Washington D.C., June 5, 2012 - Senior executives from corporate environmental management, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations will gather at the Fairfax at Embassy Row in Washington, D.C. on July 9-11 to discuss the role and experiences of women leaders in the environmental profession.

Part of NAEM's renewed focus on targeted leadership skills development, the roundtable was designed to foster dialogue and idea-sharing between women in leadership positions in the environmental field, according to Deputy Director Virginia Hoekenga, who is managing the meeting.

“As more women enter the corporate environmental management, sustainability and corporate responsibility profession, they are having a greater impact on how we define business's role in society,” she said. “This event is an opportunity to bring those thinkers together to further define this vision and to share career-building strategies.”

The program was developed by a committee of NAEM members, including Sandy Nessing, Managing Director of Sustainability and EHS Strategy & Design for American Electric Power Co. Inc.; Debbie Hammond, Director of EHS Governance for Abbott Laboratories; Pat Perry, Senior Group Manager of Corporate Risk and Responsibility for CVS Caremark; and Kris Morico, Global Leader of GE Water Programs for General Electric Co.

The intimate gathering is expected to draw about 60 attendees for a day-and-a-half of panel discussions, network-building activities and a keynote address by foreign affairs expert Susan Eisenhower.
Committee member Sandy Nessing said Ms. Eisenhower's career as an author, consultant and inspiring public figure, makes her a role model for any leader.

“To me, Susan Eisenhower is the epitome of what leadership is all about. It's not about being male or female, but knowing who you are, what you want in life and going after it. She is not deterred by often being the only woman in the room and has learned how to succeed in any circumstance,” Ms. Nessing said.

The program also will feature presentations by senior women leaders from General Electric Co., SC Johnson, The New York Stock Exchange, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Coca-Cola Co.  

NAEM Executive Director Carol Singer Neuvelt said the roundtable aligns with Association's mission of empowering corporate leaders to advance environmental stewardship develop, create safe and healthy workplaces and promote global sustainability.
 
“Effecting change within large companies requires strong relationships within and outside the organization,” Ms. Neuvelt said. “We believe this meeting will initiate strategic connections that will make our members more successful at advancing their EHS and sustainability programs.”

For more information about the Environmental Women's Leadership Roundtable or to request an invitation, please visit http://www.naem.org/?conf_2012_womenslead.