Career Journey
Make Networking a Priority
Interview with Lea Bishop, founder & director of the Women's Professional Network
March 2018
Interview with Lea Bishop, founder & director of the Women's Professional Network
March 2018
Lea Bishop
About Lea:
Lea is the founder and director of the Women’s Professional Network (WPN). Before founding this organization, she worked as both a computer programmer and in program management for IBM. She also served as the Director of Membership and Development for the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce and has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations, including Big Brother/Big Sister, the House of Hope, Boy Scouts, Junior League, AAUW, Riverkeeper, and the American Heart Association. In 2009, she received a Volunteer Service Award from the New York State Assembly, and, in 2013, she received a New York State Woman of Distinction award (as part of the New York State Senate program honoring women who have demonstrated outstanding work on behalf of their local community).
Lea says, “I have always believed that all of us should do what we can to make our communities better places to live.”
About WPN:
The Women's Professional Network (WPN) is an educational and networking organization that provides a supportive environment for enterprising women in New York's Hudson Valley to form professional relationships, inspire one another, and develop an entrepreneurial spirit. The organization’s goal is to closely collaborate with fellow women professionals and business owners to develop a unique organization that embraces members’ individual strengths and enhances professional development and self-sufficiency. WPN believes that education and networking are vital to professional success. The organization is run by volunteers and gives back to the community by supporting several nonprofits. Men are welcome to attend most events.
Myrna Beth Haskell, managing editor, talked with Lea about the inspiration behind founding WPN, what the organization does to help women business leaders and why networking is such an important aspect to growing a business.
What was your inspiration for starting WPN?
It really has to do with how I was raised. My grandfather was a proponent of the idea that everyone is created equal. He stressed to all of his children – both sons and daughters – that women are just as capable as men and vice versa. He truly believed in the notion that men should help and encourage women and that women should do the same for men. Most of his granddaughters, including me, wound up getting degrees in science or math and pursuing careers in those fields. My father felt the same way, and so does my husband.
I founded this organization with the same principles that I grew up with. I’ve always believed in education and networking. WPN provides a supportive environment where members are encouraged to build strong relationships and strengthen their confidence in themselves through education and sharing ideas. Women love to work together and support one another. They thrive in this kind of environment.
Tell me about the work you do as president and founder of WPN. Do you have a board and, if so, what is the role of board members?
I’m the guiding force of the organization. I set up the topics and speakers for our monthly events and workshops. I then work with the speaker to set the tone for the presentation based on what I think members need to hear. I search for venues for events and set up the agenda.
On March 8, we are hosting a large event planned to coincide with Women’s History Month and our theme for this year which is “self-power of women” (Hudson Valley Celebration of International Women’s Day will be held at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel). For a big event like this, I search outside our area for speakers.
I have an advisory board. We have a meeting tonight and will be discussing the food choices and other details for this event. The board members also help out during the events and support the organization in other ways.
You organize both educational workshops and networking events. Could you tell me about a few?
In January, we organized an educational workshop called ‘Cultivating the Leader within You,” and in February we held one to help members enhance their websites called ‘Giving Your Website Heart.’ In February, we also had a speaker there to discuss the impacts of the new tax bill. Finance can be an area that some women are uncomfortable with, so it’s important to provide this information. In the past, we’ve had workshops discussing how to use social media to increase visibility for your business. That one was popular, too.
We do several events each year for networking purposes as well. Each September we have a large networking event. We include a speaker to discuss an important topic for women business leaders at these events. We have a holiday event in December to promote camaraderie.
*At the monthly WPN events, a few active members are given the opportunity to speak to attendees about their business.
Why do you believe networking is so important for women in business?
It’s something women intrinsically need. Women look for support to gain confidence in themselves. They seek encouragement and affirmation from others. In the past, women haven’t gotten the respect they deserve. We have made great strides, but we still need more representation in politics, law and at the corporate level in order to be a bigger influence in how the world is run.
How do you grow your membership?
Membership is grown through word of mouth. Our members tell their colleagues and others about us. We also use social media to grow membership. We currently have 57 ‘active’ members.
How important is sponsorship for WPN? What types of sponsors have you had?
Oh…it’s very important! Our sponsors provide the food and beverages at our events. It works for them because they are able to hand out materials and talk about their business. Members also make donations - for raffles and giveaways, etc.
For our event on March 8, we have sponsors who are donating floral center pieces, a photo booth, posters, photography services, etc.
You worked for IBM for years and for the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. How did these positions prepare you for your role as director of WPN?
When I worked at IBM, I was a programmer, and I also worked in program management. I was involved in running meetings and other tasks that helped hone my project management skills. I learned a lot about growing and maintaining membership when I worked with the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. I collaborated with Chamber leadership to frame new opportunities for outreach and future growth. I’ve also worked with other community groups along the way and was able to secure large venues for events. I carried many connections I’ve made along the way to WPN. You see, the networking was extremely important.
We’re asking everyone we interview to respond to #WheresYourSanctuary: Where do you find your joy, peace, strength and fulfillment? In a place, a person, a hobby, a quiet moment alone? What feeds your soul and fuels your fire?
