The co-founder of Vera Bradley will speak at UF today as part of the 2017 Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium.
The event, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, is free for UF students, faculty and staff, said Susana Santos, the event’s lead organizer. For those unaffiliated with UF, pre-registration costs $55, and tickets at the door cost $75.
Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, the chief creative officer and director of Vera Bradley, an American luggage and handbag design company, is the main speaker. She’ll speak about her company and women entrepreneurs in the workforce at 11:50 a.m., Santos said.
“This is an excellent opportunity to empower your entrepreneurship spirit, to get inspired by stories of women entrepreneurs who successfully launched their business and develop your entrepreneurial mindset,” she said.
Alexandra Craissati, the marketing director for the event, said it’s the second year the symposium is being held at UF.
Craissati said she expects about 400 women to attend.
She said other speakers at the symposium include Kim Wilson, the founder of the Social News Desk, a company that manages social media for newsrooms; Nicole Irving, the founder of Irving Publications, LLC; and Michelle Brewer, the co-founder of the restaurant Adam’s Rib Co. All three businesses started in Gainesville.
“I love this event because it combines two things I’m passionate about: marketing and entrepreneurship,” Craissati said.
Barbara Bradley Baekgaard
