PUBLIC relations executive Elizabeth Tee has been elected as the new president of the Bermuda chapter of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT).

Ms Tee, the managing director of Troncossi Public Relations, served as vice-president of OWIT from September 2004 to March 2005.

"I am delighted to have accepted this position," Ms Tee said.

"Over the next year we hope to expand our membership and continue to provide a forum for professional business women to exchange views and information and, of course, to network.

"With 48 per cent of women making up the working population in Bermuda, there is a large group of people on the island who I feel would find OWIT to be a tremendous resource."

Other members of the newly elected OWIT board include vice-president Betty Dale, who works in the Investment group of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, and director of membership Corinne Hewson, legal counsel and chief compliance officer at the Meridian Group.

Julie Hendrickson, an assistant vice-president at HSBC Premier, has been appointed OWIT secretary, while Faye Farley of Bermuda Media is the social chair.

OWIT Bermuda is a non-profit, registered professional business association dedicated to enhancing the status and interests of women in the field of international business and trade through a world-wide network of professional contacts.

The group provides a forum for the exchange of views, ideas and information to promote professional growth and to increase community awareness of the role of women in the global market.

OWIT Bermuda meets at 12.15 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

The next meeting will take place on May 19 when Gerald Simons, president and chief executive officer of The Argus Group, will speak.