Published: February 22, 2017
Published: February 22, 2017
WLC Launches in Spain and Portugal!
More than 80 employees from PPG sites in Spain and Portugal recently took part in a day-long program designed to support the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) activities in EMEA, as well as its mission to attract, retain and advance the careers of women throughout PPG.
The cross-functional group was joined by members of the EMEA Executive Leadership Team, EMEA WLC members, and other senior managers. The event was held at the PPG automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coatings site in Valencia, Spain.
Guest speakers included Roald Johannsen, global manager, automotive OEM, EMEA; René Latten, human resources country director, Netherlands and a WLC member; Isabella Ercole, director, supply chain, automotive, EMEA and president of the EMEA WLC; and the special guest Cristina Bianchi, managing director and coach, Enhance T&D.
Ms. Bianchi offered compelling evidence about critical role women play in the workplace in her presentation titled “The Business Case of Gender Balance.”
The Valencia plant was a perfect location to host this event, the local team was a perfect example of how engagement, diversity, talent development and retention all help drive good business and operational performance. I hope all those attending the WLC event will carry this through the various affinity groups into the wider Spanish organisation.
Roald Johannsen, Global Manager
After a dynamic panel discussion in which four panelists shared professional and personal experiences, the group was split into focus groups and were rotated between discussions that highlighted important issues such as unconscious bias in the workplace, career management strategies, work-life balance issues and positive influences for women.
This was a very diverse group with representation from every EMEA strategic business unit, as well as a variety of business functions,” Ms. Ercole said. “As a result, the groups engaged in rich discussions with varied perspectives about ways to support and encourage women in the workplace.
Isabella Ercole, Director of Supply Chain, Automotive, EMEA and President of the EMEA WLC
I am proud to work in a company that devotes its means, resources and its people work time to attract, retain and advance women in their professional career.
Carmen Cruzado, business partner, human resources, Spain, and WLC country leader
The EMEA WLC is already planning educational forums across the region to be held throughout 2017.