January 3, 2008

 Dear WIN Members,

Welcome to another promising year with WIN, the Greater Philadelphia’s premier organization for women entrepreneurs!  We capped 2007 with a fantastic event, honoring Jane Hollingsworth with the Iris Newman Award and learning about the “slash” generation from author, Marci Alboher.  Looking ahead, 2008 promises to be another excellent year for programming at WIN!  The theme for this year will focus on Workplace 2.0, the new work environment.  Specifically, our educational events will discuss how women succeed within the evolving professional environment and how we have shaped this new work style with our needs and requirements. 

The CEO Forums will continue this year, providing opportunities for women chief executives to learn about best practices and discuss challenges in their careers with their peers in intimate sessions.  And the Investor Forum will return to the WIN slate of events, with sessions on new trends impacting the funding environment for our financial backers supporting entrepreneurial businesses.

I want to recognize and thank Anne-Marie Corner for her excellent leadership of this organization over the last two years.  Under her direction, WIN has grown and revitalized itself in reaching out to the women entrepreneurs of the Greater Philadelphia region.  I look forward to Anne-Marie’s continued participation and guidance as WIN continues its quest to be the pre-eminent organization for women-led entrepreneurial businesses.

Also, many thanks to the Board, Advisory Board, Committee Chairs and Committee members as well as all the other volunteers that contribute WIN.  Our organization would not be successful without you!

As the new President, I look forward to working with you to build on the exciting progress made to date with WIN and to continue the organization’s growth.  I realize that I have not met many of you and it will be my pleasure to try to remedy that during the year.  For all our members, I ask you to get more involved – join a committee, become a mentor, invite other potential executives to attend an event!  I am confident that we can make the organization richer through your participation and input.  

I look forward to seeing you all at our first event later this month.  Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Elaine V. Jones
President, WIN