NAPW Membership Balloons to 850,000 on the Heels of Successful NYC Event

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., Nov. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Jones, President of the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), announced today that membership in the nation's leading networking organization for professional women had grown to 850,000 women executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. The announcement follows NAPW's successful three-city National Networking Summit Series, which culminated in New York City on Friday.

"I'm absolutely thrilled with the growth in our membership base," said Ms. Jones. "Since our acquisition by Professional Diversity Network (PDN) just over a year ago, we have expanded our benefits, programs and services and that has led to an uptick in our membership. Events like our NYC Summit and the launch of our virtual eChapter two months ago continue to attract success-minded women to NAPW."

Judy Smith, world-renowned Crisis Management and Public Relations Expert and the inspiration for the hit ABC drama series "Scandal," was the ADP keynote speaker at the NAPW Foundation Luncheon presented by GEICO. She shared several bits of wisdom and advice with the 170 guests, including the "power of saying, 'No.'" The Luncheon raised funds for the American Heart Association, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Dress for Success and Girls Inc. Ms. Smith, Founder and President of Smith and Company, also participated in the "Whole Woman Keynote Power Panel" presented by ADP titled Power Moves and Strides for Success, along with Donna Fielding, Division Vice President - Human Resources at ADP.

"Step out of your comfort zone and step out for women," Ms. Smith advised the audience. "As a professional, if you can't learn to handle a crisis, it will hurt your ability to move up."

The event also featured a "Whole Woman Power Panel" titled Powering through the Balancing Act and presented by ACT-1 Group. Ms. Jones moderated the panel that featured NBC News Finance and Budget Expert Jean Chatzky; award-winning actress Tamara Tunie; Yvonne Garcia (Senior Executive, State Street Corporation); Rita Mitjans (Chief Diversity & Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, ADP); and Dr. Holly Phillips (Physician, Author and CBS Medical Contributor).

Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is vying to become the first female President of the United States, sent a congratulatory letter read by Ms. Jones. "Thank you for your continued efforts as part of this organization to promote diversity and advocate for professional women, and to lift yourself by also lifting others," the letter stated. "When women succeed, America succeeds."

The day-long event included 25 exhibitors in the VIP Member Showcase, 20 vendors in the NAPW Mall and 19 hiring companies in the Professional Diversity Career Fair presented by PDN. Career Fair sponsors included 24 Hour Fitness, KPMG, Manpower Group and New York University, among others. Other event sponsors included McDonald's, Carey International, Inc., PDN, Operation Graduate and Hudson-Chatham Winery.

About NAPW

NAPW defines success as "owning your own power." As the largest, most-recognized networking organization for professional women in the country—spanning virtually every industry and profession—NAPW is a powerfully vibrant networking community with 850,000 members, over 200 Local Chapters and a thriving virtual eChapter. NAPW members have diverse backgrounds, beliefs, perspectives and lifestyles with one common bond – their ability to succeed.

SOURCE The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW)