CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien to deliver keynote address at Pace University’s Technology Award Reception honoring

CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien to deliver keynote address at Pace University’s Technology Award Reception honoring Verizon CIO Judith Spitz

Keynote to focus on the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education

Soledad O’Brien, the anchor for CNN morning show “Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien” and special correspondent for CNN/U.S., will deliver the keynote address Thursday, June 21, at PricewaterhouseCoopers, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 6:00 p.m., when Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems presents the Technology Leadership Award to Judith Spitz, Ph.D., Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President for IT Strategy and Planning at Verizon. O’Brien will discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The Technology Leadership Award is presented annually to an outstanding individual or company who best exemplifies leadership in the field of technology by demonstrating a commitment to development, innovation, research and application. This year’s recipient, Spitz, is responsible for establishing and driving enterprise-wide standards for IT computing infrastructure and systems architecture, for IT portfolio management, talent management, process and technology transformation, IT governance and compliance, and for integration with corporate strategy.

InfoWorld named Spitz as a 2009 CTO 25 award winner. Computerworld magazine named her to its CIO 100 Honoree list in 2007 and CIO Magazine placed Spitz on its “Ones to Watch” list in 2005. She has received Verizon Communications’ Quality and Excellence Awards three times. Spitz is a member of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems Advisory Board at Pace University.

Representing this year’s theme a celebration of women in technology and the need to encourage young girls/women to pursue education and careers in science and technology groups of girls from schools and non-profit organizations will display their science and/or technology themed projects during the reception. Participating will be The Techno Chix, National Engineers Week Future City Competition, Urban Assembly Institute of Math & Science for Young Women in affiliation with Girls Inc. of New York City, and Grover Cleveland High School and High School of Hospitality Management in affiliation with National Academy Foundation.

Pace graduate Julie Gill will give a presentation on her Senior Thesis: Patterns for Success: Women in Technology.

Proceeds from the award reception support students through scholarships as well as underwriting key academic initiatives.

www.pace.edu