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

Millennium CEO Deborah Dunsire and Today Show Co-Host Hoda Kotb Honored at MMRF Event

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) raised over $1.8 million at its 13th annual Fall Gala held on Saturday evening in Greenwich, Conn. Funds raised will support the MMRF’s efforts to accelerate the development of the next generation of treatments for patients with multiple myeloma, a rare and incurable blood cancer, and to find a cure for the disease. Deborah Dunsire, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Millennium, was honored with the MMRF Corporate Leadership Award. The Corporate Leadership Award recognizes Dr. Dunsire for her leadership and vision in driving the development and launch of some of today’s most important oncology treatments. Hoda Kotb, co-host of the fourth hour of “The Today Show” and “Dateline” correspondent, was honored with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award. Read more in the MMRF Foundation press release.

Ernst & Young Announces "Winning Women" Entrepreneurs

Ernst & Young LLP announced the nine winners of the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women competition, an annual program designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential businesses founded by women entrepreneurs. The nine winners will participate in the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum 2009, where more than 1,300 of the nation's successful entrepreneurs and business leaders share growth strategies and discuss current economic challenges. This year's Entrepreneurial Winning Women award recipients are:

Carole Borden - (pictured left) - C.B. Transportation (Chester Springs, Penn.) provides single-source trucking and distribution management services throughout North America.

Michelle Tunno Buelow - Bella Tunno (Charlotte, N.C.) is a baby and children’s company dedicated to the balance of fashion, function and philanthropy. With three fully owned brands, a licensing partnership and multiple international distribution partners, the company offers funky and fun baby basics that are sold in more than 4,000 upscale boutiques and department stores internationally.

Sherry Stewart Deutschmann - LetterLogic (Nashville, Tenn.) is a premium letter shop providing printing and mailing services for businesses nationwide.

Talia Mashiach - Eved Services (Chicago, Ill.) is a software-enabled service company providing comprehensive, event and destination management.

Karen Pecora-Barbour - The Barbour Group LLC (Westminster, Md.) is a commercial insurance and bonding agency specializing in construction bonds and related services.

Vicki Raport - Quantum Retail Technology (Minneapolis, Minn.) creates and delivers advanced software solutions to solve the demands of modern retail.

Shabnam Rezaei - (pictured left) - Big Bad Boo (New York, N.Y.) is a media production and distribution company dedicated to teaching children about different cultures through entertainment.

Jennifer L. Scully - Clinical Resources LLC (Atlanta, Ga.) is a healthcare staffing company specializing in the growing senior care market.

Susan Wilson - The Judgment Group (Stevensville, Md.) purchases, enforces and recovers portfolios of unpaid court-ordered money judgments.

Read more about the winners and the program in the winner profiles.

Elinor Ostrom Wins 2009 Nobel Prize for Economics

The 2009 Nobel Prize for Economics has been awarded to Elinor Ostrom, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and Professor at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, for her work demonstrating how common property can be successfully managed by user associations. Elinor is the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Economics and the fifth woman to win a Noble prize in 2009. Read more in the Nobel prize press release.

Renu Kulkarni Heads Future Media in the Right Direction

Renu Kulkarni, Head of the FutureMedia Initiative at Georgia Tech, is passionate about innovation, and, as a former Executive of Motorola, is a great person to help develop new media through the exchange of new ideas. Renu shared her thoughts with us:

1. What inspired the Future Media Initiative at Georgia Tech?

"There is a tremendous amount of world-class work going on at Georgia Tech in the area of digital, social, and multimedia.  GT is taking this opportunity to lead and shape this exciting nascent space and build on our strengths to foster and create what’s next over then next 5 – 10 years.  We aspire to be a global leader in what we do, but also in how we do it – by creating a rich open innovation ecosytem that invites ideas from anyone, anytime, anywhere."

 2. The Future Media Initiative is exciting because it reaches out to people in all phases of development from those who come up with the initial ideas to those who make the products and market them. How do you see organizing such an undertaking?

"Exactly. Georgia Tech and our community of partners (entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, industry, academia, gov’t) do offer the ability take ideas from research to market.  As such, we envision creating virtual and physical places where all are invited to experiment, discover, create, commercialize, scale and shape the future of media."

