Nominatedby BPW Switzerland

Nomination form signed by Sanja Ronga on 21 April 2008

Nominee Information

Postal Address: Frobenstrasse 46, CH – 4053 Basel Switzerland
Telephone: +41 61 271 74 40 / +41 79 320 46 34
E-mail: gabriella.canonica@bpw-europe.org
Occupation: Co–Owner ICT Company

Active in Occupation

BPW Office Held:

1. BPW Basel, Switzerland: Vice President From 1995 to 2001
2. BPW Switzerland: Chair Task Force Internet From 1995 to 1998
3. BPW International: Member Task Force ICT From 1996 to 1999
4. BPW International: Chair Task Force ICT From 2003 to 2005
5. BPW Europe: Elected at Congress in Tallin: ECC, Committee Member From 2001 to 2005

BPW International:

• Elected at Congress in Luzern: Regional Coordinator BPW Europe From 2005 to 2008

Positions in other Voluntary Organisations:

• Executive Board member: NEFU Schweiz, Netzwerk der EinfrauUnternehmerinnen during years 1996 –

Related experience/qualifications qualifications:
I have used my professional capabilities as a multilingual ICT expert to establish, develop, promote and maintain the BPW International Business Pages which are used extensively throughout the world today. It has been a pleasure to serve BPW since 1995 at the local, national and international level. I have attended many UN/CSW meetings in New York and have facilitated and run Conferences, Congresses, Meetings and Seminars on behalf of European Federations and Associated Clubs.

When I first became involved as a member of the European Coordinating Committee some eight years ago, I can honestly say that I accepted the job being motivated then by a single, simple, powerful idea — that I might play a small part in building a stronger BPW.

My daily interaction with the Federations and Associated Clubs in Europe, with the Presidents and the Members, has shown me clearly, that face-to-face discussions, visits, conferences and motivation, are the very best method to feel the spirit that is BPW – the capability of not only to learn, but also to understand the needs of all. This work has taken me to some of the most amazing countries throughout Europe. When I became Regional Coordinator, I realized that my work was in fact a wonderful Life Experience and a real Life School.

I believe that a successful model has been developed in Europe. I have come to realize that each Regional Coordinator deserves to have the same support and workings of Europe for the work of BPW to be done effectively. There are many possibilities that are required and need to be put in place to assist those willing to work for the Regions. I see the opportunity now to bring this together – where all the Regions of the North, South, East and West can profit by using an integrated concept and establish best practices between BPW International and the five Regions. With this capacity in place, we can build a more prosperous BPW. I want to be part of a team that can make this happen. This is but one of the reasons why I offer my candidacy for Vice President of BPW International.

I am proud of having contributed in making BPW more visible to the world in this digital age – this has been achieved through the development of the Business and Member Pages/ Members Directory and the BPW Roster. These initiatives are wonderful tools for business contacts connecting Members worldwide and making our organization strong. There is still much work to be done and we need to continue rolling up our sleeves and building a working consensus to ensure that more members harvest the benefits and support such initiatives. The Business Pages shows us what is possible – that as business women we can generate a source of income for BPW.

Every time a new generation has risen up, it has done what's needed to be done. Today, the Young BPW are answering that call. They are the generation that will ensure the future of BPW. They give me confidence when I see them growing and prospering from the BPW platform. By investing in them we invest in the future.

I look forward to applying my democratic thinking and negotiating skills to the work that awaits the next Executive Board and I would be honoured to serve another term. We all have the chance to face the challenges of this millennium together, as one people — as one BPW.