From the President
My term as Forum president has provided a remarkable opportunity to lead our prestigious organization to attain the vision we established. I wanted to take this opportunity in this, my last column as president, to highlight several of the accomplishments of our hard-working board of directors and committees during the 2003-2004 year:
Advocated and facilitated the increased representation of women on boards and in top management positions in public companies in the Philadelphia region. The Executive Suites Committee issued its third research report in September 2003, detailing statistics in the largest public companies in the Philadelphia region.
Gained significant visibility for the Forum and its accomplishments through press releases to local news organizations.
Met our goal in raising corporate sponsorship dollars to help fund some of our programs and initiatives.
Educated Forum membership about the importance of participating and getting involved in politics. We met with mayoral candidates, and our Women, Policy and Politics Committee held an incredibly well-received program featuring five local women who are serving in Gov. Rendell’s administration.
Sponsored other unique monthly programs, including a sold-out CEO Breakfast in September 2003 and an Executive Suites program in April, 2004 featuring a mock board meeting.
As President, reached out on an individual basis to dozens of Forum members who have had varying degrees of involvement in our initiatives. As a result, many of these members have increased their involvement and are helping to advance the Forum’s mission.
An Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Alliances focused on establishing the protocol for creating these alliances with other organizations and determining the following statement of purpose:
“FOEW wishes to form alliances with like-minded organizations so that we may accomplish together what none of the organizations can easily accomplish alone. We are specifically interested in alliances that will provide opportunities to address and promote women’s development and leadership, as well as increase the visibility and impact of the FOEW and its members in the Delaware Valley.”
Continued our goal of trying to connect Forum members to one another. With this in mind, we began plans to re-develop an old initiative that would remind us to “Think the Forum” when we are in the market for business or personal services. Also, our informal suburban breakfast and dinner meetings have grown in attendance and in locations. In addition, we have made enhancements to the online directory that include the ability to sort the membership directory by industry.
It is amazing to me to think of all we have accomplished in just one year! It reminds us that The Forum is a dynamic organization of motivated and talented leaders and that we each contribute so much in our own way to help this organization grow. I am very proud of what we have accomplished, and I know The Forum will continue to grow and develop under the direction of Irene Hannan and the Forum officers and board for 2004-2005.
Membership Committee Gives Application a Fresh Look
The Membership Committee has revised and updated the membership application to make it clearer and more relevant for the membership, according to Membership Chair Marian Marchese. “The application had not been reviewed in several years,” says Marian, “and we wanted to bring it up to date so that it matched the criteria mentioned in our membership requirements.”
The Committee has also been successful in its retention and recruitment efforts. As mentioned in the last newsletter, the Membership Committee is now divided into three components: general operations, retention, and recruitment. Marian says this initiative “has been working very well,” and the Committee has been actively targeting new members. As part of the recruitment process, the Committee has also established clearer guidelines for sponsors. “We want the relationship between sponsor and potential member to be stronger,” Marian says, “so we want the sponsor to really know the candidate, not just be someone she met at a meeting.”
Another initiative, “Meet and Greet,” is a success as well (see the accompanying article). The Meet and Greet Process has been well-received by new members, who seem to really enjoy the one-on-one informal get-togethers with Beth Fitzsimons and Ellen Cavanaugh.
Getting to Know You...
The Forum’s “Meet and Greet” Committee, under the direction of Beth Fitzsimons and Ellen Cavanaugh, has been contacting new Forum members and meeting informally with each woman to answer any questions she may have about the organization, how the committees function, and how she can get involved.
“It really has been a pleasure to get to know each woman one on one,” says Beth. “So often, when a new member attends an organization’s formal meeting, there just isn’t the opportunity to ask questions or really get to talk to other members. But meeting members individually for coffee or lunch has given us the chance to get to know our new members.”
Don’t worry if you haven’t been called yet, as it takes some time to contact and meet with each member. Please feel free to call Beth (610-566-6516) or Ellen (215-841-5200) if you have any questions.
