Akron, OH – The Women’s Network Leadership Institute (WNLI) is pleased to launch an online directory featuring more than 200 women in Greater Akron who are interested in board and/or committee service. The WNLI Board Leadership Directory is part of the Women’s Board Leadership Initiative, an effort that was launched earlier this year to bridge the connectivity of women interested in serving on boards/committees and organizations/businesses looking to diversity their leadership.
“The overwhelming response we received in such a short period of time solidifies the number of talented women in our region who are looking to bring their skills and perspectives to businesses and organizations through board service,” said Brynn Popa, Executive Vice President at the Greater Akron Chamber. “Greater Akron women, specifically women of color, are underrepresented on boards compared to the national average. Our hope is this directory will increase the pipeline and presence of women serving on board and committees in our community.”
The directory will be available online for non-profit and for-profit organizations in Greater Akron (Summit, Portage, and Medina counties) to identify women for board service. Non-profit organizations and businesses who wish to have their open board and committee positions circulated to the women in the directory can contact Brynn Popa at bpopa@greaterakronchamber.org to have those shared.
“We launched this initiative with the hope that the directory would help our region reach equal representation of the number women serving on boards, as research shows Greater Akron below the national average,” states Dr. Jennifer Savitski, Chair, Department of OB/GYN at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Chair of the WNLI Advisory Council. “Our region is stronger when different perspectives are at the table and in order to do this, we must first identify those voices and help connect those voices to businesses and organizations. We are excited to use this platform to showcase these leaders for potential opportunities and make it easier for those who want to represent diverse perspectives to connect with those individuals.”
There is no cost to participate for women who want to be listed on the directory or for organizations and businesses who utilize it.
Women who wish to be listed in the directory should complete the Women’s Board Leadership Initiative Form.
For more information on the WNLI Board Leadership Initiative, visit greaterakronchamber.org/wnli-board-leadership-initiative.
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About the Women’s Network Leadership Institute
The Women’s Network Leadership Institute (WNLI), a program of the Greater Akron Chamber, promotes gender equity, drives female leadership, and supports the growth and connectivity of professional women in the workplace.
About the Greater Akron Chamber
The Greater Akron Chamber is a business membership and economic development organization serving Summit, Medina, and Portage counties. The Greater Akron Chamber drives economic growth and prosperity for the region by supporting the success of the business community and acting as a convener of stakeholders on key issues facing Greater Akron.