3. What is your plan to make sure women are included?

"Well, we have a woman leading the effort! We also have renowned women at Georgia Tech and in Georgia pioneering and breaking new ground in the future of media. In fact, I jokingly call us the ‘digital divas’.  We also have strategic outreach efforts to groups like Start-up Chicks & to GT alumnae. We will have specific outreach programs to young women & other traditionally underrepresented groups." 

4. Your hope to create an "open innovation ecosystem" at Georgia Tech is a great one. What ideas do you have to get started?

"Facilitating multiple groups at GT to talk & interact more on common interests; Creating nurturing environment for companies once they are launched so mentoring expertise isn’t just at the idea stage; Creating opportunity for 120,000 strong alumni network to invest in next generation." 

 5. What do you want people to learn at your FutureMedia Conference to be held October15,09?

"Value  of ongoing conversations & improving your personal network; Open eyes to depth & breadth of Georgia resources; Future Media success stories will come from wildly different places; Synergy is very powerful & lucrative; Call to action – to invite folks to join the journey to create what’s next.  The future of media will change – the question is will you lead or follow!"

Renu tells us the first FutureMedia Conference is being held on October 15,2009. Read more about it in the Business Wire press release.

WOW and Public Policy Associates to Produce "Access to Green Jobs" Publication

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau has awarded a $265,690 contract to Public Policy Associates Inc. and Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW), to develop a publication designed to increase women’s access to high-growth and emerging industry occupations in the green jobs sector nationwide. Read more in the DOL press release.

Women's World Banking and the MasterCard Foundation Establish Microfinance Leadership Center

Women’s World Banking (WWB), a global network of microfinance institutions and banks dedicated to the economic empowerment of low-income women, and The MasterCard Foundation today announced the creation of the WWB Center for Microfinance Leadership at the Womensphere L.I.V.E World Summit, which showcases innovative solutions to global issues.

$3.1 million from The MasterCard Foundation will support the Center’s development and promotion of world-class leadership and management practices throughout the sector.

The MasterCard Foundation and WWB established the Center, which will work with the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Creative Metier Limited, to design and deliver executive education programs focused on cultivating principled, visionary leaders in microfinance.  WWB will also expand its pioneering work in building workforce diversity in microfinance institutions through the Center, partnering with a select set of leading microfinance institutions to expand opportunities for all qualified staff, regardless of gender.

The Center was founded in response to critical changes in microfinance—increased commercialization, decreased presence of women staff at all levels of microfinance institutions, and rapid growth. These changes demand skilled, trained leaders and managers.  The Center’s offerings are available to men and women leaders and managers of WWB network members and the top 200 microfinance providers worldwide that demonstrate excellence as measured by the 2008 Composite Ranking of The Microfinance Information Exchange (The MIX). 

Planned leadership programs organized by the Center include “Women in Leadership,” aimed at women CEOs and senior managers; “Advanced Leadership,” aimed at men and women leaders of the top 200 microfinance institutions; and one-on-one coaching for a small cadre of leaders with the greatest potential to effect change. The first “Women in Leadership” workshop is planned for January 2010 in Bangalore, India. Elements of the Center for Microfinance Leadership include:

• Leadership Programs: Workshops will target the top 200 institutions in the industry with the goal of training 200 senior executives over the next three years.
• Institutional Development: The Center will offer a suite of organizational development services that are designed to improve gender diversity in high-performing institutions, as well as help them improve their human resources capacity through a management development program for mid-level managers.
• Leadership Excellence Award: WWB will launch an annual awards program to honor institutions in its network that demonstrate excellence and a commitment to gender diversity. The winner will receive a $25,000 award to be used to advance leadership and build managerial capacity.

The Center’s programs reinforce WWB’s fundamental belief that by addressing one of the most serious risks facing the sector, that of leadership and management capacity, microfinance providers will be better equipped to achieve, and maintain a strong focus on, their dual objectives of financial stability and poverty alleviation. 

New Mother Kim Clijsters Wins U.S. Open Tennis Tournament

Kim Clijsters did it all! After a very successful career, Kim took time off, had a baby, and now came back to tennis two years later to win the U. S. Open. Read more about it on nydailynews.com. Congrats Kim!

