Two Ten Convenes Women’s Forum

April 23rd, 2008, Waltham, MA - More than 30 women of the footwear industry convened on April 23 for dinner, networking and discussion at the offices of Two Ten Footwear Foundation. Sponsored by Mary Kuconis of MEK Search, the event was well received by the participants of the wider Boston area. From company entrepreneurs and presidents – to heads of product development, marketing, sales, and human resources, the group expressed keen interest in meeting more regularly to discuss issues important to this particular segment of the footwear industry. Issues of interest range from mentoring the next generation of women leaders to entrepreneurship, succession planning, community involvement, and the impact of China’s economy on business in the U.S.

“Community building has always been a core value of Two Ten,” said Peggy Kim Meill, the Foundation’s President. “Shoepoeple of our industry have expressed their hope that Two Ten will bring together more segments of our industry.” In response, Two Ten helped pilot an HR Leadership Forum which now convenes on a regular basis and is chaired by Dawn Erickson of ECCO, U.S.A. Two Ten has also brought together footwear people from various companies in the Midwest for the first community service project in that area – to renovate the Rock Lack Activity Center in Wisconsin. Chairing that group is Beverly Goldberg of Florsheim and a Director of the Two Ten Board.

The next Boston area women’s group will meet in mid-June; a regional convening of women is being considered for New York City and a national gathering is being planned for some time in the future.