Profiles in Diversity Journal Q3 Magazine 2023

INSPIRING PURPOSE

Extraordinary people with powerful ideas are a driving force at Aflac

The Aflac family congratulates Christina Baker, Keyla Cabret-Lewis, Jennifer Daniel and Deb Ermiger for being named to the Women Worth Watching in Leadership list by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Our commitment extends to our policyholders when they need us most by offering help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover.

FOUNDER/CEO/PUBLISHER

James R. Rector

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

James Gorman

DESIGNER

Stephen A. Toth

PROOFREADER

Sharon Broussard

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Elena Rector

WEBMASTER

David Toth

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Profiles in Diversity Journal

Gemini Towers #1 • 1991 Crocker Road, Suite 600 • Westlake, OH 44145

Tel: 440.892.0444 • Fax: 440.892.0737 profiles@diversityjournal.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Single issue $14.95

1 year subscription (4 issues) $45.00

2 year subscription (8 issues) $82.50

Canada, 1 year subscription $52.50

Canada, 2 year subscription $97.50

International, 1 year $99.95

International, 2 year $187.50

U.S. funds only. Subscriptions can be ordered at: www.diversityjournal.com or call customer service at 800.573.2867

Copyright © 2023 Rector Inc.

SUBMISSIONS

REPRINTS: profiles@diversityjournal.com

EDITORIAL: profiles@diversityjournal.com

PHOTOS & ARTWORK: stevetoth@diversityjournal.com

FOLLOW US AT: issuu.com/diversityjournal

Profiles in Diversity Journal® is a quarterly magazine dedicated to promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion in the corporate, government, nonprofit, higher education, and military sectors. For more than 25 years, we have helped to stimulate organizational change by showcasing the visionary leadership, innovative programs, and committed individuals that are making it happen.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and may or may not represent the views of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Registered in U.S. Patent Office

For the past 22 years, it is indeed a pleasure and honor to congratulate our annual Women Worth Watching® In Leadership winners. Our original and sustaining premise has been that there is a plethora of qualified women leaders qualified to lead organizations and populate Boards of Directors. In fact, research will bear out that women have what it takes to grow all organizations.

As the focus of this magazine leans more toward leadership, our award programs seek out leaders who represent the various segments of the population. A quick review of our awards affords key opportunities for organizations to prepare and submit nominations for their outstanding leaders. These candidates offer the best proof that women can handle the rigorous leadership roles as evidenced by the nominations submitted to our staff.

Similarly, we offer congratulations to our Veteran leaders and to our Indigenous-Native American leaders. These are relatively new awards, and we anticipate there will be more interesting leadership candidates profiled in future issues.

Be sure to check out articles contributed by Oracle and Dr. Rohini Anand. These articles add to our experience and share interesting perspectives worth noting.

We continue tracking former Women Worth Watching award winners on their career path. See the section titled: Where Are They Now? It’s exciting and encouraging to see positive movement in these women’s careers.

Our very best wishes to all our award winners profiled in this issue. It was a pleasure working with you on showcasing your profiles. And a special shout out to our production team for producing a wonderful and valuable leadership magazine issue.

Gratefully,

James R. Rector Founder & Publisher

Since 1999

INCLUSION INSPIRES INGENUITY

At AMD, our mission is growing a diverse, inclusive workforce that embraces different perspectives and experiences to foster innovation, challenge the status quo, and drive business performance. That’s why we foster a culture of diversity and respect — because the future of thought leadership depends on it.

Congratulations to our 2023 Women Worth Watching!

AMD is proud to have these four leaders — Michelle Hillman, Heather Sham, Jeannie Steele, and Liwei Wang — among this year’s award winners.

Beyond the Optics: Getting the most out of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) External Advisory Boards

Dr. Rohini Anand Companies shouldn’t wait until there is a crisis to create an external advisory board to give advice on difficult diversity, equity and inclusion issues, says Dr. Anand. She offers a stepby-step guide to creating and managing these high level boards for the benefit of companies and communities.

Beyond the Optics: Getting the most out of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Bill Lyons and John Emans

2023 Veteran Leadership Award Winners

leaders like Bill and John to go above and beyond to make home possible. Join

The singular power of diversity

Dechert is a global law firm dedicated to amplifying diverse viewpoints and experiences to develop the highest caliber of talent, leadership and service for our clients. We’re proud of our recent achievements – and eager for the continuing growth and progress to come.

Diversity Leader (2023), Innovation in Diversity (2022) –Profiles in Diversity Journal

Mansfield Plus Certification U.S. and UK – Diversity Lab , 2022

Compass Award – Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2022

100 Best Companies, Best Companies for Multicultural Women, Best Companies for Dads, and Inclusion Index – Seramount, 2022

Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality – Human Rights Campaign, 2022 (for the tenth consecutive year)

Tipping the Scales Recognition – Diversity & Flexibility Alliance, 2022

dechert.com/diversity

DDiversity, Equity and Inclusion

2 023 A W ARD Women Wor th Watching® in Leadership INTERNATIONAL

AMD

Michelle Hillman

Director Silicon Design Engineering.................................50

AMD Heather Sham Senior Director, Silicon Design Engineering.................................51

AMD

Jeannie Steele Senior Director, Global Talent Acquisition....................................52

AMD

Liwei Wang Director, 3D Advanced Packaging Engineering...........................53

Aflac

Christina Baker

VP Sales Strategy & Resolution, Director of Career Sales..........................54

Aflac

Jennifer Daniel National Vice President Broker Distribution Strategy and Partnerships....................................55

Aflac

Deb Erminger Vice President of Digital Engagement.................................56

Aflac

Keyla Cabret-Lewis

VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.............................................57

Akin Sarah Schultz Partner...................................................58

Akin Amy Wollensack Partner..................................................59

Albany International Alice McCarvill

EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer...................................60

AT&T Business

Sarita Rao

Senior Vice President, AT&T Partner Solutions...........................61

AT&T Business

Margaret Rooney-McMillen Vice President, Strategic Accounts..................................62

AT&T Business

Catherine Soik Director Market Development, AT&T Indirect Channels...........................63

Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP

Denise L Plunkett Partner..................................................64

Braverman Greenspun P.C. Tracy Peterson Partner...................................................65

Catalyst

Leela Wilson Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Engagement.................66

Circana

Larissa Jensen Vice President, Beauty Industry Advisor......................................67

Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna LLP

Andrea B. Jung Associate...............................................68

Colgate-Palmolive Prabha Parameswaran Group President, Growth and Strategy...............................69

Dechert LLP

Hartley West Partner and Co-Chair of Enforcement and Investigations..................................70

Dell Technologies

Rosandra Silveira

Senior Vice President and General Manager Global Consumer and Outlet Sales.....................71

DTO Law

Megan O’Neill Founding Partner....................................72

Epiq Global Olivea Holley

Director of Document Review Operations and Continuous Improvement........................73

Fannie Mae Brittany Istenes Senior Manager, Technology Management........................74

Fannie Mae Ting Yan Enterprise Architecture Manager................................................75

FordHarrison LLP

Kristin Starnes Gray Partner...................................................76

Fruit World Bianca Kaprielian CEO and Co-Founder..............................77

Company and Executive 2023 Award Winners

(company names in alphabetical order)

FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation

Patricia Colombo

Chief Compliance Officer.........................78

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies

Liza Rivera

Vice President of Global Marketing Communications....................79

Gibbons P.C.

Bisola A Taiwo Director, Real Property Group..................80

Globality Inc.

Sonia Mathai Chief Human Resources Officer...................................81

HiddenLayer Abigail Maines CRO......................................................82

Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP

Lauren Cole Associate...............................................83

Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP

Prishika Raj Associate...............................................84

Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP

Victoria Roeck

Associate...............................................85

Hughes Hubbard Reed & Reed LLP

Sabrina Silverberg Counsel.................................................86

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Mayme Beth F Donohue Partner..................................................87

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Ashley L Harper Partner...................................................88

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Kelly Sandill Partner...................................................89

Idaho National Laboratory

Jana L Beyerlin

Chief Operations Officer, Human Resources..................................90

Idaho National Laboratory

Megan J Culler Power Engineer/Researcher....................91

Idaho National Laboratory

Allison L Hummel Chief of Staff..........................................92

Idaho National Laboratory

Jennifer G Hunt Strategic Space Planner and Technical Project Manager................93

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP Jill L Forster Partner...................................................94

Knobbe Martens Maria Anderson Partner...................................................95

Knobbe Martens Christy Lea Partner...................................................96

Kroll Jessica Stamelman President, Kroll Business Services..................................97

Latham & Watkins Manu Gayatrinath Partner...................................................98

L.B. Hall Fireproofing Estefania Roa CEO......................................................99

Lincoln Financial Group

Heather A Milligan

Senior Vice President, Head of Life and MoneyGuard Underwriting & New Business and Business Technology Solutions............................100

Mayer Brown LLP

Grace Shie Partner in Mayer Brown’s Washington DC office; chair of firm’s Women’s Leadership Committee..........................101

McDonald Carano LLP Pat Lundvall Partner, Chair of Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice................102

Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP Elaine K Kim Partner.................................................103

Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP Louise Truong Partner.................................................104

Moss Adams Seleeka Harris Administrative Ops Senior Manager....................................105

Nan and Company Properties

Nancy Almodovar President and CEO...............................106

Native Forward Scholars Fund

Angelique Albert CEO....................................................107

Company and Executive 2023 Award Winners

(company names in alphabetical order)

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Jo Thacker Partner.................................................108

New American Funding

Patty Arvielo

Co-Founder and CEO............................109

New York Life

Amanda Kuhl Senior Vice President, Product Solutions.................................110

Norton Rose Fulbright

Jamila S Mensah Partner.................................................111

PBG Consulting

Pawla Ghaleb Founder & CEO....................................112

PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA)

Heather Hoytink

President, South Division.......................113

Powin

Rachel Livek

Chief Human Resources Officer.................................114

Project Bread

Erin McAleer

President/CEO.....................................115

Revature

Vidya Shankaran

Senior Vice President of Customer Success................................116

Robins Kaplan LLP

Elizabeth Burnett

Partner and Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee............117

Robins Kaplan LLP

Christina Lincoln Partner and Member of the Firm’s Diversity Committee....................118

Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP

Leigh Anne St. Charles Managing Partner, Nashville office, Sanford Heisler Sharp...........................119

Segra

Zenita Henderson Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer....................................120

Slarskey LLC

Renee Bea Partner.................................................121

Sonepar USA

Jennifer Owens Vice President Associate General Counsel...................................122

Spirent Communications

Cheryl Ragland Chief Marketing Officer.........................123 Study.com

Dana Bryson

Senior Vice President, Social Impact.......................................124

The Acceleration Project

Jane Veron Co-founder and CEO............................125

The Winters Group, Inc.

Mareisha N Reese President and Chief Operating Officer..................................126

Union Pacific Railroad

Jacqueline Bendon

Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales Industrial Products................................127

Union Pacific Railroad

Jo Ellen Stock General Auditor.....................................128

Venable LLP

Jessie Beeber

Co-chair of Venable’s Commercial Litigation

New York Practice Group.......................129

Verizon

Sasha Lucas

Head of Customer Experience at Verizon............................130

Verizon

Kristin McHugh

Senior Vice President, Marketing & Creative............................131

WilmerHale

Susan Schroeder Partner and Vice Chair, Securities & Financial Services Department............................132

At Profiles in Diversity Journal ®, we truly appreciate all the support given to us over the years by many organizations and businesses, large and small. We’re reaching out and asking for your continued support for our work and recognition of your organization’s own outstanding leadership, creativity, and inclusive culture. Please take this opportunity to nominate candidates for our Black Leadership, Innovations in Diversity and Diverse Organizations Worth Watching Awards.

Profiles in Diversity Journal has featured 1,000's of people over the years...here are some of them.

Faces oF Leadership

Faces oF Leadership

Faces oF Leadership

Faces oF Leadership

Beyond the Optics: Getting the most out of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) External Advisory Boards

By Dr. Rohini Anand

While they are an effective way to engage external stakeholders and get expert input into an organization’s business and DEI strategy, external DEI advisory boards take time to manage and they take financial investment.

External diversity, equity and inclusion advisory boards (DEIAB) are not yet widely used: In Seramount’s 2020 Index, only nine percent of participating companies had an external DEIAB – up from eight percent in the 2019 index. However, the ones that exist are highly visible, in part because they often are composed of high-profile members and senior executives, including the CEO, from the organization. The boards are sometimes unveiled with great external media presence and referred to by various names such as Advisory Councils, Advisory Boards, Community Councils etc.

Having launched and managed a DEIAB, and currently serving on several others, I can vouch for the fact that they can provide tremendous

value, but take a lot of work and a strong commitment. Unless they are well planned and managed, they may not benefit the organization as much as they could.

The purpose of DEIABs can be multifold and evolve over time to meet organizational needs. Organizations launch these boards to ensure that they stay focused and engaged on DEI, provide an external perspective and involve and apprise community stakeholders. Advisory boards are more common in the US than in other parts of the world, and are often used when organizations have faced litigation by employees, are under pressure from external stakeholders, or are in the public eye for not having an exemplary DEI track record.

While they are an effective way to engage external stakeholders and get

expert input into an organization’s business and DEI strategy, external DEI advisory boards take time to manage and they take financial investment. As a result, the roles they play and their value to the organization needs to be carefully considered.

Let’s consider WHY an organization might have a DEIAB, WHAT roles they play and HOW best to operate them for maximum benefit to the organization.

WHY Have a DEI Advisory Board?

Well managed DEI advisory boards contribute in multiple ways and have tremendous value for the organization. They can:

✔ Provide insights on external trends and risks: DEI advisory

boards provide counsel and benchmarking on navigating disruptions like COVID-19, Black Lives Matter and the pros and cons of remote work. They also provide advice on disruptive events like the US Supreme Court ruling on race-based admissions in higher education and the possible implications for DEI in the workplace.

✔ Identify opportunities for corporate leadership: DEI advisory boards provide an external perspective and help identify opportunities for leadership in the DEI space. They also provide input on when and where the organization might want to consider taking a stand on external issues like signing the Marriage Equality

Amicus brief in the US or signing onto the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) charter – and any risks of doing so.

✔ Provide expertise and thought leadership: Members of the advisory boards may have expertise in specific subject areas and as such may be called upon to advise the organization on their area of expertise. For example, a board member with deep disabilities experience may advise the organization on accessibility or work with the relevant ERG.

✔ Foster learning: DEI advisory boards are often used to provide education and learning to the broader organization. The members’ lived experiences also serves to educate the

organization’s executives.

✔ Benchmark: Advisory board members’ exposure and experience with a range of organizations can inform advisory board conversations. For example, in one organization whose DEI strategy was exclusively focused on talent, the advisory board was able to expand the organization’s range of vision beyond talent to DEI opportunities in marketing and the community.

✔ Signal commitment: The caliber of advisory board members – often prominent community members and thought leaders as well as the CEO and senior executives – publicly demonstrates the organization’s DEI commitment.

✔ Mitigate Risk: The existence of the advisory board and its membership signals the organization’s commitment to DEI and deflects risks such as attacks by civil rights organizations, labor unions or other activists.

✔ Represent their constituents: Advisory board members often represent their constituents and raise issues that might impact their stakeholders. On one advisory board, an LGBTQ advocate frequently pointed out that her community was left out of DEIAB conversations.

✔ Serve as a sounding board: Advisory board members are often used as a sounding board by organizational leaders to test ideas or to ask for advice or input. For example, in light of the US Supreme Court ruling on the use of race in higher education admissions, DEIAB members are being asked to provide input about the implications for the private sector.

✔ Hold the organization accountable: By asking challenging questions and requesting periodic updates against goals, the advisory board members hold the organization’s leaders accountable.

✔ Increase visibility: Advisory board members can communicate the organization’s commitment to DEI and significant accomplishments through their networks. This is a particularly effective way to broaden the sourcing for open positions.

✔ Serve as a true north during challenging times: During economic downturns when competing priorities can take precedence, advisory board members ensure that the organization remains focused on DEI.

WHAT Roles do DEI Advisory Boards Play?

DEIAB members play multiple roles that can evolve over time. Below are some roles they play.

DEI Thought Leaders for Strategy Advice:

External DEI Advisory boards can provide DEI thought leadership, serving as a sounding board on initiatives and strategies to improve diversity in the organization. Boston Fed, Toyota and Comcast have external boards that serve in this capacity. Based on their view of the external landscape, DEI advisory board members provide strategic input and guidance to senior leaders on supplier diversity, community engagement and the workforce. General Motors’ (GM) Inclusion Advisory Board has a goal of providing input on leveraging GM’s voice “to contribute to the dialogue condemning injustice and driving inclusion.” These external boards can be very effective in highlighting gaps in the organization before they become a crisis.

Targeted Insights on Consumer Trends:

Organizations also form advisory boards to offer insights on consumer purchasing habits. A good example is Neilson. Their External Advisory Councils are composed of business and community leaders representing the African American, Hispanic and Asian American communities and provide input on the viewing habits and purchasing power of these communities in the US. As they comprise trusted representatives from these communities, the councils also serve to build trust in the communities.

Building Credibility

In order to address the social unrest following the murder of George Floyd, organizations such as American Airlines launched their external council to provide insights on challenges encountered by Black travelers. This council was formed on the heels of a lawsuit by five passengers who alleged they were improperly removed from a flight because of racial discrimination by the airline. The council is composed of well-known Black leaders and is focused on helping American Airlines strengthen its relationship with Black customers by communicating with their stakeholders about the corrective actions American Airlines is taking. They play a critical role not only in sensitizing executives to issues they need to consider, but also contribute to improving the optics of the organization.

Holding Organizations Accountable:

Frequently DEI advisory boards are launched in response to pressure from external stakeholders, discrimination litigation by employees, or publicity for a poor DEI track record. The objective is to hold the company accountable to commitments they

Based on their view of the external landscape, DEI advisory board members provide strategic input and guidance to senior leaders on supplier diversity, community engagement and the workforce.

have made in response to litigation or external pressure. Such advisory boards are more common in the US. Take the example of T-Mobile or Charter Communications where the external council was created as part of its memorandum of understanding with civil rights organizations. Such advisory boards are typically composed of high-profile civil rights leaders representing various identity groups. Organizations like Sodexo launched a DEIAB after their discrimination litigation consent decree had expired in order to ensure that they continued to have external checks on their DEI progress.

Global DEI Advisory Boards for Overarching Coherence:

There are few examples of external DEI advisory boards globally. Two notable examples are Sanofi and L’Oréal. The objective is to provide external perspectives on key topics and identify potential blind spots as well as advise on external best practices and trends. Their global advisory boards are composed of global thought leaders and play a critical role in creating a learning space for internal stakeholders. L’Oréal has a global DEI advisory board and local advisory boards in the US, UK and Ireland.

HOW to best Operate a DEI Advisory Board for Maximum Benefit?

Setting up a DEIAB

✔ Be clear about the purpose

✔ Be intentional and strategic about member selection.

✔ Have clear criteria for selection of members based on the purpose

o Make sure they can make the time commitment, have passion for the topic, are well

regarded and have organizational seniority

✔ Be clear about the ask –what do you want from Board members?

✔ Ensure a mix of senior internal business leaders and external members

✔ As you will be sharing highly confidential and proprietary information make sure the members sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement

Operations

✔ Ensure the CEO attends the meetings

✔ Spend time up front to build a cohesive group

✔ Have clear agendas with topical focus areas

✔ Include a business update by the CEO or senior business leader

✔ Be clear about meeting cadence (virtual and in person) and schedule at least one in person meeting a year

✔ Keep report outs from team members limited

✔ Provide pre-reads and time for discussion

✔ Agree on the time commitment and fee for the external members

✔ Consider term limits

✔ Assign committee work if appropriate

Getting the most from your DIAB

✔ Encourage members to share their lived experiences

✔ Share information about the business so the members understand the context

✔ Encourage the members

to challenge without getting defensive

✔ Be transparent about the gaps and pain points and ask for support where needed.

✔ Allow opportunities for members to interact with employees to get a sense for the organizational culture

✔ Have the members amplify your messages to their networks

Conclusion

I have found that DEI Advisory Boards can provide amazing value to an organization’s executives and employees, to the business, as well as to the organization’s brand and image in the community. However, an organization needs to carefully consider launching such an advisory board based on the maturity of their DEI journey. At times DEI advisory boards can outlive their initial purpose and as such need to be disbanded or re-formulated to meet the evolving needs of the organization. Given the benefit, I highly encourage more organizations to consider DEI advisory boards after considering their DEI maturity and the purpose of the advisory board. It takes courage and vulnerability on the part of the organization – but the benefits are manifold. PDJ

Dr. Rohini Anand is a pioneer of DEI, an author, and Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisor, Rohini Anand LLC. She also serves as a senior fellow for The Conference Board, a global non-profit think tank. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Global Chief Diversity officer for Sodexo.

Spotlighting Oracle’s OWL: Delivering a Mission for Women Leaders

By Traci Wade, Group Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Oracle

The tech sector has long been known for a lack of women and minority representation, particularly in senior leadership positions. Within the industry, for instance, only 52 women are promoted to manager for every 100 men. However, at Oracle, there is hard work and promise for progress in the form of the Oracle Women’s Leadership (OWL) community, which is helping women across the company, supporting skills development and creating networks that have meaningful impact.

Established in 2006 as a grassroots effort, OWL has grown to more than 200+ community leaders across 113 locations globally, hosting 263 events that reach over 20,000 employees. OWL’s mission is to develop, engage and empower current and future generations of Oracle women leaders to foster an inclusive and innovative workforce.

