Indiana Lt. Governor and Chief of Staff to Encourage Women to “LeadHER”
Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue EllspermannAugust 19, 2015 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—The Saint Mary’s College Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative and the Career Crossings Collegiate Speaker Series at this undergraduate women's college will welcome Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and her office's Chief of Staff Tonya Brothers-Bridge to campus for an interactive panel discussion titled “LeadHER.” The women will discuss topics like fearless leadership, transitions in life, and the power of women mentorship.
“This event brings students and community women together to engage with each other and be inspired by two of the most influential and powerful women leaders in the State of Indiana. We seek to create a space for women inside and outside of the College community to create meaningful, sustainable relationships,” said Joan McClendon, Associate Director of Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative.
Chief of Staff Tonya Brothers-BridgeThe event will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 7 p.m. in O’Laughlin Auditorium. The public is invited to this free but ticketed event. To reserve a ticket, go to www.saintmarys.edu/LeadHER.
Ellspermann manages six state agencies including the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Defense Development, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Office of Tourism Development and the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. She also serves as president of the Indiana Senate and chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council.
Ellspermann graduated from Purdue University as an industrial engineer and established a career in engineering and management at Michelin and Frito-Lay. While earning her master’s degree and doctorate in industrial engineering at the University of Louisville, she established Ellspermann and Associates and began a 20-year consulting practice. She later became the founding director of the University of Southern Indiana’s Center for Applied Research and Economic Development.
In 2010, Ellsperman was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. In November of 2012, she was elected to serve with Governor Mike Pence.
Brothers-Bridge is the Chief of Staff for the lieutenant governor and assists Ellspermann with management and leadership of the executive office, the business office, and the six state agencies. Ellsperman appointed Brothers-Bridge her to serve as the chair for the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Board and as the board chair for the Indiana Tourism Council.
About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. In the fall of 2015 Saint Mary’s College will offer two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report. Follow Saint Mary's College on Twitter @saintmarys and @saintmarysnews.
Contact for News Media: Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, Saint Mary’s College, gobrien@saintmarys.edu (574) 284-4579