President - Leanne Reed

Happy New Year!

Let me start the year by thanking you for the privilege of leading RWN as your President for 2010. Over the years of my involvement with RWN I have been continually impressed by the breadth of activities and the number of women from all over our community that have chosen to become involved. This organization is filled with dynamic women with outstanding accomplishments and strong leadership roles. We see women who are newly embarking on their careers and those who are choosing to reinvent themselves and rewrite their career path. Recently we have seen a wonderful infusion of new members with great energy, spirit and creative ideas. As we move into 2010 I ask that we honor and support all of the strides RWN has made while embracing new initiatives.

While RWN represents a diverse group of women, from all backgrounds, in all professions and at all levels, here is what we all share; we are all LEADERS. The strength of women leaders, from students to CEO's has dramatically shaped our community, country and the world. For 2010, we have chosen LEADERSHIP to be the guiding principle and initiative for 2010. This year we are dedicated to expand and enhance all of our leadership activities. I see this year as an opportunity to create a new foundation from which ongoing leadership projects and initiatives will spring. My vision is that RWN will offer unique leadership development opportunities while also creating strategic alliances with valuable leadership resources in our community.

The New Year is a time first of reflection and then of commitment. As we step into 2010 I ask that you join me in making four commitments to RWN:

1. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE, TALENTS AND WISDOM -Through sharing we create a chain reaction of growth and achievement. Become an ambassador or mentor, increase your participation at events, join a committee!

2. ENCOURAGE NEW IDEAS- Be curious, actively invite others perspectives, stretch your mind to find new possibilities that will catapult us to new heights of success.

3. FOSTER THE VISIBILITY OF WOMEN LEADERS, AT ALL LEVELS, IN OUR COMMUNITY -Celebrate the work and accomplishments of all the women you know, (including yourself)! Cultivate visibility by consistently sharing the accomplishments with others in small and large ways. Nominate them for recognition, leadership roles and awards.

4. INVITE OTHERS TO JOIN US - Every new voice enhances our vision, deepens our purpose, creates energy and strengthens our resiliency. Reach out and actively invite others to benefit from our diverse array of opportunities to connect, grow and succeed!

I look forward to sharing an exciting year with you. Let's make some noise in 2010!