Barrett to speak at Christian Women in the Workplace luncheon

Susan Barrett, current chairman of John Brown University’s Board of Trustees and retired president of Mercy Health, will be the keynote speaker of the upcoming Mission at the Workplace seminar and luncheon, sponsored by Christian Women in the Workplace.

Barrett will share her personal experience and insight on fostering a spirit of collaboration, empowerment and inspiration in the community of women coworkers during the event, planned from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at John Brown University’s Simmons Great Hall. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

Barrett worked for Mercy Health for more than 18 years, starting as a nurse and working her way up to president, according to Dominique Seitz, a member of the leadership team for the original Christian Women in the Workplace, and a founder of the local chapter. Barrett served as president of Mercy Health from 1999 to 2008. The following year, in 2009, the Susan Barrett Women with a Mission Society was founded in honor of her contribution to Mercy Health to raise funds for programs that benefited women and children.

In addition to her work at Mercy Health, Barrett has also served on the board of the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Arvest Bank, Rogers Public School Systems and the Perinatal Board of Arkansas.

“She’s a very influential woman,” said Dominique Seitz, “I personally want to hear her speak and get some inspiration and hear her experiences so I can apply some of that in my life.”

The local Christian Women in the Workplace organization was first established on the Interstate 49 corridor. The Siloam Springs chapter was created for women who have a hard time driving to Bentonville or Rogers for lunch events, Seitz said.

The group’s Facebook page states it is “A platform for Christian Women in the Workplace to connect as professionals to encourage, inspire and share their faith.” The organization hosted a panel discussion on equality in the workplace and fair compensation on June, and hosts regular munch and mingle events.

DaySpring provided the first 50 registrants free tickets to the Mission in the Workplace seminar. As of Thursday, the complimentary tickets were all reserved, but tickets were still available for purchase for $8 online at eventbrite.com. Seating is limited to 100.