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.

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!!!

Andrea Wong Shares Her Views on Where Television is Going

Lacey Rose (pictured left) of Forbes Magazine wrote a great article about Andrea Wong (pictured right), President of Lifetime Television. Lacey questioned Andrea about where the tv landscape is going. Andrea's comments about her network, reality shows and demographic issues are well worth reading. Andrea, who holds an MBA from Stanford University, is a great example of the many women in executive positions making a big impact in the business world today. By the way, I love Andrea and Lifetime's new show, Drop Dead Diva!

NewsonWomen "Increasingly Popular"

NewsonWomen was called an "increasingly popular online blog" by the Bay City Times. The article about NewonWomen.com describes the blog as "dedicated to helping women earn bigger jobs, place women on more corporate boards and help women entrepreneurs succeed in the business world." I'm all for that! Read the article on mlive.com.

Application Deadline for the Ernst & Young "Winning Women" Program is September 4,09

Ernst & Young LLP is calling for nominations for its Winning Women competition, a program designed to accelerate growth for businesses founded by women entrepreneurs. "Our research and experience shows us that women need a rich network of advisors and seasoned role models to help break through the barriers to rapid growth and entrepreneurial success," said Maria Pinelli (pictured), Americas Director, Strategic Growth Markets, Ernst & Young. "Through the Ernst & Young Winning Women program, we seek to increase the numbers of outstanding, high-growth businesses run by women by providing business know-how and access to these extraordinarily valuable networks."

The Winning Women program will provide 10 female entrepreneurs with personalized one-on-one business insights and insider access to strategic networks of established entrepreneurs, executives, advisors and investors. Piloted in 2008, the inaugural program produced impressive connections and results. One Winning Woman who sought an exit strategy for her consumer products company recently sold her business to one of the advisors she met through the program.

To qualify for the Winning Women program, you must be a woman business owner who is the founder or founding partner of a US company, your company must have reported at least one full fiscal year of $1million in sales within the last 2 years, and your venture must be less than 5 years old.  

The program is conducted in collaboration with the Women's Presidents Organization, Women's Business Enterprise National Council, and the Committee of 200. The deadline to receive applications for Winning Women is September 4, 2009. Nominations and applications to the program can be submitted online at: ey.com/us/winningwomen.

Update Sept 2,09 - The deadline for applications has been extended to Tuesday, September 8, and the eligibility criteria have been modified to include businesses up to 10 years old (up from five years old) that have achieved revenue of at least $1M in the last two years.

Women in Ivy League Sports in New Jobs

Robin Harris (pictured) was appointed  Executive Director of The Council of Ivy Group Presidents, working with the eight Ivy schools to implement priorities and continue the success of Ivy League athletics. Harris, who graduated from the Duke University School of Law, had been with Ice Miller, LLP, where she served as Senior Counsel and Co-Chair for the firm's Collegiate Sports Practice. Read more on iveyleaguesports.com. Robin was profiled in an article by Katie Thomas on nytimes.com.

Megan Bradley was named Head Coach of the Princeton women’s tennis program. Megan had been an Assistant Coach at the University of Miami. Read more..

Sanela Kunovac was named Head Coach of the University of Pennsylvania women’s tennis program. Sanela, Ivy League Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in 2001, had been an assistant this past year. Read more..

Jolie Ward, who doubled Manhattan College’s league win total last year and has earned more than 200 career victories, has been named the third coach of Princeton women’s volleyball. Read more..

Shannon Schuyler Talks About Corporate Responsibility at PricewaterhouseCoopers

Shannon Schuyler, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), is concerned about doing the right things for a sustainable future. Sustainability is a hot topic at corporations everywhere. Shannon tells us about the initiatives she is working on:
 
"I come from a family of teachers and school administrators—I grew up hearing the passions and frustrations of people who were committed to developing the next generation of leaders despite lacking the resources and financial support.  Their dedication and influence to youth advancement and empowerment has been with me throughout my career.
 
Two years ago, I felt the need to make a greater impact on society and the marketplace, both personally and professionally.  I wanted to harness all of the great things that PwC was doing, fill in the gaps and create a compelling story to lead to a more sustainable business, marketplace and future. I developed a short white paper outlining how we could create a more formalized Corporate Responsibility (CR) platform for PwC and sent it to senior leadership.  I was then asked to spearhead the effort. 
 
