The Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance Women Members this week announce a new board-approved program and organization, within its Chamber Division, called Women L.E.A.D. “Women Leading Women Forward.”
Women L.E.A.D. will strive to be Hardin County's premier women's group, providing networking, collaborations, educational workshops, and guest speakers for current and prospective women members of the Alliance.
Topics will range from how to start a new business and entrepreneurship opportunities to career and leadership development.
The founders and 2015-2016 co-chairs are Christina Cross, a local business attorney and educator, and Jesse Purcell, community manager for the American Cancer Society. In developing this new program from the ground-up, both Christina and Jesse see an opportunity in the county for women professionals, of all ages, titles and positions, to network while also providing an education and training outlet.
“The mission is to create an engaging environment for women leaders in Hardin County and of the Alliance organization, by providing a venue and platform to build connections that will facilitate their success in business and in life,” said Christina Cross.
Jesse Purcell said, “It is both a membership value-add and recruitment arm of the Alliance that provides an opportunity for women to learn, lead, connect, and build career-advancing relationships.”
The word L.E.A.D. within the new logo and organizational name stands for:
• Leadership through actions;
• Embracing and encouraging personal growth;
• Advancing career opportunities; and
• Developing strategic relationships.
The logo was designed by Ohio Northern University student Rebecca Carman.
“Many chambers of commerce in other counties and states include a women's professional-leadership group, and Women L.E.A.D. will now be implemented as part of the Alliance's new program development,” said Annetta Shirk, Chamber and Tourism Director for the Alliance.
It was also announced that Women L.E.A.D has set the date for their inaugural kickoff event, set for Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hardin Memorial Hospital Stephen McCullough Conference Room. The kickoff event is free for any women professionals and women in business wanting to learn more about the program and organization.
The keynote speaker will be Ms. Tracy Stuck, Vice President of Student Life at The Ohio State University. Tracy, a former Hardin County resident, has worked for OSU for over 20 years and oversaw development and construction of the new the Ohio Union student center, which was a multi-million dollar project during her time as the Director of the Ohio Union.
Quest Federal Credit Union and the Hardin Memorial Hospital are sponsoring the event. RSVP is required by contacting the Alliance office at 419-673-4131 or email, [email protected].
In 2016, Women L.E.A.D will start their full program development with four quarterly events. If someone is interested in participating or having a business partnership, contact Alliance Chamber & Tourism Director Annetta Shirk at the same contact as the RSVP information.
Additional information about the structure of the new program:
• All women members of the Alliance will be included in the Women L.E.A.D. program.
• Women L.E.A.D. members are encouraged to invite guests to meetings and events.
• Women Alliance members attend meetings for free.
• Guests are permitted to attend one (1) free Women L.E.A.D. meeting or event per calendar year.
• Any fees paid by a guest attending a Women L.E.A.D. meeting or event will be credited toward their future Alliance membership
Photo Caption: L-R, Annetta Shirk, Chris Burns-DiBiasio, Wendy Rodenberger, Stephanie Jolliff, Christina Cross, Valerie Wedertz, Jesse Purcell, Shannon Larabee, Mary Dickinson, Jacqualine Fitzgerald and Chris Barker.
