San Francisco's VinoVenue was buzzing on May 1, 2006 as Professional BusinessWomen of California hosted Bay Area business leaders, members and sponsors to celebrate its 17th year supporting California's corporate women, entrepreneurs and young women.

On the eve of the 17th annual PBWC Conference at San Francisco's Moscone Center, PBWC President and State Farm Insurance Vice President Debra Boblitt (right) welcomed special guests and unveiled the inaugural issue of PBWC Connections, one of several strategic new member services for 2006.

"The launch is an exciting milestone for PBWC and a testament to the Board of Directors' vision for extending valuable educational resources that have reached more than 70,000 women throughout California," said magazine founder Joanna Rustin.

"I'm delighted to have an opportunity to collaborate with business leaders and nationally-acclaimed authors who are eager to share their wisdom with others. Our faculty of contributors for this first issue represents the bold thinking that is inspiring women to achieve great things in their careers and in their lives."

Features that can be found in the inaugural issue of PBWC Connections:

• California State Senator Jackie Speier on the power of women's vote in It's Woman Time!
• Wells Fargo Executive Vice President and SF Bay Area Regional VP Lisa Stevens, sharing Financial Tips to Ease the Balancing Act
• Western Digital Worldwide Factory Quality and Six Sigma Executive Jackie McNab's 7 Winning Skills for Communicating in Cross-Cultural Teams
• Flexibility Alliance Founder Amy Nassisi on The Business Case for Flexibility in the Workplace
• Bank of America Senior Vice President Emily Shanks sits down with Joanna Rustin to discuss how women are thriving in financial services
• Change Management expert and PBWC Program Manager Laura Deck on Nora Denzel's rise to the top ranks at Hewlett-Packard and IBM
• Kaiser Permanente's Dr. David Sobel on Healthy Pleasures: The Healthy Benefits of Sensuality, Optimism and Altruism
• Guidant Corporation's Karen Rathmell on Women & Heart Health: a Vital Connection
• Deborah Collins Stephens, co-founder and managing partner for the Center for Innovative Leadership, on Six Questions Every Leader Should Ask
• Karen Klein, Director of Family Wealth Services at Merrill Lynch, on Discussing Wealth With Your Children

Download your electronic copy of the entire issue.

photos courtesy of Linda Sue Scott

PBWC Connections magazine founder Joanna McMillan Rustin, President of Rustin Communications, with Bank of America Vice President Emily Shanks and Editorial Director Ruth Stergiou, President of Planning Dynamics and Event Producer for PBWC