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FORUM NEWS

From the President

 

The Forum year is off to a great start, with the most successful Leadership Breakfast ever, featuring wise and thoughtful remarks from Amanda Bennett, Editor and Executive Vice President of The Philadelphia Inquirer and the inauguration of the Corporate Star Award. The event was a wonderful example of where we find The Forum right now: visible, valuable, and vital.

The reasons for The Forum’s positive current state are many, but at the top of the list must be the work of the Executive Suites committee. The Women on Boards report, and other initiatives of Executive Suites, have brought visibility and attention both to The Forum and the issue that we are focused on: expanding the number of women on corporate boards. Currently led by Beth Fitzsimons and Sally Stetson, Executive Suites will continue to expand The Forum’s impact through a partnership with six other cities whose women’s leadership groups have goals similar to The Forum’s and through direct action to help boards identify qualified women.

There are lots of other great things happening right now; a mentoring initiative is finishing its pilot year; our web site is being redesigned; “Meet The Forum” is in its second year of successful informal, small group get-togethers; and the Program Committee has designed a great calendar of information and fun activities for the year.

To continue to expand The Forum’s success needs only one additional component – even more members to join committees, come to programs, and get involved! Call or e-mail our Executive Director, Sharon Hardy, to explore your interests.

— Sharon Smith

From the Committees

Executive Suites

In October, the Executive Suites Committee released the 2005 Women on Boards Report, which covers the largest 100 public firms in the region and their changes to board members in 2004. Some highlighted findings include:

• In 2004, there was no increase over the past year in women on boards in the largest 100 public firms in the region.      
• Of the 61 new or vacated board seats in the top 100 public firms, 4 were filled with women, of whom 2 are women of color.      
• Women hold a total of 9.3% of the boards seats in the 100 public companies listed in the report with most in large organizations

The Executive Suites Committee is open to any opportunity Forum members may present in influencing local firms to place women on their boards. Please contact co-chairs Beth Fitzsimons (beth@bfitzsimons.com) or Sally Stetson (stetson@ssgsearch.com) with ideas. The 2005 Women on Boards Report is available through The Forum's office or online at www.foew.com.

Membership

The Membership Committee, chaired by Jane Storero, continues to proactively recruit high profile women in the Philadelphia region, adding 33 new members in the last year. Currently, there are approximately 300 members in The Forum of Executive Women. Get to know your peers by attending “Meet the Forum” gatherings, happening monthly in your area.

Programming

The Program Committee, led by Co-Chairs Gloria Rabinowitz and Linda Galante, remains focused on providing Forum members access to subjects, people, topics and places not otherwise available. Topics on the table for 2006 include: “Time, Talent, and Strategic Philanthropy in a Community Disaster” and “The Social and Economic Impact of Gaming on the Region.” Please check The Forum’s web site for details on upcoming events.

Sponsorship

This year the Sponsorship Committee, chaired by Patricia Wellenbach, is off to a wonderful start. Sponsorship dollars help to support the Forum’s diverse initiatives. Please contact The Forum Office (info@foew.com) for opportunities to sponsor upcoming events. Special thanks to the companies who continue to offer ongoing support.

Strategic Marketing and Communications

The Strategic Marketing and Communications Committee co-chaired by Robin Neifield and Grace Migliaccio launched a special research project this summer with the support of Dr. Betsy Leebron and colleague, Zizi Papacharissi from Temple University’s Department of Communications. The goal of the research is to objectively assess how local print media covers and portrays women leaders, and comparing that to how men are similarly covered. The preliminary report should be compiled this fall. This committee is also completing an online survey of the membership regarding their current and ideal web site usage in preparation for a new web site with enhanced functionality. Included in that anonymous survey will also be some demographic information so that we can profile the membership as a body.

Women, Policy and Politics

On October 20th, The Forum traveled to Washington, D.C. At the Rayburn Building, Forum members were greeted by Forum member and Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, who spoke about her experiences as a first term congresswoman. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones from Ohio shared personal stories of life on the Hill as an African American congresswoman. Also addressing the group were Congresswoman Hilda Solis of California, Congresswoman Melissa Hart of Pennsylvania, as well as Ann Sullivan of Women Impacting Public Policy, who gave us insight into lobbying on the Hill. All speakers received written material about The Forum including the 2005 Women on Boards Report. The day ended with a visit to The National Museum of Women in the Arts.