Here are three employee stories, which provide a small snapshot of how Oracle’s OWL is taking flight, driving meaningful impact both inside Oracle and in the communities where we work and live.

OWL’s mission, for members like Susan Miller, the senior director technical oversight & reporting, Oracle Global Product Security, has come alive, making a big difference in her career at Oracle and in her community. Susan shared that “OWL’s offerings, like the Mentoring Circle programs, provide opportunities to build new dynamic relationships and skills,” which gave her the “confidence to excel in areas like executive presentations and speaking to large employee audiences on important topics like security assurance with AI and machine learning.”

The skillset Susan gained through OWL has extended into her community, where she knew she could use her expertise to make a difference. Her mentors identified that she could be a resource to the local business chamber and in short order, she got happily involved. As a board member, she has contributed in many ways, including as “a moderator and panelist while also providing valuable advice

and connecting local businesses with tech solutions to help them grow.”

For other members, like Daniela Catino Bancora, vice president, global incentive compensation at Oracle, OWL has taught her to go “beyond her comfort zone, to seize opportunities and jump to the occasion!” But also, when it comes to advice and mentorship, OWL understands that succeeding at work and home not only requires skills development, it requires taking care of our holistic wellbeing as well.

A recent event, sponsored by OWL’s Rocklin community, highlighted how diet, rest and stress affect our lives in myriad ways and the solutions we can adopt to mitigate these daily stressors. Daniela explained that the most rewarding aspect of the event for her was understanding how “seemingly little changes (healthier snacks, a little more rest, short consistent workouts) accumulate over time, adding up to help us perform better at work, make us better in our personal lives and, in turn, make us feel better about ourselves overall.” Simply put, OWL’s members understand the challenges women face at work and at home are intricately interconnected and how we can do better, for both today’s women and future generations.

When Sharon Kolarac Hein, CSS strategic accounts delivery director, joined Oracle in 2011 she was essentially embedded with her customers to help them solve problems in real time. The downside was not being able to spend more time with her team in-person, as most meetings needed to be virtual. Sharon remembers feeling like she “needed a greater sense

to more than 200+ community leaders across 113 locations globally, hosting 263 events that reach over 20,000 employees.

of belonging, reading about OWL and reaching out to find out more.” What happened next clearly had an impact, with Sharon not only joining OWL but suggesting a greater presence of the community in Pittsburgh, PA. Shortly after, she took on the position of local Oracle’s Women’s Leadership Group Community Lead.

In her role at OWL, Sharon has been focused on helping advance the “pay it forward” aspect of OWL’s mission by enhancing employee leadership and professional skills, using a mix of programs and activities. Outside of Oracle, the Pittsburgh OWL team has taken a leading role with local non-profits, including mentoring local women who are unemployed or underemployed to help uplift their talents and connect them with professional opportunities. For Sharon, this work has given her the “sense of purpose and fulfillment” she was searching for at the beginning of her career. “I’m so glad I raised my hand and took the leap,” she said. PDJ

As Oracle’s Vice President and Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Traci Wade leads programs that build awareness of the business impact and value of a diverse and inclusive culture at Oracle. She engages with senior leadership in creating and supporting strategies that infuse and elevate a culture of inclusion and equity.

She established Oracle’s first diversity and inclusion team in 2009. Since then, Traci has become a strategic thought leader and subject matter expert on diversity and inclusion.

Traci has received recognition and awards for her commitment and success in leading Diversity & Inclusion corporate efforts, including being named a 2021 Profiles in Diversity Journal Women Worth Watching, 2017 Top Diversity and Inclusion Executives in Corporate America by Black Enterprise Magazine, Bridging the Gap Award in 2015 by San Francisco African-American Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Champion of the Year in 2012 by Black Data Processing Associates, Rising Star at the Women of Color STEM Conference in 2013 and Outstanding Corporate Contributor by Black Data Processing Associates in 2013.

Established in 2006 as a grassroots effort, OWL has grown

Third Annual

NATIVE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP

The 3rd Annual Native American/Indigenous Leadership Awards

PDJ Salutes a New Class of Native American/ Indigenous Leadership Award Winners

For more than two decades, Profiles in Diversity Journal® has honored outstanding individuals who have forged new paths. These individuals have overcome challenges, mentored others, advanced diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the community, and excelled in their chosen professions. PDJ is again honoring Native American/Indigenous leaders with our third annual Native American/ Indigenous Leadership Awards.

The profiles that appear in this issue recognize and celebrate the talents, hard work, and impressive achievements of the Native American/Indigenous Leaders we honor on the following pages. Each award recipient provided us with answers to some interesting questions, along with an essay, that will give you, our readers, a chance to better know these multitalented and trailblazing individuals.

Welcome to PDJ’s third Native American/Indigenous Leadership Awards.

Jenny Patten Magallanes Counsel

Education: JD, Columbia Law School; MS, Harvard School of Public Health; BA, Stanford University

Company Name: Akin

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Kim Koopersmith Company Headquarters

Number of Employees: 1,700+

Your Location: Los Angeles, CA

Words you live by: Be a good person and make my kids proud. Who is your personal hero? My mom

What book are you reading? Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

What was your first job? High school Intern at the Native American Health Center in Oakland, CA

Favorite charity: SynGAP Research Fund, https://www.syngapresearchfund.org/

Interests/Hobbies: Golden State Warriors, NFL, Disney, special education rights, neurodiversity & inclusion

Family: My husband and kids

She’s fulfilling her childhood dream of advocating for Native American communities

Over the past ten years, I have built my legal career at Akin in the American Indian Law and Policy (AILP) practice, but one thing people would be surprised to know about me is that I grew up wanting to be a doctor. My family’s terrible experiences obtaining health care as a low-income family in East Oakland, California, inspired me to want to become a doctor who would one day work at the Native American Health Center (NAHC) in Oakland, to care for urban Natives and our larger community. I entered Stanford as a first-generation college student with the intention of being “pre-med,” but Stanford math and science were not what I envisioned. Upon a more critical reflection, I realized that my passion for health was not in direct services but instead related to how reform could be made in the health policy and management system.

After college and a brief stint at a health insurance company, I decided to return to school to study policy and management to focus on how to create systemic change for Native communities. I worked at the NAHC as a summer intern and witnessed the challenges management faced in grappling with health and resource disparities, looming state budget cuts, and hopes of federal health reform. I realized I wanted to

focus on issues from a legal and advocacy perspective and that being a lawyer would allow me to do so.

At Columbia Law, competing in the National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court and interning with a Tribally-focused law firm opened my eyes to the larger world of Indian law issues facing Native Nations across Indian Country. This solidified my desire to practice in Indian law and policy from a larger perspective. I never planned to work in big law, but I entered the sector specifically to join Akin’s AILP practice. I have remained at Akin because of the complex and innovative work that we do at the intersection of policy, regulatory, management, and legal issues in a variety of sectors, and am grateful to work with Tribal leaders to help Native Nations protect and defend their sovereignty.

My journey changed because of my willingness to leave doors open, take chances, and develop new skill sets. Each new opportunity came with its own challenges and forced me to combat feelings of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. But I am thankful to have had the benefit of a supportive family, great friends, and amazing mentors and coaches who propelled me forward to discover my interests and helped me become the person I am today.

Affie Ellis Shareholder

Education: JD, University of Colorado School of Law; BS, University of Wyoming

Company Name: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Rich Benenson

Company Headquarters Location: Denver, CO

Number of Employees: 600+

Your Location: Cheyenne, WY

Words you live by: “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.”

Who is your personal hero? Elvis

What book are you reading? Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

What was your first job? Motel maid

Favorite charity: CLIMB Wyoming

Interests/Hobbies: Quilting, camping, paddle boarding

Family: Husband of 20 years, Dennis, three children, Marlo, Archer, Linden and two golden doodles

Believing in yourself and following your heart can help you make the right choices

My parents are Navajo and they grew up on the Navajo Reservation. They were sent to an Indian boarding school where they received an education in the trades. When they graduated in the mid-1950s, they moved to Jackson, Wyoming. My dad was a welder and my mom worked in laundry services. I am the youngest of their four children and the first to attend college. I later earned my law degree.

My first legal job after passing the bar in 2008 was with the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office. I loved representing the state in federal natural resource cases. In 2010, I received a call from a U.S. Senate office asking if I would be willing to serve on the newly formed Indian Law and Order Commission. Congress created the commission to develop recommendations to improve public safety for Native American communities, particularly those with staggering crime rates. I excitedly approached my supervisors about the opportunity, but was unfortunately met with skepticism about my ability to serve. I was torn—decline the offer to serve on the commission and stay in my secure job or accept the offer and serve without support from my employer?

I talked to my mentors and husband for advice. They told me to have faith in my abilities and to follow my heart. After careful consideration, I left the

AG’s office and started my own consulting company, which afforded flexibility to serve on the commission. This was one of the best professional decisions I have ever made. I loved being my own boss and growing a company. Even more, I was grateful for the experience of serving on the commission. The work was hard and gut wrenching, but by 2014, we had developed a report containing more than 40 unanimous recommendations to strengthen public safety for Indigenous people. I was honored to present our findings to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Although our commission officially disbanded in 2014, many of us remain committed to implementing initiatives that strengthen Native justice. In 2016 I ran for the Wyoming Senate and was the first female Native American elected to serve in that capacity. I currently chair our Select Committee on Tribal Relations and have passed bills to address the missing and murdered Indigenous persons epidemic in our state.

When I ran for the Wyoming Legislature, I returned to the practice of law. I am thankful to be in a position to work on issues that are important to me, both in my legal practice and through public service. My family, friends and mentors have helped me develop a rewarding career. Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and never give up.

Casey L. Matthiesen Attorney

Education: JD, University of St. Thomas School of Law; BA, University of South Dakota

Company Name: Robins Kaplan LLP

Industry: Legal

Company Headquarters Location: Minneapolis, MN

Number of Employees: 350+

Words you live by: “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.” – Brené Brown

What book are you reading? Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

What was your first job? Sold sweet corn for $2.50/dozen. I was raised on a farm.

Favorite charity: The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

Interests/Hobbies: Painting with acrylic medium; golf; yoga sculpt; and travel.

Family: Greg & Cindy Matthiesen (parents)

I was adopted from the Yankton Sioux tribe (Ihanktonwan Nation) shortly after I was born and was raised on a third-generation family farm in southwestern Minnesota.

At a young age, I began writing stories about what I wanted to be when I grew up. While I undoubtedly had a fondness for reading and writing (and arguing), I said that I wanted to be a lawyer so I could help children find loving families like the lawyer did for me and my family. I did not fully understand what being a lawyer truly encompassed but hearing about this lawyer who helped with my adoption was a positive connotation I attributed to the job as a young girl. My interest in being a lawyer grew and progressed into something much larger than just adoption.

Life on the farm taught me the value of hard work and commitment to moral values. The rural area that came with it, however, did not go without its challenges. For many years, I was ashamed of my Native American heritage. In South Dakota, many people living on reservations endure deep poverty and face the challenges of a justice system historically notorious for failing them. I often was asked why I “looked different” and struggled with my identity.

In those moments, I began to wonder how I could raise awareness of inequality and lingering racism beyond the hallways of my high school. This experience inspired me to learn more about the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities and instilled within me a strong passion to advocate that being Native American is more than just the blood we are born with in our veins, but an identity that should be accounted for both legally and culturally. I have not looked back. I aim to leverage my legal expertise to advocate for and empower Native American communities, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring fair representation within the justice system.

In a profession often marked by rigorous demands and ethical complexities, maintaining one’s authenticity is paramount. Indeed, the best advice I ever received was “always stay true to yourself.” My journey has been profoundly shaped by the invaluable support of my mentors. Their wisdom, experience, and unwavering belief in my potential has been instrumental to my career success. I am deeply grateful for their guidance and am committed to paying it forward by mentoring the next generation of aspiring young professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Curiosity about the lawyer who helped with her adoption led this Indigenous farm girl to a career in the law

A W ARD NATIVE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP

Education: BA, Colorado College

Company Name: Union Pacific Railroad

Desrié Valdez

Sr. Manager Technical Training

Industry: Railroad and Freight Transportation

Company CEO: Lance Fritz

Company Headquarters Location: Omaha, NE

Number of Employees: 33,000

Words you live by: “My grandchildren, education is the ladder. Tell our people to take it.” – Chief Manuelito, Navajo.

Who is your personal hero? My parents.

What was your first job? Caseworker for the Navajo Nation

Favorite charity: American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Native Forward, and Native Pathways.

Interests/Hobbies: I like to sew, hike, and travel.

Family: My husband, Abel Valdez and my two sons, Mason and Chase.

My passion for education and pride in being a generational railroader laid the tracks for my career. My childhood was spent following a tie gang that was composed of Navajo railroaders. My dad and uncles worked together traveling the southwest region of the U.S. installing and maintaining tracks. My mother and I accompanied my father frequently. It was common to see other railroad wives and children traveling with the tie gang which created a community of Navajo families outside the reservation. I would spend my afternoons playing with the other Navajo children on the playgrounds, visiting museums, community pools, or consignment stores. It was because of the railroad, I understood how big the world was outside of the Navajo reservation. I visited small towns like Fernley, Nebraska for winter break or popular get away spots like Palm Springs, California during spring break.

For the Navajo people, education is the future of our people. During the signing of the Navajo treaty of 1868, Navajo leaders were expected to comply with various expectations before returning to their homelands. One of the expectations was to send Navajo

children to school. I was told the story in grade school that one of the Navajo leaders, Chief Manuelito stated, “My grandchildren, education is the ladder, tell our people to take it.” I was driven to go to college and come back to the reservation to help my people. After pursuing my degree, I worked with the Navajo Nation’s tribal welfare program for three years as a job coach and was introduced to training. I realized I had a knack for training and helping people learn new skills.

My upbringing and memories of my childhood railroad families instilled an interest in carrying on our family tradition and working for the railroad. In 2008, I was able to put my passion of learning and working for the railroad industry together. I was hired to develop mechanical leaders who could engage the workforce and lead high performing teams. Soon after, I was introduced to training design and development where I built training programs to support mechanical operations at the railroad. Today, I have the privilege of leading the mechanical training team which trains our employees, who work across 23 states, in technical skills.

She followed the Navajo mandate to get her education and now she’s following the family tradition of working on the railroad

Education: BS, Environmental Management, Columbia Southern University

Company Name: Union Pacific Railroad Company

Industry: Transportation

Company CEO: Lance Fritz

Company Headquarters Location: Omaha, NE

Number of Employees: 33,179

Your Location: Houston, TX

Words you live by: Every day is a new day to effect change.

Who is your personal hero? My dad

What book are you reading? Louisiana Cooking By Native American Choctaw-Apache Recipes and Memories with Family and Friends by Dorsey Ebarb Bronson

What was your first job? Convenience store clerk

Favorite charity: Friends Helping Friends charity

Interests/Hobbies: Singing, traveling, reading

Family: Spouse Greg, three daughters and twelve grandbabies

Driven – To find her Native American roots and to be the best professional that she can be

I have always been interested in knowing my heritage. I crave understanding and connection to ancestral family, particularly the Indigenous roots. The stories of my ancestors growing up were limited to knowing a last name and that they were somehow connected to the Indigenous world. Although, it is the only information we have, it’s imperative that I continue to search for relatives who can share the history of my Indigenous heritage. I am driven in that endeavor much like my drive in the professional world. The desire to learn new things started at an early age; with every job that I have had, I searched for more opportunities to increase my knowledge of not just my own job, but additional opportunities to gain experience and new skills.

During my twenty-nine years at Union Pacific Railroad, I have been given abundant opportunities to gain experience and take on new challenges. It has truly been, and continues to be, rewarding to go to work each day. After ten years on the personal injury team, I was challenged with a new opportunity on the environmental law team. I fell in love with knowing anything and everything about environmental law. I soon came to realize that there is so much to learn and opportunities to gain experience in that area. That is why I went to college and now have a bachelor of science degree

in environmental management. If I could share certain traits that have assisted me in my career it would be persistence, patience, and a desire to grow and learn.

Patience is imperative for success because change doesn’t happen as quickly as we would like. Opportunities will come with time, growth, persistence, and a desire to keep going. I have had several mentors along the way who have helped me in my career, which is so important, since they can give you feedback, networking, and developmental opportunities. I highly encourage everyone to find a mentor who will help guide and encourage you. Decide what you want to do and go for it.

There is nothing that can stop you, except you. There is no greater feeling than to know you are in a career that you love and where you can help mentor others along the way. I have had the great honor of mentoring employees as well as working with American Indian Science and Engineering Society as a scholarship reviewer for Indigenous youth. I am honored to work with AISES each year and it brings me immense joy impacting the lives of other Indigenous persons seeking to further their education.I am also proud to be vice president and long-time member of the Council of Native American Heritage at Union Pacific.

Marsha Woodard Sr. Manager Law

BLACK LEADERSHIP AWARDS

PDJ Salutes our First Annual Veteran Leadership Award Winners

For more than two decades, Profiles in Diversity Journal® has honored outstanding individuals who have blazed new trails. They have welcomed challenges, mentored others, advanced diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the community, and excelled in their chosen fields. We are honoring Veteran Leaders with our First Annual Veteran Leadership Awards.

The nine profiles that appear in this issue recognize and celebrate the hard work and impressive achievements of these Veteran Leaders. Each award recipient has also provided us with answers to some interesting questions and an essay that will give you, our readers, a chance to better know these multitalented and trailblazing individuals.

Welcome to PDJ’s first ever Veteran Leadership Awards.

Matthew “Matt” LeMaster

Partner, Co-chair of Veteran Attorneys Affinity group

Not just great advice for lawyers: Take charge of your career and know when to change directions

The best advice that I ever received was when I was a new associate. I was very dissatisfied with my area of practice. A senior associate sat me down and described the practice of law as follows: “Think about the practice as eating food from a conveyor belt for about twelve hours each day. You can eat something you hate or something you like. This is your choice, no one else’s. This is your career. You have a choice. You need to pick your favorite

Education: JD, University of Washington School of Law; BS, University of Oregon

Company Name: Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Industry: Legal Services

Company CEO: Scott MacCormack, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Seattle, WA

Number of Employees: 1,000

Words you live by: Play hard.

Who is your personal hero? Speaker Thomas S. Foley

What book(s) are you reading?

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia

What was your first job?

Cougar Country Drive-In

Favorite charity: University of Washington Law School & University of Oregon Business School

Interests/Hobbies: Hiking and skiing

Family: Karen (wife), Henry and Joe (sons)

food and avoid your least favorite food. It’s really as simple as that. Don’t over-think things. You don’t want to get to the end of a thirty-year journey and hate what you did.” This advice resonated with me. I knew that I did not like the initial area of practice that I was asked to undertake, but it was sucking me in like a vortex because I was good at it. Changing direction was very hard, but I am thankful someone sat me down and empowered me to recognize my agency. The law is an excellent career, but it has its challenges.

VETERAN

Don’t over-think things. You don’t want to get to the end of a thirty-year journey and hate what you did.

John Emans

Business Lead, Mortgage Servicing Policy

People join the military for a variety of reasons – patriotic duty, family tradition, and the opportunity to challenge or better oneself. Each military branch has its own culture that promotes discipline, pride, teamwork and a mission-first mindset. For me, I was drawn to the U.S. Air Force’s core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in ALL We Do. I use those same guiding principles as a Mortgage Servicing Policy Business Lead at Freddie Mac. I make homeownership possible by advocating to expand foreclosure protections to servicemembers and their families not protected under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA.)

From the beginning, junior enlisted members (i.e., recent high school graduates) or junior officers (i.e., new college graduates) are entrusted with great responsibility. Fixing multimillion-dollar airplanes, maintaining computer networks, or leading large teams under arduous conditions are a few examples. The responsibility increases as their career progresses. In my case, I led teams that conducted intelligence analysis to meet national security objectives and evaluate unit readiness and compliance with Air Force directives. Whether someone serves four years or 20, a veteran should be rightfully proud of their accomplishments even if they believe they are “just doing their job.” Sometimes it can be hard to realize that one’s military experience builds strong leadership, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities along with an incredible work-ethic and integrity that translates well into civilian roles.

After a career filled with tackling difficult tasks in some of the most austere environments, I encountered my biggest challenge: transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce. Despite a resume with examples of leading teams at all levels and improvising, adapting, and overcoming to achieve objectives, I needed help landing a job. Interview after interview I would hear, “you are obviously a skilled leader, but I don’t see where you have experience with (insert minor technical aspect of a job description).” That all changed in 2013 when I interviewed at Freddie Mac. The hiring manager, and my future team, saw the value in my military leadership training.

As a colleague once shared, “I can easily train someone to understand the secondary mortgage market, but I can’t train leadership, work ethic or integrity.” These are the skills that veterans bring to the table. Hiring a veteran or establishing a veteran hiring initiative goes beyond “thank you for your service.” It is a strategic business decision that creates a competitive advantage when sourcing talent.

Education: MS, management, Troy University; BA, criminal justice, The Ohio State University; Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute; Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP), Mortgage Bankers Association

Company Name: Freddie Mac

Industry: Mortgage Finance

Company CEO: Michael DeVito

Company Headquarters Location: McLean, VA

Words you live by: It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit. You are stronger and smarter than you think you are, don’t give up. You manage things and you lead people.

Who is your personal hero? My parents

What book(s) are you reading?

Worth the Fighting For by John McCain with Mark Salter; My American Journey by Colin Powell; My Battlefield, Your Office: Leadership Lessons from the Front Lines by Justine Constantine

What was your first job?

