Barbara Dell, Executive Director of Dress for Success SW Florida, welcomes the formation of the southwest chapter of Y.E.S! – Young Executives for Success. Y.E.S. is a network of volunteers focused on supporting the important work of Dress for Success, which provides professional attire for interviews and work, career skills training, employment counseling and other confidence building services for economically disadvantaged women in our community.
Jen Diederich, Program Manager for Dress for Success SW Florida and Noelle Casagrande, Social Marketing Manager at Chicos FAS, Inc., pooled their resources and passion for Dress for Success and rallied a circle of like-minded individuals to found Y.E.S! for the Southwest Florida region. The group will work to enhance the ability of the local affiliate of Dress for Success to offer life-changing opportunities to ever more women in need. The founding members feature an impressive roster of business leaders and community organizers, but there is still a great need to attract other talented and dedicated members.
After a successful introductory meeting late in 2013, Y.E.S! has welcomed its founding members: Angeli Chin and April Bordeaux of CONRIC PR & Marketing as Co-chairs for Communications and Marketing; Kiersten Koza of Chicos FAS, Inc. as Co-chair for Volunteering; Kate McAda of Chicos FAS, Inc. as Co-chair for Volunteering; Yolie Gomez of Gartner as Co-chair for Community Outreach, Tiffany Jackson of Florida Gulf Cost University , Co-chair of Community Outreach; Jessica Ruzicka of Nova Southeastern University as Chair of Membership and Networking; as well as; Jamie Powell of The American Cancer Society; Vilma Schwartz of Vein Specialists; Sara Garner of Florida Repertory Theatre; Lakeyatta Hayward of the Lee County School District; Michelle Hoover, CPA, of Alexander and Hoover CPAs PA; and Erica Castner of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.
“We knew there were other passionate executives who wanted to help other women flourish,” states Noelle Casagrande, Co-founder for Y.E.S!
“The mission of Y.E.S! is to provide its members with volunteering, fundraising and networking opportunities to champion the mission of Dress for Success,” shares Jen Diederich, Co-founder of Y.E.S!. “ We are so happy so many of our local business executives stepped forward to make this a reality.”
On Wednesday, February 12th at 5 p.m. -7p.m. at Stillwater Grille, located at 13451 McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers, Y.E.S! will hold their first networking event. The event is open invitation to the public for other executives to learn more about Y.E.S! and how they can contribute.
About Dress for Success:
The mission of Dress For Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The vision for the Southwest Florida affiliate is to provide an opportunity for socially and economically disadvantaged women in Lee and Collier counties to improve themselves, receive support in career development and feel more confident and empowered. There are 130 Dress for Success worldwide affiliates focused on providing career wardrobes and employment counseling to disadvantaged women. Dress for Success SW Florida’s office and boutique are located at 12995 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 153, in the Pinebrook Plaza next to Bell Tower in Fort Myers. For more information, visit www.DressForSuccess.org/swflorida.
About Y.E.S!
Founded in 2013, Young Executives for Success (Y.E.S!) is a volunteer branch of Dress for Success that provides its members with volunteer, fundraising and networking opportunities to champion the mission of Dress for Success, an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women. Y.E.S! was launched in New York City in 2005 and has grown to multiple cities in the United States and around the world! Members make an annual tax-deductible donation and have the opportunity to participate in events and activities that raise awareness and funds for Dress for Success. There is also the opportunity to increase involvement by becoming a part of the executive committee or a sub-committee (e.g. membership, volunteerism, marketing/communications) Y.E.S! is not only a great way to support the important efforts of Dress for Success, but to also meet and network with a tremendous group of individuals who are interested in making a difference. For membership questions, please contact Jamie Powell at Jamie.powell2cancr.org jamie.powell@cancer.org or Jen Diederich at Jen@dfsswflorida.org. For more information about Y.E.S!, visit www.DressForSuccess.org/swflorida.
