News (old)

 

In 2021, BPW Lake Geneva embarked upon its first corporate partnership agreement, with PPG and in 2022, ADM joined the partnership fold. Both companies have a global footprint but with offices on our doorstep in Rolle. Together, we all share a strong commitment to a female-focused agenda and actions aimed at advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. There are many mutual benefits in forging these new corporate partnerships in the community, including a joint dedication to female leader development and the growth of professional women.
 

PPG Indutries Europe Sarl

 

Founded in 1883 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, today, PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, and specialty materials with 47,000 employees worldwide. PPG’s purpose is to protect and beautify the world, viewing each day as an opportunity to make a difference in communities, partner with our customers and drive growth for their business. One of PPG's greatest strengths is the diversity of the people in the organization.

Launched in 2001 as the Women’s Leadership Council, the WLN is PPG’s longest-standing ERN. For over 20 years, the WLN has supported a vision in which PPG is recognized as a workplace where women can achieve their full potential. Claire Sherwood, who leads the Swiss PPG WLN collaboration with BPW Lake Geneva says, "As we look to the next 20 years, with increased organizational support and resources, we are now daring to dream bigger as we imagine what’s possible for women at PPG. ​The Swiss PPG WLN is proud to partner with BPW Lake Geneva in our shared objectives to inspire, equip and advance women.

Here are some PPG highlights 2021:

15,000+ global participants in employee resource network (ERN) events in 2021
46,000+ people managers and employees trained on unconscious bias across the organization since 2020
20MM committed by 2025 to advance racial equity

 

AdM





BPW Lake Geneva members enthusiastically endorsed the Board’s proposal to sponsor the book “50 Amazing Swiss Women”, published by Bergli on February 7, 2021, to commemorate 50 years of women getting the federal vote in Switzerland. For our sponsorship we received 24 copies of the beautiful book which we are donating to local schools to raise awareness of pioneering women as role models.

The authors joined us in a webinar on May 11th, 2021 to enlighten us about how the book came about and their mission  to celebrate the diverse accomplishments, struggles, and strengths of 50 Swiss women from the past, present, and from various backgrounds.

We were thrilled to have so many young guests participate in this webinar as can benefit so much personally and professionally from having access to positive and strong role models to support them on their own individual journeys to amazing-ness!

Fundraising


The spirit of generosity and the power of community and connection is what I would most like to highlight and acknowledge for BPW Lake Geneva in 2020-2021. The year has been challenging for us all with the spectre of covid, the impact of economic downturn and enforced distance from loved ones. Despite that I am proud that BPW Lake Geneva was able to connect with members and bring high-quality speakers on fascinating topics that appealed to a wide audience and that the club supported the work of those who care for the most vulnerable members of our community during this challenging year.

From the beginning, we decided to use the new reality of the pandemic for good by raising money to support local charities that care for vulnerable members of society. We initiated this in our local community in Rolle by donating to 'Les Petits Frères des Pauvres' that supports the elderly. We continued by supporting a charity where two of our members are engaged - the 'Foundation Just for Smiles' that ‘transcends the handicap to liberate the spirit’ and we then extended our donations to our region in Vaud by supporting 'Cartons du Coeur' and 'Caritas Vaud'. As a community we have raised CHF 4778. Thanks to the generosity of our loyal members and to high numbers of guests who attended these events from across Switzerland and Europe. Last year one third of participants have been guests. These guests have certainly helped our ability to donate to our chosen causes but their attendance at our six on-line events has also helped to spread the word about BPW.


 

BPW Lake Geneva debut on TV


 

On March 11th, 2021 President Dr Heather Cairns Lee and PPG Individual Corporate Member Johanna Fagerlund were invited to Nyon TV (www.nrtv.ch) to help the station spotlight the 50 year anniversary of  women having the federal vote in Switzerland.

In an interview with host Andrea Bras Lopo, Heather and Johanna eloquently discussed the need for gender parity, inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. It was also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the partnership between BPW Lake Geneva and PPG and to promote the book “50 Amazing Swiss Women” which was sponsored by our Club. Speaking in French live on TV was a challenge that both Heather and Johanna mastered with accomplishment.

You can watch it here