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

Elizabeth Smith Made CEO at OSI Restaurant Partners

OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC, the casual dining company whose portfolio includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar and Roy’s restaurants, appointed Elizabeth (Liz) Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer. Liz, who holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, had been President of Avon Products Inc. Read more in the Business Wire press release. 

Amber Salzman Made CEO of Cardikine and a Member of the Board

Cardiokine, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, appointed Amber Salzman, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. Amber had been Senior Vice President of Operations for Medicines Development at GlaxoSmithKline. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Deborah Fine Made CEO of Direct Brands, Inc.

Direct Brands, Inc., the direct marketer of books, DVD's and recorded music, appointed Deborah Fine President and Chief Executive Officer. Deborah had previously been the President of iVillage Properties, a division of NBC Universal Digital Media. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Mary Callahan Erdoes Made CEO of Asset Management for JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) appointed Mary Callahan Erdoes CEO of their Asset Management business and a member of the firm’s Operating Committee. Mary had been CEO of their Private Bank. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Ann Hand Made CEO of Project FROG

Project FROG, a manufacturer of smart building systems, appointed Ann Hand Chief Executive Officer. Ann, an experienced executive within the clean energy sector, had been Senior Vice President of Global Brand Marketing and Innovation at BP. Read more about Ann's career in the Business Wire press release.

Avon's Liz Smith Leaves to Find a CEO Job

Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) announced that President Elizabeth (Liz) Smith "has made the decision to leave the company effective October 30, 2009, to pursue her long-time leadership aspiration to be a chief executive officer". Liz, who holds an MBA from Stanford University, had been President of Avon since 2007. Before joining Avon, Liz had been with Kraft Foods where she was President of their U.S. Beverages and Grocery Sectors according to her Avon bio. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

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.

Mary Parent Named to "Office of the CEO" at MGM

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) announced the formation of the Office of the CEO which will include Mary Parent. Mary is presently Chairperson for MGM's Worldwide Motion Picture Group and will retain those responsibilities as well. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Katherine Napier Made CEO of Arbonne

Arbonne International, LLC appointed Katherine “Kay” Napier its new Chief Executive Officer. Katherine, who holds an MBA from Xavier University, had been Senior Vice President, Marketing for McDonald’s. Read more about Katherine's career in the Business Wire press release.

Marleen McDaniel Made CEO of Go Internet Media

Go Internet Media, Inc., the technology driven education marketing company, appointed Marleen McDaniel Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Marlene has been a Consultant to dozens of Silicon Valley startups after serving in executive roles at several companies. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Maria Rodale Made CEO of Media Company Rodale Inc.

Rodale Inc., the global media and publishing company, appointed Maria Rodale its Chief Executive Officer. Maria, who is Chairman of the Board, is also Editor-in-Chief of the company’s newest online venture, Rodale.com. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Mary McCaffrey Made CEO of web company SchoolCenter

SchoolCenter, a web solutions company in the K-12 education market, appointed Mary McCaffrey Chief Executive Officer. Mary had been President of Pearson's School Systems group. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Margaret Loesch Made CEO of New Network Venture of Hasbro and Discovery Communications

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) and Discovery Communications appointed Margaret Loesch President and Chief Executive Officer of the companies’ multi-platform joint venture. Margaret, an Emmy Awards winner, has extensive experience in media including the launch and international expansion of Fox Kids Network, the creation of the U.S. Hallmark Channel, and the co-founding of family media company, The Hatchery. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Roxanne Austin Made CEO of Move Networks

Move Networks, a provider of Internet television services, appointed Roxanne Austin President and Chief Executive Officer, and she will join the company’s Board of Directors. Roxanne, who has been President of Austin Investment Advisors since 2004, had previously been President and COO of DIRECTV. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Nancy Harris Made CEO of Asure Software and Joins Company Board

Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), a provider of workforce management software headquartered in Texas, appointed Nancy L. Harris President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a Member of its Board of Directors. Nancy, who holds a master's degree in marketing  from Northwestern University, is currently Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Read more in the Company press release. 

Julia Gregory Made CEO of Five Prime Therapeutics

Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. today appointed Julia Gregory President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Julia, who holds an MBA from University of Pennsylvania, had been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Read more in the Busienss Wire press release.

Ursula Burns to be CEO of Xerox Corporation

Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) appointed Ursula Burns Chief Executive Officer to succeed Anne Mulcahy who is retiring. Ursula, who holds a a bachelor of science degree from Polytechnic Institute of NYU and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University, is the current President of Xerox. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Valerie Brown Made CEO of ING Advisors Network

ING appointed Valerie Brown Chief Executive Officer of ING Advisors Network. Valerie had been President of the ING Retail Annuities Market Segment. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Read about other women CEOs.

Women CEOs - Amy Miles Made CEO of Regal Entertainment Group. Katherine Clark Made CEO of SmartThinking.

Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), a motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circuit in the United States, appointed Amy Miles Chief Executve Officer. Amy had been Regal's Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Read more about it in the Business Wire press release.

SMARTHINKING, Inc., the provider of online tutoring and academic support to students, appointed Katherine Clark (pictured) its Chief Executive Officer. Katherine had been the Co-Founder of Landmark Systems Corporation. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Read about other women CEOs.

Jennifer Schulz Made CEO at Verifi, Inc.

Verifi, Inc., a provider of transaction risk management services for card-not-present merchants, appointed Jennifer Schulz Chief Executive Officer. Jennifer had been Verifi’s Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Verifi, Jennfier had been Global Head of Consumer Credit for Visa, Inc. Read more in the Business Wire press release.