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The Women's Connection gets new executive director

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By John Willard | Monday, August 14, 2006 12:13 PM CDT | () comments

Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES Colleen Rafferty is the new executive director of The Women’s Connection.

Colleen Rafferty is taking her 20 years experience as a small business owner, hospital marketing manager and advertising agency account executive in a new direction.

She recently was appointed the executive director of The Women’s Connection, the Quad-Cities’ largest women’s organization.

Satisfied with running her own marketing company, she had not actively sought the job. But she was encouraged to apply, and she accepted the offer.

“I saw an opportunity to work with women who are very passionate about helping other women,” she said.

Rondi Doyle, the president of The Women’s Connection board of directors, is happy to have Rafferty on the team.

“She brings intelligence, ambition and a sharp focus on where we want to go and what we need to do to get there. Her emphasis is on making sure that the members get the most value from their membership,” Doyle said.

Sponsored by Royal Neighbors of America and Trinity Regional Health System, The Women’s Connection has a stated mission “to support and enhance the physical, social and financial well-being of women by offering innovative, quality programs and information services.”

Members hear from a variety of speakers as they gather to network, learn and develop professional and personal relationships. Michele Griswell, a nationally recognized philanthropist, is the speaker at the organization’s next meeting at noon Aug. 24 at the Arsenal Golf Club.

The ability to network and to hear from quality speakers is one of the reasons why women join The Women’s Connection, Rafferty said. “Our programs have been very good, and they can even be better,” she said.

Another of her goals is achieving a more diverse membership. “Improving our age and ethnic diversity is a real priority for me. We have something that can benefit all women, and we will be a stronger organization if we can enhance our diversity.”

She also wants to boost the identity of the organization. “I want to raise awareness so that more women can benefit,” she said.

While many of the organization’s 500 members are executives, professionals and entrepreneurs, all women wanting to learn, grow and network are welcome, she said.

Rafferty, 43, the fourth of five children of Joyce and Joe Carlin, of Carlin Automation Inc., Rock Island, graduated from Alleman High School and earned a degree in journalism and graphic design at the University of Iowa. She moved to Chicago to work as a communications specialist for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and later as an assistant account executive at Golin/Harris Communications, where she worked with such clients as Midas Muffler and Pearle Health Services.

Marriage brought her back to the Quad-Cities, where she has directed public relations at WarrenAnderson Advertising and Public Relations, helped launch the Quad-City office of Henry Russell Bruce and co-managed marketing and public relations at Genesis Health System. As the owner of Rafferty Marketing, she has represented clients in such areas as health care, finance and economic development.

She and her husband of 17 years, Kevin, a partner in DeRoo Funeral Home, have four children ranging in age from 15 to 3. She enjoys playing golf and tending the gardens at her home in Moline’s Morgan Park neighborhood.

Her approach to life is simple. “Work hard, pray hard and be open to God’s plan”

John Willard can be contacted at (563) 383-2314 or jwillard@qctimes.com.