In my role as the Managing Director of CR, I focus on developing linkages between our four CR pillars: Marketplace, People, Community and Environment.  I work on creating sustainable programs, initiatives and partnerships that build integrity, leadership skills and behavioral change.  This is critical to embedding CR activities into our everyday work. Our commitment to this has allowed us to come a long way in a short amount of time.  Some of our accomplishments include:

-Developing a Summer of Community Service program that allows PwC’s 31,000 U.S. employees to take part in paid-time off to volunteer and give back to communities nationwide through firm-sponsored volunteerism. The firm also provides 10 hours of paid time off for staff to engage in discretionary volunteer opportunities
-Creating a national partnership with Be The Change Inc., a leading public policy and advocacy nonprofit that helped found and lead the ServiceNation campaign, aimed at inspiring a new era of voluntary citizen service
-Making a commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of PwC’s US operations by 20% by 2012
-Released the first vendor assessment survey that is aligned with the Code of Conduct we developed for our suppliers. The Code of Conduct outlines the ethical business practices that PwC expects from its suppliers and has shaped our procurement strategy
-Signing the UN Global Compact, the framework for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles around human rights
-Creating IMPACT, an educational outreach program that mentors talented African-American students through the complicated and rigorous college application process
 
As the economic downturn continues, brand and reputation will become all the more important to companies and thus the focus on CR efforts to drive loyalty and confidence will escalate.  The strategic link between doing good for society and doing good for the business will blur even more. My vision is to integrate CR into all facets of the PwC culture and how we do work and to make it a part of the overall experience that we deliver to our people, clients and the marketplace. It is with this focus—a focus on our future—that we align our investments in corporate responsibility with our business strategy and work to communicate with confidence our contributions to a sustainable future."

Work/Life Balance to Work/Life "Success"

Janet Bagnall of The Gazette writes about powerful women who have children and make it all happen. Who says work/life balance is just something to dream about? Granted it's not easy, but read Janet's article to see who's doing it. Maybe we should call it something else? Balance may be misleading. I prefer work/life success. I love business, but the success part is how great it is to have those special moments with my kids!

Marsha Evans Becomes Acting Commissioner of LPGA

Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Board of Directors Chairman Dawn Hudson announced today that Rear Admiral Marsha J. Evans, U.S. Navy (retired) and a member of the LPGA Board of Directors, will serve as the player association's Acting Commissioner. Read more on LPGA.com. Also Zayra Calderon, the LPGA's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales and CEO of the Duramed FUTURES Tour, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Tournament Development & Worldwide Sales. 

NewsonWomen "Unmatched" according to ThinkTalk CareerTV for College

  ThinkTalk Networks CareerTV reviewed the NewsonWomen.com website and called us "unmatched" and superb "when it comes to updating the world on what women professionals are doing". Read more on thinktalk.com. Thanks ThinkTalk! I love "Rosie the Blogger" on Thinktalk.com, courtesy Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via Flickr's Creative Commons.

American Water Works CFO Ellen Wolf Receives Award

American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), the water and wastewater utility company headquartered in New Jersey, announced that its Senior Vice President and CFO, Ellen Wolf, was named CFO of the Year in the large company category in the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2009 CFO of the Year Award Program. Read more about it in the Business Wire press release.

Brides Across America - a Dream Come True!

Brides Across America, started by Heidi Janson who has extensive experience in the bridal industry, is spreading some joy by arranging wedding gown giveaway events for Military brides. The events are first come first served with a limited number of dresses for qualifying brides. Read more about it on bridesacrosssamerica.com. The website tells where some events are being held tomorrow, July12.

Women's Pro Soccer Takes a New Business Approach

Women's Professional Soccer has its work cut out for it. Starting a business is a challenge for any of us, but the NYtimes article on Women's Professional Soccer shows us that big business or small business, it's all about managing your money. Read Ken Belson's article about how Women's Professional Soccer is approaching this tough economy since the beginning of its season last April. It's interesting how easily some of these ideas can be applied to any business.