Twenty-Eight Female Executives Representing Phancorp, World Vision, Wal-Mart and Others Receive Global Awards

San Francisco, CA, July 02, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Global EXEC Women Magazine recognized five female recipients and twenty-three honorees, semi-finalists, and finalists through the International Women of Influence Awards™. AT&T and Exhibits South sponsored the awards during the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Conference in San Francisco.

The International Women of Influence Awards™ are an initiative from Global EXEC Women's International Council, which is comprised of Consul Generals, trade commissioners and country representatives from Australia, China, England, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. They are committed to promoting female executives’ leadership roles in global business. The International Women of Influence Awards™ seek to honor women who are changing the way global business is conducted. These women have reached international status for outstanding work in their fields and are known for their leadership and achievements.

“These dynamic leaders are influential in their respective fields and community. They are all powerful examples of women conducting international business and we are proud to honor them,” remarked Virginia A. Bradley - Founder, CEO and Publisher of Global EXEC Women Magazine. “Since participation in this event is expanding, we are honoring one recipient for each country represented."

The judging process begins with a review of the qualified nominees by members of the Global EXEC Women International Council. The final judging is completed by a team of female business executives, which include: Robin Bienfait, Chief Information Officer, Research In Motion (RIM) Blackberry; Vicki Hamilton, Senior Vice President, Turner Broadcasting System and Karen Robinson, Serial Entrepreneur, who has raised 70 million in venture capital and is currently serving on multiple private and global boards.

“I am truly enthralled to have participated in the awards process this year. The judging was extremely competitive due to the high caliber of our nominees,” stated Global EXEC Women judging committee chair, Vicki Hamilton who is also Senior Vice President, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

The 2009 International Women of Influence Awards™ recipients, finalists, semi-finalists, and honorees are as follows:

United States Recipients

Corporate: Chelle Moore
Vice President, International Human Resources – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Emerging/Growth: Diana Anderson
Founder and Chief Executive Officer – D.L. Anderson International, Inc.

Non-Profit: Joanna Wasmuth
Global Director, Marketing – World Vision

Philippine Recipient
Helen Marquez
Chief Executive Officer and President
ePLDT Ventus, A Subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company

Canadian Recipient
Isabel Alexander
Founder and President – Phancorp, Inc.

Finalists:

Corporate: Cheryl Harris
Senior Executive, Procurement and Supplier Diversity Delivery – Accenture LLP

Corporate: Gordana Schifanelli
Vice President, Investments – Wells Fargo & Co.

Emerging/Growth: Kanchana Raman
President – Avion Systems, Inc.

Non-Profit: Marsha Firestone
Founder and President – The Women Presidents’ Organization

Semi-Finalists:

Corporate: Lilicia Bailey
Chief People Officer – Manheim, A Division of Cox Enterprises

Emerging/Growth: Elizabeth Perelstein
President – School Choice International

Non-Profit: Hiroko Tatebe
Founder and Executive Director – GOLD

Honorees:

Tara Abraham
Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer – Accel, Inc.

Susan Baka
President – Bay Communications and Marketing, Inc.

Janelle Barlow
Partner – TMI World

Robina Bernard
President – Clik-Clik Systems, Inc.

Jayne Edison
Chief Executive Officer and President – Office Furniture Innovations, LLC

Sheri Eichelberger
Associate Vice President, Global Sales and Service – AT&T

Jill Frey
Chief Executive Officer and President – Cummins Building Maintenance, Inc.

Lorrinda Gray-Davis
Director, Diversity – Perini Building Company

Kathy Greco
Director, Supplier Diversity and Program Services – ManPower, Inc.

Julie Hens
Vice President, Channels U.S. and Canada Distribution – Cisco Systems, Inc.

Laxmi Hiremath
Founder and Chief Executive Officer – Laxmi’s Delights

Leslie Meingast
Chief Executive Officer and President – The Personnel Department

Tara Spann
Director, Diversity Initiatives – Staples, Inc.

Liz Sponseller
Managing Director – Abatek, Inc.

Wilka Varela Toppins
Operational Vice President, Diversity Strategies – Macy's, Inc.

Kate Vitasek
Founder and Chief Executive Officer – Supply Chain Visions

About Global EXEC Women

Global EXEC Women Magazine is an award-winning, multi-lingual, online and print publication that features female business executives, women business owners and entrepreneurs that conduct international business. Last year, the publication was selected to be included in the seat pocket of Delta Air Lines' inaugural flight to China.

We connect female business and technology executives with other women of influence for interactive forums and a perspective for regional, national and international business. We recognize women around world with our International Women of Influence and Luminary Awards™. The 2010 awards will be presented in Cairo and other locations.

About WBENC

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading advocate for, and authority on, Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers and vendors to the nation's corporations. WBENC is also the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with WBENC certification accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, representing America’s most prestigious brands, as well as government entities at the state, local and Federal levels. Throughout the year, WBENC’s RPOs provide opportunities for interactions between more than 250 member corporations and over 8,500 certified WBEs at business building events and other forums.

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