The History of ProWIN

 

PROWIN - Professional Women's Information Network
Look How Far We've Come...

PROWIN was founded in the summer of 2002.  The organization is the brainchild of Kelly Beard, who was then a corporate attorney at Meadows, Ichter and Bowers.  The mission was to create a professional, collegiate environment for business women to collaborate, network, learn and grow their businesses.  The inaugural luncheon was held with much fanfare and press, on June 26, 2002 at Maggiano’s in Buckhead.  Key guests and presenters at the event were Jane Robelot, news anchor at WGCL-TV and Maria Saporta, Editor and columnist at the Atlanta Journal and Constitution.  A simple website with a purple and black logo (shown above) were created and introduced.  The rest is PROWIN history with more history still in the making...

 

During our first 10 years of association, we met primarily in Buckhead, experimenting with a variety of venues, and always staying true to the mission of being a group of professional women (ranging from entrepreneurs to corporate executives) who strive to provide maximum value for one another at each luncheon, and in between. 

We support the development of our members by being an organization of integrity, learning, communication, and fun. We have been lucky enough to have many committed volunteers who have served on our board and who have helped PROWIN grow and thrive.

During the most recent 10 year period, we have continued to build on that foundation, and expanded our program offerings:

  • Increased the number of Signature Luncheons 
  • Premiered the Professional BOOTCAMP Event
  • Instituted the Brainstorming Roundtables which have evolved into quaterly Masterminds
  • Added informal member lunches at local venues
  • Added morning and evening events for both members and non-members to engage and network
  • Introduced recognition awards for our members, most notably, the Linda Collett Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Expanded our Sponsorship programs
  • Expanded PROWIN's social media exposure
  • Formalized and refined the Board and Committee roles; grew and strengthened the Advisory Board


All that on top of the exciting plans in store for our 20th anniversary year in 2022!

 


We look forward to celebrating and enhancing
our members' experiences FOR YEARS to come!

 

Written and contributed by Cathy DeMartino, Advisory Board Liason,
and member since 2003