National IT Training Program is newest collaborative partner to CityLink’s West End campus

Cincinnati, OH— Nationally-recognized IT job training nonprofit Per Scholas is celebrating the opening of its new location in the CityLink Center with a grand opening event open to the public on July 21 at 800 Bank Street. The event will run from 1:30-3:30 PM EDT. Guests will tour the technology training facility, meet graduates and current students, and learn about Per Scholas’ high-impact technology job training. Remarks will be made by Vice Mayor David Mann, supporting partners CityLink, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and Pomeroy, and Per Scholas executives.

CityLink Center and Per Scholas joined forces to support their shared mission of helping Greater Cincinnatians break the cycle of poverty. Per Scholas joins as a resident partner at CityLink providing free professional technology training and job placement services for unemployed adults seeking careers in IT. Its model has been recognized by the White House as an effective solution to assisting the unemployed back to work. CityLink integrates 15 different onsite social service partners offering a wide-range of services and supports delivered in a holistic context to magnify impact. By giving people the skills to gain meaningful employment and provide for themselves and their families, Per Scholas and CityLink are building the foundation for stronger, financially stable communities.

Per Scholas made the move from its former site in Avondale and began classes at the CityLink Center in March. The 8-week intensive technical training course is designed to equip individuals who are committed to beginning a career in IT support with CompTIA A+ and other certifications. In addition to extensive hands-on technical training, programming includes career and personal development as well as ongoing individualized support and coaching for job placement matching graduates directly with local employers like Pomeroy and Time Warner Cable. To date, Per Scholas enrolled 130 residents from Greater Cincinnati, and employed graduates are already earning approximately $1.8 million dollars collectively.

As a part of the CityLink collaboration, Per Scholas students now have access to on-site childcare during classes, financial counseling through SmartMoney, private transportation through Changing Gears, counseling with Catholic Charities, and more.

“We needed a place where we can expand and grow in Cincinnati, and provide the many wraparound services that ensures our students are able to fully transform their life. CityLink welcoming us into its network allows for all of that. It is wonderful to be joining this community and the impact we will have on our students and alumni will only be greater,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas.

CityLink Executive Director, Johnmark Oudersluys, is grateful to have a nationally recognized program join the CityLink collaboration, “We are extremely excited about the synergies our partnership with Per Scholas presents our clients and how it will further our respective missions. Together we are able to surround these students with supports and services from our other on-site partners to maximize the impact of their time and training.”

The Cincinnati location of Per Scholas is part of a national network of sites launched by its New York City based headquarters. Founded in 1995 as a neighborhood-based effort to increase access to personal computers, Per Scholas was an early pioneer in bridging the digital divide for families and children in the South Bronx. Today, Per Scholas operates the largest and oldest professional IT workforce development program in New York and began expanding nationally in 2012. Other locations include Columbus, Dallas, Washington, D.C., with additional sites to follow.

Per Scholas and CityLink plan to serve up to 80 individuals through the IT career training during the first year, with a goal of not only graduating, but placing a minimum of 80% of students in gainful field-related employment opportunities.

“There are a lot of people who helped make this possible,” said current Per Scholas student Brandon Kinney as he looked around in awe at the 70 plus guests at the Per Scholas Dallas grand opening held today, June 18.

Brandon and his fellow classmates greeted guests upon arrival and provided tours of the new Per Scholas space. Everyone who has been invested in Per Scholas Dallas since the beginning joined the celebration – CitySquare, Capital One, TEKSystems, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Workday, the Women of Saint Michael’s, the Boone Family Foundation, Barclays, JPMorgan Chase — the list goes on from many in the philanthropic sector, tech sector, finance, and fellow community nonprofits. The opening of Per Scholas Dallas was a collective effort.

Dallas is the fifth and newest Per Scholas location to open. The first class graduated four weeks ago and the second is currently in session. Among those first graduates, already 50 percent are working following training at an average starting salary of $38,000 — higher than the national $30,000 starting average. In the months ahead, a total of 80 individuals will be trained in Dallas in its first year, 700 through Per Scholas nationwide.

