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Founded in March, 2004 in Portland, OR., The Link For Women, LLC (The Link) is a Northwest-based community of women and men, that support women to reach their own full potential. The Link connects and mentors women from many walks of life by providing executive consulting, coaching, multi-day seminars and events that provide knowledge to make informed decisions and inspiration to think beyond in a safe, relaxed environment with no expectations.
As defined by the CEO and founder, Cindy Tortorici, the following issues run true for women in their personal and professional experiences:
- Women want to connect with other stimulating women who provide insights through the successes and roadblocks of their lives.
- There is no equivalent to the “Old Boys” network for women.
- Women crave mentorship and a network of peers.
- It is difficult to search for experts to acquire information for seamless change, knowledge and personal growth.
- In a safe, supportive atmosphere, women are more likely to investigate new ideas and topics.
- There are fantastic women in the Northwest who deserve to be spotlighted as role models.
The Link was created as a response to these issues and ideas.
The Link provides an opportunity to connect with remarkable women and talented experts who want to share their experiences and knowledge. It offers programs that encourage creativity and curiosity, and teach real-life skills. The Link connects its members with a community of women (and men) who can provide support and resources for both career and personal growth.
Companies and individuals benefit from customized consulting, coaching and multi-day seminars by a cutting edge team of experts who support women to identify and reach their goals. Clients have included Fortune 500 companies, professional firms (law firms, CPA firms), and senior executives working to flourish in their "Seat at the Table'.
The monthly events draw speakers like former Hewlett-Packard CEO, Carly Fiorina; Oxygen Media Chairman and CEO, Geraldine Laybourne; career strategist, Carol Hyatt and Portland General Electric CEO, Peggy Fowler, to name a few. More than 250 women executives, leaders, visionaries, philanthropists and moms pay annual dues and monthly event fees to gain access to The Link’s network. In 2006, The Link expanded the community of women and men who support women from the Portland, Oregon base to Seattle to create a strong synergy throughout the Northwest.
The Link is a way to celebrate what we’ve achieved in life, and where we’re going. In an article in Town and Country magazine (January, 2004), author Anne Taylor Fleming captured this sentiment perfectly: “There’s a definite, if unstated, celebratory thrill to our camaraderie, a shared sense of the sweetness of the moment and the dues paid to get here.”
About the Team
Cindy Tortorici, CEO/President
Throughout her 25-year career as a business strategist, merchandising expert and executive for some of America’s most respected brands, Cindy Tortorici has shared with others her passion for excellence, teambuilding and business results.
A recognized leader in the retail/wholesale industry, most notably with Saks Fifth Avenue and Nike, Inc., Cindy’s focus on merchandising began with her first job, selling blue jeans in her hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Retail from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Cindy’s professional career began at Famous-Barr Department Store in St. Louis, Missouri and became a Buyer of Junior Sportswear.
In 1983, Cindy moved to Chicago where she joined Saks Fifth Avenue as Assistant General Manager, Merchandising. In 1990, as the Director of Merchandising, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Texas, Cindy moved to Portland to open Saks Fifth Avenue’s first store in the Northwest as General Manager. As the key leader for Saks in Portland, Cindy built strong relationships with local media, civic and charity organizations. She managed a staff of 250 and grew the organization from a standing start to sales measured in the tens of millions per year. The store exceeded benchmarks for revenues per square foot that rivaled local favorite, Nordstrom.
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n 1992, Cindy was recruited to join Nike, Inc. During her 11 years at Nike, Cindy held a variety of corporate sales and marketing positions, working with the country's top retailers and some of the most talented athletes of our time. As her career developed at Nike, she was put in charge of brand management at retail. As Director of U.S. Space Management and Director of Marketing and Merchandising for Department Stores, all permanent space at major retailers came under Cindy’s responsibility.
After leaving Nike in 2003 to find her own muse, Cindy created The Link For Women, LLC to provide resources to support women to flourish personally and professionally. Cindy is an executive consultant and personal coach specializing in combining your passion and purpose with a plan to get results.
Cindy's passionate about giving back! Her most recent civic contributions include a trustee of Oregon Ballet Theatre from 1992 - 1998 and 2000 - 2004. She was a trustee of Girls Inc. of NW Oregon from 2004-2008. She is an advocate for women’s health via support for the American Heart Association and OHSU Center for Women's Health. The Link supports non profits that encourage young girls and women to flourish to include Girls Inc. and Seattle Girl's School.
Cindy was named "One of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Town" by the NW Women's Journal in 2007 and in 2008, Cindy was honored as the "Volunteer of the Year" for Girls Inc. of NW Oregon. She has been married for 14 years to John and has two beautiful stepdaughters, Beth (married to Laurent Beuchotte) and Jayme. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, golf, travel to Italy and her family’s vacation home in La Quinta, California.
Kathy Zettl-Schaffer, Project Manager
Kathy joined The Link in February 2008 as the Portland Project Coordinator.
Do what you love, love what you do, and love where you live! That’s the mantra that Kathy fulfilled in the summer of 2007 when she and her husband uprooted their family and relocated to Portland from the Washington, DC metro area. The move has realigned priorities that had gone astray, reshifting focus on things that are important and enjoying all the beautiful things life has to offer.
After completing a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and an MBA in Information Technology from American University, Kathy had the opportunity to collaborate on several joint replacement research studies. She also contributed to the fruition of the global software development concept. She has published and presented her research studies in several peer-reviewed medical journals, collaborated on a research study with Harvard medical school and assisted with research that resulted in the publication of a book on global software development.
12 years ago Kathy made the choice to put her professional career on hiatus in order to experience the day-to-day joy and laughter as a stay-at-home mom! She has committed many volunteer hours in the classroom and in the community, mentoring to young girls who have an interest in engineering, technology or the arts. Kathy served on the Advisory Council at two newly opened elementary schools in Virginia, developing enrichment activities for after-school programs. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Lake Manassas Swim Team and was offered a position on the Board with the Fauquier Community Theater.
In her spare time, Kathy enjoys participating in community theater and was thrilled at the opportunity to perform on stage. In her inaugural performance in 2006, she finally got the chance to lie down in her portrayal of a dead body! Within a few months, Kathy was the Producer of an award-nominated play and later branched into film, where she was the production assistant on a 24-hour film project.
Kathy is passionate about her interests—her family, the symphony, the Dallas Cowboys and backpacking (she’s hiked the Appalachian Trail in 8 states). She has been married for 17 years to Matthew, her adoring and supportive college sweetheart. They are proud parents of 3 wonderful sons, a beautiful daughter and 2 kittens.
The Link for Women, LLC
13500 SW Pacific Hwy., Suite 121
Tigard, OR 97223
503.709.8041 Portland
503.590.1746 fax
cindy@thelinkforwomen.com
kathy@thelinkforwomen.com
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