2016 WLP Fall Symposium Program

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
Strategies to Bridge the Gap, Own Your Value
and Negotiate Your Worth
Palma Ceia
When women are empowered to lead and given the tools and support to do so, they make choices that change
history. Why is it then that women are often not compensated to reflect their value and power? Why it is that
even in today’s age, U.S. women make 77 cents for every dollar a man takes home, on average? Attendees will
hear from senior executives from leading area companies who are taking concrete and public steps to address
these issues and also share tools to help you become a powerful and confident asker. By sharing today’s most
successful negotiation strategies, you will learn how to monetize your strengths and potential and own your
value – not only in your paycheck, but by the position you hold.
Linda Simmons
President/CEO, R.R. Simmons
MODERATOR
President & CEO of R.R. Simmons, a commercial design/build firm in Tampa and a graduate of the
University of South Florida, Simmons was in commercial banking for 15 years prior to joining R.R.
Simmons. Simmons gives back to the USF System as a supporter and donor, currently serving on the
USF Foundation Board as immediate past chair, Women in Leadership & Philanthropy past chair and
founding member, Stavros Center for Economic Education Advisory Board, USF Bulls Club Iron Bull,
USF Alumni Association Life Member and past board member. She was recognized for her service to
USF by the Alumni Association with the Donald A. Gifford Service Award. Together with her husband
Randy, she established the Simmons Endowed Athletic Scholarship, providing a full scholarship
annually to one male and one female student. They also founded Bulls Blast, an annual clay shooting
event supporting this scholarship program. Simmons is a member of CREW Tampa Bay, Heart
Association Go Red for Women Cabinet, and is a past United Way Board Chair, and a founder of the
UW Women’s Leadership Program, Brandon Chamber of Commerce board chair and founder
Leadership Brandon, board chair Associated General Contractors, and a board member of the Grow
Financial Credit Union. When not hard at work for the firm or the community, you can find her
relaxing at her home in Boca Grande, Florida with Randy and their two golden retrievers.
Ruth Duncan Bell
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, LifeLink Foundation
Ruth Bell joined LifeLink Foundation, Inc. based in Tampa, FL in 1995 and currently serves as senior
vice president, public affairs. She is responsible for public affairs and public education activities
related to organ and tissue donation throughout LifeLink’s service areas in west central Florida,
Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bell also oversees the Multicultural Donation
Education Program in Georgia. Focus areas include branding, volunteer management, media
relations, social media, materials production, community relations, and donor registration and
government relations collaboration. She is an active member of the Association of Multicultural
Affairs in Transplantation, Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, Donate Life America,
Donate Life Florida, and Expert Panel Member for the Health Resources & Services Administration.
Locally, Bell is an active member of The Tampa Chapter of The Links, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority Inc., Tampa Alumnae Chapter, and the Athena Society. She graduated from Arizona State
University in Tempe with a degree in mass communications, and obtained a master’s degree in public
administration from the University of South Florida in Tampa.
28 #USFWLP • 11 TH ANNUAL WLP FALL SYMPOSIUM