“These are good jobs. Good careers that lift people up and get them on their way to a better life,” said Billy Lane, Managing Director of Per Scholas Dallas. The selection of Dallas was a result of an extensive feasibility study conducted by Per Scholas. Technology positions, for which professional training and credentials are essential, are plentiful and growing. Dallas-Fort Worth ranks near the top for high-tech growth with an estimated 142,000 high-tech jobs in the area, a 3% increase from last year, and third highest in the nation. At the same time, 36% of households live in asset poverty and 66% of adults lack post-secondary credentials in Dallas (CFED, Opportunity Index).

“You do not help the community by acting alone,” Dr. John Siburt, President and Chief Operating Officer of CitySquare, said in his remarks. “We do it together.” CitySquare recruited Per Scholas to open its operation in CitySquare’s South Dallas Opportunity Center where several community service providers reside – a multi-service center to fight poverty and create opportunity for Dallas residents.

“If I was an IT manager, I would leave here hiring every last one of the students I have met today. You can tell immediately upon meeting them — they are ready to work,” Kent Eastman, President of Texas Capital One, said in his speech. Capital One is an anchor funder that aided in the opening of Per Scholas in Dallas.

Councilwoman-Elect Tiffinni Young and Montreece Smith of CA Technologies also spoke, each expressing similar enthusiasm to build community, strengthen the local workforce and economy, and empower every single Per Scholas student toward a path of success. Appropriately following the remarks of these champion supporters was Per Scholas graduate Joe Anderson of the inaugural Dallas class.

“Before I found Per Scholas, my professional life consisted of a bunch of odd jobs. I worked security, drove trucks for a few years. Just jobs. Jobs to make money, jobs to pay the bills. I was just there, but not particularly happy. I am excited to share today that I’ve completed 4 really intensive interviews with the company Alvarez and Marsal and I am waiting to hear final word from them — hopefully with an offer,” Joe shared.

Per Scholas provides Joe and others like him free high quality hands-on technical skills learning and professional soft skills development. The course teaches to the CompTIA A+ certification, which prepares candidates for entry-level help desk and technical support roles. The Per Scholas model has been proven successful through independent studies, triggering growth into new markets like Dallas.

Per Scholas extends its deepest thanks to the guest speakers and the South Dallas community for a very warm welcome. We look forward to engaging with local partners and employers. The takeaway message from Managing Director Billy Lane of Per Scholas Dallas is clear: “Hire our graduates. And if you can’t, then introduce Per Scholas to a person who can.”

Many partners contributed to support the opening of Per Scholas Dallas. Special thanks: AdvanceNet Labs, Aerotek, Allegis Group Foundation, AT&T, Barclays, Boone Family Foundation, Capital One, CA Technologies, Commit!, Communities Foundation of Texas, Council Members Dwaine Caraway, Carolyn Davis, and Adam Medrano, Creating IT Futures Foundation, CRGT, CynergisTek, Dallas Regional Chamber, Dallas Women’s Foundation, D/FW Airport, The Family Place, Habitat for Humanity, Improving Enterprises, Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, Jewish Family Services, JPMorgan Chase, KForce, Matthews Southwest, The Offices of Mayor Mike Rawlings, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, The Meadows Foundation, Metroplex Tech Business Council, Neuberger Berman, Nexus, NPower, Open Systems Technologies, Palter Stokley Sims Wright, Reliance Methods, Revitalize South Dallas Coalition, Social Impact Architects, Social Venture Partners Dallas, Staff One HR, TEKsystems, Thomson Family Foundation, Time Warner Cable, TREC Dallas, Twist Solutions, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Urban League of Greater Dallas & N.C. Texas, UT Dallas, Virtusa, Wai-Wize, Women of Saint Michael’s, Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas, Workday, Worksoft, and YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

Last night, May 12, 2015 was the annual New York Per Scholas event, the Imagine Gala. Sponsored by Control Group, JPMorgan Chase and the Per Scholas Board of Directors, nearly 400 guests — largely from tech and finance — came out to support Per Scholas.

Guests enjoyed wine and appetizers in the beautiful City Winery. They wrote messages on the Imagine Wall and enjoyed the photo booth.

