Kellogg Executive Women’s Network Today

Thoughts on Women’s History Month from our president, Linda Salchenberger:

Women’s History Month is a perfect time to reflect on our own history - the founding of KEWN and the vision of its founders.  As one of the first Kellogg Alumni Affinity Clubs, KEWN was founded in June 2002 by a group of courageous and dedicated Kellogg women in the Chicagoland area who wished to maintain and strengthen the strong bonds they experienced as Kellogg students.  Their vision for KEWN was “Women Helping Women”.

While the original plan was to reach out to EMP alumnae only, the founders soon realized that they wanted to include all Kellogg alumnae.  At the time, Kellogg didn’t have an official database of alumnae, so they relied on their own personal networks to find and connect Kellogg women.  They even used phone trees!  Support from Kellogg included Bernie Birt and Erica Kantor who were with the EMP program. 

The first formal KEWN event was held in November 2002 with 80 Kellogg attendees who gathered to hear from Catherine McCarthy, PhD in Philosophy and co-author of Leading on the Edge, "an engaging book examining Shackleton's legendary Antarctic expedition through the lens of business to reveal a set of powerful strategies for corporate leaders".  On March 20, 2003, Kellogg Professor Vickie Medvec was the second speaker for the newly formed KEWN alumnae group and spoke about Women on Boards.  

Dee Slaughter (past co-President, KEWN Board member and co-founder) and Sheryl Cox (co-founder) had a vision for what KEWN could do for all Kellogg alumnae and how Kellogg women could help each other.  Their vision for KEWN, “Women Helping Women”, remains strong and we express our gratitude to all who were instrumental in the development of KEWN, including:  Alfreda Bradley-Coar, Anne Brockseker, Elizabeth Crane, Cynthia Downes, Marguerite Fernandez, Cheryl Gidley, Sue Halliday, Lois Haubold, Julie Jones, Kris Ksoll, Melissa Macek, and Leslye Sandberg.