Women in Business, Jobs, Women Entrepreneurs, Women in the News: News On Women

Teresa Taylor Made Chief Operating Officer at Qwest Communications

Qwest Communications (NYSE: Q) appointed Teresa A. Taylor Chief Operating Officer. Teresa had been Executive Vice President of the Qwest Business Markets Group (BMG). Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Chandra Clarke of Scribendi.com on Life as an Entrepreneur

Chandra Clarke is the Founder, Co-owner, and President of Scribendi.com, an online English-language editing and proofreading company. Chandra founded Scribendi.com in 1997 after encountering error-laden press releases as a newspaper journalist and editor. A pioneer in the male-dominated field of computer programming, Chandra developed and implemented Scribendi.com’s original proprietary backend workflow system. A self-professed “robot geek,” Chandra loves technology, science, and knowledge acquisition. She graduated with honors from Athabasca University with a double major in English and Psychology and also holds an MSc in Space Exploration Studies from the University of North Dakota. Chandra, who is launching a new website today for Scribendi.com, has this to say about running your own business:

“I’ve learned many things as an entrepreneur. For example, being a business owner is much harder than it looks, in terms of how all-consuming it can be. Not only are there always a million things to do right now, but there are at least a million things to think about doing in the near and distant future. It’s hard to get away from it sometimes—and that’s the other thing I’ve learned. You have to get away from it on a regular basis. It is all too easy to get into that 70+ hours a week habit, but at a certain point you start getting an exponentially diminishing return from that time. Sometimes it’s just better to down tools and go home to do something completely unrelated, rather than push hard all the time.” 

“One good way to do that is to invest some of your time in making sure you’ve got the right people on board. The right person for a position might not necessarily be the one with all the credentials either. If you don’t have the right fit in terms of personality, job requirements, and company culture, it won’t matter what knowledge and skills training they’ve got on their resume. Get the right person in the job though, and you’ll be able to delegate more often and with more confidence.” 

Cami McCormick Injured in Afghanistan

CBS Reporter Cami McCormick was injured in Afghanistan where she was on assignment for CBS Radio News. Read more about it on cbsnews.com.

Laura Weil Made CEO of Urban Brands

Urban Brands Inc, the parent company of Ashley Stewart Stores, appointed Laura A. Weil Chief Executive Officer. Laura had been EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Ann Taylor Stores Corporation. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Ronnie Ballowe Named to The Street.com Board

The Street.com Inc. (Nasdaq: TSCM), a digital financial media company headquartered in New York, appointed Ronni Ballowe to its Board of Directors. Ronnie held several executive positions at Ziff-Davis. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Ellen Keszler Named to Farelogix Board. Debora Wilson Named to Markel Board.

Farelogix Inc., headquartered in Florida, appointed Ellen Keszler to its Board of Directors. Ellen, who is a former President of Travelocity Business, is President and CEO of Clear Sky Associates. Read more in the market wire press release.

Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) appointed Debora J. Wilson to its Board of Directors. Debora is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of The Weather Channel. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Cathy Smith Made Chief Financial Officer of GameStop

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) appointed Catherine Smith Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Cathy had been Executive Vice President and CFO of Dallas-based Centex Corporation. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Rebecca Diamond Tells How Top Women Succeed this Thursday at Hispana Leadership Summit

Rebecca Diamond, Co-host of FOX Business "Happy Hour", is participating in the Hispana Leadership Summit in Austin, Texas on Thursday, 8/27 and Friday, 8/28.  The Summit celebrates powerful and successful Hispanic women.  Rebecca is moderating two panels, one about financial planning and one on achieving success in this economy. Rebecca had this to say about the Summit:

"I’m excited for the Hispana Leadership Summit being organized by Hispanic Magazine at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, near Austin, Texas, this week. Several dozen successful and powerful women from all over the country will gather to share their stories and struggles about achieving financial and corporate success. I’m looking forward to meeting these amazing women and learning from them. I will be moderating two panels – “What’s Luck Got to do With It?” and “Fail to Plan/Plan to Fail.” The main premise of the first panel is that hard work, preparation and patience have more to do with these women’s success than luck. Although I’m sure all of us would love to have a dash of luck as well. In the second panel, we will share tips on how to plan for financial success. My most important advice will be to save. It sounds simple but it’s very difficult for many people. The only way I’ve been able to accomplish this is to have money automatically deposited into a savings account from my paycheck every week. This is in addition to my automatic 401k deductions. It’s not a small amount that I save; it’s a big chunk of my paycheck. Trust me, you learn to get by on what you take home, as long as you don’t then live off your credit cards. I pay my one credit card off in full every month. Impossible, you say? It’s not. It’s your first big steps toward financial success!!!

