Telecommuting, Telework, Flexiplace workspace, satellite offices and an international workforce are just some of the trends extending the workplace beyond the office. Back in 1997, 12 million people in the US worked from home at least one day a month; by August 2005 more than 45 million worked from home at least one day a month.

For millions of others the workplace extends far beyond the office with Wi-Fi, wireless devices and web-based teleconferencing, helping them cut the cord and still stay connected to headquarters from satellite locations around the world. For many, the new flexible work environments are a boon offering more personal freedom and empowering self-starters to maximum potential. For others, the trends bring challenges including less 'office' camaraderie, 24/7 work interruptions and a race to stay ahead with the latest technology. The panel will look at methods developed to extend the office place without the madness of dawn to dawn work in a day that never ends worldwide.

As the workplace is changing with the retirement of the baby boomer generation, the panel also explores how companies are addressing the changing needs of hiring and retaining human capital resources as the millenial generation changes the way companies are structured.

About Our Speaker(s)

Bio of Donna Kruse, Qwest Communications:

Donna Kruse, Qwest Communications, Major Accounts Executive
Donna joined Qwest in October of 2004. Prior to her tenure at Qwest, Donna spent 12 years with major technology players including AT&T, Lucent Technologies and Avaya marketing technology solutions to business ranging from mid-size single site companies up to large global accounts with 300+ locations.

Donna has extensive experience with technology applications in business across a wide range of industries. She has worked with virtually every industry segment and business size. In the Major Accounts role at Qwest, she works with a few hand-selected clients in San Diego on all aspects of their business technology projects. Donna enjoys facilitating a team approach to understanding her client’s business needs and providing a total solution.

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Bio of Vanina Mangano, Executive Member, Never Limited LLC:

Vanina Mangano is an Executive Member of Never Limited LLC, which owns a
portfolio of companies, including its most recent project: TrainChange
Fitness Studio, a private specialty gym based in Sorrento Valley, CA.

Over the past decade, Vanina has specialized in working with and
founding start-up companies ranging from overseas technology-driven companies,
to recreation and fitness. Prior to her current role, Vanina served as
the VP of Business Development for BHNET Software Solutions, focusing in the
onshore/offshore outsourcing model within the Asian and European
countries.

In addition to this, Vanina is also an entrepreneur, and is the co-founder
of MYeFlora, an online gardening community, and ComeGetMyRV, a SoCal RV rental company.

Currently, Vanina participates as an active member in various committees and
organizations. She presently serves on the board of Women In Technology
International's (WITI) Orange County network, and helped re-launch the
Los Angeles and Orange County networks in 2005. In addition, she has
participated in formal mentorship programs by acting as a mentor to
tenured professional women in the technology industry, and spoken at alumni
Business Conferences.

Vanina holds a dual bachelors degree from the University of California,
Riverside, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and
holds a certification in Human Resources Management.
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Bio of Jennifer Beckey, Regional VP, WITI:

Jennifer Beckey is an entrepreneurially-minded executive with a passion for building companies. Her past business experience includes 20 years of management and business development in the high technology and professional services sectors.

She is currently the Director of Administration for the law firm of Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge, LLP, and also serves as Regional Vice President for WITI Southern California. Prior to Kirby Noonan et al, she worked for LawDocsXpress, a company that provides outsourced word processing services to law firms utilizing digital technology.

In January 2001, Jennifer founded the San Diego chapter of FWE, which became the WITI San Diego regional network in January 2005. She built the original chapter from its inception to a membership base of over 200 members, and remains active in its leadership to the present date.

Jennifer is an active member of several foundations and organizations. She serves on the board of the WITI San Diego Leadership Council (2001-present), and chaired the Sharp Hospice 2006 and 2007 Annual Regatta organizing committee. She is a member of the San Diego MIT Enterprise Forum board and Executive Committee. She is a member of ALA (Association of Legal Administrators).

Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN. She studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris in 2001, and received her certificate, Chef du Patisserie du Bas, in August 2001. Her passion is sailing, and she and her husband competed in the 2005 Transpacific Yacht Race (sailing from Long Beach, CA to Honolulu, HI).

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Bio of Barbara Oppelz, Portfolio Analyst Strategy and Business Development, Nokia.

Barbara Oppelz is a portfolio analyst of Strategy and Business Development for Nokia, the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of of the converging internet and communications industries.

For more than a decade, Barbara has developed market entry strategies for Fortune 500 international vendors, wireless carriers and content providers such as Nortel, DaimlerChrysler and Sprint. Her expertise is in applying competitive intelligence to corporate planning and business development across technologies positioning products, services and markets worldwide. Barbara has joint-venture experience developing growing markets, customer relationships, pricing and distribution strategies. She has consistently managed multi-million dollar projects and new product opportunities in wireless and satellite communications, technology, healthcare, aerospace, and software.

She received her bachelor degree from Babson College (B.S.) and her masters degree from Kellogg School of Management (executive MBA). Barbara is fluent in German and French, and has studied Mandarin and Spanish. She is a J.D. candidate at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Event Date and Venue

This event will be held from 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at:

Fish & Richardson, PC campus
12390 El Camino Real
San Diego, California 92130
Map

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM Registration/Lunch/Networking
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Program/Q&A

Pre-registration for this event is closed and on-site registrations will not be accepted.

Contact Us

For more info regarding registration or event details, please contact Jennifer Beckey ([email protected]).

For more details about pre-registration, contact Tech Support.