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ACE<\/p>\nACE<\/p>\n
SAN DIEGO, CA<\/strong> – American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Women In Fitness Association (WIFA) reached a new milestone in their partnership with the launch of the WIFA Growth Grant, a scholarship that provides current ACE Certified Professionals the opportunity to build and grow their careers with a one-year WIFA membership.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Women in Fitness Association is proud to launch the WIFA growth grant as an actionable outcome of our partnership with ACE,\u201d said Lindsey Rainwater. \u201cWe believe that the opportunity to create a more diverse, inclusive and equitable industry is of paramount importance to the future.\u201d <\/p>\n Creating and supporting growth opportunities for women in the fitness industry is more important than ever. According to a recent report analyzing U.S. Census data, women make up 58% of the recreation and fitness workforce, but only earn 86 cents to every dollar earned by men in the same occupation. <\/p>\n Globally, women only make up 29% of senior leadership positions (e.g., CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CMO). In a sector in which women outpace men in health club memberships consumption, women should be equally represented to acknowledge and celebrate their contributions to the industry. WIFA and ACE believe this is possible through investing in women exercise professionals and health coaches. <\/p>\n \u201cACE believes in equitable opportunities for success in the fitness industry,\u201d said ACE Executive Vice President of Central Services Amanda Cass. \u201cOn behalf of the 50,000-plus ACE Certified Professionals who are women, ACE is honored to support the WIFA Growth Grant to set the stage for women in fitness to rise to their fullest leadership potential.\u201d <\/p>\n