Dunkin' Brands Appoints Christine Deputy, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and Karen Raskopf, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications

Dunkin' Brands appointed Christine Deputy (pictured), Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and Karen Raskopf, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. Christine had been Vice President, Partner Resources, Asia Pacific Region at Starbucks. Karen had been Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications for Blockbuster, Inc. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Kim Keck to Head Investor Relations at Aetna

Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced that it has appointed Kim A. Keck to lead Aetna Investor Relations. Kim, who holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut, has been with Aetna since 1988, most recently leading the Treasurer’s, Controllers, Actuarial, and Tax organizations. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Women CEO's Looking to Run California

The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the women running for office in California. Meg Whitman, former CEO of eBay, is running for Governor, and Carli Fiorina, former CEO of HP, is looking at running for a Senate seat according to the article. Read the article to learn how their CEO experience could be good for California. Read more about Meg Whitman's campaign.

NewsonWomen Women College Presidents List Completed

These states complete the NewsonWomen Women College Presidents List. Having completed all fifty states is just the beginning. Let us know about any changes or updates you hear about. This is the only comprehensive list of women college presidents available. Thanks to the many people who have contributed. Let me know if I missed anyone!

Nebraska- Bellevue University - Mary Hawkins (pictured); College of Saint Mary - Maryanne Stevens; Dana College - Janet Philipp; Chadron State College - Janie C. Park

Oklahoma - Cameron University - Cindy Ross; Langston University - JoAnn Haysbert; Northwest Oklahoma State University - Janet Cunningham; Southern Nazarene - Loren P. Gresham;

Arizona - Midwest University - Kathleen Goeppinger; The Art Institute of Tucson - Karen Habblitz

Utah - Webber State University - F.Anne Millner.

Nevada and Wyoming - None found. Do you know any?

Anne MacDonald Named to Rentrak Board

Rentrak Corporation (Nasdaq: RENT), headquartered in Oregon, appointed Anne MacDonald to the company's Board of Directors. Anne is Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at The Travelers Insurance. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

"Native New Yorker" CEO Jami Lee Talks Family Business

Jami Lee, CEO of Native New Yorker, an Arizona restaurant chain famous for its New York style Buffalo wings, inherited the job from her father. Jami assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer at Native New Yorker Restaurants in July 2008. She has spent her entire career working alongside her sisters to build the company her parents founded in 1979 from a single restaurant into a successful franchise business with 24 locations. Jami, a mother of three, continues the tradition of growing the company and tells us what it's like to be in her position:

"At just eight years old, I would often climb atop a stool to scrub pots and pans in the kitchen of my parents’ small Arizona restaurant. Today, I’m privileged to be at the helm of the fast-growing restaurant franchise that has sprung from that single eatery to serve as a legacy to the memory of my father who moved his family out west to chase a dream.

In the wake of the Blizzard of 1977, Floyd and Judy Anderson packed their four young daughters into the car and headed west from their native Buffalo, New York to Phoenix to begin a new life in Valley of the Sun. Determined to make it in the restaurant business, they remained undeterred even when their first tiny Italian shop consistently failed to earn more than $60 a night. On a wing and a prayer – literally – my mother bought some chicken wings to try out a local favorite from their native Buffalo on the few patrons they had left. Thirty years later, Native New Yorker has become an icon in the Phoenix metro area, known for the best New York-style Buffalo chicken wings west of New York. With 24 locations throughout the area, our restaurants have consistently earned the coveted title of the Best Wings in Phoenix for 30 years in a row.  

While my family is blessed to have each other for support (all three of my sisters also work for the company), the path has not always been easy. The poor economy has taken a toll on every business over the past 18 months. However, since stepping into the role of CEO in July 2008, I’ve come to realize that the challenges we face today are not unlike those my parents endured when they launched this business in 1979. They overcame financial hardships and slumping sales, but worked very hard to deliver the best food at reasonable prices with outstanding service – despite their difficulties. As we continue that legacy, it excites me to visit our restaurants and see them full – and know that my family worked hard to create this environment where families can enjoy great food together.  

With my father’s passing in January, it’s been an emotional experience for me to take the reins of a company he’d built from the ground up. But like the example he set for us, I’ve learned that the challenges we face today will only make us better and stronger as we look toward the future." 

Women In Technology Study Shows "Work/Life Conflict"

Ellen Messmer, Network World, writes about a report done by Stanford University and the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology called, "Climbing the Technical Ladder: Obstacles and Solutions of Mid-Level Women in Technology." The report shows the difficulty women still face in IT, where the family responsibilities appear to still hold women back. Read Ellen's article.

