Category: News

PWN Board Member, Ashley Leverty is sharing an event in hopes to corral some supportive friends and PWN members to volunteer at the National Disabled Veterans TEE (Training, Exposure, Experience) Tournament, which is a HUGE event taking place in Riverside and Iowa City in September.

The week-long tournament is a golf rehabilitation program, as well as other recreational activities, for veterans who are legally blind, amputees, those who use wheelchairs and veterans with other disabilities. The NDVTEE Tournament uses a therapeutic format to promote health, wellness, rehabilitation, fellowship and camaraderie among its participants.

The week of September 10-14, 2018 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be hosting golf events taking place at various courses located in the Iowa City area with the main host being Riverside Events Center and Casino. 

This event provides legally blind veterans and those with other disabilities an opportunity to participate in a therapeutic golfing event as well as other sports activities. By participating, veterans develop new skills and strengthen their self-esteem!

The PWN Outreach Committee is committing to volunteer at this event and we would LOVE it if you would too. Please join us in being one of the 500+ volunteers required to make this event a success. Sign up here!

Professional Women’s Network (PWN) is proud to continue its tradition of awarding four (4) annual monetary scholarships to local women from Eastern Iowa. Since 1992, PWN has awarded approximately $61,000 in scholarship awards to currently enrolled undergraduate students.

Applicants must be a female student who will be attending classes, either full or part-time, during the upcoming academic year. Special consideration will be given to non-traditional students, defined as individuals at least twenty-one (21) years of age upon application for the scholarship and who have or will return to school after an absence of at least three years. The individual must be working toward an associate or undergraduate degree or vocational certification and attend one of the following educational institutions:

· Coe College

· Cornell College

· Purdue University Global

· Hawkeye Community College

· Kirkwood Community College

· Mercy/St. Luke’s School of Radiologic Tech

· St. Luke’s Medical Technology Program

· Mount Mercy University

· University of Iowa

· University of Northern Iowa

· University of Dubuque (Cedar Rapids location)

·*Or a collegiate institution that may not be listed above but that is within a 60-mile radius of Linn County, Iowa.

Full scholarship requirements and an official application are available online and must be emailed or postmarked by May 31, 2018, and returned to P.O. Box 1613, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406.

About Professional Women’s Network:
PWN was formed in 1979 by three local business women and continues to be a growing and vibrant nonprofit organization today. Professional Women’s Network, Inc. is a professional organization of 150+ dynamic business and professional women in the Corridor area. The purpose of PWN is “To promote and enhance the status and influence of women through Strengthening Professions, Developing Networks and Exchanging Knowledge” and PWN’s motto is “Women Helping Women”. The organization provides Corridor women with opportunities for personal and professional development. PWN provides numerous opportunities for networking, education and leadership training throughout the year. The organization is proud to support the PWN Scholarship Foundation which awards annual scholarships for local non-traditional women students pursuing their college education goals. For more information, visit www.pwnia.org, LinkedIn, Facebook or call (319) 560-2250.

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The Professional Women’s Network of Eastern Iowa is pleased to welcome the following professionals to the PWN Board of Directors; they will begin their two-year terms on January 1, 2018.

Ashley Leverty, Farm Bureau Financial Services

Sarah Specht, World Trend Financial

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2018 Executive Officers:
President: Tracy Schweiss, Verizon Wireless
President-elect, Holly Webster, The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Treasurer, Robin Jackson-Miller, Terry, Lockridge and Dunn
Secretary, Holly Zimmerman, Wells Fargo
Outgoing President, Elaina Kempin, Fairfax State Savings Bank

2018 Directors:
Kelly Anderson, Total Illumination
Jill Beaty, Collins Community Credit Union
Kelly Buchanan, The Gazette
Kara Carlson, US Bank
Laura Kamienski, Farmers State Bank
Ashley Leverty, Farm Bureau Financial Services
Sarah Specht, World Trend Financial

PWN Staff member, Ann Roushar, continues as the Director of Operations.

The organization is currently accepting new and renewing members for 2018. To join Professional Women’s Network, click here.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – (November 16, 2017) – Professional Women’s Network is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2017 Woman of the Year Award as Ms. Elaina Kempin.

Since 1988, this award is presented annually to a member who has held a leadership position in Professional Women’s Network; exemplifies the motto “Women Helping Women;” participates in events and financially and positively promotes PWN.

A member since 2000, Ms. Kempin has served in various capacities throughout PWN and was a past recipient of Woman of the Year in 2015. She has lent her time and talents to various PWN committees – Special Events, Community Outreach and Marketing, serves on the Board of Directors and has served as President in 2016 and 2017. She is pivotal in assisting PWN to obtain sponsorships and outside donations that support the PWN mission.

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized, not once but twice, by such a wonderful organization and group of amazingly talented women”, states Kempin. “Our growth and contributions within the community will only continue to gain momentum in 2018”.

Elaina is an Assistant Vice President and Director of Marketing at Fairfax State Savings Bank. She encourages local women to attend PWN events and serves in a public relations capacity for the organization by promoting key events within the community. A resident of Cedar Rapids, Ms. Kempin serves several local organizations including Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Board of Directors; Anna Purna Ghosh Foundation, Board of Directors; Coe Corridor Network; and the Iowa Bankers Association, Marketing Board.

Professional Women’s Network is pleased to announce five local recipients of PWN scholarship. These women were chosen based on written personal essays outlining their character, educational and personal career goals and volunteerism.

Recipients will be honored at the annual Scholarship luncheon to be held September 28, 2017, in the CRST International Graduate Center at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids. To attend the luncheon, register here.

Autumn Moyer (Coggon) attends the University of Dubuque/CR Campus and is studying Business
Administration. Ms. Moyer is employed with Timberline Manufacturing.

Cierra Craig (Cedar Rapids) attends the University of Dubuque/CR Campus and is studying Accounting. She is
employed as an LPN with Four Oaks.

Terry Mischa (Cedar Falls) attends the University of Northern Iowa, in the Accounting program. She is
employed by A to Z Learning.

Jennifer Welsh (Marion) attends Mount Mercy University and is studying Early Childhood Special Education.
Ms. Welsh is employed by the LinnMar Community School District.

Jill St. John (Cedar Rapids) attends the University of Dubuque/CR Campus and is studying Business &
Marketing. Ms. St. John is employed by Bentley Manufacturing.

We look forward to seeing all of you at this celebration on September 28th.

It’s that time of year when we prepare to tearfully say goodbye to some amazing board member volunteers as their commitments are complete at the end of the year.

This means we are now accepting applications for NEW board members to join us. Joining the board is not only a great way to become more involved, but you will make professional relationships, as well as lasting friendships.

By being a board member, you are an ambassador of PWN and we ask that you honor our tradition of “Women Helping Women”.

Here are the other requirements you must commit to:

• Attend the monthly PWN Board meeting, which typically takes place the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
• Attend monthly general meetings
• Fundraising – Attainable fundraising goal of $100 per year per Board member; donations also accepted.
• Liaison to a committee
• Attendance at other functions sponsored by PWN

If this sounds like something you would be interested in learning more about, please contact anyone of our board members or simply fill out this application and send to pwn@pwn.org.

 

Registration is now open for the 2017 Women’s Power Luncheon Series event, hosted by PWN Member, Kelly Buchanan. The event is being held on Thursday. February 2, 2017 at The Hotel Kirkwood.

Register here!

Life moves quickly. There often isn’t time to revel over daily successes, whether it’s hitting a goal a week ahead of schedule or managing not to spill your morning coffee on your favorite sweater. Successboarding is a process designed to help you incorporate the power of self- recognition into your daily routine. Our time together will explain why accolades are an essential part of a successful business plan and how recognizing yourself leads to larger and more success-based revelations. At the end of our time together you will have a way to recognize yourself that is tangible, measurable, and easily incorporated into your daily life.

Following the luncheon, a special workshop lead by Marlo Higgins will be offered to those who register.

Learning outcomes/Participants of the workshop session will:

• Evaluate and be accountable for personal successes, utilizing a daily, weekly, and quarterly process
• Create a visual display of success
• Implement those successes into current and future business plans

Learn more or register now!!