Delivery driver for local lumber yard and baling hay for local farmers

Favorite charity: Soldier On; Dixon Center for Military and Veteran Services

Interests/Hobbies: BBQ, hiking, golf

Family: My wife of 26 years, Chong, and daughters

Julia and Angela

Companies need to recognize that vets can be all they can be in the workforce too

Education: BS, Operations Analysis, U.S. Naval Academy, post graduate studies in nuclear engineering and operations, U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School and U.S. Navy Prototype

Company Name: Freddie Mac

Industry: Mortgage Finance

Company CEO: Michael DeVito

Company Headquarters Location: McLean, VA

Words you live by:

Treat every human with dignity, respect, and good manners; Do your best; Have a positive attitude. All three of these are 100% in your control. Do these well, and you can’t help but be successful.

Who is your personal hero?

My grandfather

What book(s) are you reading?

ESV Bible, Frankenstein by Dean Koontz

What was your first job?

Summer intern janitor at a school at age 13

Favorite charity:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Fisher House Foundation

Interests/Hobbies: Woodworking, cabinetmaking, golf

Family:

Wife of 35 years, Irene Graf-Lyons; sons Andrew and Sean; daughter Maggie; and grandsons JD, James, and Church.

Bill Lyons

Senior Director, Servicing Capital Markets

The military gave me the opportunity to go to college, which my family would never have been able to afford. Being accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy changed my life. Following graduation, I embarked on a career in submarines and completed post-graduate studies in nuclear engineering and operations at the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School and U.S. Navy Prototype. The high-quality education and the additional military training I received provided me the foundation to pair my passion with my purpose throughout my career working in Capital Markets at Freddie Mac. My four tours of duty on fast attack submarines afforded

me the opportunity to develop and hone my leadership and management skills. In those eight years, I learned the importance of building, managing, training, and retaining a highly skilled team where trust was critical – our lives depended on it. I learned the value of operating, decision-making and multi-tasking in a high-pressure environment, managing the varied needs and concerns of all stakeholders. I learned what risk management looks like while operating with a nuclear reactor and nuclear weapons on board.

The skills I was able to develop in the military prepared me well for my future careers spanning Wall Street, the consulting sector, the energy and renewable energy sectors, and my various roles at Freddie Mac. Now, as a structured transactions senior director, I lead a team of highly skilled professionals from varied backgrounds who handle servicing transactions that meet the needs of customers and serve the mission of Freddie Mac.

My time in the military taught me the incredible value of having the highest quality team, and I’ve been blessed throughout my career to have built, led and learned from competent, skilled and trustworthy teams.

I’m very fortunate, proud and honored to have had the opportunity to serve and the benefits have been lifelong and compelling.

Thanks to the U.S. Navy, it’s been smooth sailing for this veteran in his civilian career

I learned the value of operating, decision-making and multi-tasking in a high-pressure environment, managing the varied needs and concerns of all stakeholders.

John A. Johnson MD, MBA, FACP Chief Medical Officer

Since the sixth grade, I have always wanted to become a doctor. I was inspired to help others out of an innate sense of purpose and altruism. I also loved science and was intrigued by how the human body works. In the beginning, I was highly motivated to study medicine when close family members were diagnosed with diabetes and chronic kidney disease but struggled to understand their condition or how to receive appropriate care. Becoming a doctor has allowed me to connect with others, earn their trust, and educate them on the importance of maintaining excellent health.

Additionally, duty, honor, and selfless service have always been important values, which is why the military service mission resonates with me. It is an extension of who I am and what I do as a physician to serve others. I joined the military as a direct commission officer when I graduated from medical school. I started as a combat physician, deployed around the world in my role as an Internal Medicine physician, supporting combat hospitals. My first deployment was to Womack Army Medical Center, supporting the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. My inspiration for joining the military was my dad and uncle. They both served in the military during the Vietnam War before I was born. I also have an older cousin who served in the Army when I was in high school. When I saw him in his military uniform, it was both inspiring and intimidating to me as a kid.

In 2011, I started taking military leadership graduate courses. It’s called Intermediate Level Education, which allows military officers to hone their skills. At that point in my career, I began to contemplate on how I might positively influence the healthcare delivery system for patients on a larger scale beyond just the bedside. Later, a close friend and mentor encouraged me to enroll in a Healthcare Management MBA program for career growth opportunities. With this additional education as a launchpad, I sold my medical practice and transitioned into a career in managed care, where I have worked as a medical director, senior medical director, and chief medical officer.

Medicine has allowed me to do the things I love the most – show empathy, educate patients, and provide life-altering care. Currently, as chief medical officer at GEHA, I have the profound opportunity to help change the lives of more than two million federal employees and retirees, military retirees, and their families. As CMO, it is important for me to always understand and appreciate the work expected of me and my team. Fortunately, my entire life journey has laid the foundation for a major role in this field.

Education: MD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; MBA, Emory University, BS, Seton Hall University

Company Name: Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (GEHA)

Industry: Federal employee and retired military medical and dental benefits, government, non-profit

Company CEO: Art Nizza

Company Headquarters Location: Lee’s Summit, MO

Number of Employees: Over 1,500

Your Location: Marietta, GA

Words you live by: The great astronomer, physicist and theologian, Sir Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” This quote details the value of mentorship and having excellent mentors throughout my life.

What book(s) are you reading? Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker, The Go-Getter by Peter B. Kyne, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Good to Great by Jim Collins. What was your first job? My first job was as a paperboy in my hometown in New Jersey.

Favorite charity: The Leadership Empowerment Project (LEP) is my charity of choice and is close to my heart. LEP is a non-profit that helps African American men excel in their first years in college through graduation. Their mission is to identify college young men of color who, through leadership training and mentoring, are prepared and guided on their journey to become college graduates and effective leaders in the public, private and charitable sectors.

Interests/Hobbies: Without a doubt, a significant interest of mine is my military service. As of June 30, 2023, I have served as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserves Medical Corps with 26 years of service. I serve on the board of directors for various non-profit organizations whose primary mission is to support patient advocacy, mentorship, and higher education for minority students.

Family: My wife and I met at Ben Hill United Methodist Church in 2001. Donna invited me over for an amazing home-cooked meal, and we started dating soon after. Her beauty, warm-hearted spirit, and loving smile won my affection. We have two children, Darius and Donna, who are now young adults living very productive lives.

From the U.S. Army to stateside: Taking care of patients in need has been his lifelong passion

Education:

JD, The George Washington University Law School; BS, Boston University

Company Name:

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

Industry:

Intellectual Property and Technology Law

Company Headquarters Location: Orange County, CA

Number of Employees: 649

Words you live by: “Respect is earned. Honesty is appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is returned.” – Ed Mylett

Who is your personal hero?

One individual who profoundly inspired me is my father. Throughout my life, he consistently exhibited an unparalleled work ethic, earning him the title of the hardest-working person I have ever known.

What book(s) are you reading?

Crushed - How Student Debt Has Impaired a Generation and What to Do About It by David E. Linton and The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

What was your first job?

Counselor at Timber Trails Girl Scout Camp

Favorite charity:

Habitat for Humanity

Interests/Hobbies:

Camping, outdoor adventuring, travel, skiing, Cub scouting with my son

Family: I have a husband and an 8-year-old son.

Cheryl T. Burgess Partner

My tenure of over seven years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force played a pivotal role in shaping and honing the beneficial skills and leadership qualities that I now employ every day in my legal career. The invaluable lessons and experiences I gained during my service have not only enriched my professional journey but also positioned me as a highly competent and effective legal professional.

Foremost among the virtues instilled in me by the Air Force is a strong sense of discipline and work ethic. The Air Force’s rigorous training and instruction were instrumental in cultivating my ability to stay focused, adhere to protocols, and execute tasks with precision. These principles of discipline have seamlessly translated into my legal practice, where punctuality, reliability, and meeting deadlines are of utmost importance to ensure the best possible representation for my clients.

Leadership development lies at the core of the Air Force’s training programs, and from the very beginning of my service, I was groomed to become an adept leader. Throughout my time in the Air Force, I learned the significance of effective teamwork, clear communication, and sound decision-making under pressure. As a veteran with experience leading diverse teams in challenging environments, I entered law school already equipped with the skills to manage and inspire others effectively, both within my litigation teams and in my interactions with clients.

The emphasis on technical proficiency in the Air Force heavily influenced my decision to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. The knowledge and expertise gained in this field have proven to be immensely valuable in my legal career, particularly when advising clients and litigating complex technology claims. Clients often recognize and appreciate the unique benefits my engineering background brings to the table, as it enhances my ability to advocate on their behalf in cases involving intricate technical matters.

Moreover, my time in the Air Force fostered a deep sense of camaraderie and adaptability, owing to frequent relocations and exposure to diverse cultures and situations. These experiences have honed my ability to embrace change, excel in diverse teams, and demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity - traits that have proved vital in my role within litigation teams and in handling complex legal challenges.

In conclusion, being a veteran of the United States Air Force has conferred distinct advantages upon my legal career development and leadership success. The discipline, leadership experience, technical expertise, and adaptability I gained during my service have shaped me into a proficient and accomplished attorney. My journey from the Air Force to the legal profession has been a testament to the powerful synergy between military service and civilian careers, and I continue to draw on the invaluable lessons learned from my time in the Air Force to thrive in the legal arena.

Service in the U.S. Air Force helped her build a top gun civilian career

Kyle Jefcoat Partner

My military service has provided opportunities for me to learn some of the most critical lessons that I carry with me to this day.

Inspired by a friend’s father, who had served as an Air Force pilot, I joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program to help pay tuition at Yale University and deferred my activeduty obligation to attend law school. After graduation, I applied to the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, hoping for an assignment overseas or in a tropical locale.

My first assignment was at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, which certainly did not offer much in the way of palm trees. Despite initial disappointment, I enjoyed my role tremendously, thanks to two great commanding officers and a collegial office environment, and I quickly advanced to become chief of military justice.

My service in Grand Forks overlapped with 9/11, and our base saw a massive deployment to the Middle East. The process for preparing airmen to deploy was surreal—people lined up, got their inoculations, and I’d draft a will for them as they boarded their plane. I often reflect on their bravery, and their service still inspires me.

Seizing the chance to serve as chief of military justice in Grand Forks created the opportunity to serve as a circuit trial counsel in my second assignment. Assigned to DC, I traveled extensively and completed 24 trials in two years. The rapid pace meant I typically would arrive at a base and work with the local office to prosecute a case—with about a week for trial prep and a week for the trial itself. That experience of working in multiple different offices with multiple different supervising officers allowed me to appreciate the experience that I had in Grand Forks and really taught me the importance of workplace collegiality and the importance of enjoying the people with whom you work.

As I neared the end of active duty, culture became a key criterion when I interviewed at law firms, and I found it at Latham. I initially joined as a litigation associate, and then became involved in procurement and government contracts. Because I both like my colleagues and what I do, I have prospered here for 19 years. Latham consistently supports the veteran community, and I now lead the firm’s U.S. Military and Veterans Network Affinity Group. In this role, I create opportunities for networking, as well as advise military members seeking their next career step and law students considering the JAG Corps. I am thankful for how my Air Force experience has shaped my practice today.

Education: JD, Duke University School of Law

Company Name: Latham & Watkins

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Richard Trobman

Your Location: Washington, DC

Words you live by: Comparison is the thief of joy.

Who is your personal hero? My parents

What book(s) are you reading?

The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

What was your first job?

Mowing lawns in my neighborhood

Favorite charity: National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)

Interests/Hobbies: College football fan

Family:

My wife, Katie, my 15-year-old daughter, and my 12-year-old son

No palm trees but a chance to develop a lifelong love of the law

Education:

BS, Finance, University of Idaho

Company Name: Moss Adams, LLP

Industry:

Wealth Management, Private Clients

Company CEO: Eric Miles

Company Headquarters Location: Seattle, WA

Number of Employees: 3,500+

Your Location: Everett, WA

Words you live by:

“Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it.” – Anne of Green Gables

Who is your personal hero?

My Grandpa Ed

What book(s) are you reading?

An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography by Jamie Beck

What was your first job?

Veterinary technician

Favorite charity: wear blue: run to remember

Interests/Hobbies:

Flower farming & wheel thrown pottery

Family: Partner (Charlie) of 20 years and mother to a 7-year-old boy.

Nicole Darty Operations Senior Manager

Joining the Army (2001-2005) was one of the best decisions I ever made for myself. Not only did it allow me to partially fund my degree in finance, via the GI Bill, but it also helped define the person I am today. I grew up on a farm in North Idaho, so I was no stranger to hard work, but the military stretched me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. The military was also my first real exposure to diversity of thought, culture, and race. I am grateful for that experience, as it has given me tools to make me a more inclusive person and leader in my civilian career and life in general.

Leadership has always been a passion of mine even as a kid in high school I was active in student government and 4-H Leadership. That passion continued in the military. I remember a time in Basic Training when the drill sergeants were discussing who would make good squad and platoon leaders. I overheard my name come up. I wanted so desperately to be chosen, but one Drill Sergeant said I was “too quiet,” so I didn’t make the cut. That remark, which they didn’t know I overheard, lit a fire in me to prove that you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to be a great leader.

It wasn’t too long after that comment that I was chosen as a squad leader and went on to hold many other leadership positions throughout my military career based on my work ethic and ability to rally a team together to move initiatives forward. Those words still fuel me to be the best leader I can be for me and my team, my Veterans Business Resource group here at Moss Adams. I might be a bit louder today than I was at 19 but I believe the key to being a great leader is authenticity, integrity, and selfless service to those you lead. Two of those qualities are part of the seven Army Core Values that I still use as guiding principles to this day.

I am honored to serve as the leader of our Veterans Business Resource Group at Moss Adams and look forward to continuing our efforts to hire more veterans at Moss Adams and fostering a sense of belonging for those who are currently in our ranks.

A new recruit shows she might be quiet but she’s on fire to lead – and she’s still taking charge

I might be a bit louder today than I was at 19 but I believe the key to being a great leader is authenticity, integrity, and selfless service to those you lead.

Kenneth Drinkard

SVP & General Auditor

My experience in the U.S. Army opened a world of new possibilities for me; it is a gift that keeps on giving. As a teenager, I was shy, undisciplined, and lacked direction. My world was limited to my neighborhood in New Jersey. I joined the Army because I knew there was more to life. My father was an Army combat vet during Vietnam. He rarely spoke of his time there, but when I decided to join, I could tell he was proud.

The Army exposed me to people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. It gave me the direction and discipline I was craving; it built my self-confidence; moreover, it helped me determine my life blueprint. I acquired new skills through working with technology; I sharpened my personal code of conduct, and I learned how to lead and be led.

Education:

Executive MBA, Rutgers University; BS, Accounting, North Carolina A&T State University

Company Name:

New York Life

Industry:

Financial Services

Company CEO:

Craig DeSanto

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 11,700

Words you live by:

I served during Desert Storm and saw firsthand the importance of outstanding teamwork. During that time, I learned how critical accountability and positive role modeling are to creating a successful culture. Along the way, I found leaders who gave me room to grow as an individual. They trusted and encouraged me to stretch myself and go beyond what I thought possible. I wasn’t always successful, but I always learned. I’ve tried to emulate this “servant leader” style by encouraging others to try, fail, learn, and repeat.

Finally, the Army helped me develop a more strategic mindset. To be successful in my technology role, I had to look at disparate elements of my team and bring them thoughtfully together to make my unit function properly. I have been able to successfully leverage that skill throughout my professional career. These and many more lessons have been instilled in me by the Army, shaping me into the business professional I am today.

“If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it.” – Marcus Aurelius

Who is your personal hero?

Colin Powell

What book(s) are you reading?

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, The Wager: A tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

What was your first job?

Paper route

Favorite charity: ASPCA

Interests/Hobbies:

Staying active, reading, and riding my motorcycle

The U.S. Army taught him how to lead, follow and grow in the military – and beyond

I acquired new skills through working with technology; I sharpened my personal code of conduct, and I learned how to lead and be led.

Education: BA, Sociology, Grove City College

Company Name: Orbital Engineering, Inc.

Industry: Engineering Design and Consulting

Company CEO: Robert J. Lewis

Company Headquarters Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Number of Employees: 570

Words you live by:

It’s all about relationships and people. We are in the business of selling people and trust, you cannot be successful unless you truly understand those you work for.

Who is your personal hero?

My father

What book(s) are you reading?

The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman, MD

What was your first job?

Worked for family’s retail store

Favorite charity: MS and charities supporting veterans

Interests/Hobbies: Travel, golf, science/technology, business

Robert J. Lewis CEO & Owner

Military training was an integral part of my success in the civilian world. As a U.S. Marine, I learned the most valuable life lessons one could: discipline and self-sacrifice. No one can have success without discipline and no one can lead without self-sacrifice. Even as an executive and owner, you still have a boss or bosses. Those

people who you serve are clients and your employees. While their success is also my success, this symbiotic relationship cannot reach its full potential without the discipline and self-sacrifice to make the necessary choices for the greater good. Without the employees and clients, we have no business. Without the business, I do not have the freedom for which I served.

VETERAN

The discipline and sacrifice that he learned in the U.S. Marines still offer valuable lessons

As a U.S. Marine, I learned the most valuable life lessons one could: discipline and self-sacrifice.

“Thank you very much for the nomination!!!!! I am honored and thrilled to be part Women Worth Watching in Leadership for 2023 and hoping my story helps other women growth.” – Patricia Colombo

“Thank you very much for this recognition.” – Renee Bea

“It is nice to be recognized for work that I love to do for Aflac.” – Keyla Cabret-Lewis

“I am overjoyed to receive the below email.” – Olivea Holley

“Thanks for recognizing Susan!” – Bruce Love

“I am incredibly honored and grateful for this award! Being featured in such a prestigious publication means the world to me.”

– Rosandra Silveira

“It’s an honor to be able to participate!” – Estefania Roa

“I am honored by this recognition, thank you very much for selecting me as a Woman Worth Watching!”

– Heather Milligan

“This is wonderful news, thank you!” – Kimberly Babcock

“Many thanks for the recognition!” – JiSun Yoo

“Thank you. I am honored.” – Sarah Link Shultz

“I am truly honored by this opportunity.”

– Rosandra Silveira

“Thank you for this wonderful news!”

– Susan Schroeder

Women Worth Watching® in Leadership Award

2 023 AWARD INTERNATIONAL

“Thank you very much!” – Kate Ottavio Kent

“Thank you so much for this email. It made my day. So honored and humbled by this recognition.” – Liza Rivera

“On behalf of Aflac and Christina, thank you for this coveted recognition.”

– Darcy Brito

“We’re excited to hear this good news!” – Raina Searles

“Thanks very much!” – Lauren Cole

“This is WONDERFUL news! Thank you for letting me know.” – Casey Matthiesen

“Thank YOU, I am honored to be recognized by your great organization.”

–Abigail Maines

“Very honored to be a part of this group of amazing women!” – Jennifer Daniel

“Thank you for the Recognition! Truly an honor to be part of this group of wonderful women leaders.” – Liwei Wang

“I am honored to have been selected for this recognition.”

– Bisola Taiwo

“This is wonderful news. We’ve let Alice know and she’s very excited.” – Karen Bradbury

“Thank you for the recognition and for taking the time and making the effort to recognize women!” – Jacqueline Bendon

“Wow! Thank you so much for this honor!” – Mayme Beth Donohue

“Thank you for your email and great news.”

– Christina Lincoln

“Received and thank you!”

– Kelly Sandill

“Thanks so much for the wonderful news!”

– Jennifer Owens

“Really appreciate the recognition. Ting is a rockstar!” – Amit Mayabhate

“Thank you so much for this recognition, it is an honor to be included.” – Margaret Rooney

“Thank you very much for this special recognition.”

“Thank you for this – I’m honored to be included.”

– Amy Wollensack

“We are pleased that Elaine has been selected as a Woman Worth Watching in Leadership this year! Thanks for sharing the good news.”

– Kaitlyn Tassiello

“Thank you for sharing this good news!” – Kaitlyn Tassiello

“Thank you for the wonderful news! I am honored to be included.” – Jo Ellen Stock

“This is fantastic news! I’ll notify the team tonight.” – Toni Carter

“Thank you so much! We are honored to be recognized.” – Megan Hughes

“We are delighted to hear that Hartley West has been chosen.”

– Colin Barraclough

“Thanks for sharing this exciting news! We are thrilled.” – Marissa Confredo

“Thank you for this wonderful news.”

– Mark Buckovich

“Thank you, I’m honored to be selected.” – Deb Ermiger

“Wow! What an amazing honor. Thank you so much!”

– Mareisha Reese

“Thank you so much for the selection, I’m very honored!”

“Thank you for letting us know about this incredible honor!” – Anna Roy

“We are honored to see Bianca selected for this year’s Women Worth Watching awards.” – Angela Sommers

“Thank you for reaching outwe are very grateful and thrilled that Vidya has received this recognition.” – Scott Lynch

“Hi, thanks for this, I am delighted!”

– Jessie Beeber

“How wonderful! Thank you.”

– Diana Barnes

“Thank you for this great news!” – Andrea Jung

– Jessica Stamelman

– Jo Thacker

We’re proud to present our 22nd class of Women Worth Watching in Leadership by profiling 83 more of the talented and hard-working women in leadership who have shattered the glass ceiling and become an important part of the Profiles in Diversity Journal legacy.

Again this year, our Women Worth Watching in Leadership honorees are living their vision, blazing new trails, achieving lofty goals, and lifting others as they climb. We are very proud to present their profiles.

In addition to providing biographical information, these award recipients have also written essays in which they share their love and appreciation for their parents support and encouragement, their academic, professional, and life experiences; their mentors—and of mentoring others; their gratitude for the opportunities and advice they have received; and their hopes for the future. Their profiles provide a golden opportunity for other professionals to get to know these remarkable women a little better.

