The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.

Dick and Betsy DeVos support the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women through $100,000 sponsorship

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 9, 2010 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women has announced the renewal of Dick and Betsy DeVos to its Presidential sponsorship level with a donation of $100,000.

“The DeVos family’s generosity has been invaluable to the Institute,” said Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute. “Because of them, women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda are expanding their businesses and creating more jobs for Afghans and Rwandans. Dick and Betsy are truly helping rev the engine of these countries’ economies.”

The Institute, a 501c3 organization, created the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, which provides long-term business training to female entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda. Education is provided in both countries, as well as in the United States. Since the program’s inception in 2006, 150 women have been directly trained and educated.

The Institute partners with Northwood University, an entrepreneurial school, to implement the program. The DeVos family has been longtime supporters of the university.

Afghan women participated in the program on Northwood’s Michigan campus in ’07 and ’08. In 2009, the program relocated to the Northwood University Dallas campus. The 2010 students will be in the United States for training June 4 – 24 in Dallas, Texas.

“We are proud to support the empowerment of women through entrepreneurship programs like PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS,” Betsy DeVos said. “Meeting the students and hearing their stories and the challenges they have overcome as women in war-torn countries is both inspiring and motivating to continue our fight for peace worldwide.”

Betsy DeVos serves as PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS chair, as well as chair of the Institute’s Corporate Advisory Council, both through which she provides counsel and guidance into the program’s development.

PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS is divided into three phases:1) In-Country Education, an intensive eight-week business course for 30 women in each country that culminates in the development of a business plan; 2) Leadership Development, where 15 students from each country are selected to travel to the United States for higher-level business and leadership training, as well as a weeklong mentorship with an American woman business owner and an International Women’s Economic Summit, a two-day conference focusing on the strength and contribution of women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda, the obstacles they face, and the free economy solutions to peace; and 3) Pay it Forward, where each student is committed to paying forward for one full year the blessings and knowledge she has received through the program to her fellow countrymen and women.

Houston businesswoman supports the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women through $1,000 sponsorship

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 9, 2010 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women has announced the addition of June Ressler, CEO and president of Cenergy International Services, to its 2010 sponsors with a donation of $1,000.

“June is such a great example of how American women are helping women entrepreneurs around the world,” said Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute. “In addition to her financial generosity, June has gone above and beyond as a mentor in our PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.”

The Institute, a 501c3 organization, created the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, which provides long-term business training to female entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda. Education is provided in both countries, as well as in the United States. Since the program’s inception in 2006, 150 women have been directly trained and educated.

In addition to business training in the classroom, the program also provides the students with a weeklong mentorship with an American woman business owner. From her Houston office, Ressler mentored 23-year-old Asma Ataie, a businesswoman from Afghanistan, during the ’09 program. Ataie co-owns a small business development firm.

“I am always looking for opportunities to help women succeed, and that’s what PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS is all about,” Ressler said. “My time with Asma allowed me to give back to someone who doesn’t necessarily have a lot of opportunities. I am so proud to support the program and to help fellow women entrepreneurs like Asma succeed.”

Ressler has already applied to be a mentor for the 2010 program.

Cenergy International provides skilled personnel, such as engineers and geologists to the oil and gas industry for drilling and completing oil and gas wells.

During Ataie’s time at Cenergy, June helped teach her about budgeting and financials, as well as marketing.

Before the mentoring component of the program, PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS students participate in In-Country Education, an intensive eight-week business course taught to 30 women in each country that culminates in the development of a business plan. Fifteen women are then selected to travel to the United States for Leadership Development for higher-level business and leadership training, as well as a weeklong mentorship with an American woman business owner and an International Women’s Economic Summit, a two-day conference focusing on the strength and contribution of women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda, the obstacles they face, and the free economy solutions to peace. Each student is then committed to Pay it Forward, where students pass on for one full year the blessings and knowledge they have received through the program to their fellow countrymen and women.

New Jersey businesswoman supports the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women through $2,000 sponsorship

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 25, 2010 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women has announced the addition of Linda Magnusson-Rosario, president and CEO of InSys Consulting, to its 2010 sponsors with a donation of $2,000.

