The Women in Leadership Seminar Series, organized by two Ph.D. students, concludes Monday (Dec. 2) with a panel discussion featuring Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi and Vice Provost Maureen Stanton, along with other female leaders from industry and government.

The panel follows a six-week program of weekly films and follow-up discussions about global issues in gender disparity and how seized opportunities can make a difference for young girls, and illustrating the rise of female leaders.

Katehi and Stanton, who leads Academic Affairs, will join four others in a discussion of the challenges and rewards of being a successful female leader.

The other panelists: Meg Arnold, chief executive officer, Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance; Constance McKee, CEO, Manzanita Pharmaceuticals; Michele Wong, CEO, Synergex and CleanWorld; and Lois Wolk, state senator, who represents Davis in the Legislature.

“The overall objective of the series is to educate, advocate and inspire women by setting the stage for in-depth discussions regarding issues of gender equity,” according to a news release from the organizers, Nicole Chaffee, Ph.D. student in chemistry with a designated emphasis in biotechnology; and Jeni Lee, Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering with a designated emphasis in biotechnology.

Chaffee and Lee consulted with Judith Kjelstrom, director of the Biotechnology Program, in organizing the series. Support for the series came from the Biotechnology Program, chancellor's office, UC Davis ADVANCE (Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers), Women’s Resources and Research Center, Office of Campus Community Relations, and the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Association for Women in Science.

The panel discussion is scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday (Dec. 2) at the Conference Center.

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