Welcome to PDJ’s twenty-second Women Worth Watching Awards.

Michelle Hillman Director, Silicon Design Engineering

Education: BS, MS, Electrical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Company Name: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Industry: Semiconductor

Company CEO: Dr. Lisa Su

Company Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, CA

Number of Employees: 25,000+

Your Location: Boxborough, MA (remote via North Carolina)

Words you live by: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

– Henry Ford

Personal Philosophy: “It takes a village” – African proverb

What book are you reading? Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

What was your first job? Local electric light department

Favorite charity: NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness)

Interests: Travel, jewelry making, quilting, live music, volunteering

Family: Supportive husband, three adult children and Cosmo, our rescue dog

A successful career means lifting others up as you go

I am honored to be recognized by Profiles in Diversity Journal as one of the Women Worth Watching in Leadership for 2023. As I peruse the profiles of strong, remarkable women celebrated in previous years, I am inspired. I am also passionate about a common thread amongst them that I personally believe to be true: It takes a village, as the famous African proverb says.

We need to lift each other up, even in small ways: a thoughtful piece of advice, a joke to lighten a tense meeting, assistance with a homework answer, or simply a warm smile.

Recalling my college years, I had selected a school known for group projects and a grading scale of acceptable, acceptable with distinction, or no record of taking the class. I quickly learned that success required study groups and collaboration. At times, I’d be leading, whereas other times, I was being rescued! Joining Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity, sparked joy and a zeal for giving back to the local community.

Over the years in industry, I’ve become involved in company-sponsored extra-curricular activities. I pursued a leadership role in the local chapter of AMD Women’s Forum, a community fostering connections and promoting engagement, and I volunteered with the Employee Matters Committee to effect change when needed, and to plan fun events. I especially enjoy mentoring team members who are in the early stages of their career. Taking the initiative to be involved in the workplace in these ways provides a boost in morale, reduces stress, and helps others on their path.

Equally important, though, is opening yourself to be on the receiving end. Ask the so-called dumb question, consider that alternative, grasp the out-stretched hand in front of you without guilt or embarrassment. It’s leading you to a higher ground!

Embracing both sides – at times extending a hand, while other times grasping a hand – has shaped my career and life. As AMD’s brilliant tagline reminds us, “together we advance.”

Embracing both sides – at times extending a hand, while other times grasping a hand – has shaped my career and life. ”

Heather Sham

Sr Director Graphics Platform Engineering

Education: MBA, Schulich School of Business; BASc Computer Engineering, University of Toronto

Company Name: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Industry: Semiconductor

Company CEO: Dr. Lisa Su

Company Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA

Number of Employees: 25,000+

Your Location: Toronto, Canada

Words you live by: Be you, stay true

Personal Philosophy: I choose to be happy, not perfect

What book are you reading? Currently reading The Only One Left by Riley Sager. I read over 100 fiction books a year.

What was your first job? Grocery cashier, also where I met my husband

Favorite charity: Various charities to support family and friends’ fundraisers

Interests: Spending time with family, reading, puzzles

Family: Husband of 17 years Raymond and three daughters Megan (10), Amanda (10), Rachel (5)

Build your career and your life around your passion, authenticity and helping others

I’ve been with AMD for over 23 years. Despite other opportunities, I chose to stay because I’m constantly challenged, surrounded by people who believe in me, and I have been given many opportunities to grow.

Many people believed in and supported me throughout my life. While neither of my parents was university educated, both held management roles. Both were equally involved at home, making meals and caring for my siblings and me. They are my role model for gender equity and work/life balance. From an early age, I didn’t perceive that being a girl posed any limitations. My parents were supportive of me in whatever I wanted to do. In school, a teacher encouraged me to aim higher and revisit my career choices. Her belief in me drove me to lever age my love for science and math and study engineering. Early in my career at AMD, a leader recognized my performance and potential, and this recognition raised my confidence and opened up opportunities for me. And lastly, I could not do what I do today without the support from my husband Raymond.

Through my experiences a few principles guide my career and life.

• Have passion for what you do. At work, for me, this means solving challenges, providing direction and driving to improve and simplify while positively impacting people, products and processes. At home, for me, this is spending time with family and prioritizing experiences and vacations to make memories. You can have a successful career without sacrificing time with family and for yourself. My colleagues and friends know I make this a priority.

• Be authentic – This means focusing on your strengths and not compromising who you are for what others want you to be. My style is direct and efficient communication, challenging the status quo, focusing on actions and not stressing about things I can’t change. I also sometimes describe myself as stubbornly independent. It’s more important to me to belong somewhere because of what I can add rather than fitting in because I do what others want me to do and say.

• Help each other – We are stronger together, whether it’s collaborating on a project or learning from each other. Since I have benefited from many role models I look for opportunities to share my experiences with others.

I have been fortunate to have never felt that my gender held me back. I want my daughters and other young women to feel the same. Our guiding principles may differ, but I encourage everyone to find what drives you and makes you happy. You can do anything you want to do. Be you, stay true!

Jeannie Steele Head of Global Talent

Acquisition

Education: BS, Agricultural Development, Texas A&M; MS, Public Administration, University of Houston, Clear Lake

Company Name: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Industry: Semiconductor

Company CEO: Dr. Lisa Su

Company Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, California

Number of Employees: 25,000+

Your Location: Austin, TX

Words you live by: Breathe In, breathe out, move on Personal Philosophy: Dream big

What book are you reading? World Travel by Anthony Bourdain

What was your first job? I worked at the exotic bird show at a local park. I would say I was a trainer, but the macaws were 50-70 years old and they trained me to do their show.

Favorite charity: Local animal rescues and children’s education organizations

Interests: Travel - especially beaches, family, animals

Family: My husband Jeremy, two children, four dogs and a 100+ pound tortoise

A raging pandemic called for a change in leadership: Here’s how she did it

Before the pandemic, my Global Talent Acquisition team operated independently and with significant flexibility. This helped us adapt quickly when everyone needed to stay home, but at the same time our hiring spiked to unprecedented levels. My leadership style went through significant changes to adapt to the new circumstances and support my team effectively. After years of building and transformation, I needed to prioritize reaching out more to ensure the team was supported. Here are a few ways my leadership style evolved:

1. Communication: Communication became more crucial than ever during the pandemic. I shifted towards more frequent and transparent communication with my team members in video calls, which was not our norm before the pandemic. Updates were shared multiple times in various formats to ensure we stayed connected. Virtual happy hours and game nights became common within the team to build and maintain relationships.

2. Adaptability: The pandemic introduced unprecedented changes and uncertainties. As a leader, I adapted quickly to the evolving situation, making necessary adjustments to work processes, goals, and priorities, such as figuring out with the

rest of the world how to hire people we had not met. I encouraged my team to embrace flexibility and adaptability, fostering a culture of change and freedom to fail.

3. Remote work enablement: With the transition to remote work, I focused on enabling my team to thrive in a virtual environment. While most were accustomed to some level of remote work, many didn’t have the formal home office set up that was needed in a new video-dominated world.

4. Resilience and stability: It was essential to demonstrate resilience and stability in the beginning of the pandemic. I recognized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, staying calm under pressure, and inspiring confidence in my team. I motivated my team members to stay focused, care for family first, be adaptable, and stay determined.

Overall, the pandemic forced me to reevaluate my leadership approach and prioritize effective communication, support, adaptability, remote work enablement, and resilience. These changes allowed me to lead my team through the pandemic and the largest hiring increase in company history successfully while supporting their well-being and maintaining productivity.

Liwei Wang Director, Advanced Packaging Engineering

Education: PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, Auburn University

Company Name: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Industry: Semiconductor

Company CEO: Dr. Lisa Su

Company Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, CA

Number of Employees: 25,000+

Your Location: Austin, TX

Words you live by: Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.

Personal Philosophy: It is not as much about who you used to be, as it is about who you choose to be

What book are you reading? Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

What was your first job? Packaging engineer

Favorite charity: Children’s Hospital Foundation

Interests: Travel, tennis and movies

Family: My wonderful husband, best friend and super teammate and two amazing daughters (9 and 5)

Fueling Passion: An Odyssey of Self-Betterment and Harmonious Living

From good to better to best: that’s my lifelong self improvement journey.

Passion, they say, is the fuel that drives our ambitions, and my passion resides in the constant endeavor to become a better version of myself. This pursuit of personal evolution rooted deeply across both my personal and my professional life.

My professional life began as a senior packaging engineer after graduating from Auburn University with a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. From the onset, my technical expertise served as a crucial foundation in the early years of my career. However, the yearning for more challenges and a broader scope have led to my career transitions into different roles and different companies over the years. During each of the transitions, I sought new challenges that would push my boundaries beyond my comfort zone. Along with the challenges, there were opportunities to immerse myself in a larger universe of learning and self-improvement.

Today, as the director of advanced packaging engineering at AMD, I am continuously looking for opportunities to learn and grow. My passion extends beyond my technical aptitude; it reaches into the sphere of

personal development and extends to my team. I believe that as we grow individually, we grow collectively.

My commitment to personal betterment isn’t about being better than others but is driven by the belief that as long as we’re growing, we’re succeeding. This philosophy propels me to strive for excellence, inspire my team, and create an environment that fuels innovation and problem-solving at work.

While my career is a significant part of my life, it isn’t my only focus. Outside work, I am a wife to a wonderful husband and a mother to two fantastic daughters. I strive for harmonious relationships and work on being a better parent every day. My quest for betterment is not about perfection but harmony and growth, creating an enriching environment for my family. My various roles feed into my career, fostering resilience, patience, and the ability to juggle diverse tasks.

In essence, knowing that I’m continually evolving, whether it’s inspiring my team to grow professionally or creating harmony at home is the fuel that keeps me motivated; understanding that growth is an ongoing journey, not a destination drives my ambition, and fills my life with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Christina Baker VP, Sales Strategy and Resolution

Education: MA, Webster University; BS, The United States Military Academy at West Point

Company Name: Aflac

Industry: Insurance

Company CEO: Daniel P. Amos

Company Headquarters Location: Columbus, GA

Words you live by: “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”

– Charles R. Swindoll

Personal Philosophy: Live with gratitude

What book are you reading? The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon

What was your first job? 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army

Favorite charity: TESSA – Local community safe house for victims of violence in Colorado Springs, CO

Interests: Anything outdoors such as hiking and camping

Family: Wonderful husband, Nate, and a Bernedoodle furbaby, Bentley

As a leader, we face many challenges. The one that keeps me up at night the most, however, is ensuring I have properly taken care of my employees. As leaders, I believe we are first and foremost responsible to those we lead because they are our most valuable asset and supporting them can be the most rewarding part of our jobs.

It is the employees who make a company successful, and great leadership and care of the greatest asset you have is the most important role you have. You are not only there to ensure they complete the job they were hired to do, but you are also there to encourage and help them be their best self.

Yes, we have tasks to complete, and we must hold employees accountable to the responsibilities of their roles with the company. However, taking time to ensure your people know why their position is important and the impact their work has on the company and its customers helps them grow and take pride in the work they do. You can even go further and create a development plan for your team that shows other roles in the company that can utilize their talents as they learn and grow. Giving one-on-one feedback and having honest, sometimes tough, conversations with your employees also shows them you care about them.

It is so easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks, to run from one meeting to another and not make time for employee development. Most employees want your input, time and honesty and appreciate learning from you how they can improve and grow.

I have never regretted the time I’ve taken to invest in my team and help them be the best version of themselves. Employees who know you care about them and want them to be successful are typically the most productive and many move into new roles where they continue making a difference for the company. Some even grow into leaders who, because of you, know what it is like to be cared for and appreciated by a leader, and continue that practice with their own employees. It’s a win-win.

Taking care of my employees – I find it to be the most rewarding part of any leadership position I have held. I am grateful for that advice as it has truly made a big impact on my life, and I hope the lives of others, as well.

The best advice I ever received: Make sure you take care of your employees

Jennifer Daniel National Vice President Broker Distribution Strategy and Partnerships

Education: BA, Advertising, Drake University

Company Name: Aflac

Industry: Insurance

Company CEO: Dan Amos

Company Headquarters Location: Columbus, GA

Number of Employees: 12,800

Your Location: Des Moines, IA

Words you live by: “You can be a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same darn time.”

– Jess Sims

Personal Philosophy: Live a life of gratitude, there is always something to be thankful for. Take care of your body and prioritize your health, without that you have nothing. Find ways to make a difference every single day.

What book are you reading? The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

What was your first job? Benefits enrollment counselor at Principal Financial Group

Favorite charity: Songwriting With Soldiers – Turning military veteran’s stories into songs

Interests: I love to travel and find new adventures. I am also big into anything related to fitness; move ment is my medicine. When I am home, I enjoy baking, listening to music, reading and learning golf. Family: I have a wonderful husband and three amazing adult “children” who are all creating their own unique paths.

Gratitude, giving, grit – this is my G-Force in life. What’s yours?

When people ask, “What are you passionate about?” My initial response is “everything.” While that is not quite accurate (because I’m not a fan of zombie movies or exotic meats), I do think there is a lot in this world to be passionate about. I refer to these passions as my G-Force. Simply put, most of my passions can be categorized with words starting with the letter G. Let’s GO!

Gratitude – My favorite G word. The more you give the more you get and I believe that 100%. There is always something to be thankful for. Gratitude can change your mindset from negative to positive, which eventually can change your overall outlook and perspective. It is truly magical to show genuine appreciation!

Give – This does not necessarily mean money, although I have never turned away from a charity. You can give a smile, a hug or a compliment. You can give feedback, your time and your knowledge. We sometimes focus too much on what we can get from this world. Let’s change the lens to what we can give and see what a difference it can make.

Grit – Life is not easy. There are daily challenges thrown in our paths. Think about your worst day and guess what? You made it through. That means you will make it through the next one too. Grit is about tenacity, determination, strength of character and sometimes blood, sweat and tears. While life may not always show us the easy path, it is the challenges that teach us the hardest lessons and make us stronger.

Glisten – This is just a G word for sweat. Move your body, take care of your health. You only get ONE body. It does not matter if you have millions of dollars because if you do not have your health then you cannot enjoy it. I am very passionate about working out and being healthy. Once movement becomes your mindset it is a complete game changer.

Grow – Life has so much to offer and it is so important to be growing, changing and adapting. Growth could be through your career, knowledge, bank account, circle of friends, stamps in your passport and so many other ways. Growth is not shown by how often you post on social media or by making comparisons to others. It is personal and it is important.

Leveraging my G-Force helps keep me focused on what is important so I can have grace with myself and be great! I encourage you to find your G-Force and leverage it to accelerate your success in life.

Deb Ermiger VP of Digital Engagement

Education: BA, Marketing and Communications, Hillsdale College; MA, Professional and Technical Communication, Wayne State University

Company Name: Aflac Insurance

Company CEO: Dan Amos

Company Headquarters Location: Columbus, GA

Number of Employees: 12,800

Your Location: Grand Blanc, Michigan

Words you live by: “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” – Lao

Tzu

Personal Philosophy: Assume the best in people, because we can’t know what they are going through.

What book are you reading? Chevy in the Hole: A Novel by Kelsey Ronan

What was your first job? Copywriter for a home health care agency

Favorite charity: I support charities focused on mental health and addiction recovery and support

Spending time with family and friends, reading, the outdoors

My family includes my husband of 25 years (Bob), three children (Tom, Michael and Ava), my Mom, my brother and sister, plus two amazing dogs (Sadie & Leo).

In my early 20s, I was humming along in my career, feeling great in my navy-blue skirt suits and bow-tie chiffon blouses (that’s right, it was the early 90s). I worked for an amazing leader on a team that I loved.

One day, my leader called to tell me that we had a situation: a client had complained about me. My heart was racing and my mind was spinning. I remember feeling ashamed and scared. But then my leader said, “I know this isn’t an accurate view of you. So, our goal is to understand and then change his perception.”

With those two sentences, she conveyed her support and belief in me, and she taught me that a person’s perception is not reality … and that perception can change.

I learned more about the power of perception from another leader who taught me an important lesson through his actions rather than his words. Time after time, I watched him look at things from the other person’s perspective and then give that person the benefit of the doubt. He didn’t explicitly say, “Hey, look at things from the other person’s perspective, and then give them the benefit of the doubt.” He just did it, and it was contagious! I do it today, and it has been an essential element of our team dynamic — especially because our team is geographically distributed.

Throughout this time, I’ve also been influenced by so many of my team members. My office has relics from the impact these people have had on me. Printouts of “Do it anyway” and the Irish Blessing, “The Road.” A photo with a colleague of 25 years in a frame that says, “Work Hard. Play Hard.” A small statue of an angel.

The people around me have shaped me into the leader I am today, and I am grateful to each of them. It makes me aware of the impact I have on others.

And if you’re wondering about that complaint about me early in my career — it’s one that probably hasn’t aged well. It was that I was overconfident.

My own path to leadership might have been sidelined if I didn’t have a leader who could see the situation from multiple perspectives and help me navigate to a positive outcome. I’m honored to have the chance to do the same for others.

People who use perception and perspective are great leaders who build great work teams

Keyla Cabret-Lewis

VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Education: BA, Political Science, Master’s, Public Administration, Columbus State University

Company Name: Aflac

Industry: Insurance

Company CEO: Dan Amos

Company Headquarters Location: Columbus, GA

Number of Employees: 12,800

Words you live by: “You must accept that you might fail, then if you do your best and still don’t win, at least you can be satisfied that you’ve tried. If you don’t accept failure as a possibility, you don’t set high goals, you don’t branch out, you don’t try—you don’t take the risk.”- Rosalynn Carter

Personal Philosophy: Approach everything you do with the goal of excellence. Perfection may not be reached, but with excellence in mind it should be great!

What book are you reading? Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

What was your first job? Internship at Aflac

Favorite charity: Damascus Way Home for Women and Children

Interests: Reading, gardening, family

Family: My wonderful husband Tim, my sons Amir and Trevor, and my daughter Arya Jade.

The pandemic changed the workplace forever; but it did not change everything people need to be successful in the workplace. I now find myself even more passionate about more foundational things — employee development and education, an inclusive culture and representation in leadership.

While it’s always important to find ways to infuse the organization with new talent, most recently, I’ve focused on the intentionality it takes to develop existing employees. As leaders, we must be diligent in identifying competencies for success, talking about these areas with employees and providing them with avenues to upskill and gain experience.

Additionally, it’s essential to create a culture where employees feel safe and where they can belong. Aflac has always had an inclusive culture — it starts at the top and permeates throughout the organiza tion. We do this by providing developmental tools and programming to help employees grow into their authentic selves personally and professionally.

For instance, our Diversity Councils create an array of employee events to help instill an inclusive, supportive and innovative work environment. They help improve productivity and morale, promote creativity and communication, and give employees opportunities to learn about and appreciate one an other’s cultural differences. And these efforts worked: According to an internal survey, 91% of employees believe Aflac has created an environment where people with diverse backgrounds can succeed.

Employees also want to see themselves at every level of an organization. Whether it’s women in executive roles or colleagues with disabilities, they want to see that it’s possible for EVERYONE to have a great career.

As I came up through the ranks at Aflac from an intern to an officer, I was fortunate to see both men and women in leadership roles advance in their careers. This showed me that if you worked hard and made wise choices, success was possible. I’ll never forget how critical and positive it was to my own development.

I also had excellent role models at home — crucial to my personal success was witnessing my parents balance work and family. It can be hard but so rewarding when you’re able to achieve work-life balance. My hope is that employees find value in working at flexible times that enables them to complement their work environment to their working style.

In my experience, I’ve seen employees shine the most and bring their best selves to work when they feel invested in, can be their true selves and have mentors and positive role models throughout the organization. The best thing we can do as leaders is to prioritize these three pillars as a part of the employee experience.

Authenticity, role models and mentoring are important to help all employees rise through the ranks

Education: JD, University of Minnesota Law School; BA, University of North Dakota

Company Name: Akin

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Kim Koopersmith

Number of Employees: 1,700+

Your Location: Dallas, TX

Words you live by: You only lose your integrity once.

Personal Philosophy: Just be nice. It gets you far in this world.

What book are you reading? Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

What was your first job? Babysitting - I made $0.25/ hour, $0.50 if it was after dark

Favorite charity: Family Gateway Charity

Interests: Endurance events, reading, and wine

Family: Married to my husband Christian and proud mother to Schuyler (19) and Doodle (16)

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a seismic shift in the world of work, redefining traditional paradigms and accelerating trends that were once on the horizon. This is especially true for the legal market. As the global workforce faced lockdowns, remote work became not just a perk, but a necessity. This sudden transition showcased the adaptability of businesses and employees alike, altering the landscape of work in profound ways.

Remote work, once looked upon as an option reserved for women who were “less dedicated” to their careers, has become a mainstream practice. As organizations were forced to adopt virtual collaboration tools they changed the dynamics of team interactions and productivity.

This shift undoubtedly affirmed what many of us already knew – work from home does not mean less productive or less dedicated. At the same time, the concept of the 9-to-5 workday blurred as we all juggled personal and professional responsibilities amidst the confines of our homes.

Moreover, mental health and well-being took center stage. Employers recognized the significance of supporting their employees’ emotional and mental wellness in the face of uncertainty. Flexibility, once seen as a perk, became a crucial component of a compassionate work environment. And time away

from the office became something mandated as opposed to something requested. Virtual team-building activities, mindfulness sessions, and open conversations about mental health became integral to sustaining a connected and resilient workforce.

