CONTENTS
FEATURES
COLUMNS AND REPORTS
FEATURES
From the President: Focusing on Our Strategic Goals - and New Initiatives
Happy New Year! It's hard to believe that half of our Forum year is complete. But as I look back, and ahead, both views reflect exciting progress that we're making together, as a result of your input at the March 1998 Women and Power meeting, the hard work of our staff and committees and the volunteer efforts of many individuals and teams.
As you'll recall, we decided this year to focus most strongly on three of our five strategic goals and to work hard to make measurable progress on each by the end of the year. Those goals are: l) to promote the economic power of Forum members and other business women, 2) to heighten the visibility, impact and influence of The Forum and 3) to form strategic alliances with diverse and influential organizations, including political, cultural, educational and community groups for the creation of new solutions to issues that affect the Greater Philadelphia area. As you look at the overviews of some of our activities, I think you'll see that we are, indeed, advancing our collective agenda.
We reinstated the Leadership Breakfast this year (a March meeting idea), and it was a resounding success, with Larry Weinbach of Unisys as our keynote speaker addressing 250 of our members, their clients and their colleagues. A distinguished group of experts, who were, in turn, expertly supported by facilitator and Forum member Lesley Wendell, updated us on the significant new case law addressing sexual harassment. Forum Past President Emma Chappell both stimulated and delighted us when she shared her experiences before, during and after her trip aboard Airforce One as she joined the President, Mrs. Clinton and other ambassadors on their recent visit to South Africa. And our Holiday Party was, once again, a wonderful evening of renewing and nourishing our remarkable friendships, and inevitably supporting one another with business information and ideas.
As I look ahead, I am excited about many things. I'll focus one two important new initiatives that the coming months will bring.
1. The Media Dialogue initiative that was born out of our discussion during our meeting last March. We are fortunate that Donna Brennan has agreed to chair this effort and that we have such a powerful and diverse group of members who have volunteered to donate their intellect and energy to this critical work. Donna has provided some introductory information on page 3 of this newsletter.
2. Forum member Marian Marchese and her company, VirTu, Inc., are donating the design and creation of a Forum Web site that will be available to us during the first quarter of this year. Found on the site are features of interest to Forum members and potential members, the business community and the media. Among these are a membership directory, calendar of upcoming programs and on-line sign-up, award nominations, survey results and research, career opportunities, monthly newsletters and a press section... The Web site will both enhance The Forum's image and improve communication throughout our group, the business community and the press. It will truly be a reliable and convenient way for us to communicate who we are, what we're about and where we are going.
We will bring the site up in phases beginning in February, and we'll keep you informed as we progress. Many, many thanks to Marian, VirTu and its talented professionals and the many Forum members who are donating their time and talent in writing copy for the site.
To close these comments, I started to try to recap the announcements I've made at meetings about honors, awards, contributions and achievements bringing regional, statewide and national recognition to our members. I soon realized that there were so many that occurred during the past six months that if I tried to summarize, I'd inevitably leave something out....What a terrific issue to have! Which reminds me...Please continue to keep us informed, through The Forum office, of your honors, etc., so that we can continue to recognize each of you and, more important, to continue to spread the word about the positive power and influence of this incredible group of women.
My very best wishes to each of you for a healthy, happy 1999!
Pamela Godwin
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Forum Focus: MIKKI YOUNG
They say laughter is the best medicine. If so, the staff at MarketShift must be very healthy. Every day, at least once a day, President MIKKI YOUNG lets out a from-the-gut, no-holds-barred laugh. With a new company and a refocused career, Young says she has a lot to laugh and smile about.
Late in 1997, Young transitioned to MarketShift, a full-services advertising and public relations agency that is affiliated with LevLane Advertising/PR/Interactive. MarketShift focuses on healthcare and business-to-business. Young's business-to-business projects focus particularly on supporting the sales process.
"Creating MarketShift allowed me to become more profitable by expanding my resources and decreasing overhead," says Young, who also serves as a senior strategist for LevLane. Although the companies are independent, MarketShift has complete access to LevLane's resources, including creative, media and interactive.
The transition from her old agency, which Young helped found 19 years before MarketShift, was "an extraordinarily difficult one for me," Young admits. "I was close with the people I worked with for so long. But to personally and professionally grow, I had to make this change."
Young says she learned a valuable lesson. "To move forward, you need to understand what your goal is, and you need to push through obstacles, not focus on them."
This 10-year Forum member, who is active in the Private Lives Group, has taken courses on everything from playing the piano to speaking Hebrew. She also teaches marketing seminars at the Wharton Small Business Development Center and entrepreneurialism at St. Joseph's University. One of her most rewarding activities is spending time with her three children, who, she says, are "just amazing."
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STAR Recipients
October 1998 - Leslie Miller, who became the first woman President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 103 years.
November - Emma Chappell, in recognition of her success with United Bank of Philadelphia and her contribution to the community.
