Leaders share advice at Metro New York mixer

The Network of Executive Women’s Metro New York regional committee held its first informal connections event at the Marriott Marquis Hotel October 7 in Manhattan. The informal networking program was designed to give emerging leaders and other industry professionals a chance to learn from experienced industry executives.

Seven women leaders were on hand to share their experience: Maria Edelson, vice president, North America customer development for Evenflo; Anne Fink, vice president and general manager for PepsiCo Sales; Jennie Friedman, partner at KPMG; Barbara Lyons, senior business manager for Acosta; Maureen McGurl, president of Sutton Place HR Consulting Group; Eileen Scott, former CEO of Pathmark; and Andrea Wexler, senior business manager for Fresh Foods at Acosta.

Representatives from two of the Network’s newest national sponsors -- SC Johnson and Kimberly Clark -- were in attendance, along with executives from Accenture, Acosta, Colgate-Palmolive, Coty, Dannon, Deloitte, KPMG, Unilever and others.

“We were delighted to have such a strong response to the event,” said Emily Kiely of PepsiCo, who helped organize the event. “Having over 70 executives attend was certainly an affirmation that people recognize the positive impact of these types of events and appreciate the opportunity to network and learn from other CPG executives.”

Nancy Foxen, associate director of Workplace Solutions at KPMG and a first-time Network attendee, said “this casual format made the networking process much easier. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet women and men from such a wide array of companies.”

Co-chair Barb Lyons from Acosta said, “We are committed to expanding our reach and trying new ways to attract and retain talent to our industry -- this program is just another example of how we bring the Network’s mission to life at the local level.”