Professional Women in Pest Management
The Professional Women in Pest Management (PWIPM) is an affiliate group of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) whose mission is to attract, develop and support women in the pest management industry through educational programs, resources, and peer networking.
Each year, PWIPM:
- Hosts professional development sessions and networking events at NPMA's Legislative Day, Academy, and Pestworld;
- Awards professional empowerment grants;
- Recognizes an industry leader through the Women of Excellence Award;
- Raises money for a charity at the PestWorld 5k; and
- Empowers states to start local networks
PWIPM is sponsored by
Want to Get Involved?
NPMA welcomes all members to join volunteer councils and committees. A call for volunteers for the 2025-2026 volunteer year will be opening in the coming months.
Sheila Haddad
Bell Labs, Inc.
Windsor, WI United States
Mickey Thomas
Arrow Exterminators
Atlanta, GA United States
Karen Furgiuele-Percy
Gardex Chemicals Ltd
Etobicoke, ON Canada
Allison T Allen, BCE
National Pest Management Association
Fairfax, VA United States
Julie Marquardt
Ecolab
St. Paul, MN United States
Sara Cromwell
Abell Pest Control
Etobicoke, ON Canada
Suzy Rayner
Valkyrie Pest Solutions
Arnes, MB Canada
Paula Alves
WorkWave
Holmdel, NJ United States
Jacqueline Bell
Envu
Gilbert, AZ United States
Sheri Cunningham
MGK
Minneapolis, MN United States
Angie Davis
Massey Services, Inc.
Orlando, FL United States
April Ernest
Corteva Agriscience
Indianapolis, IN United States
Jennifer Fox, ACE
Rentokil Terminix
Memphis, TN United States
Leigh Fryxell
Anticimex
Marshfield, MA United States
Suzanne Graham
Massey Services, Inc.
Orlando, FL United States
Shannon Harlow-Ellis, Ace
Mosquito Joe
Virginia Beach, VA United States
Sara Hartle
FieldRoutes
McKinney, TX United States
Chelle Hartzer
360 Pest and Food Safety Consulting
Lawrenceville, GA United States
Caitlin Justice
B. O. G. Pest Control
Edgewater, MD United States
Susan Manning
Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC
Greensboro, NC United States
Melanie Matthews
Modern Exterminating Co., Inc.
Columbia, SC United States
Emma Neff
Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions
St Louis, MO United States
Natasha Oldham
MissQuito
Marietta, GA United States
Ashley Ortogero
Kilauea Pest Control
Kailua, HI United States
Eve Pappas
Hoffman's Exterminating Co., Inc.
Mantua, NJ United States
Angie Persinger
Rose Pest Solutions
Northfield, IL United States
Layne Salvant
The Bug Man, Inc
Baton Rouge, LA United States
Sara Thibadeau
BirdBuffer LLC
Mukilteo, WA United States
Britta Turney
Syngenta
Windermere, FL United States
Kim Woodland
ABC Home & Commercial Services of Austin
Austin, TX United States
NPMA’s PWIPM Council is encouraging each local network to host a “PWIPM Steps of Hope” charity fun walk/run between September 2023 and September 2024.
Each network is encouraged to select a charity that supports victims of domestic violence or human trafficking. The PWIPM Council will gather all of the stories of success tagged with #PWIPMStepsofHope throughout the year and share them at PestWorld 2024 in Denver.
Scheduled Events
- September 2023
- 23rd: Connecticut raised $3,500 for Safe Haven
- January 2024
- 20th: AZ raised $3,112 towards Phoenix Dream Center to stop human trafficking
- April
- 7th: Delaware
- 20th: Montgomery Alabama for Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Charities
- National: Safe House Project
(If you would like to select Safe House Project as your network's charity, please contact Forshaw, they have built a kit specifically for Steps of Hope and work with this charity).
How to Host an Event
Gain Support
- Reach out to your governing body (your state/provincial/country pest management association) to ensure support. Ideally, they help you run registration, manage the money, promote the event, and engage everyone who participates in the association
- Establish a planning group of 3-4 individuals
- Develop a budget. Consider the following:
- Income
- Registration
- Sponsors
- Support from your state association
- Proceeds from a raffle/selling items
- Expenses
- Shirts/medals
- Donation to the Charity
- Permit
- Marketing
- Water & snacks for day-of
- Items for a raffle/to sell
- Income
- Identify and reach out to your chosen charity (Domestic Violence or Human Trafficking) (they can help you promote!)
- Get donations/sponsors
- Figure out how you will collect money and where you will direct people who want to register.
- Pick the location and see if you need a permit (view example from CT). You can call your city or town’s park and rec for recommendations if you’re uncertain. If you cross any street or intersection the town might require you to hire a police officer for the time of the walk at the street crossing.
- Test the route to make sure it’s a complete 5K, you might have a runner that keeps track. Although this is a casual event and you aren't doing official timing, you don’t want to be too short or too much over.
- Order any branded items you want to have at the event
Get the Word Out
- E-mail pwipm@pestworld.org and complete an Industry Events Calendar request to get your event added
- Use the social share kit to promote your event. We recommend calling it a "Fun Walk/Run" and encourage people to come and do it casually. Make it kid and pet friendly if the location is appropriate.
- Promote it via your local association
- Ask local distributors to promote it
- Reach out to local media to see if they want to cover your event
Run the Event
- Morning-of Shopping/Packing List
- Water
- Coffee
- Donuts
- Ribbon & Scissors for the star/finish line (optional)
- 2 tables (one table for registration and one table for raffle prizes / donations if any)
- Signs:
- Name of the event and any sponsor logos
- Arrows and mile markers (can also use cones/chalk).
- One specially to point out the location of the restroom if not obvious.
- Volunteer Spots
- 2 People for Registration (Have someone arrive 30 min prior to the walk to set up the tables and any signage for the walk.)
- 1 Person at a far point on the route
- 1 Person to be sweep on the route
- Post pictures to social media using #PWIPMStepsofHope
- Take a picture of the start
- Take a picture of the group
- Waiver & Sign In (Download a sign in template)
- Name
- E-mail Address
- Opt-in to Receiving PWIPM Communications
- Company (if pest management industry)
- When walkers arrive, direct them to registration and talk about our mission and talk up the causes we are walking for.
- When everyone finishes the walk, keep everyone together give out water, coffee etc. and when the last one finishes the walk/run hand out a medal and put it on each person, child, and pet!!
- If you have a raffle, pull the ticket
Maximize the Impact
- E-mail the registration list to pwipm@pestworld.org to add people to the PWIPM network (those who opted-in)
- Let pwipm@pestworld.org know how much you raised so we can update the site
- Pay the bills
- Deliver the money to the charity, take a picture & post to social media using #PWIPMStepsofHope
- Send a press release about the event and how much money was raised
Get involved with PWIPM in your local area. Contact information for local chapters is listed by state or area below.
How to Lead a Local Network
Starting & Running a PWIPM Local Network
Interested in starting a local network? We recommend watch this video of PWIPM Local Network leaders sharing their advice. The discussion covers:
- How did you get started?
- Describe your first event
- Describe your most successful/favorite event so far.
- How often do you meet to plan stuff?
- How do you handle the finance side of your network?
- How do you communicate with folks and get the word out about your events?
- What’s a hurdle you’ve had to overcome and how did you do it?
- Any other advice for someone getting started?
1. Express your interest in starting a local chapter
If your state isn't listed and you're interested in getting something started, e-mail pwipm@pestworld.org. We will connect you with anyone else who is interested in your state. Any female in the pest control industry including supporting services and vendors qualifies to start a local chapter. Your company just has to be a member of the National Pest Management Association and your State Pest Management Association. The mission of the PWIPM is to support women in the pest management industry by promoting professional development, through educational programs, financial scholarships and peer networking. We appreciate your involvement!
Don't be intimidated, a local networking event can be as simple as bringing a group of women together at a coffee shop. Talk to your state pest management association for ideas on how PWIPM could help engage and grow membership.
State network leaders get together via conference call quarterly to share success stories and swap ideas. We will add you to the calendar event for this call. All state network leaders come together on a conference call on the 3rd Thursday every 3 months at 4pm Eastern (June, September, December, and March). Even if you haven't held an event yet, you are welcome!
2. Communicate with participating PCOs in your area
Gauge the interest by sending an e-mail to your state association membership and those who have expressed interest in PWIPM in your area.
E-mail your state association's executive director and ask them to help you spread the word. Associations don't give away membership lists, but may be willing to send a communication on your behalf via e-mail and in newsletters. Also reach out to industry vendors; other associations active in your area (lawn, mosquito, etc.); schools & universities with an entomology, biology, zoology, agriculture or related programs of interest; health departments with vector control; school districts' STEM programs, etc..
