Check this space each month to meet your colleagues in the Network of Executive Women.

KIM NELSON
Vice President, General Mills
President, Snacks Division
General Mills
Minneapolis

Years with company
18

Duties
President of General Mill’s Snacks Division, responsible for the profitable growth of some of America’s favorite snack brands, including Nature Valley Granola Bars, Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, Pop Secret popcorn and Chex Mix snack mix.

Reason for joining NEW
I was intrigued by the opportunities for women in our industry, which is still fairly male dominated, to come together to share best practices and support one another.

Education
MBA, Columbia Business School

Personal interests
Two lovely little girls, Samantha, 7, and Taylor, 5. Love to read (member of two book clubs), engaged in the Twin Cities community (chair YWCA Minneapolis board) and teach Sunday school at St. Peter Claver Church in St. Paul.

JACKIE WORTHAM PARKER
Corporate Director,
Diversity & Inclusion/Community Relations
NewellRubbermaid, Inc.
Atlanta

Years with company
1/2

Duties
I am responsible for creating an inclusive culture that enables all employees to maximize their full potential and the development of our community relations and philanthropy/giving programs.

Reason for joining NEW
To build a network of resources that can assist with my professional and personal development.

Education
MBA, Marketing, Johns Hopkins University

Personal interests
I am married with two girls, Casey and Chelsea. I enjoy traveling, tennis and community volunteer work.

JOYCE SMART
Director, Corporate Communications
BI-LO/Bruno's
Mauldin, S.C.

Years with company
14

Duties
My department handles internal communications, media relations, corporate philanthropy, government relations and business conferences. We publish a quarterly magazine and electronic messages for our team members.

Reason for joining NEW
NEW provides an excellent arena for meeting and sharing experiences with women who have achieved success in the grocery industry.

Education
B.A., Western Michigan University

Personal interests
Two grown children, soon to have first grandchild.

JOLEEN VARNEY
Vice President & Treasurer
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Irving, TX

Years with company
17

Duties
Responsibility for Kimberly-Clark’s Global Treasury operations including cash management, financing operations in approximately 125 countries, $4.6 Billion debt portfolio and overseeing the Corporation’s Enterprise Risk Management program. In addition to treasury, I manage our $4 billion pension assets and insurance risk management.

Reason for joining NEW
To find ways to further my leadership development and solutions to today’s business challenges from a women’s network that shares the same challenge of finding the right work/life balance.

Education
BBA in Finance, University of Iowa

Personal interests
I have a daughter Olivia and two large dogs. I enjoy gardening, decorating and outdoor sports.

PJ WEILAND
Director, Process Excellence
United Stationers Supply Company
Deerfield, IL

Years with company
2

Duties
Drive Process Excellence across all functions of the company. Lead change initiative to build cross-functional teams that drive efficiencies, effectiveness and make it easier to do business. Manage the portfolio of programs and projects to support the overall business objectives.

Reason for joining NEW
Networking and business opportunities; mentoring and professional support; and educational and personal development opportunities.

Education
B.S. , University of Dayton; MBA in process, DePaul University

Personal interests
I am lucky to have a wonderfully supportive husband and two beautiful little girls. I spend my spare time coaching soccer, driving carpool and, when possible, traveling.

Have you recently started or renewed your membership in NEW? Then get profiled in this column by emailing NetworkNews at aduran@newonline.org

© Copyright 2009 by the Network of Executive Women. All rights reserved.