December - Sue Becker, in recognition of the great job she did as President of WOMENS WAY for the past three years and for her new role directing the K-12 educational programs at Philadelphia First.
January - Madeline Janowski, for being recognized by Money Magazine as one of the country's top tax experts.
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Media Dialogue Committee Formed
More than a dozen members have volunteered for the ad-hoc committee to advance the media dialogue initiative that arose in discussions at last year's "Women in Power" meeting.
Members will report to The Forum administrative office instances of unfair or detrimental and especially balanced coverage of women in the media. We intend to pay special attention to coverage of women officeholders and candidates.
We want to go on record with both criticism and praise. Committee members will confer on a response and how best to deliver it. Our aim is to issue a timely response in writing, by phone or in person.
Pam Godwin will sign letters to the editor as president of The Forum. This has the added advantage of increased visibility for The Forum.
Members can advance the initiative by alerting the committee of media coverage that they believe warrants a response from The Forum, and by volunteering to serve on the committee.
Donna Brennan, Committee Chair
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COLUMNS AND REPORTS
New Members
Lynda Barness, Pres.
The Barness Organization
975 Easton Rd.
Warrington, PA 18976
215/343-0700
Jacqueline Buhn, Pres./VP
Renaissance Assets, Inc.
1926 Arch St.
Phila., PA 19103
215/567-7900
Andrea Gilbert, COO, EVP
Allegheny University Hospital-City Ave.
4150 City Ave.
Phila., PA 19131
215/871-2529
Susan Bass Levin, Mayor, Cherry Hill, NJ
Of Counsel Pepper Hamilton Law Firm
820 Mercer St.
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
609/488-7878
Pamela Lewis, Dean
College of Business Administration
Drexel University
Matheson Hall, 32nd and Market Sts.
Phila., PA 19104
215/895-1030
Phyllis Lewis, Managing Principal
The Chauncey Group International
654 Rosedale Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08540
609/720-6515
Meryle Meinicoff, Director, Business Development
The Wistar Institute
3601 Spruce St.
Phila., PA 19106
215/898-0049
Krya G. McGrath, Special Asst. to Office of the Pres.
WHYY, Inc.
150 N. 6th St.
Phila., PA 19106
215/351-3302
Angela Murray, Director of Economic Development
Greater Philadelphia First
1818 Market St., Ste. 3510
Phila., PA 19103
215/575-2200
Rita M. Nilon, VP, Relocation/Corporate Services
The Prudential Preferred Properties
3405 Westchester Pk.
Newtown Square, PA 19073
610/325-0300
Joan T. Pollack, SVP
CIGNA
1601 Chestnut St.
Phila., PA 19192
215/761-6896
Patricia K. Poprik, Pres.
First American Municipals, Inc.
606 Corporate Dr.
Langhorne, PA 19047
215/504-9330
Caro U. Rock, Assoc. Pub.
Main Line Life
110 Ardmore Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
610/896-9555
Stacey Sauchuk, Pres.
Art Institute of Philadelphia
1622 Chestnut St.
Phila., PA 19103
215/246-3300
Suzanne Svizeny, EVP
First Union Bank
123 S. Broad St.
Phila., PA 19103
215/985-7462
Carol Tracy, Exec. Dir.
Women's Law Project
125 S. 9th St., Ste. 401
Phila., PA 19107
215/928-9801, x204
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Forum Events
February 18
Topic: Trends on the Internet
Time: 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: The Union League
March 25
Topic: Women in Politics-How to Get a Seat at the Table
Time: 7:45-9:30 a.m.
Location: Four Seasons Hotel
April 20
Topic: To be announced
Time: Dinner meeting
Location: To be announced
May 20
Topic: Women in Technology
Time: Luncheon meeting
Location: To be announced
June 14
Annual Meeting
and Reception Time and location to be announced
Informal meetings are held in Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties. Call The Forum office at (609) 428-5105 for more information.
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Member News
Business News/Moves
NORA MEAD BROWNELL was elected to second vice president of the National Association of Regulatory Utilities Commissioners. She will serve as the organization's president in 2000-2001.
DENISE DEVINE, President, Devine Foods, announced that her company has signed a cooperative research agreement with the USDA. The goal of the alliance is to use Devine Foods' patented compositions to develop a healthy milkshake for use in schools, nursing homes, health care facilities and food service channels.
MARCIENE MATTLEMAN has been named Executive Director of PHILADELPHIA READS, a campaign mobilizing the Greater Philadelphia community to provide volunteer time, materials and other resources for in-school, after school and summer programs to complete the School District's programs. PHILADELPHIA READS is part of a national America Reads Challenge to ensure that all public school children read well and independently by the end of third grade.
ALLYSON SCHWARTZ, State Senator, has developed a legislative proposal for helping schools to become free of drugs, firearms and violence. While students committing violent acts in schools need to be punished, legislative efforts should also focus on assisting schools to prevent this violence before it happens, Schwartz says. The proposal includes several bills, including The Student Anti-Violence Education Grant Program, Linkage to Mental Health, Firearm-Free Kid Zones and Drug-Free Kid Zones.
