National Association of Professional Women

National Association of Professional Women
Motto The power to be you
Formation 2007 (2007)
Type Professional association
Headquarters Garden City, New York
Location
  • United States
Membership
> 500,000 nationwide
Official language
English
CEO/Founder
 Matt Proman[1]
President/Spokesperson
 Star Jones[2]
Website napw.com

The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) is an American professional association.

Founded in 2007,[3] it is the largest business network for professional women in the United States, spanning virtually every industry and profession, with over 600,000 members from diverse backgrounds. In 2013, NAPW.com was voted one of Forbes’ Best 100 Websites for Women.[4]

Mission statement

To provide an exclusive, highly advanced networking forum to successful women executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Through innovative resources, unique tools and progressive benefits, professional women interact, exchange ideas, advance their knowledge and empower each other.

National conference

Created by Founder and CEO, Matthew Proman, annual NAPW National Networking Conferences present speakers with varied fields of expertise, who impart their experiences of business. The 2011 NAPW National Networking Conference featured keynote speaker, Ivanka Trump, Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions, The Trump Organization; Herta von Stiegel, Creator, Ariya Capital; Kathy Caprino, Psychotherapist and Executive Coach; Hilary Kramer, Commentator, Nightly Business Report and Valerie Smaldone, Host, NY Lite FM – 106.7.

The 2012 National Networking Conference, Transitions: Take Control of Your Future, was hosted by Star Jones, the organization's National Spokesperson and Chief Development Officer. Featured speakers included Sara Blakely,[5] Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Spanx; Randi Zuckerberg,[6] former Marketing Director of Facebook;; Denise Incandela, then President, Saks Direct;[7] Christie Hefner, CEO, Canyon Ranch Enterprises; Janet Rolle, EVP and CMO, CNN Worldwide; Christina Norman, Media Strategist and Editor, Huffington Post; Liza Huber, CEO and Founder, Sage Bears; Heather Freeland, Head of Global Marketing Communications, Facebook; Beth Ann Kaminkow, President and CEO, TracyLocke; Paige Mackenzie, LPGA Tour Professional; Judy Smith, Founder and President, Smith & Company and Kathleen Rice, Nassau County, NY District Attorney.

The 2013 National Networking Conference, Spark. Ignite Your Network, was held on April 26, 2013, at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in New York City, hosted by Star Jones[8] with over 1,200 members in attendance, featured keynote speakers included Martha Stewart and Arianna Huffington. The NAPW Power Panel included Lesley Jane Seymour, Editor-in-Chief of More magazine; Desirée Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Publishing Company; Monique Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Uniworld (a division of WPP); and Kim Garst, Chief Executive Officer of Boom Social.[9] Workshop experts included Bonnie Marcus, Founder and Principal, Women’s Success Coaching; Danielle Miller, Creator, Naked Branding; Ana Berry, TV Host; Sue Stanek; PhD, Founder, Inspiring Results and Kathleen Barton, MBA, Your Life Balance Coach.

Corporate social responsibility

Created by Star Jones, the NAPW Foundation is the company's nonprofit philanthropic endeavor designed to support causes that are front burner issues for women. The American Heart Association, of which she is also the National Volunteer; the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Dress for Success and Girls, Inc. are the founding philanthropic partners. NAPW Local Chapter philanthropic initiatives are based around these charitable organizations as well as other local community fundraising events. Support for other charities and nonprofit organizations focused on women's issues and child wellness include the Jack Martin Fund at the pediatric oncology unit of Mt. Sinai Hospital, the American Cancer Society and the Jack Theissen Children’s Society. This organization’s exempt status was automatically revoked by the IRS on June 9, 2011 for failure to file a Form 990/990EZ/990N/990PF for 3 consecutive years. While this organization may still appear on the Publication 78 and/or IRS BMF, further investigation and due diligence is warranted.

Education scholarships

NAPW created the Rising Stars Education Scholarship Program, awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students who attend an accredited college, university or certified trade school in the U.S. Open to daughters of organization members, the scholarships are awarded to five outstanding students.[10]

Complaints

As of July 2015 NAPW carries a "D" rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). BBB's report[11] states that the company's rating is due to 343 complaints filed within the past three years, the length of time the company took to respond to complaints, its failure to resolve their underlying causes, and the nature of its advertising.[12]

The majority of complaints stem from the organization advertising and telling consumers that their membership is free, but once getting in contact with consumers they require annual membership fees that run up to $1000 a year. The organization does not offer written information on membership packages, but rather require that consumers choose over the phone which package they want and provide payment information before their membership application is processed.[13]

The report further indicates that consumers "were subjected to high pressure sales tactics by company representatives to join the organization even before they understood the costs or benefits. Other consumers that originally agreed to join the organization but opted afterward to cancel the membership say that they have difficulty reaching any company representatives to seek a refund."[14]

Yelp members currently rate the business at 1 star, mostly due to misleading sales practices.[15] Previous and current employees substantiate much of the consumer complaints on the company's Glassdoor profile.[16]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ "NAPW President Matthew Brian Proman". Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  2. ↑ "The National Association of Professional Women Names Star Jones as National Spokesperson for Organization". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  3. ↑ "NAPW's profile on Crunchbase". Retrieved Dec 12, 2013.
  4. ↑ "The 100 Best Websites For Women 2013". Retrieved Dec 12, 2013.
  5. ↑ "10 Lessons I Learned from Sara Blakely That You Won't Hear in Business School". Forbes. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Where Was Randi Zuckerberg During Facebook's IPO?". New York. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  7. ↑ Moin, David (13 February 2014). "Denise Incandela Joins Ralph Lauren". WWD. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "'National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) Hosted Third Annual Networking Conference, Spark. Ignite Your Network'". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  9. ↑ "The National Association of Professional Women's 2013 National Networking Conference".
  10. ↑ "The National Association of Professional Women's Rising Stars Scholarship (NAPW Rising Stars)". Retrieved Dec 12, 2013.
  11. ↑ Better Business Bureau Review: National Association of Professional Women
  12. ↑ BBB Business Review: National Association of Professional Women
  13. ↑ Better Business Bureau Review: National Association of Professional Women
  14. ↑ BBB Business Review: National Association of Professional Women
  15. ↑ Yelp Reviews of the National Association of Professional Women
  16. ↑ Glassdoor Reviews of the National Association of Professional Women
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