WISE - About Us

WISE^®
Women Investing In Security and Education^®

Wise Board 2005

OUR MISSION:

The Vision of WISE, Women Investing In Security and Education®, a 501(c)(3) philanthropic educational organization, is to facilitate the financial education of all women and girls so they may:

acquire skills, tools and the mindset to improve their financial status

network with other women with similar financial needs and goals, and

secure their personal financial freedom

The Mission of WISE, Women Investing In Security and Education®, is to provide opportunities and expertise for the financial education of women in a friendly and non-intimidating environment.

WISE provides varying venues to accomplish financial education from basic finances and thrift concepts to more sophisticated money management.

Working closely with women, WISE provides classes, seminars, interest groups, and conferences to address those areas of financial education most pertinent to women and girls at all income levels.

WISE is guided by the general principals of volunteerism: giving of self without personal gain or profit. We strive to ensure professionalism, integrity, quality, and confidentiality in an environment where participants gain understanding and secure their personal financial future.

The chairman and founder, Dr. Helen M. Olson, has over thirty years of philanthropic and professional project management experience. Incorporated in 2000, over 200 volunteers and supporters have actively participated. For a list of the Board of Directors, click here.

ACTIVITIES:

In addition to sponsoring the Invest in Yourself Conference, WISE, working closely with women, sponsors seminars, classes, and interest groups on financial matters. WISE has recently organized a teen program designed to inspire the financial education of teens and pre-teens.

The Invest in Yourself conference committee is organizing the Invest In Yourself: 10th Annual Financial Strategies Conference for Women to provide the best and most timely financial education for women. The conference will be held Saturday, September 13, 2008, from 8AM - 4:30PM. We invite you to attend the conference and to review the conference website. You'll want to register early and get a discount. You'll also want friends to join you. If you belong to an investment club, invite your fellow members; it's more fun to come together.

WISE is a group of volunteer women very much like you. Some work full time, some part time, some are stay-at-home Moms, some are retired. The unifying theme is that we are dedicated to providing women with an opportunity to learn in a friendly and non-intimidating environment.

Proceeds from our programs are donated to local charities whose purpose is to enrich the lives of women through support and education. As you browse through the next pages, you'll find information about our mission, the programs, the committee, how you can get involved by sponsoring or exhibiting or just helping (we need volunteers for many of our programs), and how to contact us to register for seminars, classes, or conferences.

HISTORY:

In 1997, perceiving a need, a group of 15 women gathered to plan a conference named "Invest in Yourself: Investment Strategies for Women" expecting attendance of some 200-250 women. Limited only by the facilities, 500 women attended. The overwhelming success of the conference clearly illustrated the need to provide financial education for women in a friendly and non-threatening atmosphere. In 1998, 1999, and 2000, the conferences continued successfully with the added benefit that unexpected proceeds from the conference were donated to philanthropic groups serving women and young girls worldwide such as girls inc., Working Wardrobes Inc, and Women of Vision. In fact, we were able to "gain and give".

Many additional women asked to serve on the Conference committee, women volunteered to assist on the day of the conference, women made requests for additional educational opportunities in expanded geographic areas. At the same time, a vision was formed. A vision of a larger, more-encompassing philanthropic organization was shaped leading to the founding of Women Investing in Security and Education.

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For more information, please contact

Helen Olson, Ph.D.
(949) 588-2429

or write

Helen Olson, WISE Chairman
PMB301 5404 Alton Parkway, 5-A
Irvine, CA 92604-3718

or email question@wiseinvestors.org