Carly for CA - Join WIPP on February 12th to Hear From One of Our Country's Greatest Innovators

Yesterday, Ann Blackburn and I had the opportunity to meet with 40 innovators and entrepreneurs at an hour and a half business roundtable with Carly Fiorina, candidate for the United States Senate from California. 

Among attendees was Saman Dias who is heading Entrepreneurs and Small Business for Carly. Saman is a dynamic young entrepreneur and friend who cares deeply about the state of our economy in California who I will be working with her to help Carly throughout 2010.

You can link to the roundtable with innovators and entrepreneurs here - http://carlyforcalifornia.com/2010/01/carly-fiorina-hosts-town-hall-meeting-with-high-tech-entrepreneurs-and-innovators/

Among the discussion points was the President's stimulus package, the need to educate our children for 21st century jobs, access to capital for small businesses, and immigration policy. I found Carly to be engaging, energetic, charming, articulate, and a real problem solver. 

While Fiorina is perhaps best known as the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard Company (HP), what is not as well known is Carly worked her way through undergraduate and graduate school. A self-made woman, she started her business career as a secretary and went on to become the first, and to date, the only woman to lead a Fortune 20 company.  A year ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and her story over the last year is one of a survivor - someone who understands from personal experience how health care works - and someone who wants to give back in a larger way to her country.

Last week, Carly addressed the need to have more women involved in the policy dialogue at a California Women Lead reception in Sacramento -
http://carlyforcalifornia.com/2010/01/carly-fiorina-discusses-importance-of-women-in-politics-at-california-women-lead-reception/

Carly has been a friend to Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) for many years - I remember her participating in the Presidential Power Team calls on behalf of John McCain. 

Carly has graciously agreed to join us again on February 12th at 11:30 AM EST (8:30 AM PST) to discuss issues WIPP cares about.  For your reference, her website can be found at www.CarlyforCA.org. Watch for information on how to register. 

Join Republican Small Business Team co-chairs Robin Otten, Nancy Zurbuchen and me for what promises to be an engaging discussion with one of our country's most successful business women.

Judy B. Lloyd
Co-Chair, Republican Small Business Team