Tyco Security Products announced that for the second year it will sponsor and actively participate in the Massachusetts Conference for Women on December 10, 2015 in Boston. The event features nationally recognized speakers and provides workshops and seminars to professional women on a variety of topics.

The 11th Annual Massachusetts Conference for Women will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The one-day conference covers a variety of topics on entrepreneurship, professional development and how to balance one’s professional and personal life. This year’s keynote speaker includes Shonda Rhimes, writer, executive producer and creator of the hit television shows “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal.”

Tyco Security Products’ Anita Santos will serve as a panelist for a presentation titled, “The Courage to Innovate: Unlocking the Skills to Challenge Convention,” where attendees will hear about the barriers that hold businesses back and the six secrets/skills for courageous innovation. In addition to Santos, other panelists include Melody Lee, director, brand strategy and planning, Cadillac, and Kathrin Schoenborn-Sobolewski, vice president global clinical operations, Merck kGaA. The moderator is Cindy Solomon, author of Creating a Culture of Courage.

“I’m excited to once again be part of the Massachusetts Conference for Women and serving as a panelist presenter,” said Santos. “This event, through seminars, career building and networking opportunities, plays an important role in supporting the complete development of women in their professional and personal lives, which I am very passionate about fostering at Tyco.”

Santos has more than 18 years of business-to-business marketing and sales experience, with a history of success in new product development, positioning strategies and channel management. As vice president of marketing for Tyco Security Products, she leads the company's business and marketing strategy development for its video security, access control, location-based security and intrusion security solutions. She manages product management teams, oversees channel marketing activities and coordinates marketing campaigns, promotions and branding. Santos’ previous experience includes 12 years of executive leadership in the science, technology and research industries with two high profile multi-billion dollar companies. She brings her technology and science background and years of global business experience to the conference panel.

In addition to her vice president role, Santos is passionate about supporting startup organizations. She is an SEC accredited investor and owner of Ascend Investments LLC, an angel investment firm. She is an advisory member of Astia Angels, an organization providing women start-ups with access to capital, and a Pipeline Fellow. Santos earned a B.S. in business administration in marketing and finance from Merrimack College, and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University.

Tyco Security Products will also exhibit at the Massachusetts Conference for Women and share its booth with Budget Buddies, a non-profit organization based in Chelmsford, Mass., which offers financial mentoring for low-income women. Budget Buddies, an organization supported by Massachusetts Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr., who was emcee at its annual fundraiser, is also supported by Tyco Security Products through the Tyco Cares program. The Tyco Cares program focuses on social responsibility and community service.

More than 8,000 women from around the world are expected to attend the conference. The event includes an exhibit area, a Career Pavilion for employment seekers, a Health & Wellness Pavilion, and a Young Women’s Program for high school juniors and seniors.

For more information on the 11th Annual Massachusetts Conference for Women, please visit www.maconferenceforwomen.org.

For more information on Budget Buddies visit www.budgetbuddies.org.