Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition Names Three New Directors to its Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Deanne Buck, Executive Director
513-202-6492
deanne@oiwc.org

Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition Names Three New Directors to its Board

BOULDER, CO (April 14, 2014) – The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC), the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to workplace equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Outdoor, Snow, Bike and Run Industries, is pleased to announce the addition of three new board members in 2014: Karen Bliss, Bobbie Parisi, and Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin. Recently retired from the board are Eryn Althouse, Megan Cunningham, Heather Eusebio, and Sarah Harper-Burke.

President Julie Harris welcomed these three accomplished leaders to the board, who commenced their initial three-year term at the beginning of 2014 saying, “each of these new board members bring unique and extraordinary talents and perspectives; this helps OIWC develop and maintain bold strategies for growing diversity and inclusion in significant ways throughout the industries. We are very excited to welcome Aparna, Bobbie, and Karen to the Board and look forward to continued growth through their contributions.”

Karen Bliss is the Vice President of Marketing for Advanced Sports International, parent company of Fuji, SE, Breezer, Kestrel and Oval Concepts brands. Prior to ASI, she was a professional bike racer earning the title “Winningest Female Racer in North America” after more than 15 years of international competition. Karen is an active member of the UCI Women’s Commission and the USAC Board’s Road and Women’s Committees. Karen lives in rural Bucks County, PA with her husband, Rob, and their beloved dog, Bella.

Bobbie Parisi comes to the OIWC board with more than 25 years of brand leadership experience. Currently the Global VP of Brand for Yakima Products, Inc., she is responsible for the global brand strategy, product category management and consumer marketing. Her past experience includes VP of Marketing at KEEN, Director of Marketing at Doc Martens, Nike and Jose Cuervo. Bobbie lives in Portland and is passionate about getting youth into the outdoors, mentoring professional women and loves to ski, hike and bike.

Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin is Diversity and Inclusion Manager and a wilderness educator at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Lander, WY. Aparna joined NOLS in 2010 after a 10-year career in law. In her current position, she is focused on broadening NOLS’ diversity and inclusion initiatives and has trained hundreds of people in the outdoor industry on inclusion and cultural competency. In 2011, she spearheaded the historic project, Expedition Denali which saw the first all-African American climbing team attempt to summit the peak.

About Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition
Founded in 1996, the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition is the only national organization dedicated to workplace diversity and inclusion by expanding opportunities for women and companies in the Outdoor, Snow, Run, and Bike Industries. The OIWC provides for professional development and women’s leadership programming that promotes women’s advancement. For our over 90 industry partners, OIWC is the trusted resource for best practices and industry models around workplace gender equity, respect, and inclusion. To learn more about OIWC and to become a new member or sponsor, visit oiwc.org. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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