On a broader scale, the pandemic has prompted reflections on the purpose of work itself. Many individuals reassessed their career paths, seeking professions that aligned with their passions and values, often discovering that they can and are happy to do with less in exchange for more time away from the office. Ultimately, this global upheaval prompted a reconsideration of the essence of work itself – not just as a means of livelihood, but as a vehicle for personal fulfillment and societal progress.

As the COVID-19 pandemic abates, and society settles back into its new norm, one thing is clear – the pandemic has changed the world of work. Days are filled with video conferences instead of phone calls. Meetings that once demanded participants get on planes take place remotely. And, women, more specifically mothers, who historically were the primary consumers of flexible work arrangements, are joined by workers of all gender, marital and parental status. Gone are the days of those working remotely being equated to those who are less dedicated to their craft. It’s been replaced by a work environment that allows all employees to meet personal and professional needs.

COVID-19 changed the way we all work – and for many, it’s been good and even equitable

Amy Wollensack Partner

Education: JD, Washington University School of Law; MSN, Virginia Commonwealth University; BSN, Virginia Commonwealth University; BS, University of Richmond

Company Name: Akin

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Kim Koopersmith

Number of Employees: 1,700+

Your Location: New York, NY

Words you live by: The world is small. Memories are long; treat people well.

Personal Philosophy: Always err on the side of being generous when you are able, whether with your time, your resources, your faith in people or otherwise.

What book are you reading? I’m finally getting to Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns.

What was your first job? Barnes & Noble Cafe

Favorite charity: Board member for HousingPlus. It provides long term housing and supportive solutions to homeless women and their families.

Interests: Music, theater, travel, reading

Family: I’m one of six children and have two wonderful nieces.

In June of 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, like many New Yorkers, I left the city and was working remotely from a small rental in Narragansett, Rhode Island. As a private equity and M&A attorney, I was just beginning to see the market heat up in what would be a record-breaking deal environment for the next two years. I was getting used to spending my days on videoconferences, and still hadn’t learned to check the mute button before speaking, or purchased a ring light.

A colleague and I were excited to learn that we would be engaged to lead the acquisition of an online university with a large nursing program. As a former nurse practitioner, I was excited about this deal. We dialed into the introductory video conference and were surprised to see that from the client, to the debt finance lead, to the primary regulatory counsel, to our mergers and acquisition team, we were all black women. It wasn’t long before we could see the same realization dawning on the others on the line, and we began to discuss this openly: none of us had ever been on a client team led only by women before, let alone black women.

A year after that deal closed, I found myself in another new situation – this time, my partner Michelle Chan and I were opposite Renee Delphin-Rodriguez, another black woman M&A lawyer. I had never been opposite

another black woman M&A lawyer before and neither had Renee. The composition of these deal teams was so unusual that both times, diversity was noted in the deal coverage. While I understand the significance of this given the historic lack of diversity in the legal industry –and particularly in transactional practices – and appreciate that the visibility that might lead others to consider private equity and M&A to be a viable career path, it’s still a bit mind boggling to me that it is of note when people who look like me do our jobs. I’m hopeful that these experiences are signs of change, and that the visibility of black women in transactional practice inspires others to follow suit.

As Black women become more visible in mergers and acquisitions, here is hoping that more join them

It wasn’t long before we could see the same realization dawning on the others on the line, and we began to discuss this openly: none of us had ever been on a client team led only by women before, let alone black women. ”

Alice McCarvill Executive VP and Chief Human Resources Officer

Education: Bachelors, Human Resources and Industrials Relations, University Laval, Quebec, Canada; Certificate in Business Administration, University Laval

Company Name: Albany International

Industry: Manufacturing (Aerospace & Machine Clothing)

Company CEO: Gunnar Kleveland

Company Headquarters Location: Rochester, NH

Number of Employees: 4,300

Words you live by: Integrity, inclusion, passion, accountability, caring and empowerment of others

Personal Philosophy: Unwavering commitment to nurturing a thriving people-first and inclusive environment, and leading by example

What book are you reading? Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Lencioni and The Talent Masters by Bill Conaty and Ram Charan

What was your first job? Human Resources administrator

Favorite charity: ASPCA – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Interests: Hiking US National Parks, yoga and running

Don’t let obstacles prevent you from achieving success

I love my life. I’m at that sweet spot where I’ve achieved enough that I’m able to appreciate all that I experience every day. I feel blessed to work at Albany International with great colleagues and a wonderful team doing work that I find meaningful. My ongoing efforts are aimed at being an advocate for our employees and creating a culture where diversity, inclusion, and equity is a focus so that all employees can unleash their fullest potential.

I grew up in Quebec, Canada. My mother died in a car accident when I was two years old, leaving my father with three children he wasn’t able to care for, so we were put into the foster care system. I lived in a home with my foster mother and her biological daughter, plus many other children who were in and out over the years. For a while, my brother lived with us but ultimately we ended up separated. There was very little money, no luxuries, and the bullies at school made sure I knew I was different. I was told repeatedly both by other children and even some adults that I wasn’t good enough and that I would never be successful.

I chose not to believe them.

I was determined that I wouldn’t be trapped in poverty and forced to the sidelines of life. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to grow up to be, but I knew I wanted to move away from the circumstances I found so difficult. I was lucky enough to have some influential teachers who instilled the value of education in me so I knew that getting to college was going to be the key to my escape. In the meantime, I released the stress and frustration I was feeling by joining in sports like handball, ice hockey, and badminton. I’ve been a runner since I was 13 years old.

When I graduated from high school, the best option for me was joining the Canadian military reserve to pay for college. I rode the bus to my college classes, which took an hour and a half each way. I let nothing stop me. When new obstacles arose, I adapted.

It took me a long time to reach my goals, and I had a lot of them. I wish there hadn’t been so many obstacles and I’d like my legacy to be that I helped remove obstacles to make it easier for those coming behind me to fulfill their potential. Despite whatever obstacles are in your way, the key to your success lies in your focus, your resilience, and the relentless pursuit of your goals. You can do it too!

Sarita Rao Senior Vice President, Integrated & Partner Solutions

Education: MBA, Northwestern; Bachelor of Commerce, DePaul University

Company Name: AT&T

Industry: Telecommunications

Company CEO: John Stankey

Company Headquarters Location: Dallas, TX

Number of Employees: 160,000+

Words you live by: Be curious. Give back. Say thank you. What was your first job? Sales

Favorite charity: Common Threads

Interests: Travel, home design

Find a job where you don’t go to work, you dash to work in excitement

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received did not hit me like a lightning bolt. But it did spark a slow simmer in my mind that I have returned to many times in the past 20 years, particularly in moments of difficulty and challenge, as a touchstone for ensuring I was on the right track.

It came from James Crowe, who was a telecommunications pioneer and founder of Level 3, a Fortune 500 company. I met him while I was finishing my executive MBA at Northwestern’s Kellogg School. At the time I did not know who he was, or how influential he was in my industry, but we struck up a conversation at lunch and the topic turned to finding motivation at work. What James said to our table was this: You should not just “go” to work—you should “run” to it.

Now, I admit, this might seem like an impossible standard. Our jobs are not something we do for fun. Work can be frustrating at times. But Mr. Crowe’s point was that despite the inevitable challenges, we should find a sense of meaning in our jobs that pulls us in, day after day. Our jobs should be more than an obligation. They should be something that is fulfilling, a future vision we

can see and move proactively toward. Work takes up such a large part of our lives — we typically spend more hours a day with our colleagues than we do with anyone else. So to be truly satisfied, you need to be engaged in work that gets you excited enough to “run” to the office.

This notion of running to work is something I have come back to numerous times throughout my career as a temperature check. When I was in a role where I questioned my effectiveness, I would ask myself “Do I feel like I am running to work?” And if the answer was still “yes,” I would have the clarity to know I was in the right place, despite the short-term setbacks.

This idea might seem outdated in today’s work climate, where “quiet quitting” and #lazygirljob are trending on social media. But work is like any other relationship—you only get out of it what you are willing to put in. So I encourage you to find a job where you are wholeheartedly committed. If you believe in your purpose and ability to succeed, and you will wake up each morning wanting to lace up your (metaphorical) running shoes.

Our jobs should be more than an obligation. They should be something that is fulfilling, a future vision we can see and move proactively toward.

Margaret Rooney-McMillen Vice President – Strategic Accounts

Education: BA, Business Management, Emory & Henry College

Company Name: AT&T

Industry: Telecommunications

Company CEO: John Stankey

Company Headquarters Location: Dallas, TX

Number of Employees: 160,000+

Words you live by: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

Personal Philosophy: In everything, do to others what you would want them to do to you.

What book are you reading? The Rainmaker by John Grisham

What was your first job? Global service delivery representative at MCI

Favorite charity: Micah Ecumenical Ministries

Interests: Reading, Premier League Football, gardening, spending time with my family

Family: Husband and three children

The lone bright spot of the pandemic is that it gave us all the opportunity to rethink the way we show up for one another. The first confirmed case of COVID in the United States was January 20, 2020. In just shy of four years, we have all redefined what it means to be connected.

We have created new ways to accommodate the human need for safety, community, and continued learning. Businesses adapted to reduced workforces and increased health protocols while maintaining customer commitments. Collaboration took on a new meaning – we could no longer rely on the “drive-by brainstorm”, and we quickly realized how for granted we took our ability to read non-verbal cues. The pandemic forced us to prioritize innovation. And innovate we did – brick and mortar shops turned to e-commerce, hospitals and clinics turned to remote patient monitoring, logistics turned to automation, and colleague happy hours turned to zoom meetings –complete with the virtual party games!

Will these changes become permanent? If permanent means that these solutions continue to be an option, then the answer is yes. That’s the magic of true innovation – once you do it, it makes it hard to do without. Even though I enjoy being able to walk the aisles of my grocery or big box store, I still take advantage of curbside pick-up. It’s convenient for me, and I’m sure retailers don’t want to lose that business.

This doesn’t mean it will replace our very human need to connect physically. I appreciate the option to do work from anywhere in the world. But I still need to go to the office and whiteboard with my peers. I need them to drop in for unscheduled conversations. In the former scenario, I’m practicing productivity maintenance. In the latter, I am fostering true connection to accelerate progress.

Businesses have proven their ability to meet people where they are. It was not uncommon during the pandemic for an employee to tell their supervisor that they were struggling and to be understood. It was not uncommon for employers to accommodate extended time off, or to cover for sick colleagues. Businesses developed creative ways to deliver groceries, administer mental health services remotely, hire and train new people quickly, and educate our children at home. The pandemic amplified our ability to respond to each others’ needs, and exposed our ability to find compassion in very new ways.

The demands placed on heightened connectivity are here to stay. I’m proud to work for a company that brings access and connectivity to everyone. Pandemic or not, upgrading and enhancing the AT&T network infrastructure prepares everyone to meet their greater possibility from where they are.

How the pandemic reshaped our business connections and the future

Catherine Soik Head of Market Development

Education: BA, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

Company Name: AT&T

Industry: Telecommunications

Company CEO: John Stankey

Company Headquarters Location: Dallas, TX

Number of Employees: 160,000+

Words you live by: “Accept who you are: and revel in it.” Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie

Personal Philosophy: Be smart. Be healthy. Be kind.

What book are you reading? Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

What was your first job? Assistant manager, Baker’s Oven (family-owned bakery)

Favorite charity: American Heart Association

Interests: Travel, Green Bay Packers fan, wine lover, reading, music and adventures with my nephew.

Living your best life means making big Investments in yourself – and those around you

Invest in yourself. Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a community of those you love and who love you. These tokens of wisdom come from mentors, intertwined with my favorite book, “Tuesdays with Morrie.” Together, they outline my approach to all relationships in life, both personal and professional.

When pursuing a general manager position at AT&T, I met with a mentor who asked me how many hours a week I worked out. When I said 4-5 hours weekly, he said; “Great! That is the minimum number of hours you need to invest in yourself and your career.” Much like a financial portfolio, investments are diverse and come in different forms. Some yield greater returns, yet each is essential in creating financial wealth. The same is true for self-investment. Consider your physical investments, emotional and health investments, professional investments, and personal interests too! Connecting over coffee, par ticipating in training, listening to a podcast, lifting weights, reading a great book, taking a walk, traveling the world, enjoying a glass of wine, and allowing time for meditation and peace are all investments made in yourself and humankind. Each activity contributes towards your portfolio, growing benefits both inside and outside of the office – for you and for your community.

Where do I make my greatest self-investment? In people.

I am a very social and extroverted individual. I enjoy connecting with others more than anything in the world. I feel truly fulfilled when my team and I learn together and celebrate our successes. Investing in all aspects of human interaction brings me great joy. Furthermore, I’ve found greater success by incorporating the power of my relationships as I develop unique solutions for the market. There are moments each year where I am intentional in gathering people who have contributed to my success to commemorate all we have accomplished. These events often include peers from both my past and present. The ability to connect others drives tremendous collaboration and increases strategies for success exponentially.

For me, the investments go beyond the office and the advice follows me at home. Both my career and personal life are filled with those who invest in themselves and one another. Collectively, I’ve learned our individual and community portfolios are diversified and robust. Together, we’ve created mutually beneficial outcomes where achievements are bountiful.

Education: JD, cum laude – Boston University School of Law (1994); BA – University of Maryland (1991)

Company Name: Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Matthew Becker

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 160

Words you live by: Variety is the spice of life. Life is short so don’t wait. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you have no sense of humor.

What book are you reading? Trust by Hernan Diaz

What was your first job? Lifeguard

Favorite charity: DEBRA of America, which works to improve the lives of all people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) (“the worst disease you’ve never heard of”). St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Interests: Travel, theater, the NYT crossword, my book club of 20 years, and spending time with my family. Plus, a newly discovered love of pickleball. Family: A wonderful husband of 20 years and two amazing teenage sons.

The Passing Comment That I Pass Along – Don’t Assume People Know What You Want

I am often asked what is the best career advice I received as a young attorney. After nearly 30 years of practice, there is certainly plenty for me to choose from. But one particular conversation always comes to mind, because the advice was so straightforward and implementable but had not occurred to me.

At the time, I was a senior associate in a large firm, gunning (in my own mind) to make partner. During a watercooler conversation with a partner in another department, the topic of partnership track came up. With sincere curiosity he asked me if I was interested in being a partner in the firm. I was a bit taken aback – of course I wanted to be a partner, why else would I be doing this? His response flipped a light switch for me. He remarked that I should let people know that – and not just the partners in my small practice group – because plenty of associates do not, in fact, have that goal. So if I wanted to be on the firm’s radar screen for promotion, I needed to speak up. Of course, he was right. And I realized that despite my senior associate status, I had never directly stated my ambitions, had asked far too few questions, and instead was assuming “the partners” knew what I wanted and would tell me when it was going to happen.

Law firm partnership is typically something you need to push for if you want it, especially now that the business case for adding new partners can be so demanding. My advice to associates who aspire to be partners is to take that offhand advice I was given and speak up. Grab the reins of your career, communicate your ambitions, seek guidance as

to how to achieve them, and solicit regular and candid feedback regarding your progress. And if you do not want to be a partner, have the confidence to communicate those career aspirations as well. Perhaps your goal is to go in-house, or work for the government. Start with a trusted mentor and collaborate on how to communicate and achieve those goals. No one is in a better position to help you get where you want to go professionally than your current colleagues, even if your ultimate goal is not to stay at your current law firm for the entirety of your career.

On the flip side, many law firms need to do a far better job of engaging in an open and ongoing dialogue with associates regarding their desire for and likelihood of promotion. Too many partners avoid the partnership track conversation for as long as they can, for reasons too varied to discuss here. And too many associates are afraid to ask where they stand vis-a-vis partnership for fear of the answer, or to share their nonpartnership goals for fear of being side-lined. The reality is that not every associate can, or wants to, make partner, so it would behoove both the firm and the associate to work together to make sure that interests and expectations align. This requires some amount of transparency and trust on both sides, but I believe is far more likely to lead to a win-win situation than delaying or ducking the conversation ever will.

As is true for most things in life, if you do not communicate what you want, you are unlikely to get it. And that applies equally to associates driving their own career and to law firms developing their partnership and loyal alumni pipelines.

Education: Brooklyn Law School, JD; University of Vermont, BA

Company Name: Braverman Greenspun, P.C.

Industry: Law

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 27

What book are you reading? I just finished Ms. Demeanor, by Elinor Lipman; I also am listening to the “Wiser Than Me” podcast.

What was your first job? Babysitter, age 12

Interests: Reading, gardening, cooking and baking, being outdoors, listening to live music

The Importance of Mentoring

When it was announced that I was a recipient of this award, the managing partner of my firm sent a firmwide email congratulating me. The responses from my colleagues, and their kind words of support and appreciation caused me to blush. One of my colleagues, in particular, wrote to me: You’ve been a wonderful friend and mentor.” Mentor. That word holds such prestige in my worldview, and it is resonating with me as I write this. I have been extraordinarily lucky in my career to have had so many incredible mentors, from whom I have learned so much, and who have inspired me to pay it forward.

Those mentors have run the gamut and have taught me so many invaluable lessons. The firm at which I was a summer associate during law school had an official mentoring program, and the mentor to whom I was assigned is still a friend nearly 25 years later. In our first phone call before I began, I sought her counsel about the appropriateness of open-toed sandals and red-painted toes in the office. She laughed not at me, but with me, and dispensed her sartorial advice. Her advice over the years, however, was hardly limited to the sartorial.

The judge for whom I had the honor of clerking after law school initially intimidated me. As is standard for law clerks, at the beginning of my clerkship, she asked me to write a draft decision on a pending motion. My initial thought was, “Um, you’re the judge. I have just graduated from law school. Aren’t you better equipped to do this than I?” Of course, however, I undertook the task,

working as hard as I can recall ever working, not wanting to disappoint her. Her reaction to the draft? “You’re wrong. Want to know why?” She then invited me to sit down with her, and took the time to go over the decision with me and explain her thought process and reasoning. That experience of being forced to go out on a limb, not get it entirely “right,” and not only survive, but to get so much out of the process, has been the core to my professional success. Without trying and putting in the effort, success will forever be elusive.

I could go on about the mentors who have had an indelible influence on me. However, their collective true impact is my understanding of the effect of mentoring. My professional success, my true merit as a Woman Worth Watching, will be measured (at least by me) by my impact on my colleagues. This award has allowed me to reflect on this fact, bringing it into high relief, and directing me forward.

My professional success, my true merit as a Woman Worth Watching, will be measured (at least by me) by my impact on my colleagues. ”

Leela Wilson

Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Engagement

BA, University of Warwick

Company Name: Catalyst Inc.

Non-Profit

Company CEO: Lorraine Hariton

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 124

Your Location: Portland, OR

Words you live by: Lead by example and be the change you want to see in the world

Personal Philosophy: Work hard and be kind to people

What book are you reading? Rewired – The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of by Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje and Rodney Zemmel

What was your first job? Account manager for a research organization

Favorite charity: Catalyst and Save the Children

Hiking, traveling and food

Married with an eight-year-old daughter who is the light of my life

The pandemic changed the workplace forever. It also transformed my own relationship with work. In 2020, I was working in a role focused on inperson events. With the impact of the pandemic, I found myself reassessing what meaningful work meant for me. How could I spend my time doing something that blended my professional skill set with my personal passion for driving equity? What a privilege to be able to ask that question – and to have a home life that allowed me to make that idea a reality.

My daughter was five years old in 2020. With schools closed and childcare options extremely limited, my husband and I shared the responsibility of integrating our home life and work life. How would I have done it without this kind of partnership? What a privilege to be able to ask that question, too.

Finding a mission-driven career at Catalyst in the midst of this work-altering and world-altering moment was a gift. Now, I spend my days helping organizations around the globe create workplaces that work for women – and for everyone. The experience changed my approach to leadership by making me more empathetic, forcing me beyond my comfort zone, and making me realize that the questions I asked myself on a micro level, I can now help companies answer on a macro level.

Catalyst’s research on the future of work shows that flexible, hybrid, and remote options and inclusive, empathic leadership are not nice to have but necessary. Employees expect these things, and they stay in their jobs when they have them. What would it look like if women — and all people — could integrate their professional responsibilities with their personal relationships and could thrive in workplaces with empathic, inclusive, and adaptable leaders?

The challenges of the pandemic forced me out of my comfort zone to

The pandemic made her career more family friendly – and now she’s helping other companies do the same

Larissa Jensen

Senior Vice President, Beauty Industry Advisor

Education: MA, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT); BA, Ithaca College

Company Name: Circana

Industry: Market Research

Company CEO: Kirk Perry

Company Headquarters Location: Chicago, IL

Number of Employees: 6,965

Your Location: Long Island, NY

Words you live by: Stay humble, work hard, be kind, and find joy in every day.

Personal Philosophy: Always be grateful. Happiness is not having what you want, it’s wanting what you have.

What book are you reading? Dominicana by Angie Cruz (my high school friend)

What was your first job? My first job was as a cashier at a photo store when I was 16.

Favorite charity: Ronald McDonald House

Interests: Reading, photography, travel, art, relaxing by the ocean, creating memories and traditions with my family.

Family: Married to my husband of 22 years, and we have two amazing sons, ages 19 and 17, and a sweet 10-year-old Havanese puppy.

Life Lessons that Shaped my Career

Everyone’s life journey is exceptional in its own way. For me, there were many struggles and challenges but also lots of joy. Each of my life’s lessons helped to define who I am today as a Puerto Rican business executive and shaped the most frequent business advice I share with others.

Always remember where you came from. My abuela (grandmother) was a night shift maintenance worker in a high-rise corporate building in Manhattan. I visited her one day when I was 12, and what stuck out most to me was how kind the executives were to the woman who cleaned their offices every night. They told me how lucky I was to have such a special grandma. And I was proud. To this day, whenever I present to a roomful of powerful executives, I am reminded of her sacrifices and how proud she would be of me. Respect and honor your past because it can guide your future.

