Ellen H. Yankellow
2009-10 President

network 2000, inc

founded in 1993 with the mission to promote the advancement of women in professional and executive positions.

Welcome to Network 2000 [N2K]. Established in 1993, we are the only organization that I know of in this region whose mission is to promote the advancement of women in executive leadership. I am proud of that tradition and honored to lead our organization for the year ahead.

Network 2000’s founders were leading business women who were determined to advance business leadership and governance roles for women. Their determination is even more important in today’s business environment and as an expression of it, N2K is currently implementing an ambitious Strategic Plan designed to increase our visibility, influence and participation. To become better acquainted with our organization, it is important to note that we are:

  • A nonprofit organization that values and promotes women’s leadership. Whether assuring women’s place in the corporate and non-profit boardroom, mentoring women in middle management or networking to support each other and women in business generally, Network 2000 is dedicated to “opening doors for women." Thanks to our membership in the Inter-Organization Network, ION, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women on for-profit boards and in executive suites. Representing approximately 10,000 women, ION helps build awareness, opportunities and connections by creating a national voice for its 14 regional member organizations.
  • A network of 82 leaders – most, but not all of whom, are women. The membership represents a broad cross section of leadership in the business community. How broad? Consider this. Among our members are 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 at least one Network 2000 member every year since its inception. The 2009 program honored seven N2K members.
  • Women who believe in taking action in support of our mission. Each year, N2K presents the Roadmap to the Boardroom breakfast in cooperation with the Greater Baltimore Committee. Its aim is to provide a forum for information and open discussion on the opportunities and challenges faced by women seeking or serving on corporate boards. It is also the occasion to present our Annual Census Report that documents and analyses the progress toward a greater presence for women in Maryland-based companies’ boardrooms.
  • Formal Mentoring Program. For more than ten years, our members have volunteered as mentors in our organized Mentoring program for rising leaders of the metropolitan Baltimore business community. We are now in the second year of an expanded Mentoring strategy, one that is even more valuable to middle management women and their employers.
  • Women of Excellence Luncheon. To support our mission and its accompanying activities, we organize an annual civic event, the Women of Excellence Luncheon. Our organization’s major fundraiser, the event draws key business leaders to hear outstanding women – from the late Coretta Scott King to Lady Margaret Thatcher – share their insight and perspective on a range of topics. The 2008 speaker was Baltimore native, Jamie McCourt, president of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
  • Recognition of Businesses that Promote Women in Leadership positions. Beginning in 1995, Network 2000 and The Daily Record newspaper present the annual Business 2000 award that they established as an avenue to recognize an area business that demonstrates a commitment to women in leadership.
  • Women who give back to their community. Many Network 2000 members serve on a variety of non-profit organizations’ boards. In addition, as a 501 [c] [3] non-profit, we make it a practice to support organizations that foster respect and leadership for women of all ages. Over the years, we have awarded grants to organizations such as Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Marian House, My Sister’s Circle and the Women’s Industrial Exchange. In 2004, N2K established a fund at the Central Scholarship Bureau to make annual interest-free loans to young women who have overcome real obstacles to achieve academic excellence and community participation.
  • Women who actively participate in and enjoy their organization. Monthly membership meetings provide the opportunity to keep up with each other and the organization. Recognizing the importance of life balance, from time to time there are opportunities to attend special events and gatherings -- to simply relax and enjoy life.

I am very honored and proud to be the President of this wonderful organization of dynamic women leaders.

Kind regards,
Ellen H. Yankellow, PharmD
President
eyankellow@correctrxpharmacy.com

Note: Membership in Network 2000 is by invitation. To find out more, please contact our membership committee: membership@network2000md.org.