“Linda is a dedicated businesswoman and advocate for women around the world,” said Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute. “She has not only contributed to the Institute financially, but she has invested her time and expertise as a mentor for the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.”

The Institute, a 501c3 organization, created the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, which provides long-term business training to female entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda. Education is provided in both countries, as well as in the United States. Since the program’s inception in 2006, 150 women have been directly trained and educated.

In addition to business training in the classroom, the program also provides the students with a weeklong mentorship with an American woman business owner. From her office in Rochelle Park, Magnusson-Rosario mentored Farzana Ibrahimi, a businesswoman from Afghanistan, during the ’09 program.

“I am so proud to be involved with the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program,” Magnusson-Rosario said. “Helping businesswomen on a global scale has always been a dream of mine, and mentoring Farzana helped that dream become a reality.”

InSys Consulting, a certified women-owned business, is a professional services firm that provides IT resources to Fortune 100 clients.

Magnusson-Rosario’s mentorship and the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program has made a real impact on Ibrahimi. Since returning to Afghanistan, she has helped more than 100 Afghan women complete a computer training program, and she has started a literacy project for women in prison.

“I have to say the 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Leadership Development was a great chance for me and for my organization, because after I come back here, my organization credit becomes better than the past,” Ibrahimi wrote in an e-mail update.

Before the mentoring component of the program, PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS students participate in In-Country Education, an intensive eight-week business course taught to 30 women in each country that culminates in the development of a business plan. Fifteen women are then selected to travel to the United States for Leadership Development for higher-level business and leadership training, as well as a weeklong mentorship with an American woman business owner and an International Women’s Economic Summit, a two-day conference focusing on the strength and contribution of women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda, the obstacles they face, and the free economy solutions to peace. Each student is then committed to Pay it Forward, where students pass on for one full year the blessings and knowledge they have received through the program to their fellow countrymen and women.

For more information about the Institute and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.ieew.org.

New York businesswoman supports the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women through $2,000 sponsorship

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 25, 2010 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women has announced the addition of Linda Magnusson-Rosario, president and CEO of InSys Consulting, to its 2010 sponsors with a donation of $2,000.

“Linda is a dedicated businesswoman and advocate for women around the world,” said Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute. “She has not only contributed to the Institute financially, but she has invested her time and expertise as a mentor for the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.”

The Institute, a 501c3 organization, created the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, which provides long-term business training to female entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda. Education is provided in both countries, as well as in the United States. Since the program’s inception in 2006, 150 women have been directly trained and educated.

In addition to business training in the classroom, the program also provides the students with a weeklong mentorship with an American woman business owner. From her office in Rochelle Park, Magnusson-Rosario mentored Farzana Ibrahimi, a businesswoman from Afghanistan, during the ’09 program.

“I am so proud to be involved with the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program,” Magnusson-Rosario said. “Helping businesswomen on a global scale has always been a dream of mine, and mentoring Farzana helped that dream become a reality.”

InSys Consulting, a certified women-owned business, is a professional services firm that provides IT resources to Fortune 100 clients.

Magnusson-Rosario’s mentorship and the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program has made a real impact on Ibrahimi. Since returning to Afghanistan, she has helped more than 100 Afghan women complete a computer training program, and she has started a literacy project for women in prison.

“I have to say the 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS Leadership Development was a great chance for me and for my organization, because after I come back here, my organization credit becomes better than the past,” Ibrahimi wrote in an e-mail update.

Before the mentoring component of the program, PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS students participate in In-Country Education, an intensive eight-week business course taught to 30 women in each country that culminates in the development of a business plan. Fifteen women are then selected to travel to the United States for Leadership Development for higher-level business and leadership training, as well as a weeklong mentorship with an American woman business owner and an International Women’s Economic Summit, a two-day conference focusing on the strength and contribution of women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda, the obstacles they face, and the free economy solutions to peace. Each student is then committed to Pay it Forward, where students pass on for one full year the blessings and knowledge they have received through the program to their fellow countrymen and women.