Astronaut Nicole Stott to Go in Space August 25,09

Astronaut Nicole P. Stott will be taking her first trip "off planet Earth" on Space Shuttle Discovery's upcoming mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The STS-128 launch is currently scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 1:36 a.m. EDT from NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

"Women on Boards" Holds Conference in Atlanta October13,09

"Women on Boards" holds conferences across the country to educate women and help prepare them for serving on Boards. The next "Women on Boards" event is being held in Atlanta on October 13,09. Speakers include Mylle Mangum – Chairman & CEO, IBT Holdings, LLC; Robin Hensley – President, Raising the Bar; and Juanita Baranco – Executive Vice President & COO, Baranco Automotive Group. These panalists will discuss topics such as the job of a director and the differences between non-profit, private and public boards. For more information, go to WomenintheBoardroom.com.

Women Board of Directors Appointments This Week

IEC Electronics Corp. (AMEX: IEC), headquartered in New York, appointed Amy L. Tait (pictured) to its Board of Directors. Amy, who holds a a BS in Engineering from Princeton University and an MBA from the Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester, is CEO of Broadstone Real Estate, LLC. Read more in the marketwire press release on yahoo.

Citizens Financial Group, headquartered in Rhode Island, appointed Judith von Seldeneck to its Board of Directors. Judith is Founder, Chairman and CEO of Diversified Search. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Vestaron Corporation, headquartered in Michigan, appointed Elin D. Miller to its Board of Directors. Elin has held senior management positions with Shell Chemical, Dow AgroSciences and Arysta LifeScience. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIGI), headquartered in New Jersey, appointed Cynthia Nicholson to its Board of Directors. Cynthia, who holds an M.B.A. from Indiana University, is  the former Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo North America. Read more in the prnewswirepress release.

Women College Presidents Getting Ready for New School Year

Women College Presidents like Cheryl Norton (pictured) are getting set for the return of students this month. Here are more of those outstanding women on the NewsonWomen College Presidents List:

Connecticut - Southern Connecticut State University - Cheryl J. Norton; Albertus Magnus College - Julia M. McNamara; Eastern Connecticut State University - Elsa Nunez; Saint Joseph College - Pamela Trotman Reid; Mitchell College - Mary Ellen Jukoski; Rensselaer @Hartford - Shirley Ann Jackson

Alaska – Didn’t find one. Do you know any?

Arkansas - The Art Institute of Tucson - Karen Habblitz; Lamson College - Donna Green;

Colorado - University of Northern Colorado - Kay Norton;

Hawaii - University of Hawaii @ Hilo - Rose Tseng; University of Hawaii @ Manoa - Virginia Hinshaw

Idaho - North Idaho College - Priscilla Bell; Lewis-Clark State College - Dene Kay Thomas

Kansas - Baker University - Patricia Long; Haskell Indian Nations University - Linda Sue Warner; Newman University - Noreen M. Carrocci; University of Saint Mary Kansas - Sr. Diane Steele

Louisiana - Dillard University - Marvalene Hughes; Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton - Sandra S. Harper

Maine - Bates College - Elaine Tuttle Hansen; University of Maine @ Augusta - Allyson Hughes Handley; University of Maine @ Machias - Cynthia E. Higgins; University of New England - Daneille N. Ripich; University of Southern Maine - Selma Botman

Minnesota - St. Catherine University - Andrea J. Lee; Concordia College - Linda N. Hanson; College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University - MaryAnn Baenninger; Metropolitan State University - Sue K. Hammersmith; Minnesota State University Morhead - Edna Mora Szymanski; Winona State University - Judith Ramaley;

Missouri - Missouri Valley College - Bonnie L. Humphrey; Stephens College - Dianne Lynch; Central Methodist University - Marianne Inman; William Woods University - Jahnae H. Barnett; Lincoln University of Missouri - Carolyn R. Mahoney; Cottey College of Medicine and Bioscience - Karen L. Pletz;

Montana – Didn’t find one. Do you know any?

Washington – Bellevue - B. Jean Floten; University of Washington Tacoma - Patricia Spakes; Art Institute of Seattle - Barbara A. Singer; Pacific Lutheran University - Dr. Loren Anderson; Matteo Ricci College - Jodi Olsen Kelly (interim)

Wisconsin - Alverno College - Mary J. Meehan; Cardinal Stritch University - Helen Sobehart; Lawrence University - Jill Beck; Marian University - Sr. Mary Mollison; Mount Mary College - Eileen Schwalbach; Northland College - Karen Halbersleben; Aurora University - Rebecca Sherrick; Rasmussen College

Nadine Lacombe Made Director of Diversity at Sidley Austin

Sidley Austin LLP appointed Nadine M. Lacombe Global Director of Diversity. Nadine, who holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, had been Director of Diversity at Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, LLP. Read more in the company press release.