“ ‘Wash Day,’ as the 20th was affectionately dubbed, was a refreshing change of pace, educational, and lots of fun,” — Susan Jaffe

Giving Back: Mentoring Rising Women Leaders

The Forum’s mentoring program is reaching the end of its pilot year this December. Co-chaired by Nila Betof and Gloria Rabinowitz, the program facilitated the pairing of Forum members with mentees from the Wharton Women’s Network and the Professional Women’s Roundtable.

The Mentoring Program extends The Forum’s mission of advancing women’s leadership by reaching out to younger professionals. “We’re building the next generation of leaders,” explains Betof. Forum member Claudia Post participated in the program for this very reason. Before becoming President of Diamond Transportation Group, Post found few mentors outside of her male superiors and now feels a responsibility to reach back and help rising women leaders today. Post describes her mentee as “a brilliant young woman who faced an entrepreneurial challenge” and has high respect for her engagement in the program. Post and her mentee occupy different industries, yet they share common experiences and ambitions.

Participants in the program acknowledge that mentoring is beneficial to both mentor and mentee. “Mentoring is a two-way relationship,” explains Rabinowitz who helped to structure the program. Each of the pairs made a year-long commitment to create opportunities to learn from one another. Specific discussions between mentor and mentee are confidential, but mentees have shared rave reviews. Rabinowitz’ mentee reports that her experience has been “just wonderful and incredibly encouraging.”

The Mentoring Pilot Project officially ends in 2005, but the program will be evaluated and recommendations will be made to The Forum’s Board of Directors for consideration of continued support.

So Many Opportunities to Meet The Forum

Last year, The Forum added an exciting dimension to its programming calendar by formalizing its regional get-togethers. These included both suburban gatherings with members meeting each month for breakfast or dinner as well as a new monthly member group meeting in Center City for breakfast. In addition, two “sold-out” Meet The Forum dinners were hosted at unique restaurants where the restaurant’s chef created a special menu just for our members. These informal gatherings have proven to be a great opportunity to “get to know” fellow Forum members in a relaxed, non-programmed setting.

Each month, The Forum Office sends all Forum members an e-mail listing which details Meet The Forum events for that month. All that is needed to secure your spot is a prompt reply e-mail indicating which gatherings you plan to attend that month.

“Members are encouraged to attend in as many locations, and as often as you are able, in order to optimize your opportunity to get to better know your fellow Forum members. All Forum members are welcome no matter where you live or work.” — Lori Reiner

A special thank you to those members who have opened up their offices to The Forum during the past year and to those hosting in the upcoming year. Your support of this important initiative is appreciated.

Sub-interest groups have also grown out of The Forum’s membership. For the last three years, a Book Group has been meeting monthly to discuss readings. For a comprehensive book list or to learn more about the group, please contact Andrea Kramer at ark@arkramerlaw.com. The book group arranges via e-mail to meet about once per month, on Mondays, for lunch at La Terrasse. New members are welcome to join!

Over the summer, Jackie Shulman hosted Forum members at her beach house on Orient Lagoon in Margate, New Jersey.

Special Thanks to our Recent Event Sponsors

Leadership Breakfast, September 23, 2005
Presenting Sponsor: Wachovia
Leading Sponsors: Caron Foundation, Diversified Search, Independence Blue Cross, Lee Hecht Harrison, Peco Energy, Sunoco Logistics
Benefactors: Goldenberg Rosenthal, LLP; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP

Forum’s Trip to Washington, October 20, 2005
Leading Sponsor: PNC Advisors
Benefactor: Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen, LLP

Congratulations to the Corporate Salute winners of 2005! Representatives from the companies honored were Elizabeth Reeves, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer of Lincoln Financial Group; Dorrit Bern, President and CEO of Charming Shoppes, Inc.; Judith Soltz, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CIGNA Corporation; Walter Daller, Chairman of Harleysville National Corporation

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 1, 2005
Holiday Dinner
Top of The Tower
Leading Sponsor: Commerce Bank

January 18, 2006
“Time, Talent and Strategic Philanthropy in a Community Disaster”
Leading Sponsor: Comcast Corporation

February 2006
Program in honor of Black History Month

March 28, 2006
Breakfast Program
“The Social and Economic Impact of Gaming on the Region”

April 2006
Executive Suites Program
“Women Rising to the Top: Professional Opportunities and Challenges”
Leading Sponsors: Caron Foundation, Sovereign Bank

May 2006
Breakfast Program
“Managing the Challenges of Addiction: Practical Strategies for Family and Workplace”

June 2006
Annual Meeting and Forum Award Presentation
Leading Sponsor: National Penn Bank
Partner Sponsor: Anne Klein & Associates

