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The mission of the Network of Executive Women is to attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer products industry through education, leadership and business development.
Our efforts are concentrated in the following areas:
- Facilitating leadership development
- Offering networking and business opportunities
- Providing mentoring and support
- Offering educational programs
- Championing diversity
- Enhancing our industry’s image
| About NEW | NEW Programs |
| Mission/Background | Leadership Summit |
| The Need | Mentor Program |
| Who Joins | Regional Events |
| FAQs | Industry Outreach |
| Benefits | Database/Website |
| Join Now | Volunteer Opportunities |
What Is NEW
The Network of Executive Women was incorporated in May 2001. We are a 501C3 not-for-profit educational organization. In our short history, NEW has grown to more than 1,100 members and is supported by more than 300 corporations and more than 30 corporate sponsors.
Women account for more than 80 percent of all consumer goods purchased. Yet they are greatly underrepresented in the top roles of retail and consumer goods and service suppliers. By fostering diversity awareness and support in our industry, we can help our industry become an "employer of choice" for women entering the workforce and help retain women as they progress throughout their careers.
NEW members are a cross-section of the retail/consumer goods industry, representing executive level and emerging leaders from retail, supplier/manufacturers, service providers, consultants, trade associations and press.
Member Programs
Each fall, hundreds of executives from around the country gather to invest in their personal and professional development and sharpen their networking skills. The Annual Leadership Summit provides a meeting point for NEW members and guests to hear first-rate speakers, refresh their leadership commitment, and expand their networks of retail/CPG industry executives. Join NEW in Minneapolis for the next Annual Leadership Summit, October 20-22, 2008.
NEW’s facilitated mentoring program was initiated in March 2002. We have now trained more than 125 mentor/protégé pairs. Through the use of an online skills/needs assessment, we pair mentors and protégés, who then commit to a one-year partnership. Mentoring provides a multitude of benefits, including exposure to role models, increased perspective and an experienced point of view for the protégé. Mentors benefit from exposure to a different corporate culture, enhanced networking opportunities and being able to “turn and pull” and advise an emerging industry leader. Orientation sessions are held annually in the fall.
Regional Events/Leadership Development
NEW’s outreach to women around the country starts at the local or regional level, in response to requests from our members and their companies. NEW has committed to bringing programming and networking opportunities to members and guests in major market areas. NEW has launched regional networking committees and events in many major markets. In each market, a group of NEW volunteers develops programming, marketing, funding and outreach to make the event greatly beneficial to its attendees. We invite you to join an existing market committee or form a new one, with guidance and assistance from NEW’s staff.
In addition to hosting our own events, NEW is frequently called upon to speak on diversity issues at events in the retail/CPG industry. We have partnered with every major industry trade association on speaking engagements to help bring the word of diversity–and NEW–to a wider audience. NEW is often asked to refer speakers through our Speakers Bureau. If we can help you select from our lists of industry leaders and professional speakers for your next event, let us know.
One of the most exciting projects we’ve undertaken at NEW is the development of our interactive member database and website, re-launched in September 2004. Members are now able to access online membership profiles, a searchable membership directory, online event registration, an online Speakers Bureau, our Job Bank database, links to our sponsors, industry news and trends, and much more.
Online Job Bank
Need to expand your recruiting horizons? NEW members are invited to post jobs on our searchable online Job Bank for free! Learn more on our website at http://www.newonline.org/forms/jobs/JobSearchForm/search.
A cornerstone of NEW is “action learning”– the mastery of skill by doing. We help our members to identify skill gaps and offer volunteer opportunities that build those skills. By helping the association, NEW members benefit by building their expertise in a friendly and supportive environment. NEW is a volunteer-driven association. All of the programs are dependent on help from our volunteer members. We invite you to help make a difference and help us serve you better. We always need good ideas and great people to help with our programs. So get involved by joining today!
Q. Why do we need a women’s network in the consumer products and retail industry?
A. Women represent an under-utilized market at the middle and upper-management levels of business today, particularly in the consumer products and retail industry. Consider these facts: although women account for 46% of the U.S. labor force, they have secured only 15.7% of the corporate officer positions within the Fortune 500 companies. Women hold only 9.9% of the “line” corporate officer positions within the Fortune 500. The Food Production, Food Wholesaling and Food and Drug Store segments all rank below the Fortune 500 average, with only 7.1%, 11% and 11.7%, respectively, of corporate officer positions held by women. [1]
Q. What’s keeping women from advancing in the consumer products and retail industry?
A. Women have indicated that the predominant barriers to success are: male stereotyping; exclusion from informal networks; and inhospitable corporate cultures. [2] Women of color have noted similar obstacles: not having an influential mentor or sponsor; lack of informal networking with influential colleagues; lack of company role models; and a lack of high-visibility assignments. [3]
A. An FMI/Catalyst study indicated that women and minorities may not be choosing to start or continue a career in our industry because they do not see equal opportunity for advancement; the industry is not perceived as exciting and challenging; and a lack of role models. [4]
Q. Who started the Network of Executive Women?
A. The Network of Executive Women was initiated by a joint industry team of several dozen executive women from retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and the media. Incorporated on April 23, 2001, NEW has grown to more than 1,100 members representing more than three hundred companies from across the industry.
