Babson To Host Webinar On Women Entrepreneurs, Gender Equality And Keys To Economic Growth

WELLESLEY, Mass., Oct. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Babson President Kerry Healey and Babson's Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership will host a webinar discussion - Advancing Women's Entrepreneurship: Why Gender Parity Is Key to Economic Growth - to explore theories and tactics that will further the cause of women's entrepreneurship worldwide.

The webinar will take place Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). For streaming video and to ask the panel questions, login to Adobe Connect at the time of event at http://bit.ly/155M0Jv

Panelists will discuss the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2012 Women's Report, which found that more than 126 million women entrepreneurs were starting or running new businesses in 67 economies in 2012. Despite these numbers, the Report found that much needs to be done for women entrepreneurs to further boost and grow their businesses and to increase their economic impact on society.

The 2012 GEM Women's Report is the most comprehensive study ever conducted about the entrepreneurial activity of women across the globe. According to the Babson-sponsored report:

* An estimated 48 million female entrepreneurs and 64 million female established business owners currently employ one or more people in their businesses.

* Seven million female entrepreneurs and five million established business owners are expected to grow their ventures by at least six employees in five years.

GEM found that women entrepreneurs need more resources and better programs to:

* Build new collaborations and leverage ideas

* Develop entrepreneurial abilities and attitudes

* Access the means necessary to expand their businesses and generate jobs

"Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as the driver of economic growth and societal well-being," said President Healey. "Babson's analysis of the GEM research shows that women's participation in entrepreneurship differs around the world, as does their impact on job creation and innovation. The report's findings suggest new ways to enable aspiring women entrepreneurs to overcome the unique challenges they face and, in the process, contribute significantly to economic development."

Webinar Panelists

Dr. Kerry Healey, Moderator and President, Babson College. An academic by training, Dr. Healey is an internationally known and respected leader with nearly three decades experience in academia, government, and international diplomatic and humanitarian work.

Dr. Donna J. Kelley, GEM 2012 Women's Report Author and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Babson College. She has conducted research on innovation in startups and established corporations in the U.S. and Korea, and on entrepreneurship education in China.

Dr. Candida G. Brush, GEM 2012 Women's Report Author and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Chair of the Entrepreneurship Division at Babson College. Professor Brush is well known for her pioneering research in women's entrepreneurship.

Dr. Patricia G. Greene, GEM 2012 Women's Report Author and Paul T. Babson Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies at Babson College, Co-Founder, Diana Project; National Academic Director Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.

Dr. Susan Duffy, Executive Director, Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College. Susan has designed and taught courses in entrepreneurship, management, and organizational behavior and is committed to creating learning experiences that change lives.

Learn more about the GEM 2012 Women's Report http://bit.ly/16DzgH8

About CWEL
The Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL) at Babson College educates, inspires, and empowers women entrepreneurial leaders to reach their full potential to create economic and social value for themselves, their organizations, and society. The Center does this through innovative education programs, events, and by supporting and widely disseminating research about the unique skills and experiences of women entrepreneurial leaders. Additionally, CWEL supports and advances gender equality as a growth strategy for individuals and for organizations of all sizes, everywhere in the world.

About Babson College
Babson College is the educator, convener, and thought leader for Entrepreneurship of All Kinds(tm). The College is a dynamic living and learning laboratory, where students, faculty, and staff work together to address the real-world problems of business and society -- while at the same time evolving our methods and advancing our programs. We shape the leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose to create economic and social value. As we have for nearly a half-century, Babson continues to advance Entrepreneurial Thought and Action(r) as the most positive force on the planet for generating sustainable economic and social value. For information, visit www.babson.edu.

Media Contacts:
Michael Chmura, [email protected], 781-239-4549

SOURCE Babson College