Embrace optimism. I’ve faced many challenges, but I always found a way to smile through every hardship and find joy in every day. You can decide to focus on the nega tive, or instead see the bright side. It is not always easy but picking yourself up every day and making the choice to smile, to be a better version of you, to share the joy of you with the world – this will reap many rewards. Your life will be brighter and your impact on others will be more positive.

Have patience in your career path. My career path was what I would call slow and steady, which offered a more thoughtful growth trajectory than a quick and early path to leadership. I chose to focus on raising my family during a time when many of my colleagues were climbing the proverbial corporate ladder. Patience and grace, especially with myself, were key to keeping myself focused during that time. And it paid off. So, work hard, advocate for yourself, and trust that good things will follow.

Know your worth. As a mother, wife, and employee, I’ve been pulled in many dif ferent directions and despite giving my best to every role, I always felt like I fell short in whatever I did. This was not true, but in the moment, it felt that way. We are not always kind to ourselves, and that internal narrative must change. Just like that life lesson that is given before every flight, “Put your mask on first,” make your needs a priority so you can bring your best self to your family, your work, and your life.

Andrea Jung Associate

Education: JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School; BS and BA, Binghamton University

Company Name: Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna LLP

Industry: Legal

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 41

Words you live by: “If can, can. If no can, no can.”

Personal Philosophy: Treat other people as I want to be treated.

What book are you reading? Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Kimmerer and Monique Gray Smith

What was your first job? Paralegal

Favorite charity: Nationalities Service Center

Interests: Kayaking, traveling, reading Husband, parents (both mine and my husband’s), brothers (both mine and my husband’s)

Always do what you can, collaborate and prioritize diversity

During my clerkship at the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai`i, I learned the local motto, “If can, can. If no can, no can.” These words—although simple and playful—have become an adage that I’ve weaved into my life ever since. They serve as a daily reminder that while I’m going to try my hardest in everything I do, there are some things that are out of my control and I have to be flexible. That philosophy has guided me in my efforts to build a rewarding, yet sustainable career.

The value of collaboration with others has also been an important lesson that has helped me in my career. During my clerkship, and as an associate at my former firm as well as at Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna, I have learned firsthand that practicing law is a team sport. The greatest results are produced when attorneys work closely with one another and their clients. Recognizing that we all have different strengths and weaknesses while learning how to complement each other is what creates a well-functioning team. This understanding also creates success in the workplace in other ways. By establishing a supportive environment where team members feel invested, creativity thrives, and out-of-the-box ideas are cultivated.

Diversity is crucial to a team’s success as well. I’ve

seen this in the legal industry—when I’m working with a team of diverse lawyers, we each have a unique perspective to bring to the table, which leads to variety in the solutions and guidance we offer to our clients. While racial and gender bias unfortunately still exist, it’s been gratifying to see companies and law firms prioritize DEI initiatives, whether it is in their hiring practices, leadership roles, or providing opportunities for firsthand experiences to diverse individuals.

On a personal level, I have been fortunate to have been given the opportunity to develop such experience, even at an early stage in my career. As an insurance recovery attorney, I represent policyholders in their most critical coverage disputes. I was drawn to this work because it allows me to specialize in a practice area that is an essential part of our daily lives. In this role, and throughout my legal career, I have been able to gain valuable insight and expertise from mentors who have instilled in me the importance of a collaborative, collegial workplace where each person is a critical member of the team. It is this mindset—and the reminder of my favorite motto—that I hope to pay forward as I continue along in my career.

Prabha Parameswaran

Group President, Growth & Strategy

Company Name: Colgate-Palmolive

Industry: Consumer packaged goods

Company CEO: Noel Wallace

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 34,000

Words you live by: I have what I refer to as my four C’s - curiosity, clarity, courage and connectedness.

Personal Philosophy: Always be learning and always be challenging yourself to step outside of your comfort zone – that’s where learning really happens!

What was your first job? Management trainee, J. Walter Thompson

Favorite charity: United Negro College Fund (UNCF), 1,000 Dreams Fund, Plan USA and Seva Mandir.

Interests: Inspiring creativity and encouraging the next generation of girls and women.

Family: Lots of family beginning with my husband, Ashish

Glass ceiling for women? Colgate-Palmolive is devoted to breaking it

At Colgate-Palmolive, our purpose is to reimagine a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. It’s this purpose that drives our commitment to building a workforce that truly represents the communities we serve, and creates an environment of inclusivity where everyone, including women, can contribute and thrive.

In 2022, women represented 53% of our company’s salaried and clerical workforce and 36% of vice presidents and above. We also saw an approximately 2.5 percentage point increase in female representation at the vice president-level in 2022 vs. 2021 and a nearly 9 percentage point jump globally over the last five years. I am proud of the progress we have made, yet recognize there is still more we can do. There are several areas we are focused on and I am personally engaged on these fronts – because I believe the sky’s not even the limit for women today!

First, at Colgate, we have a strong Women’s ERG (employee resource group) that offers programming and resources to create community and foster connections. Networking opportunities like this are vital within Colgate where relationships matter and they are important in the world because partnerships accelerate progress. For example, we have a great program with Women Unlimited to help develop women and allow participants to learn from high potentials at other companies. I’m also proud of the partnerships Colgate has with career

development organizations including Brand Leadership Institute (BLI) and Forums for Executive Women (FEW).

Second, we are helping the next generation in the communities we serve through mentoring programs. Mentors benefit just as much as mentees, and I can say there is something to reverse mentoring as well –especially in this digital world where Gen Z is leading the way. We partner with several organizations, including the Wadleigh School in New York, 1,000 Dreams Fund and American Corporate Partners, to provide access to meaningful mentor relationships.

Third, and perhaps most important, I’d point to our overall culture and our values – caring, inclusive and courageous, which all speak to me, especially as a woman of color. At Colgate we take our culture seriously and, as a leader, I have benefited from our inclusive culture and feel a fierce commitment to strengthening it. Sponsoring talented women within the organization, recruiting female leaders, and ensuring we respect and encourage voices from all corners of the world irrespective of seniority, function or geography –is crucial to breaking down barriers.

It is a privilege to be in a position where I can help advance the progress of women in leadership, and I am fortunate to work for a company that provides resources and opportunities to empower the next generation of leaders.

Hartley M. K. West Partner and Co-Chair of Global Enforcement & Investigations

Education: JD, Harvard Law School; BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Company Name: Dechert LLP

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Mark Thierfelder and Dave Forti (Co-Chairs)

Company Headquarters Location: Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY

Number of Employees: Approx. 2,000

Your Location: San Francisco, CA

Words you live by: Integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is watching.

Personal Philosophy: “’Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou

What book are you reading? The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson

What was your first job? Babysitting at age 12, then cashier at Meadows Farms Nursery once I turned 14

Favorite charity: Project Night Night, aimed at homeless children, and World Central Kitchen Interests: Running, hiking with my dogs, cooking, and service projects

Family: Two teenage daughters, two hound dogs, and fabulous extended family!

Within a few weeks of my return to private practice after more than a decade and a half in the government, a female mid-level associate visiting the San Francisco office of my firm asked if I could spare time to meet her for coffee. I said “of course,” we met, and almost the first words out of her mouth were “How do you do this?! How do you manage to become a partner while also raising kids?” This was the first of many such conversations I have had, the questions coming from junior, mid-level, and senior associates, and all from women.

I had no perfect answer. While I had never asked anyone the same question, I had attempted to research the issue, reading various authorities from biographies of “successful” women to how-to columns. I had cobbled together some pieces of advice – “prioritize what matters most,” “let go of the guilt,” “give yourself permission not to be perfect at everything all of the time” – all easier said than done and none a cure-all.

Rather than pretend I have the secret sauce, I have sought to listen, encourage, and serve as a resource and advocate for more junior attorneys (regardless of gender). I enjoy mentoring, both through Dechert’s formal mentorship program as well as through relationships that develop organically. With remote work during the pandemic, it was inherently more difficult for junior colleagues to try to build mentor relationships through

casual interactions. Setting up virtual meetings requires more intentionality and persistence. But it’s worth it, for both mentees and mentors.

Dechert’s Global Women’s Initiative provides a forum for formal and informal mentoring, development and leadership training, networking, and special interest events. GWI also hosts the Sponsorship and Sustained Support Program geared to helping senior women associates navigate the path to partnership.

Junior attorneys are not the only ones who benefit from a support network. In my subspecialty of government enforcement defense and investigations, which still skews heavily male, the Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) offers programming and business development opportunities to women in 48 chapters around the globe.

Mentoring women attorneys is critical to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. For mentees, it offers opportunities to improve legal skills, develop confidence, build professional networks, and understand the unwritten rules of the profession. For mentors, it is a chance to give back, develop leadership skills, gain fresh perspectives, and cheer on the professional and personal successes of the next generation. And by providing the scaffolding for such support communities, law firms can go a long way to helping young attorneys answer the question “How do I do this?!”

There’s no secret sauce for balancing family and legal life but encouragement and mentors help

Rosandra Silveira

Global Consumer Sales Senior Vice President

Education: Marketing Master’s Degree, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Bachelor’s degree, Business Administration, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (Brazil).

Company Name: Dell Technologies

Industry: Technology

Company CEO: Michael Dell

Company Headquarters Location: Round Rock, TX

Your Location: Austin, TX

Words you live by: Trust, authenticity, collaboration, and equality are the words I live by. They form the foundation of my relationships and guide my efforts to make this a better world.

Personal Philosophy: Wake up every morning with the intent to evolve, inspire and create a positive impact for all around you.

What book are you reading? My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future by Indra Nooyi (former CEO of Pepsico).

What was your first job? Bank teller assistant at Bank of Brazil, when I was 14 years old.

Favorite charity: Latinitas

Interests: Travel, books, music, people!

Family: Family is my essence. My mom was my inspiration, my husband is my safe harbor, and my sons motivate me to be a better person every day.

Be creative and thrive beyond the Glass Ceiling

What is the glass ceiling? It’s a question that has haunted women for generations. A glass ceiling is an invisible, yet intimidating barrier. It’s the subtle biases, the unspoken expectations, and the systemic inequalities that hold back talented women from realizing their full potential. Throughout history, women have faced multiple challenges, battling against under-representation and the intersectionality of being a woman of color. The statistics are discouraging: women holding only a frac tion of top executive positions, facing pay disparities, and encountering obstacles at every step of their careers. Along my journey, I’ve always rejected the idea of someone else dictating my limits. The concept of the Glass Ceiling never held me back. Breaking it was not my focus; rather, I chose to create my own way forward. I realized that progress wasn’t about breaking an intangible ceiling; it was about recognizing my strengths, being intentional with my goals, and building a solid support system. For those of you who are also seeking to move beyond the limitations placed on you, here are some insights that have guided me:

1. Be authentic: Make yourself unique by embracing your natural strengths. What do you do joyfully, effortlessly that makes you stand out? When you embrace these qualities, you can open doors to opportunities that align with your true self.

2. Picture your future with clarity and purpose: It’s not just about your next career move; it’s about envisioning your life’s path. Where do you see your life in ten years? What is the legacy you want to leave behind? Embrac ing this broader perspective empowers you to set meaningful goals and chart a course with passion and intention.

3. Build Your Network: Surround yourself with a diverse and supportive network. Find mentors, sponsors, and allies who will advocate for you when you’re not in the room, and help you overcome obstacles.

4. Be a lifelong learner: Always seek for growth, and ways to evolve and improve. Seek feedback, run 360-degree surveys, and consider working with a coach to fine-tune your leadership skills.

5. Embrace Imperfection: Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. You can learn and grow from them. Embracing imperfection fosters resilience and empowers you to persevere.

While the Glass Ceiling presents an obstacle we must recognize and work to eliminate for future generations, the true breakthrough lies in forging our path forward. By staying true to ourselves, setting clear intentions, nurturing a strong network, embracing continuous learning and imperfections, we can rise above limitations and redefine success on our terms. Together, women leaders can break barriers, paving the way for a limitless future where opportunities know no bounds.

To all the women reading this: know that you have the strength and reach the heights of your dreams. Your journey is unique, and you are not alone. Women leaders can break down barriers together, and pave the way for future generations. The possibilities are boundless, and I am excited for the transformative impact we are creating, one breakthrough at a time.

Megan O’Neill

Founding Partner/Chair of Litigation

Education: JD, Stanford Law School; BA, Lafayette College, summa cum laude, Race and Gender Studies & Spanish

Company Name: DTO Law

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: William A. Delgado (Managing Partner)

Company Headquarters Location: Los Angeles, CA

Number of Employees: 32

Your Location: Silicon Valley and Los Angeles

Words you live by: “A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller

Personal Philosophy: “Well-behaved women rarely make history” – attributed to many people, but actually said first by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, professor of Early American history at Harvard, in 1976.

What book are you reading? Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

What was your first job? When I was 12 and 13, I delivered the Philadelphia Inquirer door to door seven days a week at 6 AM.

Favorite charity: Dress for Success

Interests: Dancing and choreography (hip hop and lyrical); advocating for equality and speaking on DEI topics and bias interruption

Family: I have two amazing boys, who keep me on my toes, and a network of very supportive friends, which is a must! My parents, sisters, and extended family are mostly in Philadelphia, where I grew up.

Most large law firms have what is called a “partner track.” There is a set time limit – typically 7-9 years –within which one is expected to either make partner or leave and do something else (or move into a different, less prestigious role).

People often lament the fact that, while women now outnumber men in law school, women leave the legal profession in disproportionately higher numbers than men. Given that, isn’t it time to question whether the (timed) partner track still has a place in our industry?

I spent the first decade of my career at a hard-driving litigation firm. I did not believe it was possible to parent and do my job long-term, but I was too underwater to determine the next phase of my career. So, with a baby and toddler at home, I resigned without a job offer in hand. I had followed the “how to succeed” handbook my whole life—attend a top law school, get a federal clerkship, work at a top firm—so taking a break was completely out of character. But it seemed like a good opportunity to catch my breath and figure out my next move.

Little did I know it would be so difficult to “get back in.” Despite having over a decade of experience running high-stakes cases, I found the industry viewed my time away—during which I tried to launch a restaurant

recommendation app—very negatively. Recruiters told me there was no interest in someone with “my level of experience,” and the available positions seemed to offer no opportunity for career growth, which was incredibly deflating.

I am fortunate to say my story did not end there. I took a part-time position at a boutique litigation firm in 2016 and soon became a (full-time) partner. In 2019, I started my own firm, which now has twenty attorneys and three offices. But the timed partner track was nonetheless a huge obstacle for me, as it is for many others. Looking back, had I been able to decelerate or even plateau, knowing I could ramp back up in a few years and achieve my career goals, I likely would have stayed the course through those baby/toddler years.

It’s time for the legal industry to recognize what other industries already do: People do not all hit the accelerator at the same time in their careers. Rather than imposing a career-development timeline created when women were not even in the legal industry, it’s time for law firms who want more diverse leadership to bid farewell to the timed partner track and instead promote attorneys to partner when they acquire the requisite level of skill and experience.

To keep great women lawyers in the game, law firms should slow down the outdated partner track

Olivea S. Holley Director of Document Review Services Operations & Continuous Improvement & Global Co-Chair Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Education: JD, Howard University School of Law; BA, Villanova University

Company Name: Epiq

Industry: Legal Solutions

Company CEO: David C. Dobson

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 6,000+

Your Location: Ft. Worth, TX

Words you live by: “Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts.”

– Nikki Giovanni

Personal Philosophy: Pressure makes diamonds and I love shiny things.

What book are you reading? Read Until You Understand by Farah Jasmine Griffin

What was your first job? Records clerk

Favorite charity: Gray Spaces, a nonprofit committed to assisting individuals of all ages in reaching their creative, educational and professional goals.

Interests: Traveling, decorating, art and community involvement

Family: My husband/ biggest fan Duriel Holley, our four-year-old precocious son Easton, and my amazing mother Yvonne Moore

In this ever-evolving journey of life, I have come to embrace the profound career advice that shaped my path: “You can’t have it all at once.” This statement initially startled me, as I was raised with the belief that hard work could make any dream achievable. Reflecting on my upbringing, I owe my drive and ambition to the sacrifices my mother made when she immigrated to the United States from the Bahamas, seeking a better life for us. During my early years, I experienced an abundance of love and care from my extended family in the Bahamas while my mother laid the foundation for our future in the U.S.

Upon completing law school, I made unconventional decisions, choosing not to pursue a traditional legal career. Instead, I embarked on a journey of exploration, prioritizing travel, spending time with loved ones, and nurturing my niece. As life unfolded, my priorities shifted, and I discovered my passion in legal recruiting and operations—a path that felt right for me.

Throughout my journey, I have been blessed with an incredibly supportive husband. We have made collaborative decisions at various points in our relationship, each prioritizing the other’s career when needed. Though some warned of potential career risks, I remained committed to supporting my husband’s demanding career, understanding the sacrifices and trade-offs it might entail.

The decision to start a family brought new challenges,

and I questioned how I could balance work, motherhood, relationships, and career growth. However, fortune smiled upon us when my mother retired and volunteered to move across the country to help raise our son — a beautiful full-circle moment. With my husband taking on ever increasing parental responsibilities, I have been able to navigate my demanding job’s odd hours while staying actively involved in my child’s life.

My unique journey might not align with traditional notions of success, but I take pride in the life my family and I have created—a life that combines meaningful work, strong relationships, and personal fulfillment. This path has taught me the value of compromise, effective communication, and staying true to my own priorities. I have come to realize that “having it all” is subjective and that my version of success may differ from others—and that is perfectly okay.

As I continue to progress in my career and personal life, I carry with me the wisdom of “you can’t have it all at once,” embracing each moment and opportunity as it comes, and cherishing the support and love of those who make this journey truly remarkable. I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by my mother, my husband’s unwavering support, and the blessings that allow me to thrive in both my personal and professional endeavors. With each step, I am building a legacy that I hope will inspire others to embrace their own unique paths and pursue fulfillment on their terms.

You can’t have it all but with the right support you can have a lot more than you think

Brittany Istenes

Open-Source Program Office Strategist

Education: BS, Temple University

Company Name: Fannie Mae

Industry: Financial Services

Company CEO: Priscilla Almodovar

Company Headquarters Location: Reston, VA and Washington, DC

Number of Employees: 8,000

Your Location: Lakewood, OH

Words you live by: Take your work seriously, but not yourself

Personal Philosophy: Life is too short to not have fun and always be kind

What book are you reading? Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut

What was your first job? Waitress

Favorite charity: Muttley Crew – Dog Rescue in Cleveland, OH

Interests: Reading, gardening, houseplants & music

Family: Husband Don, Captian Meepers (Cat), Bernie Kosar Jr (Dog)

Over the past three years, the way we work has shifted. The pandemic was one of the hardest times any of us had to live through and hopefully something that we will not ever have to go through again. Although there were some incredible lows, there were also some amazing leaps made in the professional business world.

The pandemic changed the way we work and gave us choices to finally understand ourselves and, within the tech world, gave us the ability to really understand the work-life balance. With safety in mind, we adopted flexible work arrangements and embraced technologies that otherwise we may not have. We learned to collaborate seamlessly from relatively safe spaces and our situation ushered in a new wave of technologists to the field. During the pandemic, there were significant changes in the way we worked. Many individuals who had never worked exclusively on a computer or with software tools found themselves adapting to this new reality. Particularly, women were actively developing new skills which, in turn, led to opportunities within this changed landscape.

I realized that we have power! The power to make change and power to make positive contributions to the world that we live in. We have the option to decide whether we want to continue with the proverbial business status quo or make demands to create the change we

want to see. We gained the freedom to work somewhere that valued us as humans and not just producers of content for shareholders.

The landscape is forever changed, and things should not go back to normal. I believe that giving options to your teams to work where they feel the most comfortable and happy makes a better work environment and positive outcomes for the enterprises. Although there were a few outliers that potentially took advantage of that level of freedom, most did not. You can look at many of the large-scale companies and see that their overall profits and productivity rose higher, and I do believe that this was because their team members were simply happy.

I am hopeful in the future that companies keep that mindset of safeguarding individualistic freedoms, and, if not, I have a feeling we could be in for another round of “Great Resignations” leading workers to new companies and new leadership that values the human experience within the workplace.

The pandemic has changed the work landscape for the better. Let’s keep it going

The landscape is forever changed, and things should not go back to normal. ”

Ting Yan Business Architect, Manager

Education: BS, Finance, Rutgers University

Company Name: Fannie Mae

Industry: Financial Services

Company CEO: Priscilla Almodovar

Company Headquarters Location: Washington, DC

Number of Employees: 8,000

Words you live by: Do not be afraid to make decisions. Do not be afraid to make mistakes.

Personal Philosophy: Treat others how you want to be treated

What book are you reading? Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko

Willink and Leif Babin

What was your first job? Cashier at a restaurant

Favorite charity: Girl Scouts of America

Interests: Travel, dance, making music, painting, volunteer at local community and school

Family: Vinny (son), Lily (daughter), and Lulu (bunny)

Growing up in China as the only child in a family of entrepreneurs, I lived a sheltered and comfortable life. However, a yearning to challenge myself and step outside my comfort zone always lingered within me. In my first year of high school, I met my English teacher, who inspired me to make a life-altering decision to pursue higher education in the U.S. I wanted to be my own person – to break free from the safety net of my family and embark on a journey. Arriving in a foreign land with excitement thumping in my heart, I was unprepared for the cultural shock that awaited me. The customs, language, and social norms vastly differed from my home country, and I struggled to adapt. I was taught not to challenge authority at home, but suddenly in this new environment, I was expected to express myself and question the status quo. Yet the excitement never dwindled and kept me going all the way to a major in finance.

