The Committee of 200 (C200) Foundation Announces Protege Program

NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In a commitment to encourage and develop the next generation of highly successful businesswomen, The Committee of 200 (C200) Foundation has launched a new iteration of their previously established C200 Protege Program. C200 is an invitation-only, financially-vetted organization composed of the world's leading female entrepreneurs and corporate executives.   Here, C-suite executives and top entrepreneurs share ideas, advice and connections under the premise that success should be shared. 

With an intense two-year curriculum, the new Protege Program supports high-potential women entrepreneurs who are dedicated to growing their businesses and building their leadership skills.  Applicants are nominated by C200 members and other thought leaders from top business organizations.  The current class includes 15 women, ranging in age from 32 to 62, who serve as the CEO or majority owner of a business with $5 to $15 million in revenue across a wide range of industries including transportation, technology, marketing and design.  The C200 Foundation tailored this program specifically for businesses of this size because the organization sees a gap in resources for women running companies at this level. 

"The members of C200 are proud to revive this important program with a new group of successful entrepreneurs," said Larraine Segil, current chair of the C200 Foundation.  "There is a real need for education and mentorship at this stage of business—we know because we've all been there.  In fact, five current C200 members formerly completed the program and are now deeply involved with teaching and mentoring the incoming Protege class."

During the program, which is currently underway, Proteges are given one-on-one mentorship with an active C200 member, professional coaching, 26 educational sessions and progress and milestone follow-up.  The overarching goal is to help these female entrepreneurs eventually grow their businesses to the $20 million level, the minimum criteria for membership in the organization, and for them to become part of the future generation of C200 members, perpetuating the goal of "success shared."

For the duration of the program, C200 pairs each Protege with a mentor with whom they can discuss the challenges they face and business goals that they hope to reach.  To foster dynamic and productive relationships, mentors are not paired by industry, but instead by the skills and expertise that can address each Protege's challenges and objectives.  In the spirit of collaboration, mentors are also encouraged to enlist the expertise of other C200 members as advisors when industry-specific issues arise. 

Additional support is provided through classes with a professional coach who is working with the Proteges to identify specific goals and to help them to develop their strategy and growth plan. What's more, C200 is committed to a 360-degree review process that includes growth metrics for the Protege companies and feedback from the participants on the mentors and educators involved. 

"The newly accepted class of C200 Proteges has a bright future ahead of them, as does the C200 Protege Program as a whole," notes Roz Alford, incoming chair of the C200 Foundation.  "It is our goal to partner with these women now and into the future, supporting them as they continue growing their businesses and furthering our mission of 'success shared.' "

About C200: C200 is a not-for-profit, invitation-only membership organization composed of the world's most successful female entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.  The organization's primary mission is to foster, celebrate and advance women's leadership in business.  Through targeted outreach and support to future leaders, C200 helps ensure that women will continue to play increasingly significant and visible leadership roles.  Collectively C200 members employ more than 2.5 million people worldwide and C200 member companies generate more than $1.4 trillion in annual revenues.

SOURCE C200