FLORINE MARK

As President and Chairman of the Board of The WW Group, Inc., Florine Mark uses her influence, energy and resources to improve the lives of others.  A multifaceted entrepreneur, media personality and author, Florine is the largest franchise holder of Weight Watchers International, currently operating Weight Watchers meetings in regions throughout Southeast Michigan and Ontario. 

Florine comes from modest beginnings, having built her internationally recognized weight loss enterprise from the ground up.  Perhaps the most telling story of her success in the business arena was when Weight Watchers International acquired a majority of her franchises in regions throughout the Midwest, East Coast and Mexico in early 2003.   

In addition to running a successful business for over 30 years, Florine has left an indelible mark on communities, both regional and national, contributing to women’s, health and cultural issues. The American Heart Association, Hunger Action Coalition of Michigan, Governor’s Council on Fitness, Detroit Institute for Children, Detroit Renaissance and Seeds of Peace are among the many civic organizations that gain from her guidance as board member, advisor and advocate. 

Affiliated with some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, she serves on The Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, advancing women in the U.S. and globally in leadership and public policy; and she actively led a three-year term as chairperson for the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

A highly sought-out motivational speaker, Florine appears regularly to public and private groups across the country, including the National Association of Women Business Owners, Wayne State University, St. John, Hutzel and Beaumont Hospitals, The American Cancer Society, and numerous business, health and wellness organizations.

Uniquely recognizing the accomplishments of women, she hosts her own Sunday morning radio show called “Remarkable Woman” spotlighting extraordinary women and their impact on society; and sponsors its annual fundraiser to advance research in women’s medicine.  She also appears weekly on a WXYZ news segment “Ask Florine,” and has just written her first book titled “Talk to the Mirror,” an empowering guide for women.

Not surprisingly, Florine’s illustrious career is filled with multiple awards, including the 2003 Entrepreneurial Visionary Award from the Women’s Business Center in Washington, DC; Crain’s Detroit Business 100 Most Influential Women in Detroit in 2002; and the Euro-American Woman’s Council Artemis Award in Greece and Heroes of Breast Cancer Award of Leadership in 2000. Especially memorable for Florine was being honored in Monaco as one of STAR Group’s 50 Leading Female Entrepreneurs in the World in 1999. 

A gifted motivational speaker – an accomplished entrepreneur – a devoted humanitarian, Florine’s most precious time is spent with her family – to whom she is utterly dedicated.  A recent widow to her loving husband Dr. William Ross, her five children and 19 grandchildren actively support her company and her mission to give back to the community.

By continuing her outreach and sharing her story with so many others, Florine hopes to inspire, educate and motivate people to making a lifelong commitment to happiness and a healthy lifestyle.  But most of all – to be the very best they can be!