I began my career as a financial analyst on Wall Street, but fate soon led me to stumble upon the world of financial technology. The prospect of using technology to enable better investment decision-making fascinated me, igniting my passion to explore this field further. I was delighted after joining Fannie Mae to have the opportunity to grow as a manager, lead a great team on large scale transformation projects, strategize digital transformation roadmaps, and experiment with different technologies such as Machine Learning, Microservice based architec-

ture, Natural Language Processing, and Advance AWS services to reimagine the way our company does business and manage credit risk effectively.

Throughout my journey, I was fortunate to encounter incredible managers, mentors, and supportive colleagues who valued my talent and hard work. They played a pivotal role in shaping my career and instilled the courage to share my ideas openly. As I gained knowledge and expertise, my confidence soared and my responsibility grew. While working with innovative technologies inevitably presented challenges and occasional mistakes, I learned to reflect on each experience and encourage continuous improvements. In pursuing independence and personal growth, I have learned the value of self-belief, tenacity, and resilience. Each step of the journey has shaped me into the person I am today – a person unafraid to take on new challenges, share ideas openly, and continuously learn from every experience.

I am honored to be recognized by the Profiles in Diversity Journal as one of the Women Worth Watching in Leadership for 2023. Being part of this esteemed group fills me with joy and gratitude. As I share my story today, I hope to inspire others to embrace change, defy their comfort zones, and step into the unknown with unwavering determination. You can achieve greatness, and with hard work and a fearless attitude, there are no limits to what you can accomplish.

Out of the bubble, on her own, finding the courage to forge a new career and life in the U.S.

Kristin Starnes Gray Partner

Education: JD, Mercer University School of Law; BA, Wofford College

Company Name: FordHarrison LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Allen J. McKenna, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Atlanta, GA

Number of Employees: 272

Your Location: Spartanburg, SC

Words you live by: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Personal Philosophy: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

What book are you reading? The Winners by Fredrik Backman

What was your first job? Working games and entertainment at Carowinds theme park.

Favorite charity: Habitat for Humanity

Interests: Reading, hiking, and painting

Family: Husband, daughter (age 9), and two dachshunds, along with wonderful parents and extended family

I was interested in a legal career from a fairly young age, but it was an accident in the summer after my senior year of high school that solidified my decision. My best friend and I were returning from a movie, when a drunk driver sped through a yield sign and hit my car head-on. The car flipped completely upside down and my friend and I ended up in the hospital.

We were both extremely fortunate to walk away with some scars and a story to tell. Back then, we did not have victims’ advocates or anyone to guide us through the legal process. No one kept us apprised of what happened to the man who hit us that night, or whether he faced any consequences for his actions at all. I thought that there had to be a better way and how invaluable it would have been to have a knowledgeable advocate to rely on during such a scary time.

So, I decided that law school was for me. But, first, I needed to get through my undergraduate studies and pick a major. Some of the best advice I received was from a high school mock trial coach, who told me, “There are a lot of different types of lawyers out there, Kristin. You don’t have to be a political science major. Pick a major you actually enjoy that involves a lot of reading, writing, and public speaking. It will serve you well.”

I decided to be a German major, figuring that making legal arguments probably could not be any more difficult than giving a presentation in a completely different language. My German grandmother was both pleased and baffled by this choice. When she came to the US as a very young woman on her own, learning English and fitting in was necessary for survival. The idea that her granddaughter could benefit professionally from earning a degree in German was a novel concept for her. I think of her each time I counsel one of our German-based clients or attend one of our German American Chamber events.

As my high school mock trial coach pointed out, there are a lot of different types of lawyers out there. What type did I want to be? Luckily, my pre-law advisor at Wofford College placed me in an internship with a labor and employment firm that would become my professional home. I was immediately hooked. Having crossed a picket line with my parents to accept an academic scholarship from my dad’s employer at age seventeen, it was a natural fit. More than two decades later, I am still very proud to call FordHarrison my professional home.

A frightening car crash led to law school, a major in German and a life in the law

Bianca Kaprielian Co-founder and CEO

Education: BA, Smith College

Company Name: Fruit World

Industry: Organic agriculture, fresh produce

Company CEO: Bianca Kaprielian

Company Headquarters Location: Reedley and Oakland California

Number of Employees: 6

Words you live by: My wife wrote me this note when I first started Fruit World: eat, hydrate, and take breaks.

Personal Philosophy: Question the status quo

What book are you reading? The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California by Mark Arax and Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when Stakes are High by Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler and Kerry Patterson

What was your first job? I grew up on a farm and had many informal jobs around the ranch as a child. My first paid job was as a filing clerk at the family packing house. I was horrible at it!

Favorite charity: Compass Family Services (https://www.compass-sf.org/)

Interests: WNBA, archery, hot tea, traveling, eating delicious food

Family: Wonderful wife, Debbie, sweet little dog Bean, and one big extended family!

Fruit World keeps family farms in California growing in a way that

I grew up within eyesight of the Sierra foothills, where my family has been farming for four generations. My childhood was filled with dusty rides in a pickup truck, the San Joaquin Valley sun, and the aroma of peakseason fruit.

Though I left for college on the East Coast, I eventually found my way back to California and the family business. I was driven by the desire to ensure my family’s–and others’—agricultural heritage continued into future generations.

I founded the company six years ago to push the limits of what’s possible in the organic produce industry. We grow and ship the most flavorful fruit in California—including organic and conventional citrus, organic grapes, organic stone fruit, and more—and we work with customers who share a passion for quality and taste. We’re all about honoring our growers, staying true to our farming heritage, and keeping family farming thriving for future generations. Our work at Fruit World is really only beginning. Though we’ve seen tremendous growth

in our short existence, we’ve focused on what we feel really matters: investing in relationships, going the extra mile to do what’s right, and of course, always holding tight to the lens of sustainability.

Early on, I got some advice that has really stuck with me. It was something like, “You don’t have to do it the way other companies are doing it. Be true to who you are.” This tenet has pushed us to stand out in the marketplace, emphasize bold, eye-catching branding, and push the limits on what is possible in the compostable and recyclable packaging industry. We just don’t stop being good enough.

The pandemic has shifted the organic produce industry a lot, and everyone who works in this space is feeling it. For us, the pandemic has required us to be more thoughtful and strategic in our business planning and execution. This has pushed my personal growth as CEO, making me focus more on my leadership and how I can best support and protect the company and my tremendous staff. We’re all in this together.

is true to its values

You don’t have to do it the way other companies are doing it. Be true to who you are. ”

Patricia Colombo Chief Compliance Officer

Education: JD, Mackenzie Presbiterian University (Brazil); MBA, Fundacao Instituto de Administratcao (FIA)

Company Name: Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation

Industry: Manufacturing, Life Sciences

Company CEO: Jun Higuchi

Company Headquarters Location: Valhalla, NY

Number of Employees: 73,878 worldwide

Words you live by: “Do something that scares you every day.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Personal Philosophy: “Anything is possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” – J.K. Rowling

What book are you reading? The King of Oil by Daniel Ammann

What was your first job? Legal internship in a full-service law firm

Favorite charity: Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Interests: Travel and learning about different cultures

Family: Wonderful husband, parents, sister and nephew. Really looking for a dog!

Successful people often say that they stand on the shoulders of those who went before them.

In my own case, my aunt was one of the first people to inspire me to choose my future career. As a child, I would frequently tag along with her to her legal office. I loved being in the middle of the bustling law firm environment. My aunt was genuinely passionate about her work as an attorney and that example empowered me. By the age of six, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up—and I knew I could do it!

Role models push us to work hard, stretch ourselves, and dare to follow our dreams.

Throughout my career, mentoring women has been a big part of my mission. I firmly believe that if we want to create a more equitable world, it is incumbent upon us to embrace the role of mentor whenever and wherever necessary.

Data from UN Women indicates a concerning reality: that women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts, and that the wage gap is even larger for women with children. Moreover, only 67 countries have laws against gender discrimination in hiring, with 18 countries allowing husbands to legally hinder their wives from working. It’s imperative that we close these divides—and that begins with strong female mentor-mentee relationships.

Encouraging women through mentoring is a potent tool to drive their progress in the professional sphere, ensuring they have access to economic opportunities that might otherwise pass them by, and enhancing their readiness for prospects.

While sharing our own success stories is important, it’s also critical that mentors dispel the myths that de-motivate women.

As I was climbing the ladder, I heard a lot of myths that women still hear today like “women don’t get the corner office,” “women don’t get to the executive level,” “local staff isn’t ‘promoted’ to headquarters,” and so on. These kinds of falsehoods could keep women in a comfort zone and limit them from daring to be their best.

But myths lead to mediocrity. Mentors have a responsibility to push women to reach their true potential. Being a woman in business can be challenging, but the sky’s the limit if you dare to take risks and develop your talents. It’s our job to remind our mentees to believe in themselves, rather than in myths.

Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than being a mentor. At Fujifilm, my compliance team is 80% female. Several of my protégés have risen through the ranks and others have earned MBAs and law degrees while working for me. Just as my aunt inspired me, I know my example and encouragement has helped dozens of women realize their aspirations. My hope is that they will do the same for the next generation of women.

Mentors shatter myths and help women realize their true potential

Liza M. Rivera VP, Marketing Communications

Education: BS, Penn State University

Company Name: FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologis

Industry: Biopharmaceutical/ Biotechnology

Company CEO: Lars Petersen

Number of Employees: 4,200

Your Location: RTP, NC

Words you live by: “Amor Fati” (Latin for love or accept your fate) – Friedrich Nietzsche

Personal Philosophy: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston S. Churchill

What was your first job? Sales clerk at a tourist gift shop when I was 15.

Favorite charity: American Cancer Society

Interests: I love reading and ultra running.

Family: Daughter, son, husband and my 90-year-old grandma

Take note: Diverse teams drive stronger growth for businesses

The esteemed English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall once said, “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” That’s a sentiment I share and a truth I live by.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I value and embrace many of the unique traditions and customs of my culture. My university days started before we had the Internet. The world was a lot smaller then, especially when you grew up in an insular environment. It wasn’t until I attended college at Pennsylvania State University that I experienced the exhilarating power of a true melting pot of cultures, countries and religions. That experience enriched my life deeply, exposing me to fresh ideas, alternative perspectives, and other ways of doing things.

Most of all, my time at Penn State opened my mind to the simple fact that in any group dynamic—be it the classroom or the boardroom—real strength lies in differences rather than in sameness.

Throughout my career, I have always kept that concept in mind and have placed a high priority on diversity when it comes to teambuilding. Every team requires people with different talents and skills. That is a given. But when we also focus on including people with diverse heritages and backgrounds—as well as various ages and genders—we open the door to greater collective

potential. Simply put, diversity offers the opportunity to tap into numerous viewpoints, assorted problem-solving approaches, and greater innovation.

As chief marketing communications professional for a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization, I am proud of the depth and quality of the marketing team. While recruiting and training the best and the brightest for an array of roles was a top priority, diversity was equally important. For me, it was essential to hire people of various ethnicities and multiple generations.

Today, our talented group of twelve consists of individuals of multiple races, different genders, and ages spanning from Gen Zers to Baby Boomers. Several team members are women, and I work with them to cultivate their skill sets and elevate them through the ranks. It’s good for them and for business. A recent report from McKinsey found that companies with more than 30% women executives were more likely to outperform companies where this percentage ranged from 10-30%.

Companies that thrive understand that rather than building barriers, diversity builds bridges. In the case of our team, we learn from each other’s unique backgrounds and experiences. That’s what fuels the group dynamic and our success. Our small team is a mini melting pot—bubbling over with more differences than similarities. And therein lies our beauty and our strength.

Bisola Taiwo

Director, Real Property Group

Education: JD, Seton Hall University School of Law; BA, Colgate University

Company Name: Gibbons P.C.

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Peter Torcicollo, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Newark, NJ

Words you live by: “All glory comes from daring to begin.” – Eugene F. Ware

Personal Philosophy: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable

What book are you reading? Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi

What was your first job? Cashier at my local Wendy’s restaurant

Favorite charity: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Interests: Travel, music, and live comedy

Family: Proud aunt to eight nieces and nephews

Fail, learn, grow, be optimistic. Repeat

I have been fortunate in my career to work with amazing leaders whose incredible words of wisdom continue to guide me through my professional growth. Of the many pieces of advice that I have received, I will highlight three that have impacted me in different stages of my career:

1. Fail fast and learn quickly

After graduating law school, I worked as a law clerk for a trial judge. In my first week, the judge sat me down and told me “there is no mistake that you can make that I cannot fix but if I don’t know about it, I can’t fix it.” I remember the profound sense of support that I felt in that moment. That conversation set the tone for how the judge and I worked together – knowing that errors were inevitable helped to eliminate the fear of failure and analysis paralysis that many first-timers experience. I made many mistakes during that yearlong clerkship but because I was encouraged to communicate them openly without fear of reprisal or embarrassment, I was able to quickly resolve them. The judge’s perspective not only guided me as a young attorney, it continues to influence my leadership style as I have ascended to management roles.

2. Maximize every opportunity

I was advised early in my career that the key to counteracting the dilatory effects of gender or racial discrimination is to maximize every opportunity that comes my way. To me, this means making peace with the possibility that my successes or failures as a woman of color may be viewed as a reflection of my group as a whole, and choosing to utilize the immense pressure that that understanding brings as a source of energy in order to make the rare opportunities count. I have been able to make leaps in my career by holding fast to this maxim.

3. Never judge tomorrow by today

This phrase is a rough translation of a Yoruba adage that my parents repeated to my siblings and me when we were children. It has been applicable to many facets of my life, including my career. Professional growth is a journey that unfolds over time with no linear trajectory, making optimism and resilience must-have tools for success.

Sonia Mathai Chief Human Resources Officer

Education: BS, Finance and Marketing, University of Nevada, Reno

Company Name: Globality, Inc.

Industry: AI

Company CEO: Joel Hyatt

Company Headquarters Location: Palo Alto, CA

Number of Employees: 100

Words you live by: “You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss

Personal Philosophy: Live more. Worry less.

What book are you reading? Covenant of Water, a novel by Abraham Verghese (who I am lucky to call family)

What was your first job? I worked front desk at a doctor’s office making $4.25/hr and loved every minute of it!

Favorite charity: Asian Pacific Fund

Interests: Attending sporting events, family game nights, cooking and playing pickleball

Family: My husband, Raj, son, Maxx (14) and daughter, Marlo (5)

To foster diversity, equity and inclusion, build a culture of belonging

It is one thing for companies to talk about diversity, equity and inclusion but another to truly put those words into practice and build an organization where people can come together and work collaboratively, feeling that everybody is treated equitably and fairly, regardless of their background.

Companies must ensure they have different perspectives around the table. This means going to new places to find talent from diverse backgrounds—if a business just recruits from a small base, it’s missing a lot of underrepresented talent. Technology companies need to actively work to overcome the systemic barriers that prevent people from diverse backgrounds from enjoying the opportunity to work in what is a rich economy of innovation. It also requires conviction within a business to divert resources and encourage employees to spend their time doing these things.

Companies should prioritize building a culture that ensures people feel they can be their authentic selves, have a connection to that purpose, and believe their voices are valued. Creating this sense of purpose leads into the practical elements of inclusion that all companies should implement—for example, making sure that pay and promotion practices are fair, recruiting practices are free of bias, and the company is reducing microaggressions in the workplace. The inevitable result should be that people from different backgrounds feel a much stronger long-term connection to the company, which

improves employee retention and productivity.

Continuously fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion requires participation from leadership. If company founders or CEOs take the lead on diversity and inclusion and speak in an authentic voice about why it is important to the company’s collective success and identity, they can move not just resources but also hearts and minds. Leaders also need to clearly articulate the business imperative, which helps align those people who may not necessarily see the moral imperative as clearly as others.

Leaders should continuously take the pulse of their companies to ensure people from different backgrounds are feeling that sense of belonging. If some groups say their voices are less valued, this can be addressed headon through the formation of small, bottom-up organizations within the company for people with shared experiences to collaborate, communicate, build communities, and advocate for their needs. Each employee has experience they can use to advise how companies should be creating the diverse and inclusive culture we are talking about.

Companies can demonstrate their commitment to an inclusive culture by speaking out on the wider societal issues that are aligned to their core values, purpose, and mission. Articulating those concerns will show employees that the company genuinely believes in what it says about diversity, equity and inclusion.

Abigail Maines Chief Revenue Officer

Education: MBA, State University of New York at Buffalo

Company Name: HiddenLayer, Inc

Industry: Cybersecurity

Company CEO: Christopher “Tito” Sestito

Company Headquarters Location: Austin, TX

Number of Employees: Less than 100

Words you live by: “It’s better to be looked over than overlooked.” – Mae West

Personal Philosophy: Always ask, does this decision shine my crown or require me to take it off?

What book are you reading? Abigail’s Amazing Dad by Abigail Maines

What was your first job? Apple picker

Favorite charity: Hospice of Orleans County, NY

Interests: Women’s Empowerment, watching the Buffalo Bills, Peloton

Family: Husband, Kevin Whitlow, son Austin Whitlow and daughter Arden Whitlow

Can women do it? Yes, but only if they face their fears head-on

Yes, you can.

I am so lucky to be able to speak with women of all ages, industries and regions daily. Their ask is the same –can I do it? It can take a bit of time to get to that specific question primarily because the question hides itself in fear. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment and fear of letting someone/thing down. The women are always superstars. They feel they have to be at least 100% qualified if not, 500% ready for their next role. It is madness but valid and very common.

It is important to note here, that I do not know many men who would struggle with this doubt. While I don’t know one woman (me included) who hasn’t struggled with this question at least a dozen times.

It’s on us, women, to acknowledge that we have this underlying fear and face it head on with courage. Courage to acknowledge the fear, awareness that we alone can choose how to react to the fear and ultimately, conscious action to suffocate the fear of its needed oxygen. What if we can’t do that? Can’t? We face down fears for our families, friends, and communities every day. We absolutely can harness our proven strength to eliminate fear in our professional lives and we must because it’s holding us back individually and our society back collectively.

I can’t stress enough how, at the senior levels of corporate America, many women are worried about

ensuring their contribution is worthy of a promotion versus raising their hand and asking for that promotion.

What can we do?

1. We can reach out to our network – Acknowledge the fear and face it down with your support system.

2. We can take stock of how prepared we are for the next role, new company, new industry, new responsibilities by reviewing just how far we’ve come. You are not giving yourself enough credit for how valuable you are. Write it down, make a list, the good and the bad, go back a decade. Not just professional milestones, personal as well. For me, living through a corporate bankruptcy at 25 and my father’s five-year battle with cancer in my early 30s has hardened my backbone more than any individual success.

3. We can suffocate the fear – do whatever it takes, for me that’s exercise, reading about people who’ve done “it” even when they were afraid and/or maybe failed. No matter what, the world is going to continue to spin. You will have learned a mountain about yourself and you will be better for it no matter what happens. Yes, you can do it.

Lauren Cole Associate

Education: JD, New York University; BSJ, Northwestern University

Company Name: Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP

Industry: Legal

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 102

Words you live by: I am not sure I have any!

Personal Philosophy: Be charitable to other people and give them grace.

What book are you reading? Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

What was your first job? I worked as a carhop at Sonic Drive-In.

Favorite charity: Planned Parenthood

Interests: Movies, fashion, generally being geeky about the law

Much of my career has been characterized by not feeling as if I fit in. I am a woman of color and the first in my immediate family to go to a four-year university, let alone professional school. Throughout my education and career, most of the other people in the room have not looked like me and the ones who did often did not share my back ground and upbringing. In these spaces, I generally feared exposure as “not a good fit.” Not smart enough or knowledgeable enough to be there, not connected enough, there were a wealth of different ways I worried I was inadequate to the task. For the first couple of years as an attorney, I was frequently overcome by worry that my perceived inadequacies would swallow me whole. I would lose weekends fretting over concerns that were far too small to warrant such unending attention.

That started to change a couple of years ago. I wish I could say there was a particu lar moment, a turning point. But I do not think there was. There was just a new feeling within myself that I should stop looking at where I came from as having the potential to hold me back and instead start to see it from a different perspective – that I could use to drive my career forward. Rather than fitting in, I was determined to make myself fit. I was determined to build my own brand as a litigator not in spite of my background, but in part because of it.

I think that is important for women, people of color, and other marginalized groups to understand and embrace their backgrounds. I think often we are taught to minimize our authentic selves in order to succeed. But it is important to recognize that I can be successful by being myself.

Once I began the process of accepting that I have a different perspective, I began to be able to utilize that perspective in a powerful way. For example, I was initially terrified to speak up in meetings. I often did not agree with the people in the room, but I felt I lacked the credentials to disagree. But I am not shy anymore. Part of working in this profession is to think through all angles and it is hard to do that when the people who do not agree remain silent. Of course, I do not always manage to persuade people to my side. But people know what I think and they respect me as a legal mind. I may not “fit in” in the more traditional sense, but I have made myself fit in this profession.

Don’t worry about fitting in. Instead use your background to stand out

Prishika Raj Associate

Education: LLM, New York University; LLB, and B.Com (Ec.), University of Sydney, Australia

Company Name: Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP

Industry: Legal

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 102

Words you live by: “Yes, and...”

Personal Philosophy: Take a chance and see what happens.

