I moved back home to the Mid-Ohio Valley in 1995 after finishing my MBA at the University of South Carolina. Over the past 17 years, I have been honored to work with many female business leaders in our community. I've reported to one female CEO. I've been co-workers with some very talented female leaders. I've sat on local boards and organizations with women I consider to be rising stars in the community and with their respective employers. I worked in an organization that was comprised of over 80 percent female employees. I've never experienced the cut-throat tactics that some assume occur between female executives. Instead I've found we are a supportive and encouraging group.
Designed to celebrate women who guide area businesses and organizations and those rising to the top in their organizations, the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley has organized the Women in Leadership Luncheon to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 11a.m. 5 p.m.at The Blennerhassett Hotel. Women in leadership juggle many roles so our theme for the luncheon is "Balancing Your Cup."
We are delighted to announce our great line-up of speakers for the luncheon.
Sandy Austin Feltner is the top female executive for PepsiCo in West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. She started with Pepsi in 1984 for one of the locally owned franchises in Kentucky. After stints as territory sales manager, marketing development representative and vice president/general manager, she was named market manager for this region in April 2008. She has led her team to a Top 3 finish in Pepsi North America for two consecutive years.
Lynne Schwabe is the director of development for the National Youth Science Foundation. Her career experience includes being a war reporter in Vietnam and a speech writer for Sen. Jay Rockefeller. Her name may familiar to many as she was also the owner of Schwabe-May clothing store in Charleston. More recently she writes a regular column in The State Journal about her humorous life experiences.
We are in the process of securing sponsors for our luncheon and want to thank the following Chamber members who have already signed on to support the event:
* Pink Sponsor: Murray Sheet Metal
* Yellow Sponsor: WV Birth to Three
* Orange Sponsors: Alice Harris, CPA, Ameriprise Financial, Coldwell Banker/Landmark Realtors, Junior League of Parkersburg, Mattress Warehouse and WesBanco
* Blue Sponsors: J.F. Deem Oil & Gas, National College and WV Credit Union League
Tickets for the event will go on sale Aug. 10. Chamber members receive a certain number of complimentary tickets based on their specific membership tier; additional attendees are $50 a person. For more information, check out the Chamber website at www.movchamber.org
Upcoming Chamber events and activities open to all Chamber members. Please pre-register at www.movchamber.org
* August Lunch and Learn with MOV Health Department, Topic: Smoking Cessation Resources for Businesses, Aug. 10 at11:30 a.m. at WV Central Credit Union, Division Street.
* August Business After Hours, Aug. 21, 5-7 p.m., Workforce WV One-Stop Center, 300 Lakeview Plaza
* Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cookoff, Oct. 6, noon to 3 p.m., Point Park.
Visit this space every other Sunday for more Chamber news. We also invite you to call us at 304-422-3588, email us at info@movchamber.org, or stop by the Chamber office at 409 1/2 Market St. in Parkersburg.
Jill Parsons is the president/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley.
