The Woodlands Journal had the opportunity to attend the Third Annual WISE Conference held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and Convention Center, on October 16^th organized by Glenda Minshew, Owner of Plan Ahead Events along with a committee of successful business women.

This conference had an exceptional lineup of inspirational speakers, skill-building breakout sessions and 35,000 sq ft. of exhibit space for vendors and attendees to network and build connections.

WISE is committed to the empowerment of women through personal and professional development. WISE is also focused on giving back to local charity organizations in our community. Together we can make a difference.

The WISE Conference offered incredible opportunities for networking, professional development and personal growth.

With sessions ranging from health and wellness, personal finance and business development, this event offered something for everyone in attendance. The speakers ranged from female executives and entrepreneurs to financial experts who have incredible stories of perseverance to inspire and motivate you in achieving your personal and professional goals.

The one-day conference catered to both women and men who have a continual desire for improving work/ life balance through motivation, education, networking, and of course a little pampering along the way!

Each year WISE chooses a charity to support. This year the WISE Conference chose the Rettsyndrome.org as its 2015 charity partner.

Rett is a postnatal neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in females and becomes apparent after 6 to 18 months of early normal development.

The core mission of Rettsyndrome.org is to fund research for treatments and a cure for Rett syndrome while enhancing the overall quality of life for those living with the disorder by providing information, programs, and services.

There are currently nine families living in Montgomery County whose daughters live with Rett. I personally had the priveledge of meeting, Kenna & Michael Seiler who live and work in Montgomery County. Their eleven-year-old daughter, Rachael, has Rett Syndrome.   Like most girls with Rett syndrome, Rachael was born normally and developed normally.  She was the perfect baby.  After this period of normal development, girls with Rett syndrome regress, losing purposeful use of their hands and forever losing the ability to speak.  Many develop seizures.

While Rachael cannot walk, cannot talk, and has no use of her arms or her hands, their lives have been changed for the better because of her.

[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]“ Rachael has taught us that a smile is worth a million words and that you can love someone so much, even if you can never hear her voice. She has also shown us that we have amazing friends and live in a remarkable community that has joined our mission to change Rachael’s life…a mission that has changed ours as well.” – Kenna Seiler[/quote]

Thanks to generous donations, the gene that causes Rett syndrome was found (by a researcher right here at Texas Children’s Hospital) and the symptoms of Rett syndrome have been reversed in mice in the laboratory. Rettsyndrome.org is funding the first clinical trials, including trials taking place at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Thank you to the SPONSORS of the 2015 WISE Conference.

Presenting Sponsor: Donna Wick, Wicked Publicity

VIP Party Sponsor Mercedes Benz of The Woodlands, held a beautiful cocktail event on Tuesday October 13^th with delicious horderves and wine served by GenuWine Tasting Room

WISE Luncheon Sponsor: The Seiler Law Firm
Attendee Bag Sponsor: Randall Reed’s Planet Lincoln
WISE Sponsor: MD Anderson Cancer Center
WISE Media Sponsor: The Woodlands Hits & Kstar Country
Mentor Sponsor: Woodforest National Bank, Praxair, Danville
WISE Program Sponsor: Avante Laser & Medi Spa
Photo Booth Sponsor: Vedas Medical Spa & Wellness Center

Tabletop Sponsors: Better Bookkeepers, BNI-Crossroads, DW PR, Incredible Pizza, Interfaith Of The Woodlands, Montgomery County Treasures Office, New Danville, Speaking From The Heart,Woamtec Conroe,Woamtec Cypress, Woamtec Woodlands