Lilly-sponsored Summit to Help Youth Focus on Their Potential

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual Center for Leadership Development (CLD) Corporate Youth Summit, sponsored and hosted by Eli Lilly and Company, will be Saturday, September 17, at the Lilly Corporate Center. This year's theme is "From Classroom Potential to Corporate Power."

This event is designed to expose African-American high school students from the Indianapolis area to the many opportunities available in corporate America by showing them a corporate environment and providing an opportunity to network and develop life-long relationships.

"The Lilly Summit is one of the richest one-day experiences I have seen that is dedicated to exposing African-American youth to the opportunities and realities of corporate America," said Dennis Bland, CLD president.

"Through continuous interaction with high-level Lilly executives, participants receive a powerful and impactful first-hand education on what high-level success looks like and demands. As important, youth participating in the Summit walk away with a heightened level of confidence and belief that they too can succeed at the highest levels of corporate America — and the highest levels of life."

Students will participate in four modules that include "You as the CEO: Practical Tips for Getting a Seat at the Corporate Table," and others that focus on social media, managing money and stress. These modules will be moderated by individuals such as Derica Rice, executive vice president of global services and chief financial officer at Lilly; Jeremy Fitch, director, Six Sigma Black Belt, finance, Lilly; and Duncan Alney, president, Firebelly Marketing.

The Corporate Youth Summit also offers seminar opportunities for the parents of students taking part in the Summit. Modules on topics, such as social media and teens and parenting power, have been developed to help parents prepare their children for success.

For more information about the summit, contact the CLD office, (317) 923-8111.

About Lilly

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

About The Center for Leadership Development

It is the mission of the Center for Leadership Development to foster the advancement of minority youth in Central Indiana as future professional, business and community leaders by providing experiences that encourage personal development and educational attainment. The objective of the CLD programs include increasing awareness and competence in communication skills, exploring various career options, and identifying educational pursuits which will aid in reaching career goals.
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company