AKRON, Ohio – Feb. 24, 2016 – Women’s Network Inc. of Northeast Ohio, an organization focused on the development of emerging leaders in Akron, today announced it will expand its offerings, opening opportunities for more Akron-area women professionals to get high-quality mentoring, career development and leadership training. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is supporting the expansion with $194,807.
Related Link
“How the Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio is opening doors for new leaders” by Kirsten Lino on Knight Blog
Since 1978, Women’s Network has been a valuable resource to Northeast Ohio women professionals. Its dedicated volunteers and members work to advance and support women in business, as well as in their communities and families, through self-improvement, leadership, entrepreneurship and mentoring programs.
With initial funding from Knight Foundation, Women’s Network completed strategic planning initiatives in 2015. At that time, it identified three key drivers for long-term sustainability and success: marketing and communications, program infrastructure and management.
New funding will address these issues to develop more women professionals and leaders in the greater Akron community and grow Women’s Network membership. The organization will expand its initiatives to support employers in attracting and retaining women professionals, and work to narrow gender leadership gaps in corporate, nonprofit and governmental organizations. It will also focus on creating new marketing plans and revenue streams to develop a sustainable business model. To extend the impact of its volunteers, it will hire new staff, introduce new technology and enhance its website—to establish the organization as a leadership hub for women.
“Women’s Network, which has been led mostly by volunteers since its inception, has played an important role in supporting women in business,” said Kirsten Lino, president of the Women’s Network board. “But in recent years, our members and women throughout the community have told us they want more than just networking opportunities. They want targeted professional, entrepreneurial and personal development programs. We spent the last three years building them and with this new support we can now formalize our business structure, build important partnerships and work toward long-term sustainability.”
“To keep and attract talent in Akron we need to ensure that all of our diverse groups have the support and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Kyle Kutuchief, Knight Foundation program director for Akron. “Women’s Network provides important resources for women professionals and entrepreneurs. Helping to strengthen their offerings will encourage more women to participate, connect and make Akron their home into the future.”
Support for Women’s Network forms part of Knight Foundation’s efforts in Akron to attract and keep talented people, expand economic opportunity and create a culture of civic engagement. Since 2008 Knight has invested more than $58 million in Akron.
For more information on Women’s Network, visit womensnetworkneohio.com.
About Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio
Women’s Network is a nonprofit organization that Connects, Empowers and Inspires women. They accomplish this mission by providing high-quality programming and workshops in the areas of professional development, leadership development and entrepreneurship. For more information, visit womensnetworkneohio.com.
About the James S. and John L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.
Contacts:
Amy Wong, president, Dot Org Solutions LLC and media contact for Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio, 330-212-2389, [email protected]
Anusha Alikhan, director of communications, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, 305-908-2646, [email protected]