Digital broadcasting pioneer to headline S.C. Women’s Business Summit

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Digital broadcasting pioneer Tiffany Norwood will be a keynote speaker at the inaugural S.C. Women’s Business Summit, hosted by the Women’s Business Center of South Carolina at Columbia College, on Nov. 16.

The summit, sponsored by the S.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Innovation and Grow with Google, is being held in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.

“During Global Entrepreneurship Week, we have the chance to acknowledge the pivotal role women business owners play in lasting prosperity for families, communities and nations across the globe,” said Kasie Whitener, co-founder of the women’s business center, in a news release. “Here in South Carolina, we have more than 150,000 women business owners. We are raising our hands together to support women-driven business as well as companies and organizations that value strength in diversity.”

Norwood’s 30-year career has included seven start-ups, two initial public offerings and a patent. She raised $670 million to fund a global satellite radio start-up called WorldSpace that is now part of Sirius XM. She has a master’s of business administration from Harvard and travels the world speaking to international audiences including the United Nations and the Italian Parliament.

The business summit will feature four other keynote speakers:

• Elaine Pofeldt is a journalist, editor, author and expert on multiple media outlets.
• Martha Brown is president and CEO of La-Z-Boy Southeast.
• Pamela Eyring is president and owner of The Protocol School of Washington, an institution focused on international business protocol, etiquette and communication skills training.
• Marsha Barnes is founder of The Finance Bar and a financial educator and commentator.

The summit will also include tactical breakout sessions and a mentoring luncheon. Ticket information is available online.

“Women business owners in South Carolina are doers and dreamers. They are ambitious and they are clear about their purpose,” said Katherine Swartz Hilton, co-founder of the business center and Columbia College’s McNair Center executive director. “They see a better future for themselves, for their families and for their communities. They are rising to their highest potential, and they are reaching around to bring others along.”

The business center opened in May with a goal of strengthening women’s entrepreneurship statewide.