Women leaders from the community will meet to mentor other women from Sacramento State in a conference on Friday.

Communication Professor Barbara O’Connor will be the keynote speaker because of her strong leadership qualities and experience in her field, said Davin Brown, program adviser with Student Activities.

Other invited mentors include California legislators, lawyers, and educators who will take part in the “Women Mentoring Women” conference, which made its debut last year. “The women had a great time,” Brown said.

More than 100 students are registered for the free conference this week, Brown said.

Women who have registered for the conference, which saw a near 2-1 ratio of participants to mentors last year, have various leaders in the fields of art, public and government, nonprofit, and corporate from which to choose as their mentor.

“It’s a much needed program. A lot of the returning mentors are interested in helping these women,” Brown said.

There will be 30 more mentors available this year compared to last year.

The event begins at 8 a.m. in the University Union Ballroom.