The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

The room was filled with women wanting to know how to improve their own businesses and give back to the community.

That is exactly what they learned during a discussion led by Dr. Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

Women in attendance included Hartford Insurance sales representatives and their female small business clients or prospective clients.

Dr. Neese’s presentation included a discussion around the intersection of small business owner’s voice in policy and business, small business trends for 2011, and establishing the right networks.

Dr. Neese speaks to The Hartford's guests about small business and IEEW-Photo by: Glen Davis, Forbes Photographer

“[Dr. Neese] inspired the agents and customers to engage with their local legislators and policy makers and associations.,” said Laurie Barkhorn, Regional Vice President of The Hartford Financial Services, Inc.

“She made it very clear that’s really the only way you could affect change.”

Dr. Neese also discussed her small business background and how her experience evolved in to leading a global initiative toward sustaining economies through the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.

Moira Forbes, publisher of ForbesWoman, called the night a success and said, “Dr. Neese both educated and inspired the audience with her insights on women and small business in addition to her notable work to empower women’s success globally.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: August 20, 2010
Contact: Becca Colbaugh
Office: 405-943-4474
E-mail: [email protected]

“Dialogue with Women Entrepreneurs” in Anaheim, CA

Women business owners come together to discuss economic issues related to small business.

Women business owners from Arkansas will meet to discuss economic factors that are affecting small business. The meeting is led by the nonprofit, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW) in collaboration with DonorsTrust, another 501(c)3 organization. The mission is to gain critical knowledge and input on economic subjects important to women-owned businesses and what educational tools they need to help them grow their businesses.

WHAT: “Dialogue with Women Entrepreneurs” will bring together a cross section of Arkansas women business owners to discuss economic issues and what business tools they need to sustain their businesses.

WHO: Terry Neese, founder & CEO of IEEW
Susan Stewart, CEO of Charter Financial Group, Inc
Sandy Abalos, CEO of Abalos & Associates CPA

WHERE: Sheraton Park Hotel
1855 S. Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

WHEN:

Aug. 21, 2010

9:30: Opening of Dialogue and Introduction of Speakers
9:40 – 10:15 a.m.: Speakers- Terry Neese, Sandy Abalos, Susan Stewart
10:15 – 11:00 a.m.: Input and Discussion with Women Business Owners

About the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women:
The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women is a 501(c)3 non-profit empowering women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures and become more active public policy advocates. The Institute accomplishes this mission by focusing on education, mentorship and coaching women in the United States and abroad who are seeking to acquire entrepreneurial skills to help start and grow a business. Learn more at www.ieew.org.

Oklahoma woman selected for prestigious national business award

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JUNE 8, 2010 – Oklahoma City businesswoman, Terry Neese, will be honored at the 2010 National Association of Women Business Owners’ conference on June 10 in Washington, DC, with the Gillian Rudd Business Leadership Award.

Historically, the award recognizes a woman business owner who has made a significant contribution to the status and visibility of women-owned firms and to the empowerment of women entrepreneurs both nationally and internationally.

NAWBO leaders describe Neese as the perfect fit for the award for her blended entrepreneurial zeal and a sense of stepping up to do what is right for the greater good.

“Terry is the epitome of a business leader who has dedicated her professional career on the bedrock belief that when women are able to participate equally and fully in business, greater economic stability and peace ensues,” states the NAWBO Web site.

Neese, a serial entrepreneur, has been in business for more than 30 years, and most recently founded the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, a 501c3 that aims to empower women worldwide economically, socially and politically. With its PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, the Institute provides long-term business and leadership training to women entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda.

Neese, past national president of NAWBO, considers this award to be an ultimate honor, since Rudd personally inspired her to go beyond business and get involved in public policy.

“Gillian Rudd was my mentor,” Neese said. “Her work on the HR5050 legislation is what first broke the glass ceiling for women in business in the ’80s. Without her work, I truly can’t say I’d be where I am today.”

Terry Neese, Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women

DR. TERRY NEESE is founder and CEO of the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW). She leads the organization to accomplish its mission via two programs, both domestic and international training for women business owners in the area of public policy and entrepreneurial education.

Peace Through Business – educates and empowers women entrepreneurs in developing countries to achieve their dream of financial independence and community involvement as a woman owned business. Since its creation in 2007, the program has trained over 150 women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda.

Empowering Women – a book and training program authored by Dr. Neese that encourages women business owners to affect change through involvement in public policy. Training sessions have been held in more than 15 states.

Founder of Terry Neese Personnel Services, and an inductee into the National and Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fames, Terry is a past national president of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the largest women’s association of its kind. Terry’s involvement with women business owners and family issues is well documented through her participation in the following:

• Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP); Co-Founder and Past President – WIPP joins together a membership across the nation totaling over half-million women entrepreneurs and executives and serves as a voice for women in business at the United States Capitol.
• National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA); Distinguished Fellow – Terry led the organization’s Family Policy Center, where she developed policy ideas that helped women, families, and small businesses keep more of their earned money, and make better financial and health choices. In addition, Terry conducted bipartisan briefings on family issues with congressional leaders and their staffs and has regularly testified before the U.S. House and Senate.

A successful businesswoman, Terry made history in 1990 when she became the first woman nominated by a major political party for the seat of Lt. Governor of Oklahoma. She was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the “Power 30” – the most influential small businesspersons in Washington, D.C. She was named an Outstanding Business Leader by Northwood University Board of Trustees in 2006. In 2008, Northwood University bestowed Terry with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Terry has been appointed to numerous councils and positions with nominations by prominent leaders, such as Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Terry is also a pilot and a member of the Ninety-Nines. She is married to Earl N. Neese. Their daughter, Kim Neese, is CEO of Terry Neese Personnel Services and is the proud mom of Emily and Erin. They all reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.