August 2006
Beach Day

Welcome New Members

Carol Ammon
Chairman of the Board
Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.
100 Endo Boulevard
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
P: 610-558-9800
E: McArdle.Debra@endo.com

Kathleen Bellwoar
President
PPT Consulting
15 Paper Mill Road, Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
P: 610-687-9778
E: kbellwoar@pptconsultants.com

Dorrit Bern
Chief Executive Officer
Charming Shoppes, Inc.
450 Winks Lane
Bensalem, PA 19020

Robin Bond
President and CEO
Transition Strategies, LLC
88 Militia Hill Drive
Wayne, PA 19087
P: 610-640-5373
F: 610-640-3736
E: robin@transition-strategies.com

Penny Conly Ellison, Esq.
Appellate Mediation Program
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
601 Market Street, Room 20716
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1720
E: Penny_Ellison@ca3.uscourts.gov

Julie Copeland
President and CEO
Arbill Safety Products
10450 Drummond Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
P: 215-501-8222
F: 215-501-8121
E: jcopeland@arbill.com

Maryalice DeCamp
Managing Director
Jefferson Wells
1600 Market Street, Suite 1700
Philadelphia, PA 19103
P: 215-399-2561
F: 215-399-2144
E: Maryalice.DeCamp@Jeffersonwells.com

Nicole D. Galli
Partner, Pepper Hamilton LLP
3000 Two Logan Square
18th & Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
P: 215-981-4496
F: 215-981-4750
E: gallin@pepperlaw.com

Dittie Guise
Chief Operating Officer,
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Authority
1101 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
P: 215-418-4700
F: 215-418-4747
E: dguise@paconvention.com

Hon. Frederica Massiah-Jackson
President Judge
Court of Common Pleas
First Judicial District of
Pennsylvania
386 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19103
P: 215-686-2523
F: 215-567-7328

Susan Mucciarone
Regional Managing Director
Calibre
Centre Square West, 20th Floor
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
P: 215-973-3141
F: 215-973-3190
E: susan.mucciarone@calibre.com

Brigid O’Neill-LaGier
Chief Executive Officer
American Red Cross Blood Services
Penn-Jersey Region
700 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
P: 215-451-4044
F: 215-451-2500
E: oneilbr@usa.redcross.org

Nancy O’Toole
Vice President, Human Resources
Tasty Baking Company
2801 Hunting Park Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129
P: 215-221-8593
F: 215-223-0630
E: nancy.otoole@tastykake.com

Melanie Abke Penna
Vice President Human Resources
Comcast Cable
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
P: 215-981-7521
F: 215-981-8501
E: melanie_penna@comcast.com

Sherrie R. Savett, Esq.
Managing Principal; Chair Securities Litigation Department
Berger & Montague, PC
1622 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
P: 215-875-3071
F: 215-875-5715
E: ssavett@bm.net

Joanne K. Sundheim
Senior Compliance Director
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
201 Walnut Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
P: 302-282-7358
F: 302-282-1224
E: joanne.sundheim@chase.com

Hon. Diane M. Welsh
JAMS, The Resolution Experts
1700 Market Street, Suite 2730
Philadelphia, PA 19103
P: 215-246-9494
E: dwelsh@jamsadr.com

Tara Weiner
Managing Partner
for the Philadelphia Office
Deloitte & Touche USA LLP
1700 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
P: 215-246-2300
F: 25-569-2441
E: tweiner@deloitte.com

Member News

Speeches & Publications

Marjorie Brody, President of Brody Communications LTD, and her book 21st Century Pocket Guide to Proper Business Protocol were cited in the May 2005 issue of SellingPower and also the June and August 2005 issues of Real Simple.

Pamela Godwin, President of Change Partners, Inc., with Karen Gross, law professor at New York Law School, had an article published in the September issue of the journal University Business entitled “Education’s Many Stakeholders” (www.universitybusiness.com/page.cfm?p=941).

Dr. Cathy L. Greenberg’s fifth book, entitled What Happy
Companies Know: Discovering What’s Right With American
Corporations, will be released by Prentice Hall Books in early 2006. Now located in Tuscon, Arizona, she founded h2C (Happy Companies, Healthy People) with her two partners. h2C specializes in Leadership Development with an emphasis on integrating leadership and wellness to deliver maximized performance (www.h2cleadership.com).

Eileen R. Heisman, President & CEO of National Philanthropic Trust, was invited to participate
in the 2005 Think Tank on Fundraising, cosponsored by Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, the Council on Foundations, United Way of America, and the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy.

