WomenCorporateDirectors Announces Launch of First Annual "Americas Institute" for Boards

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) is launching a new WCD Americas Institute this March – its first conference dedicated specifically to exploring trends, business opportunities, and challenges in this hemisphere, directed to a global boardroom audience. This first Americas Institute will focus on Latin America, featuring a slate of speakers and panelists with deep business, regulatory, and trade expertise in the region. WCD will also launch the WCD Americas Awards program at the institute, recognizing companies and business leaders who are making an impact in business practices and governance in the Americas.

"With our regional focus, we are able to take a deeper dive into specific issues affecting organizations doing business in the Americas, including market trends and supply chain concerns," says Susan Stautberg, president of PartnerCom Corporation and co-founder and co-chair of WCD. "This kind of forum provides a real hands-on approach to director education in regional issues, as well as in-depth, interactive discussions for directors about bringing best governance practices back to their boardrooms."

"We chose Latin America as the focus for our first Americas Institute – the region is taking on greater priority for corporate boards, as it is emerging as a new economic force," says Henrietta Holsman Fore, chairman and CEO of Holsman International and co-chair of WCD. "Latin America presents unique challenges, and it is important that directors know what to look for – and look out for – among business opportunities."

The institute will be held on March 9, 2012, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Palm Beach. WCD, with more than 1,350 women director members worldwide, has four chapters in Latin American countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

"Companies are watching many of the countries shift from being primarily natural resource exporters to nations of consumers," says Pat McKay, partner at Templeton & Company, former CFO and director at Office Depot, Inc., and chair of the South Florida chapter of WCD. "The emerging middle class is driving growth, especially in Brazil, and corporations are having to shift their perceptions of how these markets fit into the supply chain."

The WCD Americas Institute will address the evolving nature of Latin American economies, in addition to best corporate governance practices. The keynote speaker will be Lars Thunell, CEO of the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group. Other speakers include Mel Lagomasino, director of Avon Products and The Coca-Cola Company; Toti Graham, director of Interbank, Quimica Suiza, Grupo Salud del Peru, ENFOCA SAFI, Corferias del Pacifico, and Red i3; Janet Clarke, director of Cox Communications, eFunds Corporation, ExpressJet Airlines Inc., and Asbury Automotive Group Inc.; Sherry Barrat, director of NextEra Energy Inc.; P. Michael McKinley, U.S. Ambassador to Bogota,Colombia, and former U.S. Ambassador to Peru; Lillian Garcia, EVP & AVP Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Uruguay for Tupperware Brands Corporation; and Steve Odland, director of General Mills.

For more information about the WCD Americas Institute, please contact Suzanne Oaks of Temin and Company at 212-588-8788 or [email protected].

About WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD)
WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) is the only global membership organization and community of women corporate directors, comprised of more than 1,350 members serving on over 1,500 boards in 40 chapters around the world. In this new era of responsibility, WCD is committed not just to good governance, but to governance with global vision. Smart boards are going global in members and mindset. Our members share information and insights in order to ensure best practices in corporate governance around the world.

WCD's global chapters are located in Arizona, Atlanta, Australia, Beijing, Bogota, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Delhi, Denmark, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston, Israel, Lima, London, Mexico City, Malaysia, Minnesota, Morocco, Mumbai, New York, Northern California, Northern/Central Europe (Berlin), Paris, Philadelphia, Sao Paulo, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, South Africa, Southern California, South Florida, Switzerland, Tennessee, Toronto, United Arab Emirates, and Washington DC.

Our mission is to continue to expand the WCD community through leadership, diversity, education, best practices in corporate governance, and a focus on development and new board placement opportunities – see WCD's Call to Action to improve diversity on boards. WCD offers local, regional, national, and international forums, providing a platform for turning ideas into action. For more information, visit womencorporatedirectors.com.

SOURCE WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD)