Model, fashion entrepreneur Emme to keynote 2009 WISE conference

Model, fashion entrepreneur Emme to keynote 2009 WISE conferenceFebruary 18, 2009Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

The Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, in collaboration with Key Foundation, State Farm, National Grid and OCIDA, have announced that model and fashion entrepreneur Emme ’85 will give the keynote address at the 2009 Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) conference April 8 at the Oncenter.

WISE, an organization created by the Falcone Center to promote and expand women’s entrepreneurial activities, annually brings together well-known women entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to share and discuss innovative ideas on creating, maintaining and growing businesses.

The world’s first full-figured supermodel and former host of E! Entertainment’s “Fashion Emergency,” Emme is regularly recognized as one of the most important women in America by national media outlets including Ladies’ Home Journal, Glamour, People and Biography magazine. She currently owns me by Emme(tm), a QVC clothing line. She is the author of “What Are You Hungry For?” (HarperCollins, 2007), “Morning Has Broken: A Couple’s Journey Through Depression” (with Phillip Aronson, NAL Hardcover, 2006), “Life’s Little Emergencies” (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2004) and “True Beauty” (Putnam Adult, 1997).

Emme graduated from SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication in 1985. She was inducted into SU’s Orange Plus Hall of Fame in 1994 for her significant contribution to women’s athletics and the sport of rowing.

“We are pleased to welcome back an SU alum as our keynote speak of the 2009 WISE conference,” says Tom Kruczek, executive director of the Falcone Center. “Her career has been an illustration of entrepreneurship at its best, and we are confident participants this year will gain from her insights and experience.”

Other presenters at the 2009 WISE conference include, among many others:

• Joanie Mahoney, county executive, Onondaga County;
• Wendy Meyerson, owner of Natur-Tyme;
• Carrie Mae Weems, world-renowned photographer and artist; and
• Cindy Solomon, consultant and owner of Cindy Solomon, Inc.

Registration for WISE is now open and costs $65 until March 31. Starting April 1, registration is $100. Full-time students may register for $10. Included in the symposium will be a networking lunch with guest entrepreneurs, along with the presentation of the Ann Michel WISE Distinguished Entrepreneur Award.

For more information or to register visit http://www.wiseconference.com or contact Lindsay Wickham, events coordinator, Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship in the Whitman School of Management, at (315) 443-3550 or lwickham@syr.edu. Media queries can be directed to Amy Mehringer, director of communications, Whitman School of Management, at (315) 443-3834 or aemehrin@syr.edu.