The sensation of the night was the student-run Tech Challenge. Our students got to show off their skills to professionals from Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, Barclays, and many, many more while creating personal connections with these special guests through a fun, shared experience. “I’d hire all of them,” expressed one guest. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had at a nonprofit event,” said another.

Activity on the floor took a brief pause to hear remarks. Chelsea Clinton joined in by video to open the program. Reflecting on her impression of meeting Per Scholas graduate Tiffany Lewin, IT Analyst at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Chelsea expressed, “Per Scholas gives me hope that we can tackle our country’s hardest problems.”

Following was alumnus Allen Wan whose first job ever was at Goldman Sachs following his training at Per Scholas. Allen was joined on the stage by his mentor (and now friend) from Goldman, Alex Goetze. They spoke to the win-win benefit Per Scholas provided them.

The program was closed by Damian Rivera from Accenture, co-chair of the New York Advisory board and long-time supporter.

In under 5 minutes, $10,000 was raised by guests to support Per Scholas’ technology job training programs. An investment that will create more high-performing professionals that will provide a more diverse and competitive workforce that ultimately benefits all of us, and our shared future.

Thank you to all who attended. Your support will launch a career, which will impact a family, the employers who benefit, and this city that we all call home.

To see more, watch the Per Scholas video or view photos from the night via our Facebook page. To make a donation to Per Scholas, click here.

BRONX, N.Y. — March 5, 2015 — Per Scholas graduate and local Bronx native Servon Lewis, 26, gave the opening speech at a national summit in Washington, D.C. on February 26 focused on creating more job and career opportunities for young people across the United States.

The event hosted by Opportunity Nation, a bipartisan coalition, convened over 1,000 attendees and featured elected officials, nonprofits, higher education institutions and businesses to discuss the major problems blocking economic, social and educational opportunity for young adults. Additional speakers included Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the House Republican Conference; U.S. Secretary of Labor, Thomas Perez; Senator Cory Booker and others.

Servon Lewis graduated from the free IT job training program offered by Per Scholas in 2012. He was then accepted for a paid internship program offered to Per Scholas graduates by its corporate partner, Neuberger Berman, a private, employee-owned investment manager. He still works with the firm today and has received two promotions since the internship.

“We are proud Servon is on our team, where he is an important member of IT support, a critical function in the context of a firm managing $250 billion for clients globally,” said George Walker, Chairman and CEO of Neuberger Berman. “We met Servon through our support of Per Scholas—one of many community partners. What commenced as a 10-week internship was quickly extended to a nine-month assignment and became a full-time role given Servon’s deep commitment to excellence and his strong communication and technical skills. He has made our firm a better place, helping us continue to serve our clients.”

“I want to work. I want to succeed. And, you know what? I’m good at what I do!” Lewis shared with the audience as he told the story of his childhood in the Bronx Monroe housing projects and his personal journey to professional achievements driven by determination and hard work. “I’m sharing this today because we need more companies like Neuberger Berman willing to partner with more programs – like Per Scholas – to make sure that the talent which exists within our communities is being reached and the opportunity made accessible.”

Currently, young adults ages 16-24 face unemployment rates nearly twice the national average and nearly six million youth are neither in school nor working. Opportunity Nation seeks to expand economic opportunity and close the opportunity gap by amplifying the work of its coalition members and advocating policy and private sector actions. The 2015 National Opportunity Summit was hosted by Opportunity Nation and Co-convened Business Roundtable (BRT), JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates), U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and United Way Worldwide.

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit organization offering free, high quality technology education, job training, placement and career development opportunities to people in underserved communities. Since 1998, more than 5,000 unemployed and underemployed adults (18+ years old) have enrolled in its job training programs. Servon Lewis was previously featured following a similar speech he gave at the Per Scholas 2013 ROI Corporate Dinner. For more information visit perscholas.org and Facebook.

The 3rd annual Ping! event had the biggest turnout yet with 250 guests coming out to support Per Scholas’ women in tech mission at SPiN in New York City.

Front and center all night were the very women representing the movement to increase the number of women of color in the techindustry — who are estimated today to make up only 3% of the tech workforce. Per Scholas will train 500 New Yorkers by the end of 2014 and at least 35% will be women — the highest percentage ever to enroll in our history. Per Scholas is further committed to making that figure 50% by 2016 — in short, we will train nearly 1,000 women to launch technology careers.