Q. What can NEW do for its members?
A. A recent survey of women in our industry indicated that women are very interested in the Network for the following reasons: leadership development, 71%; networking, 66%; and career advancement, 64%. [5]
Individual members of NEW will have the chance to develop leadership and management skills, network with other women, learn about opportunities and strategies for advancement, find mentors, increase visibility and reduce the sense of isolation.
Q. What can NEW do for the consumer products and retail industry?
A. Recruit women; improve retention; share information across the industry; identify women for opportunities; open the lines of communication between women and the industry; formulate and share best-practice recommendations or policies and programs related to women.
Q. How will these missions be accomplished?
A. NEW will accomplish its missions by:
- Facilitating leadership development
- Creating networking and business opportunities
- Fostering mentoring and support for members (industry, individuals and companies)
- Championing diversity and enhancing our industry’s image
The first component is addressed through personal and business development, including topics such as Finance/Business Management, Coaching/Developing Others, and Public Speaking/Effective Communications. The second component is addressed through our communications, meetings, networking events and Annual Leadership Summit. The third component--mentoring support--is provided through NEW’s facilitated mentoring programs, which bring together and guide mentors and protégés from across the country. The fourth and final component includes our Speakers Bureau, which provides outside speakers who focus on key issues such as diversity, promotion and retention.
Q. Who is eligible to join NEW?
A. Membership is open to women and men within the consumer products and retail industry at the management/professional and executive/senior management levels, as well as students enrolled in a food marketing program at a college or university. Target industry employees include (but are not limited to):
- Retailers
- Wholesalers
- Consumer packaged goods manufacturers
- Beverage manufacturers
- Technology/equipment/service suppliers
- Consultants (focused on industry issues)
- Sales and marketing agents
- Industry trade associations
- Media
Footnotes:
[1] Catalyst Census Of Women Corporate Officers
And Top Earners, 2000.
* Includes all companies in the F500 Food Industry, Food & Drug Stores,
plus Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart, Clorox, Colgate-Palmolive, Procter & Gamble,
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Costco Wholesale, Fleming, Nash Finch, Richfood
Holdings, Supervalu.
[2] Women In Corporate Leadership, Catalyst, 1996.
[3] Catalyst, Women Of Color In Corporate Management: Opportunities & Barriers,
1999.
[4] FMI/Catalyst Study: Building Diversity In Management In The Supermarket
Industry, 1995.
[5] Network of Executive Women Survey, Dec. 2000.
Benefits for you and your company:
- Access to training and development programs that complement your development plan
- Exposure to network of high achievers, industry mentors and role models
- The opportunity to expand your business network
- The knowledge you need to be a diversity champion
- Diversity best practices
- Women of Color programs
- Heightened visibility within your company
- Stronger links to executives within your company
- Expanded profile within the industry
- A chance to position your company as an “employer of choice”
Special Offer!
As part of your membership, receive special discounted rates now on the following publications: Women's Wear Daily, Supermarket News, Daily News Record, Footwear News, Home Furnishings News, and Children's Business. E-mail Courtney Kraft at ckraft@fairchildpub.com or call (212) 630-4757 to get more information on discounted subscription rates for all of Fairchild Publication's titles.
Membership is open to women and men within the consumer products and retail industry at the manager/professional and executive/senior management levels. We especially welcome retailers, wholesalers, consumer packaged goods manufacturers, beverage manufacturers, technology, equipment and service suppliers, consultants (focused on industry issues), marketing and sales agents industry trade associations and media.
Apply for membership online or contact Anna Martinez of NEW member services at (713) 888-5305 for more information.
Anna N. Duran
Member Services
Tel 713-888-5305 Fax 713 888-5161
aduran@newonline.org
The Network of Executive Women
c/o CCNA
2000 St. James Place
P.O. Box 2079
Houston, TX 77252-2079
Nathalia Granger
Director of Operations
Tel 312 693-6855 Fax 312 726-4704
ngranger@newonline.org
Joan Toth
Executive Director
Tel 312 693-5393 Fax 312 726-4704
jtoth@newonline.org
The Network of Executive Women
c/o Accenture
161 North Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60601
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