Webster University Alumna Judith Bitterli to Speak at School of Business and Technology’s Maritz Success to Significance Speaker Series

Will Also Receive 2009 Woman of Influence Award

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 21, 2009 – Judith Bitterli, a Webster University alumna and self-described “serial entrepreneur,” will visit Webster University next week to speak at the School of Business and Technology’s “Maritz Success to Significance Speaker Series.” Bitterli’s talk will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. in the University Center’s Sunnen Lounge, 175 Edgar Rd. in Webster Groves. The event is free and open to the public but reservations are encouraged. To RSVP, go to www.webster.edu/speakers. Free parking is available in the University’s Garden Park Garage, 554 Garden Ave.

Following her presentation, “How to Succeed in any Market,” Bitterli will receive the School’s 2009 Woman of Influence award, which recognizes an individual who impacts our society and understands the need for all voices to be heard.

Bitterli has 25 years of experience in executive-level positions in the technology sector. Most recently, she served as founder and co-CEO of Direct Impact, an advertising agency specializing in direct marketing strategy. At Direct Impact, Bitterli used her deep knowledge of sales, marketing, operations and Internet strategies to achieve results for her clients, which included such well-known names as Sony, Best Buy and Hewlett-Packard. The business was sold two years ago and Bitterli left the company last summer to help her brother get elected to the U. S. House of Representatives in Delaware,

Prior to that, Bitterli was CEO and co-founder of Powered Inc., a software company providing businesses with Web-based customer learning platforms. She was able to attract clients such as Visa, barnesandnoble.com, IBM and Motorola by delivering increased conversion rates, decreased cost of sales and quality leads to field sales organizations. Bitterli also served as a member of the executive team at Micron Electronics, where she was responsible for sales, service and Internet business practices. She also worked with Softbank Services Group as executive vice president in charge of sales, professional services, operations and client services.

Bitterli began her career with a seven-year stint in the U.S. Army, where she specialized in logistics and supply management and also became the first woman to attain the rank of master parachutist. During her military career, Bitterli earned her master’s degree from Webster University’s campus in Yuma, Arizona.

 With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is a worldwide institution committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of more than 100 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. The University’s core values include excellence in teaching, joining theory and practice, small class sizes, and educating students to be lifelong independent learners, fully prepared to participate in an increasingly international society.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education, with an international presence that now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.

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