NewsonWomen: Women in Business, Women Entrepreneurs, Women in the News

Women's World Banking and the MasterCard Foundation Establish Microfinance Leadership Center

Women’s World Banking (WWB), a global network of microfinance institutions and banks dedicated to the economic empowerment of low-income women, and The MasterCard Foundation today announced the creation of the WWB Center for Microfinance Leadership at the Womensphere L.I.V.E World Summit, which showcases innovative solutions to global issues.

$3.1 million from The MasterCard Foundation will support the Center’s development and promotion of world-class leadership and management practices throughout the sector.

The MasterCard Foundation and WWB established the Center, which will work with the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Creative Metier Limited, to design and deliver executive education programs focused on cultivating principled, visionary leaders in microfinance.  WWB will also expand its pioneering work in building workforce diversity in microfinance institutions through the Center, partnering with a select set of leading microfinance institutions to expand opportunities for all qualified staff, regardless of gender.

The Center was founded in response to critical changes in microfinance—increased commercialization, decreased presence of women staff at all levels of microfinance institutions, and rapid growth. These changes demand skilled, trained leaders and managers.  The Center’s offerings are available to men and women leaders and managers of WWB network members and the top 200 microfinance providers worldwide that demonstrate excellence as measured by the 2008 Composite Ranking of The Microfinance Information Exchange (The MIX). 

Planned leadership programs organized by the Center include “Women in Leadership,” aimed at women CEOs and senior managers; “Advanced Leadership,” aimed at men and women leaders of the top 200 microfinance institutions; and one-on-one coaching for a small cadre of leaders with the greatest potential to effect change. The first “Women in Leadership” workshop is planned for January 2010 in Bangalore, India. Elements of the Center for Microfinance Leadership include:

• Leadership Programs: Workshops will target the top 200 institutions in the industry with the goal of training 200 senior executives over the next three years.
• Institutional Development: The Center will offer a suite of organizational development services that are designed to improve gender diversity in high-performing institutions, as well as help them improve their human resources capacity through a management development program for mid-level managers.
• Leadership Excellence Award: WWB will launch an annual awards program to honor institutions in its network that demonstrate excellence and a commitment to gender diversity. The winner will receive a $25,000 award to be used to advance leadership and build managerial capacity.

The Center’s programs reinforce WWB’s fundamental belief that by addressing one of the most serious risks facing the sector, that of leadership and management capacity, microfinance providers will be better equipped to achieve, and maintain a strong focus on, their dual objectives of financial stability and poverty alleviation. 

Mary Schmidt Campbell and Margo Lion Appointed to The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities

President Obama appointed Mary Schmidt Campbell (pictured) and Margo Lion to serve on The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Mary has been Dean of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts since 1991. Margo is an adjunct professor and a member of the Dean's Council at the NYU-Tisch School of the Arts, and her productions have won 20 Tony Awards, 4 Olivier Awards and 1 Pulitzer Prize. Read more in the White House press release.

Mary Tompkins Lewis Shares Her Expertise on Art

Mary Tompkins Lewis, Art Professor at Trinity College, writes about the Diego Velazquez masterpiece, "Las Meninas" in the Wall Street Journal. I have always loved this painting and so enjoyed her artistic intrepretation of it. Read Mary's article on wsj.com.

Jane Garvey Named to UAL Board. Kalpana Raina Named to John Wiley & Sons Board.

UAL Corporation (Nasdaq: UAUA), the holding company whose primary subsidiary is United Airlines, appointed Jane F. Garvey (pictured) to its Board of Directors. Jane is the former Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Read more about Jane's career in the prnewswire press release.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE: JWa and JWb), appointed Kalpana Raina to its Board of Directors. Kalpana is Managing Partner of 252 Solutions, LLC, and before that was a senior executive with The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Elaine Fuchs Receives the National Medal of Science

Elaine Fuchs, the Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development at Rockefeller University, has been named a recipient of the National Medal of Science. Elaine, who holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Princeton University, will be honored during a White House ceremony with President Obama on October 7. Read more in the Rockefeller University press release.

August 09 Makes History for Women

Top women getting jobs in August continued the recovery trend begun in July 09 after a very slow June. Major companies appointing women to top jobs in August included Verizon, MGM, Prudential, Bank of America, GE, New York Life, Bristow Group, Rodale, HP, Qwest Communications, Dunkin Brands, Family Dollar Stores, and Aetna. Government appointments were highlighted this past month by the history making Senate confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the third female and the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Lots of good advice was given to women by other women in our How to Succeed August segments. Advice included surrounding yourself with others who can help, delegating when you can, listening to your customers, and using these tough times as an oportunity to focus on priorities.

After reviewing all the August appointments, I think my favorite "job get" in August was Linda Dillman (pictured) becoming Senior Vice President of Global Information Technology at HP (although Minyanville gets my vote for favorite company name!). Scroll down NewsonWomen.com to look over the August appointments, and vote for your favorite by sending me a comment.

Women Nominated for Government Jobs This Week

President Obama intends to nominate Chai R. Feldblum (pictured) to be Commissioner, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Chai is a Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center where she has taught since 1991. See White Housepress release 9/14.

President Obama intends to nominate Carmen Lomellin for Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the Organization of American States, with the rank of Ambassador. Carmen, who holds an MBA in International Business from De Paul University, is currently the Director of Outreach for the Organization of America States (OAS). See White Housepress release 9/14.

