Collaboration will support women’s leadership programs, gender equity
The Greater Akron Chamber and Women’s Network recently announced a formal partnership with the goals of enhancing gender equity and inclusion across the region.
“We’re thrilled to formalize our partnership with the Women’s Network,” said Steve Millard, president and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. “Our collaboration is a strategic response to the Chamber’s core strategy to advance economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion and the recent gender equity and women’s leadership study by Women’s Network. Together, our team will be providing a unified set of leadership programs and opportunities to accelerate the growth and success of our region.”
According to Dr. Jennifer Savitski, President of the Women’s Network Board of Directors and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, the members of the Women’s Network are set to finalize this partnership formally at their September membership meeting.
“This partnership will allow Women’s Network to build capacity around our model of research, thought leadership and curriculum,” said Savitski. “Women, organizations and the community across our region will benefit from the combination of our assets and the Greater Akron Chamber’s deep strength of connection and network building.”
Earlier this summer, both organizations’ boards of directors voted unanimously to support the partnership, according to Marc B. Merklin, Board of Directors’ Chair of the Greater Akron Chamber and Managing Partner of Brouse McDowell.
“Together, both organizations can deepen our joint goals around gender equity and inclusion across the region,” said Merklin. “Going forward, current Chamber programs with proven results—like the KNOW (Knowledgeable Network of Women)—will be a key ingredient in the success of the partnership.”
As for current members of the Women’s Network, Executive Director Jan Conrad explained that the full integration and partnership plan is currently being developed. “The benefits to our current members will be significantly enhanced by this partnership, and we’re inspired by the enthusiasm of our board and our members to grow our mission together with the Greater Akron Chamber.”
For info, visit greaterakronchamber.org or womensnetworkneohio.com.