Board Members for 2004-2005
Following are the members of The Forum Board for 2004-2005:
President: Irene H. Hannan
Vice President: Sharon A. Smith
Secretary/Treasurer: Kyra G. McGrath
Autumn Bayles
Ellen Cavanaugh
Kathryn Davis
Beth Fitzsimons
Paulette Gabriel
Marlene Henkin
Susan Jaffe
Vicki W. Kramer
Rosalyn McPherson
Patricia Owens
Molly Raphael
Margaret Sadler
Jane K. Storero
Ellen Toplin
The Forum would like to thank the following members, whose terms on the Board are expiring, for their support and dedication to the organization:
Patricia A. Coulter
Marian V. Marchese
Karen Kichline Ruef
Forum Events
June 23
Annual Meeting and Dinner
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
5:30 Reception
6:15 Program
Leading Sponsor: National Penn Bank
Partner: Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management
September 22
Leadership Breakfast
Keynote Speaker:
Carol Ammon,
Chairman & CEO, Endo Pharmaceuticals
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia
Presenting Sponsor: Wachovia
Member News
New Members
Mary Stengel Austen, President, Tierney Communications, 200 S. Broad St., Phila., PA 19102, 215-790-4406, mausten@tierneyagency.com
Dorinda K. Culp, VP, Human Resources, Campbell Soup Co., Away from Home Division, 1 Campbell Place, Camden, NJ 08103, 856-342-6309, dorie_culp@campbellsoup.com
Melinda L. Hall, President/CEO, Peak Development Consulting, 1701 Shallcross Ave., Ste. 210, Wilmington, DE 19806, 302-654-2390, mindy@peakdevelopment.com
Karen A. Kirchner, President, VistraPartners, 264 Jefferson Ave., Haddonfield, NJ 08033, 856-616-9220, 215-886-4399, karen@vistrapartners.com
Alba Martinez, Esq., President/CEO, United Way of Southeastern PA, Phila., PA 19102, 215-906-8108 (cell), alba.e.martinez@verizon.net
Laurie Keenan McGarvey, Dean, School of Continuing Studies and Accelerated Degrees, Rosemont College, 1400 Montgomery Ave., Rosemont, PA 19010, 610-527-0200, lmcgarvey@rosemont.edu
Dr. Afaf Meleis, Dean, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 420 Guardian Dr., Phila., PA 19104, 215-898-8283, meleis@nursing.upenn.edu
Jane Scaccetti, Drucker & Scaccetti, P.C., 1845 Walnut St., Phila., PA 19103, 215-665-3960, jscaccetti@taxwarriors.com
Delia W. Stroud, Associate General Counsel, PECO Energy Co., 2301 Market St., Phila., PA 19101, 215-841-4257, delia.stroud@peco-energy.com
Victoria J. Tauscher, Managing Dir., Aligne, Inc., 900 W. Valley Rd., Ste. 300, Wayne, PA 19087, 484-582-1354, vtauscher@aol.com
Elizabeth Vale, Exec. Dir./Portfolio Strategist, Morgan Stanley, One Tower Br., West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 610-940-
Speeches/Publications
SHIRLEY BONNEM, Consultant, Administration, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, tells us her book, A Hospital on the Move, a Report on Change (1995-2001), was recently published.
LILA BOOTH participated in a seminar sponsored by Wharton Small Business Development Center and NAWBO Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
MARJORIE BRODY, President, Brody Communications, contributes a regular business etiquette column on the Business Week web site. Her book Career Magic: A Woman’s Guide to Reward & Recognition was listed in an article in the April issue of Real Simple magazine.
SHERRI HOPE CULVER, General Manager, WYBE, published an article entitled “What’s the Future of Public TV?” in the May issue of Television Quarterly.
PAMELA GODWIN, President, Change Partners, presented a session on Perspectives on Executive Coaching at The Securities Industry Institute, The Wharton School.