President Barack Obama intends to nominate Elizabeth Robinson to be Chief Financial Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Beth, who holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is currently the Assistant Director for Budget at the Office of Management and Budget. See White House press release 9/16.

President Obama nominated Justice Barbara Milano Keenan for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Justice Keenan, who holds a J.D. from George Washington University Law School and a Masters from the University of Virginia Law School, has been a Justice on the Virginia Supreme Court since 1991. See White House press release 9/14.

President Barack Obama intends to nominate Gladys J. Commons to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller), Department of the Navy, Department of Defense. Gladys, who holds a Masters degree in Public Financial Management from American University, served as Comptroller of Military Sealift Command from 2002 to 2004. See White House press release 9/11.

President Barack Obama intends to nominate Leslie Rowe to be Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique. Leslie, who holds an M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University and a M.Ed. from Northeastern University, has served as U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu since 2006. See White House press release 9/11.

President Barack Obama intends to nominate Cynthia Stroum to be Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Cynthia has been an angel investor in over twenty successful technology, biotechnology and retail start-up companies. See White House press release 9/11.

President Barack Obama intends to nominate Barbara J. Bennett to be Chief Financial Officer, Environmental Protection Agency. Barbara is the former Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Discovery Communications. See White House press release 9/3.

Avon's Liz Smith Leaves to Find a CEO Job

Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) announced that President Elizabeth (Liz) Smith "has made the decision to leave the company effective October 30, 2009, to pursue her long-time leadership aspiration to be a chief executive officer". Liz, who holds an MBA from Stanford University, had been President of Avon since 2007. Before joining Avon, Liz had been with Kraft Foods where she was President of their U.S. Beverages and Grocery Sectors according to her Avon bio. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Do Women Lawmakers Outperform Men?

Erika Lovley of Politico.com writes about a study done by researchers at Stanford University and University of Chicago that concludes women are more effective than their male counterparts in Congress. Read it for yourself if you don't believe me.

Linda McMahon to Run for Connecticut Senate Seat

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Linda McMahon has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer after announcing her candidacy for the United States Senate, representing the state of Connecticut. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Liz Van Lenten Made Executive Vice President at Ogilvy

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Ogilvy PR), an integrated global communications firm, appointed Liz Van Lenten Executive Vice President and Group Director of its Chicago Consumer Marketing Practice. Liz had been a Director, External Communications for Abbott Laboratories. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Women Executives Appointed to Boards this Week

Advance Auto Parts, Inc., (NYSE: AAP), headquartered in Virginia, appointed Fiona Dias to its Board of Directors. Fiona is Executive Vice President, Partner Strategy and Marketing for GSI Commerce, and had previously been Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Circuit City Stores, Inc. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Korn/Ferry International (NYSE: KFY), headquarterd in California, appointed Denise Kingsmill to its Board of Directors. Denise is a former partner at a London law firm and has held positions in both the private and public sector. Read more in the prnewswire press release.

Salin Bank, headquartered in Indiana, appointed Angie May to the Bank’s Board of Directors. Angie is Chief Executive Officer of Data Cave, Inc., and President and CEO of Analytical Engineering, Inc. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

SMART Modular Technologies (Nasdaq: SMOD), headquartered in California, appointed Kimberly Alexy to its Board of Directors. Kimberly is the Principal of Alexy Capital Management. Read more in the Market Wire press release.

Sheila Cheston Made EVP at BAE Systems

BAE Systems appointed Sheila C. Cheston Executive Vice President. Sheila had been Senior Vice President and General Counsel of BAE Systems, Inc., since 2002 Read more in the Business Wire press release.

New Mother Kim Clijsters Wins U.S. Open Tennis Tournament

Kim Clijsters did it all! After a very successful career, Kim took time off, had a baby, and now came back to tennis two years later to win the U. S. Open. Read more about it on nydailynews.com. Congrats Kim!

Deborah Sabo Made Vice President at Walgreens

Walgreens appointed Deborah Sabo Divisional Vice President of Marketing Services. Deborah had been Vice President of Marketing Services at Sara Lee Corporation. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Marti Breier Made Legal Counsel at Rockwood Capital

Rockwood Capital, LLC appointed Marti Breier, as Legal Counsel to assist with various organizational, regulatory and transactional matters. Marti had been an Associate at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Jodi Allen Made SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Sealy Corp

Sealy Corporation appointed Jodi Allen Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Jodi had been General Manager for Whirlpool's dishwasher business in North America. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Hilary Read Made VP at EWI Worldwide

EWI Worldwide, a global, live communications company, appointed Hilary Read Vice President of Creative, Exhibit Works. Hilary had been head of the lifestyle, content and new media divisions at George P. Johnson. Read more in the Business Wire press release. 

Diane Nelson to Run DC Entertainment Inc. for Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI) appointed Diane Nelson to run the newly created DC Entertainment Inc., a company founded to build on the DC Comics brand and characters across all media and platforms. Diane had been President, Warner Premiere and will maintain oversight responsibilities of that division. Read more in the Business Wire press release.

Catherine Kinney Named to MSCI Board

MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MXB), a global provider of investment decision support tools headquartered in New York, appointed Catherine R. Kinney to its Board of Directors. Catherine is the former President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of the New York Stock Exchange Inc. Read more in the Business Wire press release.