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Speaker(s):
Greg Swienton, CEO of Ryder System
Bonnie Schaefer, Co-CEO of Claire's Stores
Marla Schaefer, Co-CEO of Claire's Stores

Details:
The inaugural launch of WEL's 2004 Florida Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers was the forum for an active CEO panel discussion on the benefits of gender diversity. Marla Schaefer and Bonnie Schaefer shared that when their father ran Claire's it was patriarchal. Since they have taken charge, their vision of putting women in decision-making positions has been realized - particularly relevant for a retailer selling jewelry to a youthful female market. Also, they encouraged women directors to speak out about their accomplishments!

Greg Sweinton shared that if you want the big jobs, you go where the money is. It means taking jobs with that kind of responsibility. He acknowledged that it's tougher for women to break through and that companies are short changing themselves if they don't consider women for management or boards position. He said, "the value of diversity is not just sex or race, it's the diversity of thought."