EILEEN HEISMAN, President, The National Philanthropic Trust, will be speaking on “Using Philanthropic Dollars Efficiently in a Changing Economy” at the 11th Annual Family Office Forum this month.
CAROLYN JOHNSON, Executive Director, National Adoption Center, was interviewed on NBC10 as part of the promotion of the station’s “Wednesday’s Child” feature. The National Adoption Center works with the station to identify children and collaborate on the feature.
PAGE S. MORAHAN, Co-Director, The Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women, co-authored an article in the April 2004 issue of Academic Medicine entitled “Effects of Participation in the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program on Women Faculty’s Perceived Leadership Capabilities.”
CAROL PARSSINEN, Senior Vice President, the Franklin Institute, was a panelist on “Women and Technology” for the cable television program Philadelphia’s Got IT.
ROSEANN B. ROSENTHAL, President/CEO, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of SE PA, was the keynote speaker for Charleston, South Carolina’s ThinkTec Conference.
MARGARET SADLER, Director, Human Resources, FMC Corporation, was a guest lecturer at Ursinus College addressing business students on getting and keeping the best people.
MAUREEN WARD, Director, Facilities Planning and Space Management, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, was a lecturer at the Society of College and University Planners Conference.
KAROL M. WASYLYSHYN, President, Leadership Development Forum, will have the following articles published within the next few months: “Preliminary Results of a Commissioned Coaching Program” in Human Resource Planning, and “The Reluctant President” in Consulting Psychology Journal.
Awards
LYNDA BARNESS, President, The Barness Organization, was awarded the Community Service Award by the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties.
LISA BINDER, Group EVP, Director of Retail & Business Banking, Citizens Bank, received the Purple Aster Award from the Sons of Italy organization for her strong commitment to business and for her community leadership.
PATRICIA COULTER, President and CEO, Urban League of Philadelphia, MELISSA WEILER GERBER, Executive Director, WOMENS WAY; and REBECCA MATTHIAS, President, Mothers Work, were honored by Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania at its 18th Annual Take the Lead Awards, honoring women who exemplify the highest achievements in their professions or fields of expertise.
EILEEN HEISMAN, President, National PhilanthropicTrust; CHRISTINE JAMES-BROWN, former President and CEO, United Way of Southeastern PA; BETTE LANDMAN, President, Arcadia University; KYRA MCGRATH, Vice President, WHYY; and FRANCES PIERCE, President and CEO, Data Systems Analysts, were six of the 2003 Women of Distinction honored by the Philadelphia Business Journal and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
MADELINE JANOWSKI, Director, Asher & Company, was named the recipient of the 2004 Mordecai Gerson Meritorious Service Award
ANNE SCEIA KLEIN, Founder and President, Anne Klein & Associates, was inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Association Hall of Fame in May. Anne, with nearly 40 years of public relations and marketing communications experience, was selected as PPRA’s 2004 distinguished Hall of Fame inductee.
LINDA MCALEER, President, The Melior Group, was elected to the first class of the Temple University Women’s Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.
MARGARET MCCAUSLAND, Partner, Blank Rome LLP, was named a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer” by Law and Politics Magazine.
LINDA PENROD, Vice President, MERIDIA Audience Response, received The Athena Award from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
MELONEASE SHAW, COO and Executive Vice President, PRWT Services, was recognized for her outstanding advocacy and community service with the 2004 Movers & Shakers Award; the National Sorority of PhiDelta Kappa Top Ladies of Distinction; and the 2004 Women Making a Difference Award.
LISETTE SHIRDAN-HARRIS, ESQ., President, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Pennsylvania Chapter, received an award from the National Organization for Women in April.
Business Moves/News
GAIL BUBENICK’s company SIERRA Communications was selected by Hewlett-Packard’s VP/general manager to develop a successful team structure and team dynamics for her global group.
JOAN CHRESTAY was appointed Associate Dean for External Relations in the College of Engineering, Villanova University. Also, Joan will lead a panel session on Collaborating with Major Gift Officers for Mutual Session at the CASE conference.
