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WXN™ - INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE WOMEN'S NETWORK LAUNCHES IN IRELAND

21st September 2008

WXN™ (The Women's Executive Network™) launches in Ireland today, led by a heavy-hitting Irish advisory board. WXN - a Canadian organisation - offers innovative networking, mentoring and professional development programmes to support and recognise women in managerial and executive positions, and their organisations, in their pursuit of excellence. WXN kicks off its suite of programmes in Ireland with its Breakfast Series - 8 breakfast meetings in Dublin, Belfast and Cork - showcasing the country's most celebrated and influential leaders in the private and public sectors.

Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics, Eurasia, will speak at the inaugural WXN in Ireland Breakfast on November 4th.

After researching several international markets, WXN saw a gap in the Irish market. Senior Irish executive-minded women told WXN researchers that no Irish organisation offered programmes and platforms tailored specifically to their complex professional development needs.

WXN founder, Pamela Jeffery approached Irish business leaders and innovators for their support and strategic direction in developing WXN in Ireland. The following form the advisory board of WXN in Ireland:

  • Fionnuala Croke, Head Curator, National Gallery of Ireland
  • Mary Davis, Managing Director, Special Olympics Eurasia
  • Maeve Donovan, Managing Director, The Irish Times
  • Danuta Gray, CEO, 02 Ireland
  • Pamela P. Jeffery, Founder, WXN™
  • Liz O'Donnell, Former Minister & TD
  • Terence O'Rourke, Managing Partner, KPMG
  • Professor Terri Scott, President, Sligo IT

WXN in Ireland will specifically target senior executives, managers in business, government and not-for profit sectors, plus entrepreneurs in all areas of business. Over the first three years of operation, WXN will deliver other professional development programmes and events including

  • Wednesdays with WXN™, a monthly webinar series featuring leading businesswomen and innovators, that takes professional development out of the classroom and straight to the busy executive's desk
  • Ireland's Most Powerful Women: emulating the success of the Canada's pre-eminent awards programme for women, the WXN Ireland's Most Powerful Women awards will be accompanied by a half day summit of professional development and networking.
  • WXNWisdom I: for CEOs and Senior Management - a peer mentoring network for problem solving and performance acceleration through confidential and intimate working groups
  • WXNWisdom II: Ireland's Most Powerful Women winners will mentor high-potential female professionals through a combination of classroom sessions and one-on-one coaching sessions between 'mentors' and 'protégées'
  • The Women's Executive Forum - a suite of workshops designed specifically for career enhancement, growth and professional development, focusing on topics such as Women on Boards and a Leadership Series

All these quality events and programmes will happen frequently every year, creating opportunities for networking and professional development, and building a community of mentorship.

By year three WXN in Ireland hopes to have 2000 select members across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Membership is by-invitation or recommendation only, and all members must satisfy a criteria based around experience, qualifications or achievements. WXN also works directly with organisations who wish to help their female executives develop professionally, enabling recognition as employers of choice.

"Women currently hold 41% of management and ownership positions in Ireland, a figure expected to grow to 44% or 131,560 women by 2012. By this time, 55% of the business, financial and legal professions is also expected to be women. This expanding group needs leadership and strategic counsel," said Pamela Jeffery, Founder, WXN.

"WXN's research showed that Irish executive-minded women wanted a platform where they could learn, network and grow at their own, senior level. WXN in Ireland will deliver a wide variety of proven professional development programmes on a very regular basis, with high-quality, relevant and tailored content for this group," she added.

WXN in Ireland is supported by a number of corporate partners from leading companies across Ireland:

  • The Irish Times
  • KPMG
  • Mercedes Benz
  • O2
  • Ulster Bank

A membership drive is currently underway and further information can be found on www.wxnetwork.ie.