Tine Hansen-Turton, Executive
Director, National Nursing Centers Consortium, co-authored a book, Community and Nurse-Managed Health Centers: Getting Them Started and Keeping Them Going, published in June 2005 by Springer Publishing Company. She also spent five weeks in New Zealand on an Eisenhower Fellowship, where she worked on the development of nurse-practitioner run health centers in the country.

Anne Sceia Klein, APR, Fellow PRSA and president of Anne Klein & Associates, a leading public relations firm in the Philadelphia area, is a contributing author of the recently published Forensic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. The textbook used for training forensic nurses includes a chapter written by Anne entitled “Media Management and Public Relations.”

Dr. Leslie G. Mayer was one of the featured presenters at the Asset Management Advisors conference in Miami. Her speech was entitled “The Good Enough Woman.” Dr. Mayer is President & CEO of Mayer Leadership Group. Mayer Leadership Group specializes in coaching and advising CEOs and top executives in the human factors that make or break successful leadership.

Linda Resnick, CEO of Resources, Inc., was a judge on VentureTalk Radio (WWBD 860 AM). She served as a judge of CEO contestants who pitch their companies and compete for quarterly prizes. Linda was also a speaker on “Recruiting Talent for Management,” for the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (NASVF).

RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, was a panelist on the topic of Nanotechnology Economic Development Efforts at the 4th Annual NanoBusiness Alliance 2005 Conference on May 23 in New York City.

Molly D. Shepard, CEO and Founder of The Leader’s Edge, released her new book with Jane K. Stimmler, entitled Stop Whining and Start Winning: 8 Ways for Women to Get Ahead in Business in late September. She recently
appeared on the NBC “10!” Show and both Molly and Jane were on CN8, “It’s Your Morning.” The book may be purchased at www.startwinning.biz

Appointments & Elections

Joan Chrestay, Associate Dean for External Relations, College of Engineering at Villanova University, has been appointed to the Harvard University, Kennedy School, Women’s Leadership Board. In February Joan joined the Board’s study trip to South Africa to meet women leaders from business, government and academia, including the First Lady and the U.S. Ambassador, to discuss the advancement of women throughout the world.

Gail Kass, President & CEO, Presbyterian Foundation for Philadelphia/New Courtland Elder Services has been selected by Governor Rendell to be one of his seven delegates to the White House Conference on Aging to take place in December.

Vicki W. Kramer, Principal of V. Kramer & Associates, was elected to the board of the Women’s Law Project.

Linda J. McAleer, President of The Melior Group, has been elected to the National Board of Directors of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, after serving for three years as chair of the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of NMSS. Also, her office has moved to 2002 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Jane G. Pepper, President of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, was elected to the Board of Trustees, Longwood Gardens, Inc., Kennett Square, PA, last spring and received the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Grand Gold Medal this fall.

Gaytana (Gaye) Pino, CEO and President of Paper And Ribbon Supply Co., has been appointed Co-Chair of the Cherry Hill Business Partnership Board. Gaye has also recently joined the Membership board of the National MFHA (MultiCultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance).

Claudia Post, President of Diamond Transportation Group, Inc., has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Express Carriers Association and will be the Education Chair.

Molly Raphael, Principal Consultant of Raphael Health Policy and Planning Consulting, was elected Vice President of the Board of the Maternity Care Coalition, whose mission is to provide access to health care for women and babies.  She was also appointed to an advisory panel by Governor Rendell to examine options to expand access to affordable health care coverage as part of a statewide planning process.

Ellen Toplin, President and Founder of public relations, marketing and advertising firm Toplin & Associates, Inc., was recently elected board of directors’ second vice chair for the American Red Cross, Blood Services Division, Penn-Jersey Region. Toplin has served on the organization’s board of directors for the past two years.

Kathleen Wagner, Senior Vice President of Conservation and Education at the Philadelphia Zoo, was elected a member of the board of directors of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). AZA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.

Patricia Wellenbach, Health Care Consultant, was appointed to be a Trustee to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and was appointed to be a committee member of the Breast Cancer Fund of the National Philanthropic Trust.

Awards & Honors

Pamela A. Crawley, Senior Vice President and Director of Public Affairs, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania and Ellen Toplin, President and Owner of Toplin & Associates, were named among “Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business.” Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business Awards recognize the impact women business owners and business leaders have in creating jobs and building communities in Pennsylvania.