GAIL KASS, President/CEO, NewCourtland Elder Services, tells us New Courtland planned to open a state-of-the-art Education Center this spring.
JANIS LEBUDE, President, Protocall Staffing, announced that her company was named the 28th largest company in the state of New Jersey by NJ BIZ Magazine.
MARIAN MARCHESE, Senior Vice President, Dudnyk Group of Companies, tells us that VIRTU Interactive was profiled in Best Practices in Corporate Communications’ Report on Corporate Branding. Also, Marian was named to the Board of Governors, Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum.
PATRICIA MILLER is Chief Operating Officer, Nobel Learning Communities, West Chester.
CATHERINE MURPHY was promoted to Director, Client Services and the Executive Offices, The PEW Charitable Trusts.
WENDY ROSE joined Resources Connection, an international professional services firm, as Managing Director of the Princeton practice.
REGINA O’BRIEN THOMAS was named head of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll’s Family Wealth Management Group of 16 lawyers and 8 estate and trust professionals.
DANIELA HOLT VOITH, Principal, Voith & Mactavish Architects, and her partner celebrated the 15th anniversary of their firm with a retrospective exhibit at the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery at Haverford College.
Appointments/Elections
CONSTANCE GOLDMAN BERESIN, Chief Development Officer/Vice President, Jewish Employment & Vocational Service, was appointed to the Board of the Jewish Social Policy Action Network; the Grant Committee of the Chester Eastside Ministries; and the Public Policy Committee of the UWSEPA.
HELEN BOSLEY, President, Corporate Financial Management, was elected to the Board of South Jersey Industries. She was selected for this position as a result of the Forum’s Executive Suites initiative, which assisted SJI Chairman Charlie Biscieglia in the Board’s search.
SUZANNE FAIRLIE, President, ProSearch, was elected to the Boards of the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Black Data Processing Association.
KAREN KAUFMAN, Principal, The Kaufman Partnership, was given an honorary membership in Delta Mu Delta.
LESLIE G. MAYER, President/CEO, Mayer Leadership Group, was appointed Senior Fellow in the Management Department, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
PATRICIA MCCROSSAN, Director of Marketing, Glenmede, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Easter Seals of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
M. CHRISTINE MURPHY, Chairman and CEO, S. Zitner Confectioners, was appointed by Gov. Rendell to serve on the newly created 12-member Pennsylvania Tax Reform Commission to evaluate the Commonwealth’s business tax structure.
FRANCES MARTINEZ MYERS, Senior Vice President, Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors, was appointed Vice Chairperson, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, April 2003-April 2005.
NATALYE PAQUIN, Chief of Staff, School District of Philadelphia, was named to the boards of Creative Artists Network, Phila. Department of Recreation Mural Arts, Girl Scouts of SE PA, and Phila. Boys Choir.
GAYE PINO, CEO/President, Paper and Ribbon Supply Co., was elected Chair, Cherry Hill Zoning Board of Adjustment.
DIANNE REED, Senior Manager, KPMG, thanks to an opportunity provided by The Forum, joined the board of Baptist Children’s Services.
CARO ROCK, Associate Publisher, Main Line Life, was named Secretary of the Foundation Board, Free Library. She also joined the board of the Lower Merion Conservancy.
BRYNA SILVER, Partner, Synnestvedt & Lechner LLP, was elected to the board, Gershman Jewish Community Center.
LESLIE STILES, Executive Director, Penna. Commission for Women, was appointed to the board of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in Philadelphia.
JUDITH VON SELDENECK was elected Chair, Association of Executive Search Consultants. Also, she was the 2004 recipient of the American Heart Association “Heart of Philadelphia” Award.
KATHLEEN D. WILKINSON, Partner, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman and Dicker, was elected President, Haverford Civic Association; appointed co-chair of the State Civil Committee; and re-appointed co-chair of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Legal Writing Competition.
STATE SEN. CONNIE WILLIAMS was appointed to the County Seat Economic Revitalization Committee in Montgomery County.