Eileen M. Rehrmann
2008-09 President

network 2000, inc

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Courtney Dunevant
410-654-0000
Courtney@bonnieheneson.com

Network 2000 Admitted to ION, a Prestigious National Women’s Network

Membership Helps Baltimore Group Further Promote Advancement of Women in Boardrooms, Professional and Executive Positions

Baltimore— Network 2000, the Baltimore-based business and professional women’s organization that seeks to place women on corporate and not-for-profit boards and educates the public on the benefits of having women in decision-making positions, among other efforts, became this week the 11th elected member of ION (Inter-Organization Network, www.ionwomen.org). In order to qualify for ION membership, Network 2000 demonstrated its commitment to advancing women in leadership positions on corporate boards through various initiatives focused on corporate governance, mentoring and philanthropy, for example conducting and publishing an annual study of women on corporate boards in Maryland.

ION, a consortium of 11 women’s business organizations nationwide, advocates corporate board diversity, publishes an annual census of studies of women on boards and in the executive suites of public companies in its members’ geographical regions, and works to advance women in the nation’s largest companies. Each ION member organization publishes an annual study on the status of women directors and executive officers of public companies in their respective regions. Collectively, ION publishes an annual census summarizing the regional findings, and thereby reflects the national status of the progress made by women in corporate leadership positions and board seats across the regions.

Founded in 1993, Network 2000 (www.network2000md.org) is comprised of women and men representing a broad cross section of professions and businesses in the Baltimore area. The group focuses on mentoring women in the local business community, helping employers advance women, conducting research on boardroom diversity in public companies in Maryland and publishing the results, honoring businesses that are committed to advancing women in leadership positions, bringing outstanding female leaders to Baltimore to speak, and supporting civic and community programs that support Network 2000’s mission.

Eileen Rehrmann, Network 2000 president, said “We are very pleased to join ION and contribute to ION’s efforts to demonstrate the current status of women on boards all across the country. We believe the results of our study, especially when combined with the study results of the other ION members, clearly point out to all the stakeholders of public companies, including regulators, governance professionals and the media, the paucity of board diversity here in Maryland and throughout the country, and the need for change.”

“Electing Network 2000 to ION adds to our membership another prestigious organization. Network 2000 is making great strides in Maryland to help women move up into leadership positions in business and the professions. With Network 2000 as a member organization of ION, we are able to increase our influence both locally and nationally and strengthen our ability to effect change,” said Rona Wells, president of ION.

In addition to Network 2000, ION, which receives financial support from KPMG LLP, has 10 members:

  • Board of Directors Network, Atlanta
  • The Boston Club, Boston
  • The Central Exchange, Kansas City, Mo.
  • The Chicago Network, Chicago
  • The Financial Women’s Association of New York, New York City
  • Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and
  • Executives/University of California Davis, Palo Alto, Calif.
  • The Forum of Executive Women, Philadelphia
  • Inforum Center for Leadership, Detroit
    • Milwaukee Women inc., Milwaukee
  • Women Executive Leadership, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.