Gloria Guard, President of the People’s Emergency Center and Executive Director of the People’s Emergency Center Community Development Corporation, was named winner of The Philadelphia Award for 2005. The award is presented to a citizen of the region who has done the most to “advance the best and largest interest” of the community.

Andrea R. Kramer, Esq. received the Ellen Mary Cassatt Award from the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania. This award is the highest Council award and recognizes an adult member who models excellence, motivation and commitment to community through her volunteer service to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Charisse R. Lillie, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Comcast Cable, was the recipient of the 2005 PoWeR Award on August 9, 2005 presented by the Professional Women’s Roundtable. The PoWeR Award honors a woman who has not only shown a commitment to her own career and community but also dedicates her time to mentoring and helping women advance in their careers.

Regina O’Brien Thomas, partner and Chair of the Family Wealth Management Group, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, was honored by Law & Politics Magazine and Philadelphia Magazine as a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer,” and was named among the top 100 lawyers in both Philadelphia and Pennsylvania as well as among the top 50 female lawyers.

Ellen Toplin is proud to announce that Toplin & Associates, Inc., a Fort Washington-based marketing, public relations and advertising firm, was recently named one of the region’s Best Places to Work by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Business Moves & News

Lynda Barness has made the transition from dream homes to dream weddings. After 20 years in the real estate development and residential construction business, Lynda announces I DO Wedding Consulting, her new company, which offers personal, tailor-made coordination and wedding planning services. See www.idoplan.com for the full ranges of services offered to the bride and groom and their families!

Deborah L. Chiumento joined Bessemer Trust as head of a new office in Wilmington, DE covering PA/DE and NJ. Bessemer is a 100-year old private firm focused exclusively on managing family fortunes in a service-rich, conflict-free environment.

Tine Hansen-Turton was recently promoted to Vice President of Health Care Access at the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation. She will keep her title as CEO of the National Nursing Centers Consortium, but will now also have corporate responsibilities within PHMC. Her e-mail address has changed to tine@nncc.us.

Janis L. LeBude is proud to announce the 40th anniversary of Protocall Staffing Services, regional staffing service for Nursing (Hospital & Home Care), Office Personnel and Warehouse Personnel on October 20, 2005. Protocall is a family-owned WBE company with six offices in South Jersey and two offices in Philadelphia.

Frances Martinez Myers, Senior Vice-President of Employee Transfer Corporation, a relocation management company based in Philadelphia, took over the role of Chairman of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) on April 25th, 2005. NAHREP is a non-profit, five-year-old trade association with over 14,000 members and 39 affiliated chapters throughout the US. NAHREP’s mission is to increase the home-ownership rate of Hispanics in this country.

Katherine Newell joined the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority in Princeton, New Jersey as its general counsel. The Authority issues tax-exempt bonds to finance facilities for the public and private colleges located in the State of New Jersey.

Lynn Nowicki, former CEO and President of Fox Run Craftsmen, a privately held housewares company in Philadelphia, is now the President and owner of Metrokitchen, an internet retailer of top cooking-related brands (www.metrokitchen.com). Her company is based in Atlanta, Georgia, but she remains a Forum member. Lynn can be contacted at: Lnowicki@metrokitchen.com; 404-367-9993.

Kathleen E. Stucy was recently named Senior Executive Vice President, Commercial Services Division of Susquehanna Patriot Bank. Her responsibilities include the lending and marketing efforts of the Commercial, Business Banking, SBA, and Commercial Real Estate segments for southern New Jersey and eastern PA.

Deborah Weinstein, of the Weinstein Firm, has moved into Center City Philadelphia. Her new address is: 1800 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1720, Philadelphia, PA 19103; P: 215-636-0616. The Weinstein Firm provides legal and consulting services on workforce issues.

Community Action

Bonnie Perry, President of Bonita L. Perry Associates, was selected as “Volunteer of the Week” by the Main Line Times for her work on the Board of the Bridlewild Trails Association and the many community hikes she leads, her contributions to the North Ardmore Civic Association, and as Debate and Speech coach for Harriton High School.

CRW Graphics was pleased to support Create-A-Ton 2005 on September 17th. Eight local Nonprofits in Philadelphia and South Jersey received over $152,000 in complimentary marketing services and material. Forty nonprofit organizations submitted applications and eight were selected for marketing materials. Harriet Weiss is the owner of CRW and Cindy Wollman is the Vice President of Sales.

Share your “News” with Forum members by sending an email to Amy Hibler, newsletter editor, at amyhibler@yahoo.com