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The Zenith Group

by Kate Chrisman, WBENC Director of Marketing and Communications

What do banana nut muffins, file cabinets and plywood have in common? For starters, they are all products made by WBENC-certified WBEs. However, they are also products made by 3 of the 18 members of the Zenith Group. Even though the products are widely varied, the women behind these respective companies face many of the same challenges.

The Zenith Group, now in its third year, is a group of women who are both members of WBENC, as well as the Women Presidents’ Organization and have minimum company revenues of $50,000,000.

The group, with only two available membership spaces before it reaches its cap of 20, is designed for women whose companies have reached the highest levels of success. The group, who meets biannually, focuses on cutting edge information and strategies for successful and growing companies, and is balanced with high level business meetings and networking opportunities for the WBE participants.

Even though there is year-round open enrollment until the group reaches 20 members, both WBENC and the WPO are anxious to fill Zenith to its capacity. Program managers at both organizations are looking for diverse members, as well. “Being that the members of the Zenith Group are awarded opportunities to meet with some real procurement power players in Corporate America, we want to try to eliminate as much competition as possible between the WBE members”, said Beth Sartwelle, WBENC’s Director of Programs.

The group already has WBEs representing the travel, automotive, logistics, IT staffing, electrical manufacturing and office furniture industries. The 18 members have an exciting agenda ahead for their November meeting in New York at Pfizer Headquarters. They will be networking with each other, as well as purchasing officials from Pfizer, Ernst & Young, United Airlines, Hilton Hotel Corporation, and J.P. Morgan Chase. Of special interest will be a workshop lead by renowned Futurist, Edie Weiner. The program content varies year-to-year, not only to keep up with the ever changing economic and business landscape, but to accommodate newer and older Zenith members alike.

If you know a WBE who would qualify for the Zenith Group, and would like to receive additional information on the program, please contact Beth Sartwelle at bsartwelle@wbenc.org or (202) 872.5515, ext. 29.