The event “U-M Women Leaders Making a Difference: Stories to Inspire Your Path,” at 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 8 at the Power Center for Performing Arts, presents women talking of their careers.

All university and U-M Health System (UMHS) faculty, staff and students are invited to attend this half-day event, focused on learning from 10 highly successful U-M women. Online registration and more information including cost is available at www.hrd.umich.edu/specialevents/womenleaders2011.html. Attendees also can register at the door.

Dr. Ora Pescovitz, executive vice president for medical affairs and CEO, UMHS, will provide video welcoming remarks. This will be followed by conversational interviews with the group of diverse and successful leaders chosen for their unique career paths.

“We kept hearing from our participants that they wanted to learn from the experiences of U-M leaders at all levels, so we did some research and ended up with this fantastic list of women leaders,” says Kristen Storey, Human Resource Development (HRD) director, adding the in-depth conversations will create a rich learning experience.

The event is sponsored by the HRD and the Center for the Education of Women (CEW).

For more information on professional development opportunities for faculty, staff and students, go to the HRD site at hrd.umich.edu or the CEW site at cew.umich.edu.

Ann Arbor Summer Festival is back

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival, which presents Mainstage shows at the Power Center for the Performing Arts and free live music and films through the Top of the Park (TOP) series on Ingalls Mall, Central Campus, returns June 17-July 10.

Festival Mainstage highlights include a performance June 18 by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Andrew Bird. TOP highlights include Australia’s Strange Fruit performing June 30-July 2. TOP also presents activities ranging from face painting and crafts for kids to free yoga and tai chi classes.

The festival has a number of corporate and non-profit sponsors, among them the U-M Health System and Michigan Radio. For event times and more informtion go to www.annarborsummerfestival.org.