Inspiring Women Leaders Encourage Confidence, Planning and Power

MILWAUKEE, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As women continue to assume leadership roles in business and society, research still shows untapped leadership potential among women and less self-assuredness compared to men. Northwestern Mutual's recent Elements of Success survey found that despite the fact that women make up the majority of college graduates and comprise nearly half of the labor force, only one third of women believe they have achieved their financial goals. To help address that gap, Northwestern Mutual is hosting the company's first-ever multi-city event tour for women, named Inspiring Leaders: The Power of You. 

The Power of You features a panel discussion focused on instilling confidence and encouraging women to embrace their power to achieve their full potential - personally, professionally and financially. Panelists include:

• Moira Forbes, president and publisher of ForbesWoman, a multimedia platform serving successful women in business and leadership. She is the host of the online video series "Success with Moira Forbes" and founder of the Forbes Executive Women's Board.
• Ingrid Vanderveldt, founder of Empowering a Billion Women by 2020, with the goal of providing tools, technologies and resources to women around the globe. She also serves on the U.N. Global Entrepreneurship Council.
• Joann (Jo) Eisenhart, Ph.D., senior vice president of human resources, facilities and philanthropy, Northwestern Mutual. Jo holds a doctorate in human organizational development where her dissertation research focused on the topic of women, leadership and power in large corporations.

Each panelist will share personal experiences and insights from her own journey to leadership. Women will also learn valuable tips to gain confidence and empower themselves, and each other, to create a plan to reach their short and long-term goals.

The Power of You will bring together local business and government leaders in the following cities:

• Raleigh, NC—June 19
• Hartford, CT—June 19
• Cincinnati, OH—June 20

"Each of us has a unique power and the key is to figure out how to use your power in a way that's authentic to yourself," said Eisenhart. "Women who tap into their power can achieve great things, from planning for a strong financial future to managing opportunities and challenges in their careers and personal lives."

The tour comes on the heels of Northwestern Mutual's presenting sponsorship of the Forbes Women's Summit: Power Redefined in May, where a group of 300 leaders from around the world gathered to discuss women, leadership and philanthropy. At the summit, Jo Eisenhart presented Ingrid Vanderveldt with the Forbes Excellence in Entrepreneurship award presented by Northwestern Mutual.

This year, Northwestern Mutual has begun honoring the accomplishments of women who have found success through planning, dedication and preparation. The company's #WomanWithAPlan project has attracted a growing following on social media.

Northwestern Mutual will share live tweets from each tour event, using the hashtag #powerofyou, and photos from the tour will be posted on the Northwestern Mutual Facebook page.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for nearly 160 years. Our financial representatives build relationships with clients through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. With more than $217 billion in assets, $26 billion in revenues and more than $1.5 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.2 million people who rely on us for insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual