Women Presidents’ Organization Launches First Cincinnati Chapter

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For Immediate Release Contact: Patty Briguglio (919) 233-6600
Michael Sherman, KeyBank (216) 828-8114

Women Presidents’ Organization Launches First Cincinnati Chapter
KeyBank's Key4Women Group Host Reception for Area Multimillion Dollar Women Owned Companies

CINCINNATI, OH – The first Cincinnati chapter of Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) launches in October for accomplished women presidents who have led their companies to generate over two million dollars (or one-million in a service-based business) in annual revenue.

WPO aims to improve business conditions for women entrepreneurs and promote the advancement of women-owned businesses across industries. The nonprofit organization provides a peer advisory forum where women business owners connect to discuss business challenges and share best practices. Members are influential, powerful women who contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

“Women business owners are rapidly changing the face of business in Cincinnati and across the country,” says Marsha Firestone Ph.D., WPO founder and president. “More than ever, women entrepreneurs are recognizing each others successes and connecting as peers. We are very excited about our newest chapter, our partnership with Key’s Key4Women program and the resources we collectively bring to help accelerate WPO members’ business growth.”

Launch of a new Cincinnati chapter is indicative of the remarkable growth that women-owned businesses are experiencing not only in Cincinnati, but across the country. As of 2004, there are an estimated 52,818 privately held, women-owned firms in Cincinnati, accounting for 11% of all privately held firms in the metropolitan area, generating $12.5 billion in sales and employing 107,856 people.

“Key’s work with WPO is a natural fit with Key4Women,” says Rick Wirthlin, KeyBank’s Cincinnati district president. “Uniting women who own their own business in a way that benefits their company and empowers them as community leaders demonstrates Key’s commitment to their success and to Cincinnati. Their influence on our community is very powerful.”

To celebrate the new chapter launch, WPO and KeyBank will hold a special reception for multimillion-dollar women-owned companies to learn about the WPO and meet current members. The reception will be held Wednesday, November 1, from 5 – 7 p.m. at The Madison in Covington, KY

All interested women presidents who qualify are invited to attend the reception. Please call WPO Facilitator Barbara Aras at (513)235-2775 or e-mail her at barbara_aras@yahoo.com for further information.

About KeyCorp:
Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $95 billion. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally.

About Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO):
The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) locally and internationally connects top women entrepreneurs at the million and multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater personal and professional success. In monthly meetings across the US and Canada, chapters composed of 20 accomplished women presidents from diverse industries and backgrounds invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. For more information, call 212-688-4114 or visit http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com.