Approximately 75 local business women learned Wednesday how to be more effective employees and leaders.
The Kosciusko Association of Female Executives presented a morning seminar titled "Leadership For Women: A Women's Symposium" at the 2517 Restaurant, Warsaw.
This was the second year for the forum that is held on a bi-annual basis.
The association is dedicated to the advancement of women, both professionally and personally, by providing an environment that promotes support, networking opportunities, continuing education and volunteerism through community service.
The organization meets monthly to share ideas, skills and career opportunities.
The featured keynote speaker was Tricia Sloma, morning anchor for WNDU Channel 16.
Sloma has served as a co-anchor of the morning news since late 1993.
Sloma's presentation was titled "The Nuts and Bolts of a Mostly Happy Life."
Sloma said when she reports, she tries to personalize her stories.
"I try to put myself in the shoes of the people I interview," Sloma said.
Sloma suggested to the women to surround themselves with happy people, pray for happiness and a happy heart, and draw inspiration from people closest to them.
There were four other speakers who gave advice to the women on how to become more effective employees.
Mary Gerard, human resources director for Seating Technologies, Goshen, spoke on the topic "Getting It All Done While Keeping Your Sanity."
"There are two ways to handle time, and that is for a person to control their time or let time control them," Gerard said.
Gerard encouraged women to take time to themselves and create a calendar designated for events they look forward to at night.
Pamela Plouhar, vice president for clinical and regulatory affairs at DePuy, spoke about "Building the Women's Team."
"Every time a woman succeeds, it makes it easier for the next woman to succeed," Plouhar said.
Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe spoke on "Breaking the Mold, Adjusting Your Style to Fit the Situation."
Handshoe said the moment women are born, they are put into a mold and have expectations they try to live up to from childhood to adulthood.
She encouraged the women to choose a mold they would like to break, and think of a strategic plan to break it.
Linda Zimmerman, Creative Fish Gallery, Syracuse, encouraged women to learn who they are and about their personalities so they can relate to others.
Zimmerman spoke about "Me, Myself & You: Understanding Yourself and Others."
"As women, if we don't take the opportunity to learn who we are, then we will have trouble understanding others," Zimmerman said.
KAFE meets the third Tuesday of each month at noon at the Great Wall in Warsaw.
