From left to right, the event sponsor Patrick Perus (Polycor) with members of the WIS Steering Committee: Allyson Humphries (Walker Zanger), Brie Pfannenbecker (Connecticut Stone Supplies), Kathy Spanier (Coldspring), Kathleen Carle (J.C. Stone), Tiffany Aryeh (Amalfi Stone & Masonry), and Kim Dumais (Miller Druck Specialty Contracting). Not Pictured: Diane Bridges (Pacific Shore Stones) and Jennifer Sayles (TexaStone Quarries).

The Marble Institute of America (MIA) hosted the first gathering of its new Women in Stone group during Coverings, held in Las Vegas April 29 to May 2.

This networking reception was sponsored by Polycor, while the overall initiative is also being supported by Blick Industries, Hanley Wood, OHM International, Rock of Ages, Polycor and TexaStone Quarries. The purpose of the Women in Stone group is to retain and advance women who have chosen a career in the stone industry, as well as to recruit new women into our industry by increasing the number of networking opportunities available to women, expanding on existing educational offerings creating opportunities to serve on key industry committees and more.

Co-chair Brie Pfannenbecker of Connecticut Stone Supplies said, “The Women in Stone launch was a tremendous success! Out of all of the wonderful happenings at Coverings, the Women in Stone event is the one I have talked about the most since returning home.”

Coldspring’s Kathy Spanier discussed the long term effects of this effort, “This is an exciting initiative that has lots of positive energy and momentum to become a resource for women to broaden perspective (personal) through meaningful strategic connections at any level of their career so they can reach their full potential and accelerate or enhance their career growth."

“There is beauty in a woman whose confidence comes from experience, a woman who knows she can fall & pick herself up. The quiet confidence of the over 60 women who attended the MIA- WIS Event was inspiring. I am so eager to keep up the momentum & engage other women in our industry," said Allyson Humphries of Walker Zanger.

The next face-to-face Women in Stone event is set for StonExpo East in Miami on Oct.19. To learn more about this initiative, visit marble-institute.com/womeninstone.