January 10, 2008
Professional Bank Launches
Park Cities-Area Women in Business

The Park Cities-area Women in Business (PCWIB) kickoff party will take place January 15. PCWIB is a community program providing a peer network for executive women or business owners in the Park Cities area. PCWIB is free to participants and sponsored by Professional Bank as part of its "good neighbors" commitment to the community and dedication to the assistance of small businesses. 

The group's objectives include networking through monthly meetings, supporting fellow businesswomen, providing educational opportunities and informative resources, as well as mentoring of future "women in business" via internships for college-aged women. Membership also includes monthly newsletters featuring invitations for social events, job postings, a "Charity of the Month" highlight, member profiles and links to resources for women in business.

Ten women came together as a founding group to create the program's mission and objectives. From there, they went to work on identifying and inviting fellow women business professionals to join.  The following women are the PCWIB founders:

Carla Calabrese
Owner, Calabrese Associates, PC;
Founder, Hope International Adoption & Humanitarian Aid Agency

Lori Eddleman
Owner, Three Designing Women

Darlene Doxey Ellison
Business Development Officer, Professional Bank

Marcia Gorczyca
Owner, Bicycles Plus

Donna Harris
Owner, Donna Harris Company

Jody Johnson
Partner, Allison & Johnson, LLP

Sandhya Karachiwala
Investor, Eileen Kelley, LTD

Jan Peterson
Executive Director, Highland Park Education Foundation

Dr. Deborah Price
Owner, Hearing Professional Center

Barbara Rader
Owner, Evanesque Med Spa

The kickoff party will take place 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at Professional Bank Park Cities, 7001 Preston Road, suite 100. It will be a social format with a brief presentation. Appetizers and wine will be provided, along with door prizes and a business card table.

Professional Bank has been serving the Park Cities community for over two years and has recently relocated to the former Linen Gallery space at Lovers Lane and Preston Road. Locally owned and managed, Professional Bank is a full-service bank, founded in 2004 by 47 area families with the goal of providing personalized, community banking services. Now with banking centers in University Park, Lakewood and Garland, Professional Bank offers state-of-the-art technology, a hometown atmosphere and a totally new experience in banking. For specific information regarding Park Cities-area Women in Business, contact Darlene Doxey Ellison at dellison@professionalbankna.com.