The night had many fun additions this year with a photo booth (run by Per Scholas Women in Tech grad Ana Luz Perez!), a pop-up shop by Sartor, rides from Lyft for all guests, Jets and Barclays Center ticket prizes, General Assembly passes and lots of hijinks. As always, the doubles tournament was fiercely competitive. The bar keeps being raised year after year as sponsors and individual supporters vie for the coveted Ping! trophies. Props to the champs Gautej and Jonathan of team Heavy No Spin (and also last year’s 2nd place winners) who took on GFT Group in the finals. Congrats to all the winners and thanks to all 16 teams for participating in the tournament.

We also thank our 16 sponsors who made this night possible — Accenture, Barclays, Bloomberg, Braddock Matthews, Career Group, Doran Jones, General Assembly, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Liquid Technology, Lyft, NY Tech Council, PIMCO, Prosperian Wealth, Public Works Partners, and RVM.

Special recognition is due to the 2014 host committee members: Carrie Bloss, Kate Campbell, Barbara Chang, Ben Chrenlich, Carolyn Gamanos, Debra Ellen Glickstein, Ankur Jain, Kate Janeski, Suneet Kamath, Kari Kovarik, Adam Nalewajek, Annie Norbeck, Amanda O’Donnell, Nisha Patel, Michelle Pullaro, Damian Rivera, James Wanga — and of course the Per Scholas Board of Directors.

With our third Ping! event in the bag, we are humbled by the overwhelming positive response. There are many ways to support our goal to train 1,000 women for careers in tech. Stay involved! Your support has a profound impact on the lives of our students.

From everyone at Per Scholas, thank you.

Per Scholas convenes cyber security task force to build pipeline for cyber security need in the National Capital Region.

Experts from private industry, higher education, and government join Per Scholas to begin initial planning.

Per Scholas, National IT workforce development expert, brings together cyber security specialists in a conversation on the regional skills gap for entry-level cyber security positions. The panel convened October 8 at the Silver Spring Civic Center with leaders from private industry, higher education, and government working in partnership to develop pathways into the cyber workforce.

“Cyber is so dynamic. You cannot teach it from a textbook,” said panelist Renee Forney, Executive Director of CyberSkills Management Support Initiative at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “The key is true information sharing. If all interested parties can work together, then we can create a workforce that is agile enough to combat these threats.”

The recent security breach at JPMorgan Chase has caused cyber security issues to rise to the top of headlines and the priority list of policy experts, educators and business owners. The issue of cyber security is by no means new to the industry with 1.5 million cyber attacks monitored in the U.S. in 2013. Nor is the problem exclusive to our biggest companies: 75 percent of breaches occur in companies with fewer than 100 employees.

The Washington metro area had more than 23,000 job postings for cyber security positions in 2013, the largest concentration in the nation. Growing demand is only part of the challenge faced by employers. A pipeline of abundant talent is also scarce given specific qualifications required for cyber security–like security clearance and minimum years of industry experience.

Substantial investments in preparing a skilled workforce are being made in the region to address this imminent growth. Montgomery Community College, as the lead college of a consortium of Maryland community colleges, has been awarded a $15 million TAACCCT grant to support cyber-technology workforce development. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2-Year Education (CAE2Y) by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The panel evaluated and discussed the current cyber security landscape, the restrictions that cause the talent gap, alternatives for building a stronger pipeline, and considerations in creating a diverse pipeline of local talent to fill immediate and future need. The conversation included a strong emphasis on the importance of all leaders working together as a team towards the creation of an evolved workforce.

“I am heartened by the diversity of the people in this room. We need to recognize that we all have a very important role to play,” said Jason Green, Per Scholas advisory board member and co-founder of SkillSmart, a technology venture designed to match job seekers to employment opportunities based on skills. “It’s not an opportunity, it’s a requirement. We can’t address the significant challenge ahead unless we work together.

Panelists included moderator Mark Shaw from ManTech International, the region’s largest cyber security employer; Mike Knapp, Skillsmart; Charles Britt, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA); Richard Hill, Accenture; Renee Forney, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kelley Bray, Symantec; Steve Silverman, Department of Economic Development, Montgomery County; and Bridgette Gray, Per Scholas. Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro made opening remarks. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski and U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen were in attendance.

