Ladies: 2009 is your year! Current economic conditions confirm the need to equip our residents with the resources required to fight back the effects of today’s recession. The famous quote, “That which does not destroy me, will make me stronger” leads us to our 2009 financial focus: “From Surviving to Thriving.” Although we can’t change the economic situation, we can fight harder to make ourselves stronger and when it is over, come out on top. Smart Women Smart Money is here to offer you the tools you will need to get ahead. To sponsor or showcase your business at an event, please call (312) 814-1700.

Smart Women Smart Money 2009

The economy got you down? Learn how to transition “From Surviving To Thriving” during our free 2009 conference series.

2009 Schedule

SWSM Speakers

Over the years SWSM has proudly featured nationally renowned speakers, primarily from the business and financial world, including:

•"The Money Coach" Lynette Khalfani-Cox

•Frank Abignale, whose life inspired the Tom Hanks film Catch Me If You Can

•David Bach, author of Smart Women Finish Rich

•Shinae Chun, U.S. Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau

•Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Capital Management and regular contributor to ABC’s Good Morning America

•Singer and speaker Wynonna Judd

•Gail Perry Mason, author of Girl, Make Your Money Grow

•Author and financial commentator Terry Savage

•Seattle Sutton, founder of Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating

•Manisha Thakor, co-author of On My Own Two Feet
  • 9th Annual Smart Women Smart Money Conference Thursday, October 15, 2009. UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Elgin, IL. Plenary speaker: Janice L. Fields, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - McDonald’s USA. Check-In – 8 a.m. Conference – 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A light lunch is provided. Registration is required. Register online or complete the PDF.
  • Additional sites and dates coming soon.

What is SWSM?

SWSM is a one-day financial education conference that includes presentations and workshops, networking opportunities and an exhibit area. The purpose of SWSM is to empower, encourage
and inspire women to take control of their finances as early in
life as possible. SWSM does this by providing speakers, most of whom are women, who can provide practical advice and real-life examples of how women can budget, save and invest wisely. Advance registration is acquired, but there is no charge, thanks
to the support of generous sponsors.

The Audience

SWSM attracts women of all ages and all walks of life: Retired women, working women who take time from their work day to attend, stay-at-home moms, college students and interns. Their positive feedback indicates they welcome the financial
information they receive and the opportunity to be inspired
and empowered by other women. Business women and other professionals enjoy SWSM as an event where they can meet potential customers, recruit new employees, and build new partnerships.

Local SWSM Awards

In 2007, Treasurer Giannoulias started a new SWSM tradition,
the presentation of the SWSM Woman on the Rise Award, for a successful entrepreneur, and the SWSM Woman of Excellence Award, for a woman who has broken through the glass ceiling, especially in the financial area, or has been a strong advocate
and role model for financial literacy.

A Brief History of SWSM

Smart Women Smart Money began with a full-day event in Chicago in October 2001. In subsequent years SWSMs were developed for particular Chicago communities and for other cities around the state. In 2008, we held conferences in Mt. Vernon, Rockford, the south suburbs, Chicago and the Metro East area with the overall theme of "Recession-Proofing Your Finances." While the program varied from site to site, the guiding principle was to equip women with information, resources and confidence to make wise financial decisions in these challenging times of economic uncertainty.

Congratulations 2008 SWSM Honorees

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias honored two Champaign-Urbana women for their leadership at the Smart Women Smart Money conference March 31 at the Hawthorn Suites in Champaign.

Treasurer Giannoulias with Lori Patterson.

Giannoulias presented the 2009 Woman on the Rise award to Lori Patterson, president and director of OJC Technologies. Patterson worked in the field of information technology at three large corporations. Feeling stifled in the corporate environment, she and her brother, a software engineer, left their positions and founded On the Job Consulting (OJC) in 1998. Patterson has led the company through two economic downturns, yet instead of closing their doors or laying off staff, everyone took a pay cut. As a result, her company has thrived with a stable workforce.

The 2009 Woman of Excellence Award went to Mary F. McGrath, executive vice president and portfolio manager of Cozad Asset Management. McGrath graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in accounting, and then went on to score in the top 1/10th of 1 percent on the national CPA exam. After being a tax partner in a national accounting firm, she joined Cozad Asset Management in 1985. She is currently a member of numerous professional organizations in the accounting industry and has been quoted in several national media outlets as an expert in the accounting industry.

Treasurer Giannoulias with Mary McGrath.

Treasurer Giannoulias also recognized the YWCA of the University of Illinois, represented by its executive director Lisha Banks, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. Established in 1884, the YWCA of the University of Illinois has been an inspiring and empowering resource to unite women, girls and families through a common vision of peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people, Giannoulias said.

Partners, Exhibitors and Sponsors

Whenever possible, SWSM partners with local organizations that provide input on the issues of greatest concern to women in the community, recommend local speakers, recruit local women’s businesses and organizations to participate, and help with promotion, registration and on-site logistics.

Treasurer Giannoulias with Lisha Banks.

To enhance the networking opportunities that SWSM provides, each event includes an exhibit area where women-owned businesses, organizations that serve women and children, and other entities can showcase their products and services.

Thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsorships through Dollars and Sense, Inc. there is no charge to attend SWSM.

2009 SWSM Sponsors:

 
 
 
   

Employ Illinois gives business owners access to capital to start or enhance their businesses with the help of low- interest rate loans.

Opportunity Illinois backs low-interest loans to consumers and community development agencies to improve the quality of life in Illinois.

Cultivate Illinois helps farmers offset the rising cost of farming and encourages green business development.
Money Market Fund allows local government entities to pool their investments to gain a higher rate of return for their residents.
Online bill paying gives people with busy schedules a quick and convenient way to pay government bills and fees.