Lunch & Learn: Women in Business Forum

  Why you should attend:
The number of women who are working is on the rise in Mississippi, and we want to celebrate the impact that women make in the workplace. Join us for a program featuring female leaders who have left their mark on the business community in Jones County. The Forum will highlight issues facing modern working women, in addition to providing tips from your local peers on the challenges they have overcome along their journeys to success. Mississippi's First Lady Deborah Bryant will cap of the day of empowerment and education with a will keynote over lunch where she will share her passion for and importance of servant leadership.

Not just for women either! Men are encouraged to attend and network and learn. If you supervise women or have female colleagues or clients, you too will walk away with new insights on improving workplace relationships and additional best practices.

Networking! Arrive early at 9:30 AM for coffee and conversation before the program begins. Additional breaks between sessions will allow time for you to mingle with your fellow Chamber members and to make connections with new contacts that could help elevate your business.
 
More About the Speakers:
Deborah Bryant
With a heart for service, First Lady of Mississippi Deborah Bryant has dedicated her professional and personal life to caring for those around her. She has worked tirelessly through her H.O.M.E. (Healthcare, Outdoors, Mansion/Military, and Education) platform to improve the quality of life for Mississippians of all ages. In 2014, Deborah traveled the entire state as part of her “Read Across Mississippi” program. She read to students in all 82 counties to promote literacy and bring attention to reading disabilities. She added volunteerism and veterans as her part of her platform the following year. Through her “Mississippi Matters that Matter” initiative she turned her attention to bullying and suicide prevention, and pursued tougher legislation to combat bullying in schools. This year she plans to visit schools and daycare centers across the state promoting literacy and “The Golden Rule.”

 She has been honored as a Women of Distinction Laureate by the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi, the recipient of the “Women of Excellence Award” from the Mississippi Diabetes Foundation, and received the Chrysalis Award from the Mississippi Children’s Home Services. In May of 2016, William Carey University awarded Mrs. Bryant an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of her tireless efforts in promoting literacy and her volunteer work following natural disasters throughout the state, especially the tornado that struck Louisville, MS, in 2014. Winston County also presented her with the Spirit of Hope Award following the recovery work she participated in for several months there.

Deborah also works part-time for Community Bank as Director of Community Development where she champions economic development in Rankin County and around the state.   She has been with the bank for five years. Prior to that, she retired from St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson after more than 39 years in quality and performance improvement. Deborah and her husband of 41 years, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, have two grown children. Daughter, Katie, and her husband, Stephen, and children, Henry and Eliza, live in Madison, MS. Their son, Patrick, lives in Austin, TX.

Robin Robinson
Robin Robinson served as the 2016-2017 Chair of the Mississippi Economic Council.
Robinson is director of organization development and corporate communication at Sanderson Farms, Inc., which is a publicly held, vertically integrated poultry company with $1.9 billion in sales. Sanderson Farms has operations in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina, employs over 11,000 employees, and is the third largest poultry company in the United States.

Robinson began her career at Sanderson Farms in 1978 at Laurel processing as cost accountant after graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. In 1981, she was promoted to chief accountant at Laurel processing.  In 1986, she was promoted to chief internal auditor with responsibilities for auditing all aspects of the organization.  Robinson served as manager of organization development from 1995-1997, manager of human resources, 1998–1999.  In 2000 she was named to her current position of director of organization development and corporate communication. She serves on the Sanderson Farms Executive Committee and also chairs the wage and salary committee. As director, her responsibilities include training, trainee and internship programs and corporate recruitment.
Read her full bio HERE.

Allison Albritton
Allison Albritton is founder and owner of InStyle Auctions, an online boutique. At InStyle we believe that fashion does not have to break the bank! Shopping should be a fun AND easy experience. We offer affordable boutique clothing and accessories to women of all shape, size and age. Shop our website, app or social media 24/7! Allison worked in pharmaceutical sales for 10 years before starting InStyle.


Cortney Hill
Cortney Hill is a Jones County native who attended West Jones High School. She has been married to Jeff Hill, also a Laurel native, since 2010, and they have two sons. Cortney owns Hill’s In-House Jewelers, working alongside her husband, who is the on site bench jeweler. She began her career in jewelry working at Burton’s in downtown Laurel, and has continued to gain experience with complex situations. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and is currently enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America where she is pursing a Graduate Gemologist Degree.  She has already earned multiple accreditations from the Institute including a graduate in Pearls and a graduate in Diamonds Essentials. Cortney is involved in multiple organizations in her community. She is a current board member and coach for the Laurel Jones County Soccer Association, a member of Junior Auxiliary, where she held office of Treasurer, and a former board member of the Jones County Chamber of Commerce. As with all women in business, Cortney maintains a balance between her work and being a fantastic mom to her kids.

Dr. Patricia Tibbs, MD MPH FAAP
Dr. Tibbs is a Pediatrician at Ellisville Pediatric Clinic. She has practiced in Jones County for over 20 years. She is married to Patrick Tibbs, and they are parents to four children ranging in age from 16 to 25.