Our Mission Statement

Since its conception in 2007, the Dynamic Professional Women’s Network, Inc. (DPWN) has positioned itself to be a very functional platform for women to develop the valuable connections necessary to grow in their professional as well as personal lives.  Inspired by the need to connect and partner with other professional women, but unable to commit to other early morning groups, DPWN was created to better meet the needs of working women and offer meeting times that also fit into a working mothers schedule. The objectives of DPWN are simple, yet powerful. We focus on building great relationships, learning new business practices, sharing other networking opportunities, exchanging marketing ideas, and of course generating business for each other through referrals.

Christie L. Ruffino, President and Founder
Dynamic Professional Women’s Network

“Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others." — Harriet Goldhor Lerner

It is this ‘connectedness to others’ that inspired Christie Ruffino to establish her very first networking chapter in 2004 with top notch women she had crossed paths with in her professional career.  As a managing leader in the employment industry, Ms. Ruffino became skilled at creating professional partnerships between employers and employees that resulted in long-term and successful careers. In May of 2007, she made a decision to implement that same ideology to develop multiple chapters of the Dynamic Professional Women’s Network that would focus on creating partnerships that would generate ideas, alliances and revenues. Three years and multiple chapters later, DPWN is recognized as a driving force behind the success and profitability of many of its members’ businesses. 

Drawing from her expert ability to link people to the right resources, she encourages the ‘veteran’ business owners to connect with the members who are newer to their businesses. Each member is completely unique to the rest of the group, just as their businesses are completely unique from each other. Christie states she is continuously impressed by the high caliber of women in each group. “I encourage each chapter to be autonomous and self-directing, because they all have such innovative and professional members as the foundation of the group.” The group provides a structured networking forum that allows up to 30 members to meet on a bi-weekly basis over lunch at a local restaurant. At the start of each meeting, all members have 30 seconds to introduce their company to the entire group. Each meeting focuses on one or two particular members who are able to discuss their business for up to 10 minutes. During this time, the speakers are able to answer questions, talk about specials or discounts and introduce new products or services. Before and after each meeting, general networking is encouraged where plenty of business cards are exchanged. The meetings are kept to 90 minutes in length, but week after week, Christie sees the members staying after to continue building business relationships. 

Each chapter is presided over by the organization’s Advisory Board. They meet regularly to discuss future growth and opportunities that bring more benefits to the members, such as large-scale networking functions and after-hour business events. This allows members from all the chapters to meet with each other. Here are a few thoughts shared by current members:

• “Christie is a blessing to many business women. It is evident that she is committed to helping women achieve their business goals. She has truly inspired me to progress my business to a whole new level. I am thankful for her leadership and commitment to others.” - Michele Henry, Mortgage Loan Professional and Credit Specialist, ABI Mortgage.
  
  
• “Christie has taken her vision of creating an environment and a vehicle where women can network, support and encourage one another and made it a reality. DPWN is a thriving organization due to Christie knowing how to surround herself with other like-minded excellent women and a lot of determination. She is diligent, hard working, a visionary, determined and excellent at motivating others. Certainly a great asset to any team!” - Sabrina Erskine, Client Care & Development Manager, Continental Acura of Naperville.
  
  
• “Christie is a professional business woman with a passion to help others succeed. Her drive and enthusiasm is what is contagious within our group. She is a true asset to all that know and work with her. I'm thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful group.” - Stephanie McCue, Marketing Brand Consultant, On Q Promotions, Inc.
  
  
• “Christie is an extremely organized individual BUT what I admire most about Christie is her great enthusiasm she brings to DPWN!!!    I joined DPWN not knowing exactly what I was getting involved in and I truly believe Christie did not know she was going to make so many women across Chicagoland connect, help each other and become successful. She is truly an inspiration to me and this WOMAN works non-stop........” - Gina Masciola, Mortgage Consultant, Charter Mortgage Services, Inc.

Christie will be facing many challenges in the upcoming months, and they are ones that she never would have predicted when founding DPWN. Because their initial attention for building chapters was focused locally, their systems were not designed to ensure national consistency and success for their members. However, popularity of this networking concept is rapidly crossing borders into neighboring counties and even sates with new chapters currently forming in Wisconsin. “We welcome this challenge’, says Ms. Ruffino. “We recognize that we need to keep our internal growth one step ahead of our external growth. We need to improve our viral networking potential and continue to offer more benefits than any other professional women’s networks out there. We will not be successful unless we do everything we can to ensure the success of our members businesses.”

