Sempra Sponsors Young Women's Leadership Conference for the Third Year; Company Finds Program in Concert with its Own Diversity Initiatives.

News Editors/Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2003

The Jenna Druck Foundation today announced that Sempra Energy has chosen to sponsor the 7th Annual "Young Women's Spirit of Leadership Conference," to be held on March 29th at UCSD, for the third consecutive year. Sempra is actively involved in a number of charitable activities within the San Diego community; its sponsorship of the event is based on the strength of the Young Women's Leadership (YWL) program and the diversity within the attendees it draws from local communities.

Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2001 revenues of $8 billion. Sempra Energy is the parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas Co., Sempra Energy Trading, Sempra Energy Resources, Sempra Energy Solutions and Sempra Energy International. The Sempra Energy companies' nearly 12,000 employees serve more than 9 million customers in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America and Asia.

The Sempra Energy companies invest approximately $4 million annually in the San Diego region, and its employees are actively involved on a personal level working with hundreds of local nonprofit organizations. Sempra Energy has strong diversity initiatives and funds organizations committed to providing leadership within their respective markets. In addition to the Jenna Druck Foundation's Young Women Leadership Conference, Sempra also sponsors LEAD in San Diego, the Southern California Leadership Network, Leadership California, CORO Fellows, Eureka Fellows and Leadership America.

Molly Cartmill, Sempra's Director of Corporate Community Relations has previously participated as a mentor for the YWL conference. "The Young Women's Leadership program does a terrific job of supporting young women and encouraging them to be the leaders of tomorrow," Cartmill observed. Through an active employee diversity council, Sempra is involved in developing and promoting women, among other groups, as part of a corporate-wide initiative. "One of the cornerstones of our company is the value we place on diversity within and outside of the workplace. It's the focus, values and background of every employee that collectively enables us to be a stronger company and more responsive to the markets in which we do business," Cartmill added.

EXPERIENCING PROGRAMS THAT WORK

One of the young women attending the conference this year is Irina Chukhray, a sophomore at Patrick Henry High School. "This was the first program I had ever heard of that was geared to leadership for young women," Chukhray commented. Having attended the conference last year, she is excited and committed to the program. "The first experience was so awesome that I can't wait to repeat it. The workshops are all very helpful and the confidence I am gaining in myself and my abilities is invaluable," she declared. Irina's parents, Lyudmila and Valeriy, are very supportive of their daughter's decision to be involved with YWL.

"Irina is deriving a huge benefit from the annual conference and the SD G.I.R.L. activities in which she participates. She has become more confident, enjoys meeting outstanding mentors and other young women like herself," concurred Lyudmila Chukhray. "I'm glad Irina has participated in this program as it has made her happy. The program is good for her and has increased our communication. On the way home she can't stop talking about the things she has learned and heard. If my kid is happy I'm happy too," concluded Valeriy Chukhray, Irina's father.

Young Women's Leadership (YWL) works with high school age young women to instill within them the spirit and knowledge that they are leaders and have the ability to create lives of meaning -- lives that enable them to be the best that they can be. In addition to the annual conference, YWL offers SD G.I.R.L., a monthly high school leadership forum, Channel 10 Leadership Day, internships, mentoring and opportunities to enhance their lives and assume leadership roles within their communities. The conference recognizes 500 young women of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds throughout San Diego County who demonstrate leadership skills and aptitudes. This year's day-long event features a keynote address on Leadership and Self-Esteem by Sandra McBrayer, CEO of The Children's Initiative and former Teacher of the Year.

Keynoting the Mentor Lunch program on March 29th will be U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis. Conference participants will meet with 75 successful women who are interested in mentoring them and providing insights into careers they have chosen and challenges they have overcome. In addition, the conference will also consist of sessions covering topics ranging from Leadership Styles, Time Management and Image Awareness, to How to Select (and Finance) the College of Your Choice and Leadership Through Community Service.

For more information on this exciting event, visit http://www.jennadruck.org/YWL

"The 7th Annual Young Women's Spirit of Leadership Conference"

When:

Saturday, March 29, 2003 from 8:30-4:30

Where:

UCSD Price Center

Registration:

Selections are based on recommendations. Forms can be obtained by calling the Foundation at 619-294-8000 or by emailing [e-mail].

About The Jenna Druck Foundation

The Jenna Druck Foundation was established in 1996 to honor the life and spirit of Jenna. JDF is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization offering two unique programs: Young Women's Leadership provides resources for high school young women to become leaders; Families Helping Families provides support for families who have suffered the death of a child.