LINDA STONE, Principal, Towers Perrin, has been promoted to oversee the retirement line of business for the company's Philadelphia consulting office.
CONSTANCE WILLIAMS was elected to a second term as State Representative for Montgomery County's 149th legislative district. Her margin of victory was 58%.
Appointments/Elections
CATHY ANDRUZZI, a nationally recognized figure in women's basketball at both the collegiate and professional level, has been named Executive Director of Philadelphia Women's Basketball 2000. She will coordinate the planning and organizing of the committee's efforts to host the 2000 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four.
MALINDA POWERS BERARDINO, Executive Vice President, Church Capital Management, was nominated to the board of Abington Memorial Hospital Foundation, serving on its Investment Committee.
LINDA MCALEER, President, The Melior Group, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society/Greater Delaware Valley Chapter.
JOIE SMITH, Senior Consultant, Leadership Resources, has been elected Trustee, Abington Memorial Hospital Foundation Board.
KAROL M. WASYLYSHYN, President, Leadership Development, has been appointed to the Wharton Advanced Management Program faculty in the Executive Education Center of the Aresty Institute.
LESLEY MALLOW WENDELL, Executive Director, Options, has been named chair of the WOMENS WAY Search Committee to select a new president. Also, she conducted a mentoring workshop for the Public Relations Society of America, Philadelphia Chapter, and participated in a focus group to help re-engineer the Private Industry Council.
Awards/Milestones
JULIET GOODFRIEND, CEO, Strategic Marketing Corp., was named SBADV's Outstanding Female Entrepreneur of the Year for 1998. Also, she was emcee for the Magee Humanitarian Award Dinner for Jay Leschly, CEO, SmithKline Beecham.
TERRY GRABOYES, President, Graboyes Commercial Window Company, was one of 25 winners for the 1998 Women of Distinction Award, and she received the 1998 Building Excellence Award.
KAREN KAUFMAN, Co-Founding Principal, The Kaufman Partnership, was selected to represent the City of Philadelphia as Ambassador of Style for 1998.
ANNE KLEIN, President, Anne Klein & Associates, announced that her firm received four first-place awards and an honorable mention at the 30th Annual Pepperpot Achievement Awards ceremony of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
PAGE MORAHAN, Director, National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine, MCP Hahnemann University, was awarded one of four National Centers of Leadership in Academic Medicine by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women's Health.
JANE PEPPER, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, was named one of 10 World Class Philadelphians by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Philadelphia Magazine. Also, she became a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania (interesting for someone who grew up in Scotland, she notes).
SHIDEH SEDGH, Partner, High Performance Consulting, has had her company named, for the second time in five years, one of the Delaware Valley's 100 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Speeches/Publications
JEAN ANWYLL, Corporate Vice President, Marketing, U.S. Retirement Communities, spoke on "Retirement Communities: Preparing for the Next Generation" at the American Association of Homes 2nd Services for the Aging National Convention.
SHIRLEY BONNEM, Vice President, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, during her visit to the People's Republic of China, presented two papers in Beijing at the Peking University Medical Center Hospital and two papers at the Shanghai University Medical Center's Children's Hospital.
LILA BOOTH, General Partner, LBCII, moderated a round table of CEOs discussing issues facing them in a rapidly growing company at the Philadelphia 100 Conference.
LINDA GLOSS, President, Carelift International, and her husband, Jeffrey, participated in the Annual Conference of the State of the World Forum. The Glosses were invited to participate in the forum because of their involvement and experience in international humanitarian aid.
RALF RUNDGREN GRAVES, Principal, Astrion, presented "Understanding the Social and Educational Background of Students and Trainees from Central Asia and Eastern Europe" at the 1998 NAFSA Region VIII Conference.
HARRIET HANKIN, President, CGI Consulting Group, was a panelist at Inc. Magazine's Growing the Company Conference.
LYNN NOWICKI, General Manager, Pepsi Cola, was a featured speaker at the Philadelphia Advertising Club's Hispanic Marketing Seminar. Also, she was a judge of Women in Distinction, sponsored by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
CLAUDIA POST, President, Diamond Courier Service, was featured in Small Business News' Managing Your Business Section, in an article entitled "Creating a New Financial Strategy." Also, she delivered the keynote address at the 15th Annual Success of the Female Entrepreneur Conference sponsored by the Small Business Association of the Delaware Valley, was the featured speaker at a Rotary Club Luncheon and was the keynote speaker at the 1998 Fall Conference sponsored by Women Business Owners Network of Vermont.
MIKKI YOUNG, President, MarketShift, Inc., and Senior Strategist, LevLane Advertising and Public Relations, taught a course on Getting Rewards from Your Marketing Dollars at the Wharton Small Business Development Center.
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EXTRAS
Errata
The phone number for Mikki Young, MarketShift, is incorrect in the Forum directory. The correct number is (610) 617-7997.
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