For the first time in Interbike history, the bike industry will gather for an Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) Pioneering Woman and First Ascent Awards ceremony sponsored by Rodale, the parent company of Bicycling Magazine.

 

“Rodale Inc. and Bicycling Magazine are proud to join the OIWC in saluting women who are leaders in the bike industry,” said Bicycling Associate Publisher Molly O'Keefe.

This ceremony will be complemented by a keynote presentation featuring Patrick Cunnane, the president and CEO of Advanced Sports International. Cunnane, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News’ 2010 “Executive of the Year”, will share his experiences as he presents ‘Mind the Gap- What Does the Future of the Bike Industry Look Like?’
 
The event will take place Sept. 20, from 4-6 pm at the Sands Convention Center and all Interbike attendees are welcome to enjoy happy hour and help honor women in the bike industry. OIWC announced the winners of the awards earlier this week. They are:


  • Pioneering Woman Award: Nichole Perrin, Director of Retail Services, Specialized Bicycle Components
    This award honors women in the outdoor industry who have furthered the vision of the OIWC by demonstrating an outstanding commitment to mentoring female colleagues. The circumstances that brought Nichole Perrin to a career in cycling began with her passion for her work. But, while most people in the industry are fuelled by their love of cycling and working with like-minded people, it is Nichole’s love of design and shaping the retail experience that has paved her career path. Armed with a formal graphic design education, Nichole began her career with Chico, CA outdoor retailer Mountain Sports, where she discovered her connection with retail environments as the store’s apparel buyer and Visual Merchandiser. From there, she built an impressive portfolio of experience during the following 18 years which included roles as a Visual Merchandiser & Apparel Buyer with Telluride Sports and Visual Merchandiser at Patagonia.
  • First Ascent Award: Milay Galvez, Sponsorship Manager, Advanced Sports Inc.
    This award recognizes a woman new to the industry who demonstrates strong potential for leadership, and furthers the vision of OIWC by increasing visibility of talented young women at lower levels in an organization, thereby facilitating their leadership development on their journey to future leadership. Prior to joining ASI as Sponsorship Manager, Milay Galvez worked in Spain as a marketing coordinator for Fuji-sponsored pro teams GEOX-TMC and Diadora-Pasta Zara. Throughout the 2011 season, she worked with riders, consulting about product development, organizing sponsor events and managing communications. As ASI’s Sponsorship Manager, Milay serves as the key contact for all professional sponsorship needs – managing co-sponsor relationships, providing athlete support, supplying the teams and riders with all necessary product – and most importantly, gathering elite athlete input and reporting back to ASI headquarters. Additionally, Milay is the link between ASI’s Marketing Communications staff and the world of sponsorship and competition. Born in Cuba, Milay has a unique background with degrees in sociology, anthropology and social work from universities in three different countries – the University of Havana, the University of Buenos Aires and Temple University in Philadelphia (in progress).


Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC), a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, is a membership community of professionals in the outdoor, bike and snowsports industries. OIWC envisions a future of respect, inclusion and gender equality at every level in the workplace through advocacy, education and resources for women in the Outdoor, Bike and SnowSports Industries. To learn more about the OIWC online member community or to become a new member or sponsor, please
visit www.oiwc.org.