“Today was a breath of fresh air,” says Bridgette Gray, Managing Director for Per Scholas National Capital Region. “Often, we’re trying to resolve regional challenges in our own silos. Today, we began the process of breaking down these silos. To address regional issues, we must erase jurisdictional lines by bringing all
players across the region to the table; there’s a place for everyone. In all of our markets, Per Scholas strives to meet the specific demands of regional employers through our IT training. It takes strong partnerships to make that happen. We are happy to take the lead in building out this task force with all of our partners.”

Per Scholas recently established partnerships with private company Doran Jones to build a talent pipeline of software testers, and a middle-skill training with the City of New York community college system. A similar approach will be taken toward cyber security opportunities in the National Capital Region.

The Per Scholas rapid re-employment training approach provides immediate relief for IT workforce demand. Its core entry-level training IT-Ready is only 8 weeks, allowing graduates to quickly fill available positions. And Per Scholas has the employer partners to bridge job seekers to jobs. IT-Ready training is an onramp to entry-level jobs, then the potential for continued education and skill advancement through established cyber programs at postsecondary institutions. Per Scholas opened in the National Capital Region in early 2014. The Per Scholas approach has been recognized as additive to existing efforts by leaders in business, government and education. Today’s panel is a joint effort to address regional cyber workforce demand.

“I partnered with Per Scholas because building an experienced pool of cyber security professionals is a regional challenge that requires a regional solution. As a national leader in developing collaborative partnerships to address workforce development needs, Northern Virginia Community College stands ready to lend its experience in this partnership to creating a sustainable pipeline of cyber security talent in the Greater Washington region.” Charles Britt, STEM Coordinator, Northern Virginia Community College.

Following today’s panel, Per Scholas will convene the task force to begin building a blueprint for the cyber security workforce. Those interested in contributing ideas, jobs, data, funding and leadership may contact Bridgette Gray at bgray@perscholas.org. A special thank you to the advisory board members Barbara Ebel, Charles Britt, Ed Glabus and Jason Green, who made today possible.

September 11, 2014 marked the inaugural golf fundraiser in Columbus and proved that supporting Per Scholas is not just about impacting our work and students, but is a whole lot of fun.

The event raised $10,000 to support Per Scholas’ continuing growth in Columbus where more than 130 low-income and unemployed residents have been trained to date for family-sustaining careers in technology, like current featured student of the month Kevin Gamble. Ten teams participated in the scramble with representation from sponsors Nationwide, HMB, Lightwell and Centric Consulting, joined by corporate teams Navigator, ViaQuest, TEKsystems, and LeadingEDJE. The competition proved fierce, with golfers vying to win the scramble and three additional competitions. Congrats to Team Lightwell for winning the Scramble! The list of other challenge winners are:

• Longest Drive: Mike Pugh, Centric Consulting
• Closest to the Pin: Thad Leemaster, HMB
• Longest Putt: Justin Wang, Nationwide

Competition aside, the highlight for the golfers was the attendance by the star guests: current and former students of Per Scholas IT-Ready training. With 40 golfers in attendance, Advisory Council Chair Joe Ours of Centric Consulting shared, “It was a great day of golf, and what an opportunity for our corporate supporters to meet some of the individuals benefiting from their investment in the Per Scholas job training.”

The feeling was mutual among the students. “It’s one thing for people to hear about graduates getting jobs. It’s even better for them to hear it directly. The golfers had lots of questions about Per Scholas, and were very excited to hear that I’d graduated and landed a job,” shared Chris Ferguson, graduate and brand new employee of JPMorgan Chase. “I was laid off in April 2013 and it was hard to get back into the workforce until Per Scholas. The program prepared me not only for the technical side of the job but made me comfortable going into the interview. I feel well prepared to start at JPMorgan Chase on Monday and I’m looking forward to it.”

“The synergy between past and present students and our supporters today was amazing. My heart really felt like it was going to bust because the golfers were here to support us, and we were here to help them enjoy the day. I have never been around an organization that works so hard for me, for my success and for my future. I’m determined and ready to take my career to the next level because of Per Scholas,” said Debra White, a current IT-Ready student volunteering her time at the event.

