It seems like yesterday that I put on my hot pink heels and trudged through the early morning to help set up the very first Women Leading the Future conference, held at the Navy Memorial Center in Penn Quarter in 2011. I carried in trays of Costco croissants that others drove over (YAY Cassandra and Marlene!), ran around looking for light dimmers, and bonded with some incredible women. What we lacked in conference experience, we made up for with smarts, bright smiles, and brutal determination. We were blessed to have the support and involvement of the UN Foundation, the marvelous Joan Amble, and so many others. It was an exciting day, full of learning, connections, and potential.

And that potential really blossomed. One conference co-chair from that first year went on to launch a high-flying career with an international consultancy (YAY Kimberly!), and the other built directly on that conference experience and launched her own conference organizing company (YAY Julie, and thank you for all your hard work this year!). And the conference itself is now in its THIRD year. While I'd like to think that by now we know what we're doing, I also hope that we never lose that "learner's edge" that was so powerful that first year: that openness to outside input, that realization that we can always do better. and that grit and determination to master anything thrown our way.

I know those traits will be in the air for us to absorb at the 2013 Women Leading the Future conference, to be held this Saturday (June 15), at the Microsoft corporate space above the Friendship Heights metro station. Our opening keynote will be given by the dynamic Sam Horn ("the premiere expert on the art and business of intrigue"), there will be a panel on 'Nutrition & Exercise Needs for Greater Professional Success," another panel on Salary Negotiation, more dynamic speakers, and a BRAG-SESSION. New this year, participants will be selected by lottery to share for one minute (yes, you will be timed) something they accomplished, are working towards, anything…. Did you write a book? Learn something at the conference last year that you want to share? Did you start a new job, get a new degree, make a new friend? Tell us!! Sharing your progress is part of the learning process -- both for the sharers, and for those listening. And as usual, we'll close out with a reception. (You won't see me at many events that don't put a glass of wine in my hand at some point.)

None of this would have happened without the vision, determination, and dynamism of our founder and fearless leader, Lindsey Mask. She is seemingly everywhere, knows almost everyone, and at 3am is always sending emails. To paraphrase the great historian Charles Beard, she is a perpetual student so that she can be a perpetual expert. 

So if you haven't already, register for Saturday's conference, and come prepared to learn -- and to be encouraged. Oh, and I should warn you: a member of our Communications Committee might grab you for a quote, insight, or flipcam interview. The Ladies DC Mentorship Committee will be dying to tell you about their no-longer Top Secret project, the Events Committee will be everywhere, and our Membership and Partnerships Directors can answer your questions about volunteer activities. 

And gentlemen (yes, I italicized that): you are our colleagues, sometimes our competitors, and always our friends. You are always welcome to join us to network, exchange stories from the trenches, and share your insights and knowledge. 

See you Saturday!

To register for the Conference, visit: http://www.womenleadingthefuture.org

• Jean Schindler is approaching her one-year anniversary as Director of Ladies DC. In her day job, she works in communications for an international, civil society-focused grant maker. If you see her at the Conference, introduce yourself!