Gagen MacDonald Earns Certification as Women's Business Enterprise.

CHICAGO -- Chicago-based strategy execution and employee engagement firm, Gagen MacDonald LLC, announces it has been certified as a Women's Business Enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), based in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Women's Business Development Center, Chicago.

The certification earns Gagen MacDonald a credential that is nationally recognized among key decision makers in corporate supplier diversity and procurement. (The WBENC certification is acknowledged and accepted by over 700 major U.S. corporations and a number of federal and government agencies.)

"The WBENC certification helps open the door to business opportunity for women-owned organizations like Gagen MacDonald, allowing us to lend more of our diverse perspective, industry expertise and proven skills to the marketplace," said Maril MacDonald, president & CEO, Gagen MacDonald. "The credential is important for Gagen MacDonald as we seek to both model and foster business practices that help create multi-cultural, multi-ethnic business communities that mirror the diverse communities in which we live and work."

The criteria for the WBENC certification include: Fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women; proof of effective management of the business (operating position, by-laws, hiring and retention practices and other decision making policies); control of the business and other factors.

The WBENC, founded in 1997, is the nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations. It also is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States. WBENC works to foster diversity in the world of commerce with programs and policies designed to expand opportunities and eliminate barriers in the marketplace for women business owners.

For over 20 years, the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) has offered a full-service approach to launching emerging businesses and strengthening existing businesses owned by women in the Chicago area. Since its inception, the WBDC has been on the forefront of economic development policy and program development to strengthen and accelerate the growth of women owned businesses nationally.

Gagen MacDonald consults and partners with business leaders and their employees to drive business results. The firm has worked within a variety of Fortune 500 corporations including American Standard Companies, Baxter International, Inc., Coors Brewing Company, Exelon Enterprises, International Truck and Engine Corporation, Payless ShoeSource, Seyfarth Shaw LLP and United Airlines.

The firm received the Holmes Report's "Best Agency to Work for 2005." The Holmes Report is a leading public relations trade magazine which is widely recognized among industry professionals. Gagen MacDonald has received the award in this category for several consecutive years.

For more information about Gagen MacDonald, contact the firm at 312/640-9100 or visit the website, www.gagenmacdonald.com.