my name is rebecca zimmerman. i am principle of "mind over machines. we're a strategy consulting firm based here in the d.c. metro area. i want to extend a welcome to all of you. i think we have about 250 attendees. welcome to our inaugural event. i am honored to be the chairperson of the mid atlantic women and technology conference. we are a proud sponsor a law with lockheed martin, and are to integrated. the queue for sponsoring. this inaugural event will provide us with an opportunity to connect, share, and learned, and experience the true power of women in technology. before i introduce this morning was the keynote speaker, let's take a brief look at the state of women in technology today. the women and technology to a parade of women face challenges in every industry, but i find that, although women make up half of the workforce in the united states, our ranks are declining in information technology. from 40% in 1986 to only 24% today. i am concerned this decline may continue. there has been a 79% drop in the number of women majoring in computer s