareham, and Westport. The Chamber supports and promotes the local business community through leadership in public advocacy, education, networking, information, and community development.

New Bedford Chamber of Commerce

With over 1,000 member business organizations, the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce provides leadership on issues and activities important to our economy and quality of life.

The Chamber's mission is to serve the interests of member businesses while advocating business advancement, economic growth and job creation for the benefit of New Bedford and the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts.

The Chamber's website is located at:
http://www.newbedfordchamber.com

View all articles by New Bedford Chamber of Commerce