I find sanctuary in anything I do with my husband of 31 years. I’m just happy when I’m with him.
Lea is the founder and director of the Women’s Professional Network (WPN). Before founding this organization, she worked as both a computer programmer and in program management for IBM. She also served as the Director of Membership and Development for the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce and has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations, including Big Brother/Big Sister, the House of Hope, Boy Scouts, Junior League, AAUW, Riverkeeper, and the American Heart Association. In 2009, she received a Volunteer Service Award from the New York State Assembly, and, in 2013, she received a New York State Woman of Distinction award (as part of the New York State Senate program honoring women who have demonstrated outstanding work on behalf of their local community).
Lea says, “I have always believed that all of us should do what we can to make our communities better places to live.”
About WPN:
The Women's Professional Network (WPN) is an educational and networking organization that provides a supportive environment for enterprising women in New York's Hudson Valley to form professional relationships, inspire one another, and develop an entrepreneurial spirit. The organization’s goal is to closely collaborate with fellow women professionals and business owners to develop a unique organization that embraces members’ individual strengths and enhances professional development and self-sufficiency. WPN believes that education and networking are vital to professional success. The organization is run by volunteers and gives back to the community by supporting several nonprofits. Men are welcome to attend most events.
Myrna Beth Haskell, managing editor, talked with Lea about the inspiration behind founding WPN, what the organization does to help women business leaders and why networking is such an important aspect to growing a business.
What was your inspiration for starting WPN?
It really has to do with how I was raised. My grandfather was a proponent of the idea that everyone is created equal. He stressed to all of his children – both sons and daughters – that women are just as capable as men and vice versa. He truly believed in the notion that men should help and encourage women and that women should do the same for men. Most of his granddaughters, including me, wound up getting degrees in science or math and pursuing careers in those fields. My father felt the same way, and so does my husband.
I founded this organization with the same principles that I grew up with. I’ve always believed in education and networking. WPN provides a supportive environment where members are encouraged to build strong relationships and strengthen their confidence in themselves through education and sharing ideas. Women love to work together and support one another. They thrive in this kind of environment.
Tell me about the work you do as president and founder of WPN. Do you have a board and, if so, what is the role of board members?
I’m the guiding force of the organization. I set up the topics and speakers for our monthly events and workshops. I then work with the speaker to set the tone for the presentation based on what I think members need to hear. I search for venues for events and set up the agenda.
On March 8, we are hosting a large event planned to coincide with Women’s History Month and our theme for this year which is “self-power of women” (Hudson Valley Celebration of International Women’s Day will be held at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel). For a big event like this, I search outside our area for speakers.
I have an advisory board. We have a meeting tonight and will be discussing the food choices and other details for this event. The board members also help out during the events and support the organization in other ways.
You organize both educational workshops and networking events. Could you tell me about a few?
In January, we organized an educational workshop called ‘Cultivating the Leader within You,” and in February we held one to help members enhance their websites called ‘Giving Your Website Heart.’ In February, we also had a speaker there to discuss the impacts of the new tax bill. Finance can be an area that some women are uncomfortable with, so it’s important to provide this information. In the past, we’ve had workshops discussing how to use social media to increase visibility for your business. That one was popular, too.
We do several events each year for networking purposes as well. Each September we have a large networking event. We include a speaker to discuss an important topic for women business leaders at these events. We have a holiday event in December to promote camaraderie.
*At the monthly WPN events, a few active members are given the opportunity to speak to attendees about their business.
Why do you believe networking is so important for women in business?
It’s something women intrinsically need. Women look for support to gain confidence in themselves. They seek encouragement and affirmation from others. In the past, women haven’t gotten the respect they deserve. We have made great strides, but we still need more representation in politics, law and at the corporate level in order to be a bigger influence in how the world is run.
How do you grow your membership?
Membership is grown through word of mouth. Our members tell their colleagues and others about us. We also use social media to grow membership. We currently have 57 ‘active’ members.
How important is sponsorship for WPN? What types of sponsors have you had?
Oh…it’s very important! Our sponsors provide the food and beverages at our events. It works for them because they are able to hand out materials and talk about their business. Members also make donations - for raffles and giveaways, etc.
For our event on March 8, we have sponsors who are donating floral center pieces, a photo booth, posters, photography services, etc.
You worked for IBM for years and for the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. How did these positions prepare you for your role as director of WPN?
When I worked at IBM, I was a programmer, and I also worked in program management. I was involved in running meetings and other tasks that helped hone my project management skills. I learned a lot about growing and maintaining membership when I worked with the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. I collaborated with Chamber leadership to frame new opportunities for outreach and future growth. I’ve also worked with other community groups along the way and was able to secure large venues for events. I carried many connections I’ve made along the way to WPN. You see, the networking was extremely important.
We’re asking everyone we interview to respond to #WheresYourSanctuary: Where do you find your joy, peace, strength and fulfillment? In a place, a person, a hobby, a quiet moment alone? What feeds your soul and fuels your fire?
I find sanctuary in anything I do with my husband of 31 years. I’m just happy when I’m with him.
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