Category: News

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.”

PWN is looking to add a few more great leaders to our Board of Directors team; are you interested?

The board consists of busy professional women who understand that family comes first; have a desire to lift up and support women in the corridor; who are willing to bring creative ideas to the board meetings that may enhance and evolve our membership and events.

Our current 2016 Board of Directors has taken amazing strides in increasing the PWN membership and we don’t want to lose that momentum. We are looking for a few more talented individuals to help us create even more buzz about this awesome group!

Are you worried about the time commitment this might take? Here’s a brief list of expectations from the board, but we are very flexible.

• Board members are elected to serve for three-year terms, with a minimum of four board members elected each year.
• Board members are expected to attend each board meeting the third Tuesday of the month.
• Board members are expected to attend each General Meeting Luncheon the fourth Thursday of the month. (No meetings in June or December.)
• Board members are expected to conduct themselves keeping in line with the PWN motto “Strengthening Professions, Developing Networks, Exchanging Knowledge,” while honoring our tradition of “Women Helping Women.”

Applications are being accepted through October, so submit yours today. We would love to have you join our team!

Download the PWN Board Member application here.
Download the PWN Board of Directors position full description here.

This month’s featured member is Samantha Valenta, Sales Agent for Choice Floors, Ltd.

In 2014 Samantha Valenta started working with a new company, Choice Floors, Ltd. The company specializes bringing you great flooring products, at great prices, with great service!  They have a design center on the Southwest side of Cedar Rapids, but their biggest asset to their customers is the ability to bring flooring samples directly to your home or project site.

Samantha’s biggest asset to the customer (on a personal level) is her background in interior design. “I have experience in both the residential and commercial sides of design and I have been selling flooring for almost four years. I love helping customers who may be confused about what to do with their floors and help them have the confidence to select the perfect finishes for their floors!”

Samantha travels around the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Corridor helping clients select the perfect finishes for their home and with the best pricing possibly. Recently she completed along with her company the new floors at the Commonwealth Senior Apartments in Cedar Rapids Historic District.

Samantha shares her story on why she is a member of PWN, “In 2016 I joined PWN because I wanted to have an avenue to meet business women and discuss issues that we have in owning our own businesses. I found the members to be successful in their careers and generous in giving of their time and talent.

In the past year PWN has grown tremendously and the group of ladies have such a diverse set of businesses and backgrounds that each meeting is a chance to meet someone new. PWN is a true demonstration of power in numbers!”