“Christie has been an inspiration and motivation to many people.  Her selfless and caring attitude to reach out and help others in evident in the charities that she’s supported.”, states Renate Knippen from Knippen Enterprises about the donations that are collected at DPWN network events and given to local charities such as Embrace a Family, Women 2 Women, Wings, Kids Against Hunger, Community Career Center, DuPage County Animal Shelter, Expect a Miracle Foundation, Thanks For Giving Foundation, Aspire of Illinois, Pediatric Oncology Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation of Illinois, Glen Oaks Hospital Foundation, totaling thousands.  Her commitment to give back has been further escalated by the implementation of her dream of founding a non-profit entity of her organization, the DPWN Angel Foundation. “Even though it is still in its infancy stage, it is exciting to be in a position to utilize the power of this network to help so many women” says Ms. Ruffino.

Their goal is to leverage the Dynamic Professional Women’s Network’s power of connections and/or to provide a monetary gift for an identified, immediate need to these recipients in various areas of need including but not limited to education, self-improvement, training, and networking. Their Ultimate Vision is to serve the needs of women with a “hand up”, not a hand out and hopes to ensure that no woman ever has to feel alone or at a loss for how to address her needs.

In addition to working diligently to ensure the success of the Dynamic Professional Women’s Network and the DPWN Angel Foundation, Ms. Ruffino is currently serving as a Council Member of the Executives Breakfast Club, she served two terms as a Board Director of the Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce, in 2008 she was honored to receive a Special Judge’s Recognition for the Citizen of the year award in Carol Stream, in 2009 was awarded a Distinguished Woman of Business Award from American Family Insurance this year with great pleasure and most recently received her highest honor by being recognized as an Influential Women in Business in 2009 by the Business Ledger and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

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Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board consists of women who are members of our organization and are dedicated to the success of the Dynamic Professional Women’s Network.  Their role is to define the goals of our organization and adopt the proper strategies to achieve them.
 

Tami Perto MK Insurance, Inc.

Renate Knippen Knippen Enterprises, Inc.

Rossana DeFrenza Rocco Vino's

Advisory Council
Our Advisory Board is a network of experts who have agreed to give our organization meaningful help on a regular basis in many different areas, including law, organizational development, technology, policy, and outreach. 

Each chapter is supported by a leadership team of two women, who on a volunteer basis, work together to ensure their chapter is successful at:

• Assembling a team of women who will actively support each other’s professional objectives.
• Building trusted relationships with each other that will result in gained knowledge on each other’s businesses.
• Generating viable referrals for each other that will generate additional business transactions.
• Creating additional opportunities to cross market each other’s businesses.
• Sharing other networking opportunities with each other.
• Learning about the opportunities that are only available to DPWN member for them to market their business.

Responsibilities of the Chapter Director

• Organize chapter meeting location, schedule & generates the meeting invitations.
• Conduct meeting per agenda stressing professionalism, promptness and timeliness.
• Educate chapter members of DPWN Bi-laws and enforce general policies and code of ethics.
• Work with other members of the leadership team and encourages them to stay focused on their responsibilities. 
• Schedules business presentations, records attendance, generated referrals, & guest’s attendance.
• Attend the monthly leadership meeting and communicate any new news and opportunities to her members.

Responsibilities of Membership Director

• Run the meeting in the event of the director’s absence.
• Greet guests who attend the meetings and make sure they feel welcomed and integrated.
• Interview guests who are interested in membership and assess if they are qualified candidates.
• Collect completed applications from qualified applicants and submit them for processing.
• Encourage members to bring guests & develop different ways to increase membership.
• Attend the monthly leadership meeting and support the director’s efforts at communicating any new news and opportunities to her members.

Benefits of Serving on our Leadership Team
In addition to the additional visibility and recognition you will receive as a leader, we offer additional opportunities and incentives for our leaders that regular members do not receive.
 

If you are an active DPWN Chapter Member and are willing to become more involved and take an active approach in ensuring that your chapter or your region achieves excellence, we have a committee perfect for you. In addition, participating on a committee will increase your visibility and allow you the opportunity to build relationships with other highly motivated women in our organization.

Chapter Committee Opportunities

• Secretary
  Tracks attendance and records referrals for the chapter director. Takes meeting notes and e-mails them to the chapter members to keep them informed of the chapter activity.
  
  
• Treasurer
  Collects money from lunch attendees and pays the restaurant.
  
  
• Education
  Provides a 60 second talk at each meeting about an education topic or a DPWN policy.
  
  
• Hospitality
  Welcomes and follows-up with guests with a friendly note or call.
  
