ABWA Beachwood Ohio

If you have read the book Rules of the Red Rubber Ball, you will know, as Kevin Carroll explains, "...[A] way to prepare for your shining moments is to study those who have gone before you, and ask questions of people who have more experience than you. Listen to and absorb what worked or failed for them and adopt their most successful tactics and avoid their mistakes". (pg. 74).

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE! In the EXECUTIVE WOMEN speaker series, meet three executive women and find out about their path.

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Executive Women Series— Learn about their trail to the top. Meet models of corporate behavior and learn from their experiences. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet these fascinating women!

Barbara J. Danforth
President & CEO
YWCA Greater Cleveland

Under Barbara J. Danforth's 11-year leadership the YWCA of Greater Cleveland has transformed from one of Cleveland's "best kept secrets" to a vibrant organization that remains relevant to the needs of women at all stages and places in their lives. 

Ms. Danforth draws upon her social work and juris doctorate education and her experience in the insurance industry and the government legal arena to implement the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

Most recently, Ms. Danforth led the launch of the YWCA Women's Leadership Initiative and two programs offered in partnership with Corporate College: Leadership Boot Camp and Momentum. Both of these programs  are designed to help professional women advance their careers.  "A career ladder can be climbed in heels," is her mantra and a driving force behind the advancement of this program. 

Ms. Danforth's dedication to improving the lives of women extends beyond career advancement.  She has overseen the YWCA's program growth in the areas of domestic violence education and prevention, teen pregnancy support, teen pregnancy and substance use prevention and child care. 
Learn more about Barbara Danforth and the YWCA at http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=8oIDLSOyGoF&b=2286609

RSVP: Niki Kramarz  nkramarz@hotmail.com , or by phone at 440-376-2274 at least 3 days prior to event.
$5 ABWA Chapter member & students, $10 non member.

Where are the meetings???
Baldwin-Wallace East Campus
Landmark Center Building
25700 Science Park Drive
Suite 100
Beachwood, Ohio 44122

When are the meetings??
Meetings start at 6:00pm, but you can come as early as 5:30pm to EAT, MEET, AND GREET!
Click here to see the CALENDAR
Not invited? Click here to be...

Executive Women Series— Learn about their trail to the top. Meet models of corporate behavior and learn from their experiences. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet these fascinating women!

 
Debra Lyons

     Debra  has 25 years of human resource experience.  Since joining Westfield Group in 1985, she has held several management positions, and is currently Chief Human Resources Officer with expanded responsibilities for Corporate Hospitality and Real Estate Operations.  These responsibilities include all Human Resources operations and delivery functions, including compensation, employee benefits, training, development, performance management, sourcing and staffing, HRMS shared services, metrics, relationship management, corporate real estate assets, both owned and leased, business continuity and disaster recovery, corporate security, country club operations, and corporate event planning.

     Debra  serves on the Human Resource Committee of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCIA), the Board of Trustees for Akron General Hospital , the Business Advisory Board of Baldwin Wallace College  . Debra is the president elect of the Baldwin Wallace Alumni Association , a member  of the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM), Board of director and member of In Counsel With Women (ICWW)  and Leadership Medina County .  Debra is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College with a B.A. Degree in Communications and  the Executive MBA program at CWRU Weatherhead School of Management. She  has attained the professional designation of SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) and is a certified executive coach.   Debra was named Northern Ohio Live Magazine’s Rainmaker in 2006.

RSVP: Niki Kramarz  nkramarz@hotmail.com , or by phone at 440-376-2274 at least 3 days prior to event.
Or, RSVP through Google Calendar:
$5 ABWA Chapter member & students, $10 non member.

Where are the meetings???
Baldwin-Wallace East Campus
Landmark Center Building
25700 Science Park Drive
Suite 100
Beachwood, Ohio 44122

When are the meetings??
Meetings start at 6:00pm, but you can come as early as 5:30pm to EAT, MEET, AND GREET!
Click here to see the CALENDAR

Networking requires an investment of time, money and effort. If you are networking for business or your career, you need to make sure you're getting the right return on your investment. Here are four ideas to help you do that.

1. Decide what you want
Why are your attending networking events? Are you looking for a new job? More business? Social contacts in a new home town? Whatever your purpose, stay focused on it, or things can slide into just another long lunch.

2. Attend the right event
If you are, say, a graphic designed looking for clients, why spend your time at an event for graphic designers? OK, you might be able to pick up some overload business from some designer who is super busy, but that's a very small poor to fish in. You'd be much better off mixing with folks from businesses who use design work. Seems obvious, but it's surprising how many people make this mistake.

3. Talk to the right people
Don't spend your valuable networking time chatting to people you already know, who ar not in your traget group. It's tempting, of course, because it's easy and fun-but it's not networking! Look for new people and make the effort to meet and greet them.

4. Keep track of your results
Every month or so, track back through your networking opportunities. Who did you meet? Where did you meet them? How did they fit with your reasons for being there? Did anyone help you achieve your objective?

Of course, you'll also meet people who are pleasant additions to your social circle, some of whom may even become friends. Do include them in your success picture, but if you find you make more casual acquaintances than the people you are there to meet, you may need to change your networking activites so that they bring you a higher Return On Investment.

Happy Networking!

90 Warren Road, Suite 202 Toronto, Ontario Canada M4V 2S2

I was honored to attend the Sheagua Chapter's meeting that welcomed in the new board, awarded their scholorship to a local high schooler, and highlighted their woman of the year. Enjoy the pics... Click on them to enlarge.