Offers Networking Opportunities, Leadership Development, Support

The Avnet Executive Women's Forum (EWF) is the U.S.-based organization for women executives with the title of director (or equivalent) and above.

The EWF exists to provide networking opportunities, leadership development and support for female executive. The organization sponsors four formal events each fiscal year in Phoenix, Ariz., and encourages members across the country to participate in as many activities as possible. They're also encouraged to network in their own geographic locations, and to enjoy peer group luncheons and attendance at large women's interest group events.

Some of the events sponsored by the EWF have included a day with internationally acclaimed author, performance coach and Aikido expert Tom Crum. Arizona State University Professor of Leadership Dr. Suzanne Peterson has addressed the group on two occasions, about managing conflict and developing a personal communications style. Avnet's two operating group presidents joined the EWF for lunch and lively conversation and Q&A in the summer of 2011. And in December 2011 the EWF hosted a mixer with the Avnet Executive Board and the U.S. members of the Global Executive Council at a local Phoenix resort. That event offered an opportunity to get around and talk to the top leaders of Avnet in an informal and relaxed setting.

The Avnet EWF belongs to Women in Technology International (WITI) and through that affiliation many benefits are available to EWF members, such as free webinars.

An EWF LinkedIn group exists as well. And the EWF leadership team has reached out to similar women's groups at other companies to compare notes, compare our missions and learn about one another.