Ice Miller Partner Attends Women's Leadership Summit Convened in Washington, D.C.
5/9/2008
Indianapolis, May 9, 2008- Melissa Proffitt Reese, a partner at Ice Miller LLP, recently attended the Business and Professional Women's Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The two day conference provided a forum for approximately 350 professional women from across the country to discuss a range of policy issues with members of the United States Congress, the Administration, and experts in the fields of health care, education, and business. Reese was nominated to attend the conference by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.
"Bringing together women leaders, policy experts, and our federal officials for an open dialogue on the pressing issues facing our families and communities is critical to moving our nation forward in the 21st century," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), Summit co-sponsor.
A host of leaders from the U.S. Congress joined prominent women to address the Summit, including keynote speaker U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) addressed the delegates and welcomed them to the Summit. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Rep. Kay Granger (TX) updated participants on legislative priorities in the 110th Congress, followed by Sen. Richard Burr (NC), who outlined plans for expanding access to affordable health care. Sen. Hutchison led a session on leadership and innovation in the 21st century, and Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA) discussed legislative proposals to secure America's economy and housing industry. Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN) spoke on initiatives to improve education and U.S. competitiveness. Participants also discussed ideas to strengthen opportunities for entrepreneurs, and they engaged in informative question and answer sessions following each panel.
Other notable speakers included Carly Fiorina, Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Company (1999-2005); Meg Whitman, former President and CEO of eBay Inc.; Bernadine Healy, M.D., Health Editor for U.S. News and World Report; Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Founder and CEO of Pace Communications and Chairman of the American Red Cross; Angela Braly, President and CEO of WellPoint, Inc.; Dr. Elsa Murano, President of Texas A&M University; and Dr. Mary Evans Sias, President of Kentucky State University.
Reese is a partner at Ice Miller LLP. She chairs the Firm's agribusiness initiative, co-chairs the Employee Benefits Practice Group and is a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. She concentrates her practice in employee benefits with a focus on welfare benefit plans and qualified plans.
Ice Miller's lawyers and business professionals, through their understanding of businesses, industries, and government entities, help simplify the complexities faced by its clients. Ice Miller is committed to helping its clients achieve their legal and business goals. The Firm has offices in Chicago; DuPage County, IL; Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. For additional information, visit online at www.icemiller.com.
