Barbara Sokol and Lila Graves

Past winner Barbara Sokol, left, presents Lila Graves with the Woman of the Year award at the 2018 Lead Forward Women's Conference put on by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce.

The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce is excited to host its ninth-annual Lead Forward Women’s Conference & Business Expo presented by Valley Bank Women in Business on Friday, March 4 at Central Alabama Community College (CACC).

"As women, we tend to get so caught up in the day-to-day life of work, family and household responsibilities that we often put our own hopes and dreams on the back burner in order to just get through the day," VP of marketing and special events Kim Dunn said in a statement. "Lead Forward is our annual signature event designed to remind women that our passions matter too and can often make significant impacts in our homes and community. We are excited to have Mrs. Shaver, a former Miss Alabama, join us to share her story of leadership and success as she encourages each of us to follow our hearts."