EWI - Des Moines - About Us

Corporate Mission Statement

EXECUTIVE WOMEN INTERNATIONAL is an organization which brings together key individuals from diverse businesses for the purpose of:

promoting member firms
enhancing personal and professional development
encouraging community involvement

EWI is unique in that the firm holds the membership, not the individual. A firm may designate up to two individuals to serve as its representative. Today, over 3,500 companies and 5,000 representatives are members of EWI in 85 chapters located in major cities in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Membership is by invitation and is comprised of leading firms in the city.

The Des Moines Chapter of Executive Women International. was chartered on April 5, 1971 with Avis Eckel, representing The Stoner Company, being the first president. The charter dinner was held at the Hotel Savery and Janis Rigney of the Oklahoma City Chapter served as the chartering officer. The chapter began with the required 25 member firms and the following charter firms are still active supporters of the chapter:

Iowa Credit Union League

Josephs Jewelers

Hotel Savery

KPMG Peat Marwick

Wells Fargo Bank (formerly Iowa-Des Moines National Bank)

The Des Moines Chapter has always been a strong and active chapter with many accomplishments to its credit. The Des Moines Chapter has hosted several Midwest/Tri-State Forums that included Minneapolis, Kansas City and Des Moines. Later the Omaha Chapter was also invited to attend.

Two representatives from the Des Moines Chapter have served on the Corporate Board. Kay King, a representative from then Northwestern Bell Telephone Company (now Qwest), and Ann Engelbrecht with the Des Moines Register both served one-year terms.

The Des Moines Chapter holds monthly meetings throughout the year. The meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month.

The monthly meeting format varies but usually includes a speaker who may be educational, motivational or informational. Member firms also have the opportunity to host chapter meetings to acquaint other member firms with their business. Two business meetings are held during the year. At the business meetings, committee reports are given and matters requiring a vote are brought before the membership.

The Des Moines Chapter also hosts an Executives' Night to honor all executives. In addition, an Executive of the Year Award is presented to the executive who has exhibited exceptional support to EWI.

EWI ® Provides Professional Development Through:

	Monthly chapter meetings
	Membership Advisor training program
	Presidents' Caucus
	Academy of Leadership
	Annual meeting and leadership conferences
	Serving on the chapter board or corporate board of directors
	Serving on a chapter or corporate committee

EWI ® Representatives Develop a Variety of Skills including:

	Public speaking
	Budgeting
	Strategic planning
	Time management
	Human resources
	Interpersonal skills
	Sales and marketing
	Financial planning and analysis
	Business writing skills
	Parliamentary procedures
	Program/event planning