Meet CEO Helen Mendel
Joanna Rustin interviews PBWC's new leader

In a conversation with PBWC Connections Publisher Joanna Rustin, CEO Helen Mendel, CMD, shared plans for PBWC’ growth.

What attracted you to PBWC?
I attended PBWC conferences and always admired the organization. I believe so strongly that women can make great contributions to our communities and economy when they’re given the opportunity.

Late last year, a good friend told me PBWC was looking for a CEO and she said it would be a perfect opportunity. I realized there was a lot of potential for me to contribute to PBWC’s success.

What did you take away from your experience with the BASOC campaign that is helping you in your new role? Is there any advice you’d like to share with women who also find themselves at a crossroads in their career?
As the Marketing Director for the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee (BASOC), we worked on the San Francisco 2012 Olympic Bid effort for over four years. We were one of two final cities and won the silver medal. During The 2016 Olympic Bid effort, we had to withdraw our Bid due to circumstances we had no control over. That was extremely disappointing to everyone who worked on the Bid.

However, our BASOC President & CEO Anne Cribbs (1960 Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist) always says “you have to dust yourself off and get up quickly. There is always another race or challenge to take on." We can all benefit from her
perspective. I hope that during our lifetime we will have the opportunity to host the Olympic Games in our region, which is the best place for athletes to compete. It is a big dream!

What do people tell you about PBWC?
The first thing I always hear is that they love the conferences and the opportunity to network with so many women. The people I have met with are passionate about the success of women in business at all levels and the role they play in corporate board rooms. They see value in PBWC being visible in the press and the community.

How is PBWC’s strategy evolving to meet the needs of the organization and its members?
Income development is always a key issue in every non-profit’s existence. You need a strong support system of Board members and major corporate supporters and individuals who are believers in the organization and its mission. Like PBWC, many non-profits are sharing resources and administrative functions to save overhead costs. Many small non-profits have virtual offices and rely on their staff and volunteers for networking and raising awareness.

Since you became CEO, you’ve instituted a variety of new programs. What can members look forward to?
We’ve been busy working on a number of new and expanded initiatives. For example, we’ve expanded the Scholarship program to include an eight-person review committee. We’ve launched a new mentor email exchange program where
help is available for young women by emailing us at mentors "@ sign" pbwc.org. We’re also launching the new PBWC Breakfast Club networking group later in May. (RSVP for May 22nd event)

Is it true that PBWC and SF State are joining forces?
Yes, we’re starting a PBWC affi liate chapter on the campus of SF State University.

Are you planning any changes to the way PBWC structures its membership?
The generosity of our sponsors makes it possible to continue offering the first year of membership for free when someone registers as a paid attendee for one of our annual conferences. The current membership is $100 per individual after the first
year, which includes a variety of benefits such as an email newsletter, event discounts and other career resources.

Joanna Rustin is Founder and Publisher of PBWC Connections magazine and President of Rustin Communications, a Silicon Valley marketing communications and public relations firm that helps emerging companies cast a larger-than-life presence in the market.

As seen in the
Spring 2007 issue of PBWC Connections

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