Clemson Alumna Gives $25,000 to Women’s Leadership Programs

April 29, 2009

Gift matched by employer Sherwin-Williams

CLEMSON, SC – April 29, 2009 — Clemson University alumna Cheri Dunmore Phyfer of Dallas, Texas, an executive for Sherwin-Williams, has given $25,000 to support the Women’s Leadership Initiative in Clemson’s Division of Student Affairs. Sherwin-Williams is matching her gift with a $25,000 contribution, meaning a total of $50,000 will be given over a five-year period.

The money will be used to support existing and new women’s leadership programs, including the Food for Thought monthly luncheon series and the annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

Food for Thought luncheons happen on the first Tuesday of every month. Each luncheon features a woman keynote speaker discussing her accomplishments, obstacles, professional endeavors and the development of life skills such as balance, ethical decision-making and civic engagement. The Women’s Leadership Conference is a one-day event that includes both professional presentations and workshops designed to increase awareness about leadership and its role in the life of a woman.

“Sixteen years ago when I was a student at Clemson there was not a women’s leadership program,” Phyfer said. “I want to support programs that build confidence and leadership skills young women will need as they enter the work force. As a Sherwin-Williams leader I can tell you our company is passionate about women in business.”

Joy Smith, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Clemson, said she remembers Phyfer as an outstanding student.

“I had no doubt that Cheri would be successful with Sherwin-Williams, and I have watched her career soar with great pride,” Smith said. “As a wife, mother and successful career woman, Cheri has plenty of other things she could be doing with her time and resources. But she has chosen to focus on Clemson and to make this special gift so that women at Clemson develop as agents of positive change and ethical leaders, just as she has.”

Phyfer graduated from Clemson in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in management and in 1999 with a master’s in business administration. She is the president and general manager of the Southwestern Division of Sherwin-Williams, a 12-state region in the southwestern United States and Hawaii that includes 800 stores, 350 sales representatives and 4,000 employees.

“It is great when your company matches a gift like this,” she said. “Sherwin-Williams is committed to a culture of diversity. Our Management Training Program has mentored many of our top leaders, including myself. Sherwin-Williams has a great relationship with Clemson and has benefited from recruiting many Clemson graduates. I am happy that we are jointly supporting programs that will help students.”

 

Sherwin-Williams’ Diversity Commitment
Christopher M. Connor, chairman and CEO

As our Guiding Values state, People represent the foundation and future of our success. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that can best serve the ever-changing landscape of our customer base, and believe this focus is essential to the future of the Sherwin-Williams Company.

Sherwin-Williams has always been a leader and innovator in our industry and it is due in large part to the diversity of our employees.  Since 1866, our company has been comprised of a proud group of men and women with varying heritage and beliefs.  As a result of this diversity, each individual brings to the Company different ideas, talents, experiences and perspectives that contribute to the common goal of making this Company successful. For more, visit http://www.sherwin-williams.com/about/careers/culture/diversity/index.jsp

Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers.

The company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams®, Dutch Boy®, Krylon®, Minwax®, Thompson’s® WaterSeal® and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams® branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 3,300 company-operated stores and facilities, while the company’s other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors.

The Sherwin-Williams Global Finishes Group distributes a wide range of products in more than 30 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.sherwin.com.