Harris County Department of Education will host the 19th annual Manuel H. Gallegos Young Women’s Leadership Conference for the first time at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, May 14.

The conference, which will also be held virtually for the first time, is organized by HCDE Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Jesús Amezcua and has historically taken place at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, for students from area school districts.

Under its new virtual format, young women in grades 9 through 12 from Harris County and the state will be able to participate regardless of their location.

Featured presenters include HCDE leaders Venetia Peacock, Senior Director of Head Start; Dr. Lisa Caruthers, Director of CASE for Kids; Danielle Bartz, Chief of Staff; and Celina Cereceres Miller from accounting firm Whitley Penn.

The free conference aims to empower young girls to seek positions of leadership in professional environments.