Author of Out of My Lane: Leveling the Playing Field for Iraqi Women, Padberg talks about her journey to Iraq in June 2004 with the single focus of helping the Iraqi women participate in whatever economic recovery democracy promised.  Developing and implementing programs to build businesses, career training programs and jobs, she tells a vivid account of working with Iraqi women, living and traveling in a war zone.

About Eileen Padberg

Eileen Padberg has managed public affairs and political campaigns for over 25 years from her Orange County office. She has also provided strategic planning and corporate communications for some of the nation's top corporations and organizations, including several of Orange County's most prestigious businesses and industries.

She has served as a political consultant and strategist to elected officials at all levels of government, including managing the 1986 campaign of Clint Eastwood for Mayor of Carmel and serving as regional political director of the 1988 George Bush for President campaign for California, Hawaii and Nevada, as well as two statewide ballot campaigns. She is a consultant to an international organization that works with emerging democracies, traveling worldwide to provide political training for countries such as the former Soviet Union, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Guatemala.

As a community activist, Eileen Padberg has been recognized for her work with women, encouraging them to participate as elected officials and providing training programs to run and win political campaigns. Eileen believes that critical issues such as health care, immigration, poverty, education, political ethics, crime, and foreign policy need the studied innovation and commitment to problem solving for which women are known to excel.

Eileen is a noted author of articles on public policy and political issues. She is frequently quoted in major publications for her expertise on leading issues and has been honored by numerous organizations. Eileen is a sought after speaker whose presentations are filled with passion, humor, knowledge, and wit-- reminding all of us of the importance of investing in women - in public policy, in business, and in community programs. She is the recent recipient of the Frances Hesselbein Excellence in Leadership award.