  
• Special Events
  Schedule after hours and other additional chapter events.
  
  
• Calendar of Networking Events
  Compile a list of non-DPWN events to share regularly with chapter members. 

If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please contact the leadership team of your chapter.

Regional Committee Opportunities

• Special Events Committee
  Helps to schedule and execute bi-monthly PNE's
  Venue, meals, speaker & decorations
  Organizes 2010 Golf Event
  Works on 4/30/10 Symposium
   
• Philanthropy Committee
  Helps to develop and monitor DPWN Angels organization
  
  
• Technology Committee
  Helps improve website and it's functionality for the members
  Helps develop internet marketing opportunities for the members
  Social Networking Updates
   
• Coaching Committee
  Helps develop and monitor coaching program
   
• Public Relations Committee
  Helps connecting and marketing DPWN through press releases and media coverage
   
• Marketing Committee
  Helps to edit and publish 101 Ways book
   
• Education Committee
  Helps to coordinate and schedule educational events based on our member's interest
   

“As you know, in the cleaning business, it is all about knowing someone you can trust and whose service you feel confident in.  With the troubled economy, my business continues to grow.  I have to thank all of those in our DPWN Network that use my service and refer friends and family. We offer a brand you can trust with the service you deserve.  DPWN has been a great investment for Molly Maid of Bloomingdale because it has allowed us to continue to grow with double digit comp sales to last year!  I really enjoy meeting other busy business women who understand the value of time and a clean home!”
Kristin Selmeczy, Molly Maid of Bloomingdale

“Being a part of DPWN has been a rewarding experience for many women.  Working with visionary, Christie Ruffino, has allowed many women the opportunity to network and build relationships both professionally and personally.  Growing the organization from 30 members to over 300 in a short period of time is only a small part of the overall picture.  The quality relationships that have been developed, the quality of business being conducted, the quality of personal growth that’s provided has put DPWN on the map as one of the premier women’s networking organization of its kind…. One that continues to grow … not by numbers alone, but by the value it creates for its membership.“
Renate Knippen, Knippen Enterprises, Inc.

"Dynamic Professional Women's Network has been an asset to both my personal and professional life. I have made numerous networking connections that have turned into sales for the business. I also got the opportunity to work with great vendors that provide services to the business. People refer and work with people they know and trust. This is what this group is all about. It's a privilege to be a member."
Rosanna DeFrenza, RoccoVino's Ristorante & Pizzeria

“After joining DPWN just a few months ago, I have enjoyed working with new businesses and getting to know many more women through networking.  DPWN has created new relationships and great networking opportunities.”
Kim Murphy, 1st Advantage Mortgage

“The DPWN is really the best networking / leads group I have had the pleasure of belonging to.  I am enjoying the connections I have made in the DPWN – Personally & Professionally.  It is so easy to build successes in business when you have a great network!  Most of the women I have met are very dynamic and have a great sense of how networking should work.  As long as your mindset is in the right place - Givers – Get!”
Michelle Ingram, Business and Beyond Promotions

“I have been a member of the Dynamic Women’s Networking Group since June of 2006. This has been a valuable connection for me and my company. I have personally used 9 of our members and many of my friends and family have used them. I have received valuable leads from this group. Some have resulted in immediate jobs and others have lead to contacts for future jobs. We have a fabulous group of ladies who are all about networking and giving and not only promoting their own businesses but also every member of the group."
Marina Collazo, Marina Marketing 

"I have attended several of the DPWN Power Networking events, and I have appreciated each one of them for the chance to network with other businesswomen (and men), as well as the excellent motivation and education I have received from all of the speakers.  I believe that it is so important to make an effort to attend these events on a regular basis to get re-inspired and learn something new.  I would encourage all of our members, and non-members, to attend as many of these Power Networking events as possible.  You never know who you might meet or what you might learn.”
Michele Rempel, Mandatek, LLC

“My name is Robin Martin, and I am the owner of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in downtown Naperville. I have been involved in DPWN for almost two years.   During this time, DPWN has provided me with not only dozens of successful business contacts, but also true friends.  We have a fantastic group of dynamic professionals with whom I have come to really appreciate, admire and care for.  The support from within this group has become invaluable to me.
Robin Martin, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Naperville

"The fellowship and business development opportunities I find through DPWN are outstanding  This is a premier women's networking organization which has established itself through the commitment of its leaders, chapters and members.  The women of DPWN look forward to doing business with each other and actively look for ways to deepen each other's business impact.  If you choose only one women's networking group to join make it DPWN."
Barbara Dwyer, Inspire! Ministry for Women

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