May 19, 2005
Panel Discussion on “Women in Transition – Defining
Your Own Legacy”

At The Reformed Church - Edwards Room
$15 entrance fee

The discussion was coordinated by WWB members, Cathy Needham
and Chantal Simon; the panel consisted of four other WWB members
who shared their quest for work/life balance, the challenges of dealing
with transition, and visions for defining their own legacies.  The floor was
opened for Q&A and an interactive discussion. Time for networking and
mingling preceded and followed the discussion.  

The four panelists were:

Peggy Belden – Founder and CEO of Belden Consulting Group. Ms.
Belden has a 21-year career in broadcast advertising sales and sales
management. Belden Consulting Group primarily consults media
companies with sales management, marketing development and media
strategy needs.  Recent clients include STARTER athletic sports apparel
and Sports Illustrated magazine.  Prior to starting Belden Consulting
Group in 2001, Ms. Belden was Executive Vice President, Director of
Sales at Westwood One Radio Networks managing a national sales
force of 75 professionals in six offices. Peggy is a graduate of C.W.
Post/Long Island University with a degree in political science. She lives in
Bronxville and has two daughters.

Cheryl Gedvila, CFA - an Analyst at Prudential Equity Group focused on
the domestic food and agribusiness sector. Cheryl recently re-entered the
work force after taking a five-year "family sabbatical" to be at home with
her young twins. Prior to Prudential, Cheryl covered the Latin American
beverage and food industry for BNP Paribas. She received her BA from
the University of Chicago and holds a MA in Latin American Studies from
UCLA. She also earned her CFA during her "time off". Cheryl and her
family have lived in Bronxville for 5 years.

Jean Hanson – a Corporate Partner at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &
Jacobson LLP.  She joined the firm in 1976 when she graduated law
school and became a partner in 1983.  Jean served as general counsel to
the United States Treasury from 1993 to 1994 during the first Clinton
administration.  A native of Minnesota, Jean received her JD from the
University of Minnesota Law School and her BA from Luther College.  
Jean has lived in Bronxville since 1982 and has twins who are in college.

Helen Knapp – a Senior Program Officer at the Synergos Institute, a not-
for profit organization dedicated to forming partnerships among individual
philanthropists, businesses, governments and community organizations to
develop effective, sustainable solutions to poverty in developing
countries. Prior to this, Helen spent 14 years at Citicorp, most recently as
a Vice President in the International Private Banking Division.  She
received her MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins
University (SAIS) and her BA from the University of Virginia.  Helen has
two children and is a native of Bronxville.

The event was graciously catered by Josyane Colwell, who is donating
her services and will be providing hors d’oeuvres for us to enjoy.  Josyane
owns Le Moulin Event Planning and Fine Catering
(www.lemoulincatering.com), one of the premier event planners and
caterers in the New York area for over sixteen years for individual clients
as well as corporate customers.  They range from the fashion world (Vera
Wang, Barry Kieselstein-Cord) to corporate (Spencer Stuart, SkyTeam,
Schlumberger) to non-profit organizations (fundraiser for United Negro
College Fund).  Le Moulin creates custom-designed events with style and
personalized attention.

The evening also featured an Outreach Drive to give back to our
community.  Girl Scout Troop #2300 is helping young girls who are living
in a homeless shelter as well as providing assistance to the families
residing there.  WWB member, Leslye Lynford, leads the troop, which is
a senior troop of girls ages 14 -15, and they are trying to earn over the
next two years the highest award (the Gold Award)  possible in Girl
Scouts.  Their project is to mentor a new troop of young girls scouts (ages
5-12), which was recently formed at the West Help Homeless Shelter in
Mt. Vernon.  They are looking for support in one of two ways: financial (to
fund the purchase of uniforms, supplies, trips and activities for the West
Help Girl Troop # 5150) or the donation of diapers or formula for the
infants and toddlers residing at West Help.   

Rounding out the evening was an Authors' Table featuring the books of
local women authors: an illustrated children’s story, entitled, "A Visit Up &
Down Wall Street" by Jen Gross; "The Bronxville Book Club" & "The
Silent Auction" by Pamela Hackett Hobson; and  “A Few Things I've
Noticed” by Madora Kibbe. Whether buying a book for yourself or as
gifts for the special people in your life, you’ll be contributing to the
community outreach program.  The authors donated 20% of the proceeds
from the sales of their books at our meeting to support the needs of the
residents of West Help.
Working Women of Bronxville -- The WWB Network