The PWIPM staff liaison at NPMA can send your communication to those in your state who have expressed interest in PWIPM by selecting "Women in Pest Control" as a topic of interest on their NPMA profile.
PWIPM can be a gateway to bringing in new members to both our state and national associations, so we encourage you to work closely with your association and communicate the benefits of membership to non-members at your local network events.
3. Get a Logo
Contact pwipm@pestworld.org and get yourself a logo. All local network logos incorporate the national PWIPM logo, with a regional notation. Use the logo on your promotions and anywhere you see fit.
4. Find Funding
Local networks usually need funding for two things:
- To put together a PWIPM booth display including a custom tablecloth, flyers, a banner, etc.
- To pay for food / events
The easiest thing is to act as a committee within your state association and be a part of the annual budget.
Outside of or in addition to this, the most common sources are:
- Have a company sponsor the event.
- Charge attendees so the event breaks even.
- Find a sponsor for the event. Vendors can also be helpful in promoting the event.
- Apply for a $500 grant from the PWIPM national council: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWIPMLocalGrant
5. Host Events
When you have the event details ready, make sure you state association leaders and NPMA know. They can help you promote your event by e-mailing members, posting an event to facebook, and listing your event on the industry events calendar.
Here are some ideas for events, but more are shared on the local networks quarterly call:
- Meet & Greets at state training sessions and meetings
- International Women's Day (March 8th)
- Recurring section in trade and state association newsletters and e-zines
- Charity events with proceeds going to PWIPM type charities
- Wine & Art parties
- Color Runs
- Enrolling a group in an already existing charity event to support your local communities
- Coordinating with Girl Scouts to help a group get their bugs and insects badge.
To keep the network growing, we need to maintain a complete list of women who are interested. After your event, send your attendee info to pwipm@pestworld.org. Name, Company & E-mail address for each attendee.
Canada
Contact Kaija Saarinen and we will notify you when local events are happening.
There is a PWIPM networking reception each year at Pest Management Canada.
Pakistan
Contact Ayesha Azam and we will notify you when local events are happening.
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Philippines
Contact Caren Baisas and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Alabama
Contact Faye Golden or Kristiana Illies and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Follow us on Facebook
Arizona
Contact Ruth Leo or Dawn Aguayo and we will notify you when local events are happening.
California
Contact Sarah Conrad and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Learn more on the PCOC website
Connecticut
Contact Sheila Haddad and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Follow us on Facebook
Delaware, Southern New Jersey, & Eastern Pennsylvania
Contact Eve Pappas, Lisa DiDomenico, Dawn Hill-Hoffman, Stacey Wallrath, or Samantha Forrest and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Florida
Contact Sheri Cunningham and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Georgia
Contact Shay Runion and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Hawaii
Contact Ashley Ortogero and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Join our Facebook group
Illinois
Contact Pat Hottel or Robiar Smith and we will notify you when local events are happening!
Indiana
Contact Sarah Wenger or Danielle Hardin and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Kansas
Contact Shonda Meitler and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Louisiana
Contact Layne Salvant and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Michigan
Contact Pam Blauvelt and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Minnesota
Contact Julie Baskerville or Andrea Guy and we will notify you when local events are happening.
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New England
Contact Marillian Missiti and we will notify you when local events are happening.
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New Jersey
New York
Contact Harriet Schary and we will notify you when local events are happening.
New York West
Contact Audrey Hall and we will notify you when local events are happening.
North Carolina
Contact Marie Horner or Maria Miller and we will notify you when local events are happening!
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Ohio
Contact Adrian Culpepper or Kristen Peregoy and well will notify you when local events are happening.
Oklahoma
Contact Katherine Brush and we will notify you when local events are happening.
South Carolina
Contact Melanie Mathews or Beth Warren and we will notify you when local events are happening.
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Tennessee
Contact Erin Richardson, Jill Brindle, or Maria Pallotta and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Learn more on the TPCA website
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Texas
Contact Janet Hurley, Danielle Wallace, or Betty Thorton and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Virginia
Contact Andrea Coron or Shannon Harlow-Ellis and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Washington
Contact Samantha Malone and we will notify you when local events are happening.
Follow us on Facebook
We have a monthly virtual meeting on the third Wednesday of each month.
Wisconsin
Contact Breanna Neerland and we will notify you when local events are happening.