Andrea Applegate and Plinio Ayala

President and CEO of Per Scholas, Plinio Ayala, was in attendance for the big event alongside Managing Director Andrea Applegate. Both express that the support of our inaugural fundraiser proved the sky’s the limit for progress in Columbus. It promises to be an even bigger event next year.

A big thank you to our advisory council members who played invaluable roles in planning: Joe Ours, Bruce Zion, and our leader in planning, Dave Cherry. Their support out the gate is the reason why we are celebrating this success. Endless thanks again to our sponsors, supporters, and to the Oakhaven Golf Club for hosting the event. We look forward to next year.

See all the pictures from the event here. Donate, volunteer, hire a graduate, get involved and help us continue to change lives through our high-impact work.

What began as an invitation for a student story quickly turned into more than Tiffany Lewin ever thought possible: being interviewed by Chelsea Clinton in front of 1,000 people, the whole Clinton family included. Queue the goose-bumps–and not just Tiffany’s. Everybody at Per Scholas, too. Her first time flying, Tiffany took off for Denver along with Per Scholas Executive Director of New York, Angie Kamath, and took the stage the second day of the meeting.

Tiffany contributed one-of-a-kind insight to the elite panel where she was joined by a CEO of a global company, a President of a college, a U.S. Secretary, and a founder of a local nonprofit. She was the sole representative on the stage speaking from a lens that always doesn’t get the spotlight: a young adult who was hungry for an opportunity and guidance. Tiffany came to Per Scholas at the age of 19 with no work experience, no income, no pathway to higher-ed and no outside guidance to change her path. She graduated from the Per Scholas IT training and by 20 landed her first job ever as a Hardware and Systems Analyst at New York-Presbyterian. Now, nearly three years later, she’s moved up in her responsibilities and now manages others. Her voice on that stage was all the more important because she also represents a population that makes up only 5% of the tech industry – a minority woman. We have a lot to learn from her.

Following her stage time with Chelsea, Tiffany has been on the ride of her life.

Per Scholas hosted its first of what will be a series of Women in Tech events June 24 in NYC hosted by corporate partner PIMCO. Sixty professionals and graduates from the IT industry gathered. Why? To get more women in tech. Specifically women of color who represent less than 10% of the IT workforce. Per Scholas has committed to a gender equal student body by 2016.

Here are some stats on what we are trying to change:

Today

• Women are earning less than 20% of computer and information science degrees
• Women comprise less than 30% of tech workforce, and women of color comprise less than 10% of the tech workforce
• Women leave the private sector tech workforce at twice the rate of their male peers

Good news – we can change this

• Carnegie Mellon went from less than 30% female CS majors in 2012 to 40% female CS majors in 2014
• In 2013, 60% of new tech positions were filled by women
• Companies like Google, LinkedIn, Yahoo and others agree that lack of diversity in tech is a problem and are committed to working toward solutions
• And of course, we are actively working to change this at Per Scholas

Here’s what we’re doing at Per Scholas

• Free training and job placement for entry-level and mid-level IT occupations, both co-ed and women’s only classes
• Graduated 146 women since 2012
• More than half are currently employed making average of $16.36 per hour
• 89% of women graduates were women of color
• Increased women student enrollment from 20% to 30%, and are planning to enroll 50% by 2016
• Semi-annual networking events
• Mentoring program to directly address the confidence gap
• A new advisory council to help us meet our goals (enrollment, awareness, employment, and hosting additional events) in partnership with the New York Women’s Foundation
• Endless inspiring success stories

How you can help

• Keep attending these events or host one of your own in NYC, D.C., Cincinnati, and Columbus – form a community
• Become a mentor
• Join our new advisory council
• Connect us to other community organizations so we may serve more women
• Contact Sara Barnaby to sign up and learn more

Our graduates and industry volunteers are an inspiration to making sure we meet our goals to empower many more women. We hope you will join us. Thanks to PIMCO for joining our effort as well as our anchor supporters New York Women’s Foundation, Fifth & Pacific Foundation, and SAP.