Formed in 1996, the Women's Franchise Committee (WFC) is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging women in franchising by creating a network of business professionals dedicated to strengthening the success of women in franchising. The WFC has created several programs and resources to achieve this goal, ranging from "how to" guides and conferences to local networking chapters.

MISSION The mission of the Women's Franchise Committee is to promote women's participation in franchising by providing international networking opportunities for the exchange of ideas, resources, and experiences.

VISION The Women's Franchise Committee is committed to providing resources for women seeking career growth opportunities in franchising. 

 

WOMEN IN FRANCHISING ON CLUBHOUSE APP

Join us the last Wednesday of every month at 12PM EST for Women in Franchising Clubhouse Conversations

From operations, to development, to leadership, and more— the Women in Franchising Club on Clubhouse is a space where those in the franchise industry engage in conversations, ask questions, and develop one another franchise industry professionals. The club endeavors to mentor, build, and grow relationship among women passionate about the franchise world. Although led by women, the Women in Franchising club encourages all genders to join and diversify the conversation in this social audio space. The Women in Franchising Club meets at 12 PM ET on the last Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted). Each week features a new speaker, panel, or roundtable event to bring in new ideas and best practices to members of the franchise world.

Chair of the Women’s Franchise Committee, Robin Gagnon, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of We Sell Restaurants, serves as the club’s moderator. Robin is joined by the moderator team consisting of Danessa Itaya, President at Bio-One Inc., Katrina Mitchell, Chief Matchmaker at Franchise Speakers, Liane Caruso, Fractional CMO, Ashley Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Streamline Brands, Samantha Neugebauer, National Sales Director at Zinc Insurance, and Larisa Walega, Vice President of Marketing at Ziebart.

Those interested in listening to the events can do so by installing the Clubhouse app on their smartphone or tablet and creating a profile. On the app, they are invited to find the Women in Franchising Club and join as a member to receive notifications for every meeting.

WOMEN'S FRANCHISE NETWORK (WFN)

WFN’s are local networks designed to develop relationships with women franchising professionals and to address issues, share ideas and offer solutions related to franchising. The first network was launched May 2002 in Denver and now includes markets across the United States and Canada. Click below to find out more info about the WFN and how to establish a chapter. 

WFC PODCAST, HER SUCCESS 

Hear from women leading the charge in franchising! The Women’s Franchise Committee is proud to bring you Her Success: The Stories of Female Franchise Leaders, our new podcast and video series. Women who are changing the future of the franchise sector share their insights on everything from being an effective leader to the mentors who inspired them. They’ll share stories of workplace challenges we can all relate to: managing work and life, climbing the corporate ladder, and the ultimate power of entrepreneurship and franchising to change lives. Each 15-minute segment will motivate and recharge you. New episodes are being released all the time, so check in often.

Emma Dickison home helpers

SEASON 1

Episode 1: Interview with Emma Dickison, President & CEO, Home Helpers

Episode 2: Interview with Saunda Kitchen, Franchisee, Mr. Rooter of Sonoma County, CA

Episode 3: Interview with Mary Ann O'Connell, President, FranWise®

Episode 4: Interview with Paul Pickett, Chief Development Officer, Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.

Episode 5: Interview with Mary Kennedy Thompson, COO, Neighborly

Episode 6: Interview with Marianne Murphy, Vice President Brand Experience, Floor Coverings International

Episode 7: Interview with Shelly Sun, CEO & Founder, Brightstar Care

Episode 8: Interview with Amy Cheng, Partner, Cheng Cohen LLC

Episode 9: Interview with Jania Bailey, CEO, FranNet

Episode 10: Interview with Rosemarie Hartnett, President, Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art Education

 

SEASON 2

Episode 1: Interview with Tam Kennedy, Franchisee, Taco John's

Episode 2: Interview with Nancy Bigley, COO, Painting With A Twist

Episode 3: Interview with Heather Hudson, COO & Co-Founder, 9Round

Episode 4: Interview with Mary Mills, VP, Marketing, College Hunks Hauling Junk

Episode 5: Connie Hill-Johnson, Owner, Visiting Angels of Cleveland, OH

Episode 6: Clarissa Bradstock, CFE, CEO, Any Lab Test Now Franchising, Inc.

Episode 7: Megan Allen, Market President, FranNet of Colorado

Episode 8: Brian Schnell, CFE, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Episode 9: Shannon Wilburn, CFE, CEO & Co-Founder, Just Between Friends

Episode 10: Jennifer Herskind, CMO, Propelled Brands

 

SEASON 3

Episode 1: Interview with Meg Roberts, CFE, CEO & President, The Lash Lounge and CMO, FranWorth

Episode 2: Interview with Greg Nathan, CFE, Founder, Franchise Relationship Institute

Episode 3: Interview with Susan Beth, CFE, COO, NRD Capital

Episode 4: Interview with Jaci Lee, Vice President, General Counsel, Flynn Restaurant Group

Episode 5: Interview with Catherine Monson, CFE, IFA Chair of the Board and CEO & President, Propelled Brands

Episode 6: Interview with Jo Kirchner, CEO, Primrose School Franchising Company

Episode 7: Interview with Edith Wiseman, CFE, President, FRANdata

Episode 8: Interview with Tanishia Beacham, SVP, Franchise Operations and Operating Systems, SONIC®

Episode 9: Interview with Therese Thilgen, Co-Founder and CEO, Franchise Update Media

Episode 10: Interview with Michelle Rowan, CFE, President & COO at Franchise Business Review

 

SEASON 4

Episode 1: Interview with Wanda Williams, Head of Global Franchising, YUM! Brands, Inc.

Episode 2: Interview with Lynette McKee, CFE, CEO and Managing Partner McKeeCo Services, LLC

Episode 3: Interview with Lisa Rossmann Senior Vice President of Service & Product at Hand & Stone Franchise Corporation

Episode 4: Interview with Sherri Fishman, CFE, Co-CEO and Owner, Fishman Public Relations

Episode 5: Interview with Christina Russell, CEO, Radiance Holdings

Episode 6: Interview with Kathleen Gosser, CFE, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Franchise Management, Director of the Yum! 

Episode 7: Interview with Barbara Moran, CFE, Chairwoman, Co-Founder and CEO, Moran Family of Brands

Episode 8: Interview with Betsy Hamm, CEO, Duck Donuts

 

Questions? Please reach out to Jeanine Littrel at jlittrel@franchise.org

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