Attention: PWN is a proud table sponsor of this event. If you would like to sit at the PWN member table, please send an email to Kelly Buchanan at threesixtyblueskyevents@gmail.com and she will make sure you are assigned to our table.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – (December 8, 2016) – Professional Women’s Network is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2016 Woman of the Year Award as Ms. Stacey Mueggenberg.

Since 1988, this award is presented annually to a member who has held a leadership position in Professional Women’s Network; exemplifies the motto “Women Helping Women;” participates in events and financially and positively promotes PWN.

A member since 2011, Ms. Mueggenberg has served in various capacities throughout PWN. She has lent her time and talents to three different PWN committees – Membership, Special Events, and Marketing, serves on the Board of Directors as Secretary for 2016/2017. She is pivotal in assisting PWN with growing the membership base, organizing membership events and exemplifies servant leadership.

“I am honored to receive this award,” states Mueggenberg. “It has been so fulfilling to see our organization grow this year and impact the personal and professional lives of women throughout the Corridor. I look forward to continuing to work with this amazing group of women in 2017.”

As a Senior Distribution Consultant at Principal Financial Group, Stacey partners with leaders across the country to develop, implement and manage recruiting and selection strategies to grow the sales force. She is passionate about supporting females within the financial services industry.

Stacey and her husband reside in Fairfax. She is a busy mother of two young children, with another joining the family in January. Her greatest joy is spending time with her family and friends. She received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from Central College in Pella, IA and a Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF ®) designation from the American College.

PWN is currently accepting new and renewing memberships for 2017. To join, visit www.pwnia.org.

About PWN
Professional Women’s Network was formed in 1979 by three local business women and continues to be a professional organization of 100+ dynamic business women in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. The purpose of PWN is “To promote and enhance the status and influence of women through Strengthening Professions, Developing Networks and Exchanging Knowledge” through “Women Helping Women”.

PWN provides Corridor women opportunities for personal and professional development, networking, education and leadership training throughout the year. The organization is proud to support its Scholarship Foundation which awards annual scholarships to local non-traditional women students pursuing their educational goals. For more information on PWN visit www.pwnia.org or call (319) 560-2250.

Principal, Principal and symbol design, and Principal Financial Group are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group. Professional Women’s Network is not an affiliate of any company of the Principal Financial Group®.© 2016 Principal Financial Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

We love that we have a strong membership base of entrepreneurs! While you are out shopping this holiday season please consider supporting a PWN Member’s small business. Here’s a listing of our members and also non-profits to give to this holiday season.

Retailers/Services
Anahata Massage & Wellness Center
Domicile
Cork N Canvas Iowa
WineStyles Edgewood
Massage Heights Edgewood
ARA Gallery & Interiors
Baby Time
Sisters Health Club
Crystals & Bling with Lynn McArthur
Shaleen Ague, Perfectly Posh Ind. Consultant
MODE Cedar Rapids
Second Story Promotions– Amy Pepples McKelvy
Shari Mahin-JHilburn Custom Clothing for Men
Weddings by Carue
Triskelion Yoga

Non-Profit Organizations
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa
House of Hope
Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer
United Way of East Central Iowa
SCORE Mentors
Rising Moms Movement
Hemophilia of Iowa
PWN Scholarship Foundation

This month’s featured member is Michelle Cole who is employed by Mercy Medical Center and has been the Especially for You Race Director since 2009.

Michelle shares, “I’ve dedicated my entire nonprofit career spanning over 20 years to fundraising and efforts to fight cancer. That is one reason Especially for You is so important to me. I believe in the power of collective action and having people come together to help each other.

As the race director, I have the opportunity to work with hundreds of volunteers who selflessly give of their time to make this extraordinary event a success. EFY is incredibly blessed. Thanks to the generosity of our community we’re able to help eliminate financial barriers so that people in need can access vital breast cancer screening and breast care services.

Currently, I am half-way through my Master’s Program in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development at UNI.

I enjoy being a member of PWN. It’s amazing to be a part of a group of women who are there to support each other and work together to help make our community better.”