Judy Smith, 2016 Business Women's Forum Keynote Speaker at Aqua Turf Club Oct. 21, Retained by Angelina Jolie's Divorce Team

Judy Smith, world-renowned crisis manager, inspiration for the popular television program “Scandal”, and keynote speaker at the October 21st Business Women’s Forum (BWF) in Plantsville, Connecticut, has been retained by Angelina Jolie’s divorce team. Jolie filed for divorce from multiple Oscar Award-winning actor and director Brad Pitt citing "irreconcilable differences" and requesting physical custody of their six children.

Television’s “ET” program reported that “Angelina Jolie is bringing out the big guns amid her very public divorce from Brad Pitt by having her divorce team consult with Judy Smith. Smith was the real-life inspiration for Kerry Washington's character, Olivia Pope, on the hit ABC drama “Scandal” and has been retained by the 41-year-old Oscar winner's reps as they meet with Pitt's team to discuss divorce details.”

“ET” reported that “Smith is the 57-year-old ‘fixer’ and owner of Smith & Company, which has advised many embattled celebrities such as Wesley Snipes, Monica Lewinski and NFL’s Michael Vick, as well as a number of large corporations who were struggling with image problems and negative publicity.“

Judy Smith is an advisor to such Fortune 500 companies as Wal-Mart, BellSouth, Union Pacific, Starwood Hotels and United Healthcare, and such well-known personalities as Paula Deen and Congressman Jessie Jackson, Jr. For the 2016 BWF, she will provide her insights into topics that will include “How to Protect Your Company’s Brand: Preparing, and Prevailing, During a Crisis”; “Women in Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities in a Position of Power”; and “Finding Your True Self through the Work-Life Balance”.

Ms. Smith is founder and president of Smith & Company, a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. She is known to uniquely combine her communication skills, media savvy, and legal and political acumen to serve clients around the world. She is also co-executive producer and advisor to creator and show-runner Shonda Rhimes, and author of “Good Self, Bad Self: How to Bounce Back from a Personal Crisis”. Judy Smith frequently appears on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, ABC, and CBS to provide her insights into crisis management. She is also a regular writer for the “Daily Beast” and “The Huffington Post” on current events.

On October 21, 2016, Judy Smith will be the keynote speaker at the Business Women’s Forum (BWF), Connecticut’s longest-running, full-day conference for professional development. More than 500 attendees are anticipated to participate in networking, workshops, breakfast, lunch and a closing reception between 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Christine Cashen, author of “The Good Stuff: Quips and Tips on Life, Love, Work and Happiness”, will open the 2016 BWF by delivering the morning’s keynote motivational program.

Celebrating 34 years of notable success, the BWF is a program of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Waterbury, Connecticut. The thriving organization is led by female executives dedicated to the professional and personal growth of working women. The mission of the non-profit Business Women’s Forum’s is to raise funds for scholarships for female Post University students to pursue degrees in business. During the past 33 years, the BWF has raised more than $190,000 toward those scholarships.

Admission to the 2016 BWF is $175/person and will include the two keynote presentations, six workshops, networking, breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception. To register, or become a sponsor, visit www.2016bwf.com, or call the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation at 203-757-0701.