4.19.2005 ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO - Social Venture Network (SVN), a non-profit network of leaders committed to building a just and sustainable world through business, announces its Second Annual Gathering of Women Entrepreneurs June 12-15 in Pacific Grove, Calif. The event is a unique forum serving female small business owners ($2 million to $50 million) who face the challenges and opportunities of growing an enterprise while maintaining a social mission.

"The Women's Gathering is the only event of its kind in the country that focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs in the rapidly growing social enterprise sector," says SVN Co-Executive Director Pamela Chaloult. "This event is an extension of SVN's overarching mission to establish a new bottom line for business, one that values healthy communities and the human spirit as well as high returns."

The Second Annual Gathering of Women Entrepreneurs will showcase the success stories of pioneers such as Nina Utne of Utne Magazine, Judy Wicks of White Dog Enterprises, Inc. and Tami Simon of Sounds True Publishing, Inc. During the three-day conference, participants will attend structured, intimate meetings of various formats including 'conversation starters,' working sessions, interactive workshops, and feedback circles, to generate impactful discussions and action-oriented plans to integrate into their own, values-driven businesses and daily lives.

The conference is the second event of the 2005 Social Venture Institute (SVI) series, the only forum of its kind to serve first and second stage entrepreneurs. Developed in 1996 by former SVN Advisory Board Chair Gary Hirshberg, president and CEO of Stonyfield Farm, the format of SVI events is a highly interactive and experiential combination of business case studies, "True Confession" sessions, and small-group business problem-solving sessions taught by some of the top SVN members such as Kavita Ramdas of the Global Fund for Women, Susan Schor of Eileen Fisher, Inc. and Nina Simons of Bioneers. Each SVI "boot camp" provides attendees with a combination of high-quality mentorship opportunities and practical problem-solving sessions that ensure participants leave with a rich portfolio of skills, a plan to grow their socially responsible businesses, and a rich network of contacts.


Event Details:
Second Annual Gathering of Women Entrepreneurs Conference
Begins Sunday, June 12, with 1 P.M. registration; ends on Wednesday, June
15, following lunch.
Event limited to 90 participants.
Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, Calif.
For more information, please visit www.svn.org/womensgathering.htm.

About Social Venture Network (SVN)
Founded in 1987 by some of the nation's most visionary leaders in socially responsible business and investment, SVN (www.svn.org) is a non-profit network of leaders committed to building a just and sustainable world through business. SVN promotes new models of leadership for socially and environmentally sustainable business through its network of nearly 400 business owners, investors and non-profit executives.

For more information please contact: