network 2000, inc

Welcome to Network 2000 (Network). We are a non-profit 501(c) (3) membership organization founded in 1993 with the mission to promote the advancement of women in professional and executive positions. Today we have 80 members who are leaders in our business community, including judges, bank presidents, hospital CEOs, a leading foundation‘s executive director, law firm partners, a publishing executive, as well as a number of successful entrepreneurs. The Daily Record newspaper’s annual Top 100 Women awards program has included Network 2000 members every year since its inception. In 2011, 11 Network members were recognized.

Through Network, our members combine their energies in advocating the advancement of women to corporate boards of directors and executive suites. In cooperation with the Greater Baltimore Committee, Network 2000 presents "Roadmap to the Boardroom.” Open to the public, this annual event provides a forum for education and open discussion about the opportunities and challenges that await women who serve or wish to serve on corporate boards and we publish an annual Census Report to communicate our findings and analysis of the status of women on corporate boards in Maryland. It is the only report of its kind in the state.

In the USA, the percentage of women directors in publicly held companies has hovered between 15% and 16% for more than five years. In Maryland, the percentage has been below 10% for the same time period. Findings such as these emphasize the continuing importance of Network’s mission and reaffirms our determination to work with other business leaders and institutions to increase the number of women in corporate leadership and board rooms.

While the number of women advancing to the c-suite and board rooms has remained stagnant, Network feels it is important to recognize businesses that do promote women in leadership positions. Since 1995, Network 2000 and The Daily Record newspaper have presented the annual Business 2000 Award to a Maryland company whose key corporate values demonstrate a strong commitment to developing and promoting women leaders across its organization. After interviewing a number of firms, Network 2000 named Legg-Mason, a nationally prominent concern with outstanding women’s programs, as the 2011 Business 2000 Award recipient.

Mentoring has been a key component in Network’s outreach for more than ten years. Through our Mentoring Program we are preparing women for advancement. To date, over 100 talented professional women [mentees] in mid-career have participated in our program.

Our Women of Excellence Luncheon draws over 1,000 business leaders to hear the insight and perspective of outstanding women – from the late Coretta Scott King to Lady Margaret Thatcher. This year – for the 18th Women of Excellence event – we welcome national business leader and media standout, Arianna Huffington, as our speaker.

Network’s members serve on many non-profit boards. We also support organizations whose activities align with our mission. Beginning with the 2004 establishment of a fund at the Central Scholarship Bureau for interest-free loans to young women who overcome real obstacles to achieve academic excellence and community participation, we have made grants to a range of organizations including Marian House, My Sister’s Circle and the Women’s Industrial Exchange. We are proud to announce the 2011 grant recipient, the Path Forward Center’s ACTiVATE® program.

Our monthly membership meetings provide a great opportunity to network and assist each other.

As president of Network 2000, I am very honored and proud to serve this wonderful organization of dynamic women leaders.

Note: Membership in Network 2000 is by invitation. To find out more, please contact our membership committee by clicking on Contact Us.