Franchise Business Review President and COO recognized by the Women’s Franchise Committee for extraordinary leadership

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 26, 2023 – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today honored Michelle Monroe Rowan, CFE, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Franchise Business Review, with the Crystal Compass Award. The Crystal Compass is given annually by the IFA Women’s Franchise Committee to an individual who has made significant contributions through leadership within their franchise organization, the franchise community, or the community in which they live.

“Michelle has undoubtedly made her mark on franchising with her leadership and dedication to strengthening the sector,” said IFA President and CEO Matt Haller. “From her work at Franchise Business Review supporting the business model, to her leadership roles within IFA, Michelle has been a stalwart of the franchising community for nearly 20 years.”

Michelle Rowan is the current President and Chief Operating Officer of Franchise Business Review where she actively builds partnerships across the franchise industry to help promote best practices and quality relationships between franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers. Rowan is a Certified Franchise Executive and served as chair of the IFA Women’s Franchise Committee. She currently sits on the IFA Supplier Forum Board and the Board of the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville.

The Crystal Compass Award was established in 2001 and was presented at the Annual Leadership Conference at the 63rd IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

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Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.