Two first-time events focusing on women and leadership will bring nationally known speakers to Myrtle Beach. The Women’s Leadership Conference and Celebration of Inspiring Women will be held March 25, 2011 at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Grande Dunes Resort and Spa. The daylong conference and evening dinner event will provide a forum for women to share their wisdom on topics intended to help attendees advance in their careers, balance work and life, and become business, philanthropic, civic and political leaders.

Coastal Carolina University’s Women in Philanthropy and Leadership (WIPL) will present the two events. ABC News Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi will serve as master of ceremonies for both events. Alfonsi, based in New York, reports for all ABC News broadcasts and platforms including “World News with Diane Sawyer,” “Nightline” and “Good Morning America.”

The Women’s Leadership Conference will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 25 in the Atlantic Ballroom of the Myrtle Beach Marriott Grande Dunes Resort. The Celebration of Inspiring Women dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m. Both events are open to the public. Registration is $75 for the Women’s Leadership Conference and $125 for the Celebration of Inspiring Women dinner. Registration for both events is $200. For more information, contact Jennifer Packard at 843-349-2002. Media representatives should contact Martha Hunn at 843-349-2962.

Women’s Leadership Conference confirmed speakers:

* Kristin Bohan, Ph.D., licensed psychologist experienced in helping girls and women with eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety and depression

* Margaret Booth, president of M. Booth and Associates, a New York public relations firm

* Mignon Clyburn, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission

* Patricia R. Hatler, executive vice president and chief legal and governance officer of Nationwide Insurance and served as 2009-2010 chair of the board of directors of the Association of Corporate Counsel

* Kaye Hearn, South Carolina Supreme Court Justice

* Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, first woman chair of the American Red Cross, founder and CEO of Pace Communications and former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Finland

* Mary M. Kennemur, president of JHS Capital Advisors, Wealth Management Group

* • Lisa Kinon, family court judge for South Carolina’s 15th Judicial Circuit

* Charlotte R. Lane, commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission

* Marlene Schwartz, Ph.D., deputy director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University

* Kim Brown Strickland, vice president of Walmart US Financial Planning & Analysis

* Donna R. Tyson, international motivational speaker and author

* Mary Agnes Wilderotter, chairman and CEO of Frontier Communications, formerly senior vice president of Worldwide Public Sector at Microsoft, member of board of directors for Xerox Corporation, member of board of directors for Proctor & Gamble, appointed by President Barack Obama as vice chair of the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee

* Jennifer Wilson, chief judge of the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court

“We believe that in recognizing extraordinary women in South Carolina, we will show the nation that we are rich in the strength of accomplished women,” said Terri DeCenzo, executive director of WIPL. “We hope to inspire the next generation of women to build on that strength and to empower them to reach greater heights than ever imagined. This is our opportunity to celebrate a legacy of achievement while helping provide education for future legacies.”

Women in Philanthropy and Leadership creates and fosters a community of women as philanthropists and leaders in support of Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and its educational foundations and practices. WIPL works to cultivate a sustainable legacy to transform the leadership potential of students, staff, faculty and the community into a vital resource for leadership development and recognition.