OKC non-profit coordinates sizable donation to orphanage in Afghanistan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 9, 2010 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women is helping children in Afghanistan to receive clothing, medicine, toys and books. These goods are part of a 100,000 pound distribution facilitated by Morning Star Development, a Colorado-based non-profit organization.

Andeisha Farid, a 26-year-old woman from Afghanistan who operates Afghan Child Education and Care Organization (AFCECO), is a 2009 graduate of the Institute’s PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program. Farid first met Morning Star founder and President Daniel Batchelder last August during the ’09 program.

Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute, said that developing these kinds of partnerships are an added benefit to the PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.

“Not only are we helping educate and empower women in Afghanistan through business education, but the partnerships made through our program at our International Women’s Economic Summit are making a real impact in these countries,” she said. “PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS and Morning Star’s effort to help Andeisha’s orphanage is just remarkable.”

The donated items are expected to be shipped from Colorado and distributed to the orphanage within the next few weeks, as Morning Star is in the final paperwork stages. Once landed in Afghanistan, the 100,000-pound delivery will require up to 30 trucks for transportation to AFCECO and other partners involved in this distribution.

Batchelder said that after first meeting Farid during the 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, he knew that there was a link between Morning Star’s and AFCECO’s mission.

“When I arrived back in Afghanistan, Andeisha tracked me down and invited me to visit her orphanage in Kabul. A follow-up meeting led us to a partnership, which will allow us to accomplish together what neither organization could alone. We are delighted to be part of the good work Andeisha and her team is doing.” Batchelder said.

Several organizations have contributed to the cause, including National Ski Areas Association, the U.S. Olympic Committee, Hope Seeds, JAKKS Pacific Inc, as well as U.S. military organizations for logistical assistance.

Farid and her orphanage have been featured three times on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Her story made such an impact that viewers donated more than $100,000 to AFCECO in a matter of days.

The latest issue of ‘Enterprising Women‘ features the 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program, as well as the two students awarded with the magazine’s “Woman of the Year” award.

Monica Smiley, publisher and CEO of the publication, has been a longtime supporter of the Institute and was a mentor for 2009 Rwandan student, Annette Karenzi.

Click here to read the magazine’s in-depth coverage of the 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.

Click here to read Monica’s Publisher’s Note.

A big thank you to Monica and to “Enterprising Women” for this fantastic coverage and support.

Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Enteprising Women Inc., copyright 2009. For more information, please visit www.enterprisingwomen.com .

United Parcel Service supports the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women through $3,500 shipping sponsorship

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JANUARY 5, 2010 – The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women has announced the addition of UPS to its list of sponsors.

UPS donated $3,500, which will cover the Institute’s shipping needs to Afghanistan and Rwanda for its PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS program.

PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS has three components: In-Country Education, Leadership Development and Pay It Forward. During In-Country education, women business owners attend an intensive eight-week basic business course that culminates in a detailed business plan. Thirty women from each country will be selected to participate for the 2010 program.

Classes will be held from Feb. 1 – March 26 in Kabul, Afghanistan and Kigali, Rwanda.

The curriculum is based on an entrepreneurial textbook, which must be shipped to both countries, in addition to English tests, as English fluency is one of the program’s requirements.

“We are so grateful for UPS’s generous donation,” said Terry Neese, founder and CEO of the Institute. “Shipping is only one piece of our program’s financial puzzle, so it all adds up pretty quickly – and shipping internationally isn’t inexpensive. Thanks to UPS, our students will have the resources they need to begin their journey as trained businesswomen.”

Kathy Homeyer, supplier diversity director for UPS says that the company is happy to help give women the resources they need to succeed in the business world.

“UPS is so pleased to be associated with an organization that promotes the success of women business owners,” Homeyer said. “Today’s global business environment is becoming increasingly competitive, so we realized that this is a great opportunity to help women entrepreneurs succeed.”‪

The Institute selects the top 15 students from each In-Country class to attend Leadership Development in the United States, which includes a week of high-level discussions with experts on business, leadership, and public policy topics, followed by a week of mentorship with an American woman business owner, and then a two-day International Women’s Economic Summit and graduation.