Leaders lend advice

More than 600 professionals, mostly women, gathered June 22 at the 10th annual Women’s Day at the LPGA networking breakfast, presented by the Network of Executive Women Northwest Arkansas and Kimberly- Clark. The morning included a Q & A with Liza Landsman, Jet.com president, facilitated by Tracey Brown, Sam’s Club senior vice president of operations and chief experience officer.

The event was one of several tied to the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship from June 20 to 25.

Topics for Landsman included:

• Work/life balance: As a physics major in college, she’s not a fan of calling it balance. “Perfect balance is not achievable … you can have a rich and fulfilling work life and a rich and fulfilling real life.”

• Creating a personal brand: “You build your personal brand by doing the best work you possibly can all the time.”

• Why diversity and inclusion matters: “When your leadership has gender diversity and is inclusive, you get better decisions … Everyone is biased. You have to be vigilant and call it when you see it.”

• What she wishes she would have been advised when starting her career: “Be very intentional about your choices.” She also said, “And it is never too early to start moisturizing your neck.”

Karen Stuckey, national NEW board chairwoman and Walmart senior vice president for private brands, private merchandise, told those attending the breakfast the group’s mission is “to advance women, grow business and transform our industry’s (retail and consumer goods and services) workplace through the power of our community.”

The 16-year-old national organization boasts some 10,500 members in 22 regions with 105 corporate partners. Stuckey said NEW “delivers, develops and inspires leaders through curriculum.”

Among those networking over breakfast were Karen Stuckey, Chris Lamson, Jody Pinson, Jay Allen, Sarah Semrow, Lori Brown, John Scholes, Debbie McElroy, Sara Brown, Tracy Neal, Janet Hannay, Kim Malec and Kim Tisdale.

The second annual Celebrity Golf Tournament on June 22 at Paradise Valley Golf and Athletic Club in Fayetteville and the seventh annual A Night with the Stars: Going for the Gold gala June 24 at the Fayetteville Town Center benefited the Ronnie Brewer Foundation. The nonprofit organization “supports communities in at-risk situations while promoting education, physical fitness and the importance of working together as a team.” Holiday gift baskets for those in need and college scholarships are among the group’s initiatives.

Those gathering for the golf tournament included NBA veteran Ronnie Brewer Jr., Verlyn Gulley, Theresa Lewis, Candice Graham, Erica Frankenberger, Brennan Sharpe, Robert Kelley, Doug Moore and John Mosier.

Women’s Day at the

LPGA networking

breakfast

Who: Network of Executive Women Northwest Arkansas What: The morning included a Q & A with Liza Landsman, Jet.com president, facilitated by Tracey Brown, Sam’s Club senior vice president of operations and chief experience officer.

When: June 22

Where: John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers. Information: newonline.org

Celebrity Golf

Tournament and

A Night with the

Stars gala

Who: Ronnie Brewer Foundation

What: Proceeds from the golf tournament and gala will help support the foundation’s work. When: June 22 and 24

Where: Paradise Valley Golf and Athletic Club in Fayetteville Information: (ronniebrewerjr.com/foundation

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.