Vice president of the European Professional Women's Network

The European Professional Women’s Network (EuropeanPWN) is an organisation for professional women from all sectors with 3,500 members across 17 cities. The 86-member Nice Côte d’Azur branch, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and I spoke to Vice President Julia Haston about how it works.

DH: What’s the main focus of the network?

Julia: To support each other in our professional endeavours, focusing on contributing and participating.

DH: In practical terms how does this work?

Julia: Our members come mostly from the private sector, with roughly a 40:60 split between corporate and small business/independent/entrepreneurial origin. We hold events once a month with a speaker or panel. We also mentor i.e. share knowledge and experience for those members who feel that’s what they need.

DH: What sort of background do members have?

Julia: We’re all international in the sense that most speak at least two languages and have lived outside of France. The majority have a Master's Degree and the age range is currently between 30 and 50, with some younger and older members of course.

DH: What’s your background? Where are you from originally?

Julia: I grew up on a farm in Samlesbury in Lancashire and I went to university in Edinburgh.

DH: How long have you lived here and what do you think RLP lacks?

Julia: 20 years. I know my husband would say a municipal swimming pool, but I’m going to say another, bigger supermarket.

DH: What’s your favourite gadget, object or thing?

Julia: My favourite gadget is my slow-cooker. I can’t live without my laptop or some means of connecting to the Internet. That’s my favourite ‘thing’ – Facebook is my lifeline to the kids living abroad and the rest of my family. And it allows me to work from any place.

DH: Where would you love to go on holiday?

Julia: I’ve always wanted to go to the Himalayas, so next year my husband and I are planning to celebrate a certain wedding anniversary there on a “luxury” trekking trip.

DH: What’s coming up for the Nice branch this year?

Julia: The March meeting deals with Giving Feedback and Dealing with Emotions and it’s Nice’s honour to host all the European presidents from the local city networks, about 20 in all, this June. We’re also planning a big splash to celebrate our 10th anniversary. By the way, one of the founders, is a RLP resident as well!

DH: How can potential members find out more?

Julia: Some of our workshop and guest-speaker events are open to non-members. They can simply check our website at www.EuropeanPWN-Nice.net