What book are you reading? Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

What was your first job? English/economics tutor (High School)

Favorite charity: New York Cares, Planned Parenthood

People always tell me they think it’s brave, or admirable, that I live so far away from my family (over 9,000 miles, to be exact). Or that I’m courageous for living in New York City alone, bold for working as a lawyer in a foreign jurisdiction, gusty for giving it a go in such a cutthroat market.

Me? I’ve never really thought about it in that way. What I think about, even in the midst of my most difficult moments—when the paragraph spacing in my brief is all wrong, I’ve missed another typo, or can’t find the words to build an argument—is that every part of this experience is an incredible, miraculous opportunity.

You see, I’m not just an expat foreign lawyer in the United States, or a first-generation Australian, born and raised. My parents were born in Fiji as the fourth generation of descendants from indentured laborers, who were shipped from their homes in India in the 1800s. They endured abject, impoverished conditions, and were set to work on cane fields in foreign lands throughout the British Empire. To me, those people were brave. To them, I am unthinkable.

Growing up, there was no template for how to be a Fijian Indian Australian lawyer from Western Sydney. In school, I’d never met a lawyer, and I didn’t know anyone who had gone to law school. But I knew what I liked—a good old argument and a platform on which to share my (rather loud) voice. Getting into law school was the first step in a long process of learning what it means to belong in the legal profession. I am here today because of the people I met along the way—friends, mentors, well-wishers—who showed me what my career could look like. It was through my friends that I learned I might be good enough to apply for a litigation role, or that I should do a LLM, masters degree in law, and that I could get into NYU, too.

Today, when I think about what it means to be a leader, I think about what I needed when I was striving to get here: someone to tell me I have just as much of a right to be here as anyone else. And that’s the opportunity here—that’s what I strive to be for future generations of women, and people of color like me. Be it through an encouraging conversation, or advice on your next career move. In all my interactions and through all my work, I hope I show that your unique voice and perspective make this profession better—more vibrant, more nuanced—and that you belong here, too.

From another country, another culture? You still belong

Victoria (Tori) Roeck Associate

Education: JD, Yale Law School; MSc., Forced Migration Studies, Linacre College, University of Oxford; BA, Classics & Philosophy, University of Notre Dame

Company Name: Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP

Industry: Law

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 102

Words you live by: Know yourself, inscribed on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi

What book are you reading? The World and All That It Holds by Aleksandar Hemon

What was your first job? Summer tennis instructor for 3-5 year-olds

Interests: Reading, petanque, yoga, tennis, running

Family: Loving parents; rescue dog, Moira

My ambitious, accomplished mother was fired from her Wall Street job when she became pregnant with me. She sued her employer for pregnancy discrimination and lost. Despite strong evidence on her side, she was outlawyered by a big white-shoe firm.

Fast forward 30 years and the child who disrupted her career is one of those fancy lawyers (albeit at an elite boutique). Thanks to my mother’s sacrifices, I have more access to power than she had. Yet as I reach the age she was when her corporate journey was re routed, I find myself confronting the same structures that force successful women to choose between job and family—or, as was the case for my mother, make that choice for them.

In 2023, I’ve seen friends struggle to get legal jobs while pregnant and be chided or mocked for wanting to prioritize family life. A female partner at a previous job told me the best advice for advancing my career is “don’t scrimp on child care.” What if I want to have a satisfying career and primarily care for my future child?

The pandemic’s normalizing of remote work has done a lot to bridge that gap. I see my coworkers go offline to take their kids to the dentist or to see the school play, popping back on from home on their terms, and every instance of that chips away at the stigma. But the ease of remote work also creates a fallacy that everyone is available all the time. The legal profession is especially guilty of this delusion. Client, court, and colleague expectations often fail to account for lawyers being human. And women can bear the brunt of those unrealistic benchmarks, as they face equally potent pressures in their personal lives.

To me, “breaking the glass ceiling” is not riding unbridled ambition straight to the top. It’s shaping my career to my values in a system designed for men. It’s having autonomy over my day-to-day and authority to set my own priorities at work and home. It’s pushing back on the corporate structures that prevent women from having control over their lives, not adapting to them. The best way for me to create these conditions is just to live them out, come what may. And for the sake of my future daughter, I hope other professional women do the same.

The pandemic allowed women to care for their family and work as a professional. Don’t stop now

Sabrina Silverberg

Counsel and Chair, Media and Entertainment Practice Group

Education: JD, New York University School of Law

Company Name: Hughes Hubbard & Reed

Industry: Law

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 800

Words you live by: “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Personal Philosophy: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

– Audrey Hepburn

What book are you reading? Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel

What was your first job? Arts and crafts counselor at a summer camp

Favorite charity: Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Interests: Music, film, art/photography, theater, dance Family: Two wonderful children and a close extended family

Over the course of my three decades in the practice of law, with stints as outside and in-house counsel, I have been extremely fortunate to have had mentors who illuminated for me what can best be described as the “art of the possible.”

Early in my career, one such mentor, a senior executive at the media company at which I worked, saw promise in me and took me under his wing, bringing me on board to lead his most sophisticated and innovative deals. When I told him that I had been recruited for a new role at a different media company, he graciously took me to lunch and talked to me about his career trajectory and the career trajectories that were available to me. He told me “It’s important to put yourself on the map by having hits,” great advice that I have since regularly dispensed to others embarking on a new job.

But it wasn’t his new job advice that impacted me most that day; what impacted me most was that, despite my being at the beginning of my career journey, his vision for that journey was limitless, unimpeded by the fact that I was a woman in a world in which male leaders far outstripped female leaders. I knew full well that the glass ceiling for women was a reality, but his sanguine outlook empowered me to believe that I could break through it.

That this mentor believed in me and saw nothing but possibility mirrored my childhood, in which my parents likewise perceived no obstacles to the opportunities for my success. My father spoke of the limitless possibilities that I could achieve; it never seemed to dawn on him that being a woman could potentially hold me back. Blind optimism? Perhaps. But, as a result, I internalized the belief that the world was my oyster.

I recognize that the glass ceiling continues to this day, albeit to a lesser degree than when I was launching my career. But I believe that by helping our young women to visualize the possibilities, even at the risk of being blindly optimistic, we can help them to manifest these possibilities in their career pursuits.

Yes, your career journey is limitless. You just have to believe it.

Mayme Donohue Partner

Education: JD, University of Richmond School of Law; BA, Spanish, University of Virginia

Company Name: Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP

Industry: Capital Markets and Securities Lawyer

Company CEO: Sam Danon

Company Headquarters Location: Washington, D.C.

Your Location: Richmond, VA

Words you live by: Teamwork makes the dream work.

Personal Philosophy: If you can’t have fun, what can you have?

What book are you reading? Surpassing Certainty by Janet Mock

What was your first job? Basketball Coach

Favorite charity: The Trevor Project

Interests: Music, food, theme parties, sports

Family: Wife, Phoebe Willis and two Doodles, Beau and Bear

Among my constellation of mentors, the women I look too, both within and outside of the legal profession, have advocated for me and pushed me when I needed it most. Gender equity in the workplace has been, and will continue to be, a pervasive issue. The women I am lucky enough to call mentors inspire me to keep focused and hopeful that equity and inclusion are achievable goals. Their individual paths may be different, but their collective commitment to leave things better than how they found it is a call to continue fighting.

To that end, relationships between women across generational divides are so important to ensuring our continued progress towards equal pay and representa tion in leadership. Mentorship and sponsorship are words often used with great intentions, but without enough direction. I also think they are misunderstood to be a one-way street when, in reality, regardless of years of experience, we all have a lot to learn from one another.

Younger generations of women are often frustrated by incremental change that is slow and winding, but I think that frustration is itself validation that the women blazing the trail have made incredible progress over the course of their ca reers. That younger generations of women feel empowered to keep asking for more and demanding it faster is only possible because the women they look up to as mentors were often the “firsts” breaking down barriers across identities.

And just as junior women can learn from their more senior women mentors, wom en with years of experience have an opportunity to feel emboldened and inspired by the impact their efforts have had on the up-and-coming generation of women. Rather than be confronted by the expectations of the newest members to our profession, we have the chance to be challenged again to rethink what it means to bring your full authentic self to work and thrive in a profession that all too often rewards conformity.

Through working together and embracing a multi-generational movement, we will truly find our strides towards a more diverse and inclusive workforce. We have to understand how far we’ve come with deep respect and reverence in order to effectively continue to push the pace of change faster and more holistically.

Women are doing it for themselves: Each generation is striving for equity and inclusion at work

Ashley L. Harper Partner

Education: JD, South Texas College of Law; BBA, Texas A&M University

Company Name: Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Industry: Legal Services - Business bankruptcy and restructuring

Company CEO: Samuel A. Danon, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Richmond, VA

Number of Employees: 1,757

Your Location: Houston, TX

What was your first job? Bakery clerk (not to be confused with my first legal job as a bankruptcy law clerk)

Favorite charity: Animal shelters in Houston

Interests: Fitness, hiking, kayaking

Appearing in a federal courtroom and hearing the judge announce our case as the United States of America versus the individual client next to me is one of the many memories that will stay with me throughout my career. By defending individuals accused of federal crimes, I realized very early on in my career the immense responsibility and privilege of this profession.

Though my practice shifted to primarily bankruptcy and restructuring matters and someone’s liberty is not on the line (generally), the stakes remain high when dealing with a distressed business and all those whose livelihoods depend on that business. Representing a company in financial distress or non-debtor stakeholders affected by or involved directly in bankruptcy cases across nearly every industry requires quickly understanding the client’s business and industry-specific issues and risks and developing the appropriate legal strategy and action plan.

Practicing bankruptcy in Houston, one of the busiest venues for complex business bankruptcy cases in the nation, allows me to work with the best bankruptcy and restructuring professionals from around the country. Such an opportunity would not have been possible without the support of excellent mentors,

including the bankruptcy judges who reinvigorated the corporate restructuring practice in Texas. Our judges give back a tremendous amount of time ensuring that there will be another generation of bankruptcy lawyers in Texas.

Because I know firsthand how valuable mentorship can be, I mentor students and young attorneys every chance I get. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my insight into the practice of law generally and to provide tailored guidance about achieving specific career milestones. Supporting and witnessing personal and professional growth in others is a rewarding and inspiring experience. I want to give back to the next generation my time and energy with the same level of commitment, enthusiasm, and patience that others gave and continue to give to me.

As a female, diverse (Middle Eastern, firstgeneration American) and first-generation attorney, I understand the importance of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive professional community. In addition to mentoring, serving on committees and boards provides me with an opportunity to encourage more women and underrepresented individuals to consider a rewarding career in bankruptcy and restructuring.

To be at the top of your game in the world of bankruptcy law, you need to seek mentors and be a mentor

Kelly Sandill Partner

Education: JD, University of Houston Law Center; BA, Mercer University

Company Name: Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Samuel A. Danon, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Richmond, VA

Number of Employees: 1739 firmwide attorneys and staff

Your Location: Houston, TX

Words you live by: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Personal Philosophy: Comparison is the thief of joy. Know what you want and why you want it, and then be content to live your values, not someone else’s.

What book are you reading? Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

What was your first job? Subway sandwich artist

Favorite charity: Public schools

Interests: Nature, Cooking, international travel

Family: Husband and one 16-year-old son

In large law firms, the numbers tell a familiar tale. Women have been close to the majority of law students for over two decades and have outnumbered male law school graduates every year since 2016. Associate classes at the largest law firms have similarly been at or near gender parity for more than two decades. And yet the percentage of women equity partners at large law firms has grown only seven percent in that same time - from 15% to 22%.

While the pace is frustratingly slow, there are concrete steps women can take to hasten the breakthrough. First is to think hard about what success means to you and why; too many young lawyers strive for the equity partner role on automatic pilot, without fully considering the time commitment and combination of business development skills and legal acumen necessary to succeed in that role.

Second, if equity partnership is truly your goal, be vocal about it. Make sure people in your orbit know that you see yourself as equity partner material and are willing to work hard to get there. Unfortunately, explicit and implicit biases still cause many people to assume that women lawyers do not have ambition for the highest roles. Dispel that myth every chance you get.

Third, set actionable goals and make a plan from the start of your career. At every step, remember that developing people skills and fostering business connections are just as important as honing your talents.

Fourth, it is important to identify mentors that can help you grow, but equally if not more important are sponsors – men and women who have power within your organization and are willing to use it to promote your career. Do everything you can to earn the trust and confidence of those sponsors and it will come back to you in spades.

Fifth, be relentless in building relationships with potential sources of business – stay in touch with your contacts on a regular basis and look for ways to help promote their careers. And don’t be afraid to ask them to do the same for you. Ask for their business, knowing that you are really offering to help them solve problems and achieve business objectives.

Sixth, keep your finger on the pulse of the industry in which you practice and remain ready to evolve as legal practice areas grow and shrink. Those who recognize emerging areas of the law and stretch to meet them are often the most successful at achieving and thriving in equity partnership. Last but not least, remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint!

The legal glass ceiling is still very much intact, but women can crack it with this six-point plan

Jana Beyerlin

Chief Operating Officer, Human Resources & Diversity

Education: BA, English, University of Oregon

Company Name: Idaho National Laboratory

Industry: Energy

Company CEO: Dr. John Wagner, Laboratory Director

Company Headquarters Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Number of Employees: 5,800

Words you live by: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” – George Washington Carver

Personal Philosophy: Never miss an opportunity to extend a kindness, whether it’s a smile, a favor, or helping the vulnerable. Be a protector.

What book are you reading? Insubordinate by Jocelyn Davis, You Can’t Be Neutral On A Moving Train by Howard Zinn and When Trouble Finds You by Toni L. Carter

What was your first job? JCPenney gift shop clerk in high school, Anchorage, Alaska

Favorite charity: Motley Crew Cat Lounge, a local, grassroots 501(c)(3) rescue for homeless cats in Idaho Falls, Idaho

Interests: Golfing, camping, boating, gardening, animal rescue, and writing

Family: Hubby, Mom, Dad, sisters, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, many beloved friends, and two wildly spoiled cats

It is classic (and maybe a little cliché), but the best advice that I have ever received about leadership came from my dad. He believed in the power of positivity and truly helping others when you have the responsibility of leading a team. His advice was simple, but it carried so many powerful concepts behind it. The elegance of it will always strike me: “No matter what, whenever you give people critical feedback, use a 3:1 rule. Three positive comments to every critical one.”

My father started his career selling appliances and worked his way up to becoming an executive director for Sears before he retired in 1994, despite being born into significant poverty. He was a driver, highly goal oriented, and he significantly increased the revenue of every store that he managed. His coffee cup at work had a quote from Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” My father lived this daily and not only encouraged, but actively helped his teams do the same. He was known in the 1970s for advocating for his direct reports and ensuring women and people of color were represented and paid equitably. He believed in a high-accountability culture that never lost sight of truly, genuinely caring about people. It was part of the secret to his success and the success of his teams. Simple. 3:1. No matter what.

Throughout my career, I have often reflected on the power and meaning of such a simple concept that my father used as a cornerstone to his leadership style. It demonstrates what a leader must keep top of mind. Leaders must create a culture of feedback to ensure that critical feedback will be adopted. But it is so much more than that. It’s about really seeing the whole person; it’s about caring about them individually. It shows that, as a leader, you are paying attention to everything the team is working on, not just when something goes wrong.

I remember the first time I needed to give difficult feedback. Despite a career in a field that counsels managers to have challenging conversations, I was nervous the first time I had this moment with an employee. I cared about this person. I wanted them to be successful. I wanted to accomplish the mission. All these things were true at once! As I prepared, I carefully mapped out what I wanted to touch on, our follow-up plan, and made sure that I included the 3:1 ratio of positive/critical feedback. I found that it created an environment of both accountability and compassion. And as someone who deeply believes in servant leadership, both are equally important to me.

Dad’s advice on how to be a positive leader has stood the test of time

Megan J. Culler Power Engineer and Researcher

Education: MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; BS, Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University

Company Name: Idaho National Laboratory

Industry: Energy, government

Company CEO: Dr. John Wagner

Company Headquarters Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Number of Employees: 5,800

Your Location: El Paso, Texas

Words you live by: “I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Personal Philosophy: Treat everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect.

What book are you reading? Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

What was your first job? City of Albuquerque, Therapeutic Recreation Program: Camp counselor for children with and without disabilities

Favorite charity: The Arc, Freedom Service Dogs of America

Interests: Hiking, board games, dog sports

Family: Supportive husband, sister, parents, and extended family!

For me, “having it all” was never off the table. My mom is a successful aerospace engineer who worked full time while raising two children. The example she set for me shattered traditional barriers to entering STEM. I never doubted that a woman could excel in math and science disciplines, pursue their interests, and have a family, all at the same time.

As I developed, both personally and professionally, I recognized the impact that many female mentors had in pushing me to be who and where I am today. My undergraduate research professor introduced me to the intersection of power systems and cybersecurity, sparking an interest that I have pursued ever since. My first manager at INL impressed me with her confident leadership and ability to find tasks where I could learn and be successful, growing my confidence and my expertise. Other formal mentorship programs have paired me with women who have taught me about career development, education paths, and work-life balance. Having this guidance has helped me make important life decisions.

I strongly believe these women have played a significant role in my journey, and that the role of female mentors overall is critical to career development for women. These women have encouraged, mentored, inspired, and challenged me. As role models, they have shown me more possibilities than I ever could have dreamed for myself. They have inspired me to be creative with my own ambitions. Female role models set an example for what is possible for women. They demonstrate the behaviors and mindsets needed to be successful in a field, and they lift women around them. These impacts are not limited to people I look up to. I also have learned meaningful lessons from peer-to-peer mentoring. Peers serve as confidantes, teammates, and friends, reinforcing that we are not alone in our journeys. I have also had incredible male supervisors, co-workers, and peers along the way. Though their guidance and support has been positive and influential, it cannot replace having someone more aligned with your identity demonstrating what success can look like.

Recognizing the importance of female mentors in my life has encouraged me to engage in formal and informal mentoring, and also to promote visibility of my projects and accomplish ments, hoping that other young engineers find value in my experiences the same way I have from my mentors. I strive and am dedicated to taking ownership of my contributions, recognizing those of others, and leading by example for the next generation of women in engineering.

How my engineer mother and my female mentors showed me that I could combine work and family

Allison L. Hummel

Chief of Staff

Education: JD and MA, University of Minnesota; BA, Dartmouth College

Company Name: Idaho National Laboratory

Industry: Scientific and technical research and development

Company CEO: John Wagner, PhD

Company Headquarters Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Number of Employees: 5,800

Personal Philosophy: Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

What book are you reading? The World: A Family History of Humanity by Simon Sebag Montefiore

Interests: Soccer, cooking

Family: Husband and three daughters

I am writing this essay at the end of July during the conclusion of the group stage of play of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. As I watch the amazing, inspiring, impressive women of the United States National Team represent America on the world stage, I have been thinking about growing up being the lone girl playing soccer with teams of boys until I finally had the opportunity to play with a team of girls in high school. It wasn’t always easy. I had to be tough and to let some unkind comments roll off my back and prove myself over and over again. And I knew that I wasn’t ever going to be good enough to play in college, but I loved playing. I loved being part of a team and feeling like I made a difference in the outcome of games and watching myself, and my teammates, get better. All of that, the good and the bad, lives in the back of my brain and informs how I am in the world and workplace today.

I was not surprised to learn that 151 athletes at this 2023 Women’s World Cup, a little over 20% of participating players, have played, currently play, or are committed to play soccer at a U.S. college or university. At least one U.S. collegiate athlete plays on 22 of the total 32 national teams. Title IX, the civil rights law that mandates equal educational opportunity on the basis of gender, made this possible. Title IX turned America into the world’s farm system for elite female soccer talent. Our government, our colleges, and our universities committed to letting girls play. And that trickled down to our high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, and recreational leagues. All three of my daughters played soccer and played on all-girls teams from first grade on.

This essay isn’t really about soccer, even though the Apple TV+ series, “Ted Lasso,” taught us that “futbol is life!” It is about opportunity. Giving women and girls opportunities, early and often, to follow their passion. To excel. To fail. To learn. To grow. To build community. Those opportunities may be sport, or art, or music, or theater, or anything really, but the important thing is nurturing opportunities. Very literally having the chance to play made me the leader I am today, shaped my vision for the type of leader I want to be in the future, and taught me to be part of something bigger than myself and to channel my ambition and drive to the greater good.

Women and girls need opportunities throughout their lives to grow, learn and fail

Jennifer G. Hunt Space Management Program Manager

Education: BS, Idaho State University

Company Name: Idaho National Laboratory

Industry: Energy laboratory

Company CEO: Dr. John Wagner

Company Headquarters Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Number of Employees: 5,800

Words you live by: What you think today is what you will be tomorrow!

Personal Philosophy: Go be great! Go out and do great things! Make a difference. Change the world with kindness! Fight for the underdog!

What book are you reading? Rising Strong by Brene Brown

What was your first job? Working for my dad cleaning new construction houses

Favorite charity: Local food banks and Primary Children’s Hospital

Interests: Traveling, interior design, reading, and spending time with family and friends

Family: My husband and I have three adult daughters and one son. They are my joy!

Want to bring the glass ceiling down? Try hammering it with these strategies.

In my career, I have mostly worked in male-dominated fields. There have been times when no other women existed in a particular group, and seeing other women in a workplace can be challenging. Visibility matters at all levels. If we, as women, cannot see that a company values the presence of women, why would we want to envision ourselves in that space? It has often been said that we stand on the shoulders of the women before us. As someone who works within maledominated professional spaces, there are rarely shoulders to stand on. Does the glass ceiling still exist? Absolutely. Do we still come up against this imaginary barrier to levels of leadership and management? Every day. Sometimes discrimination is subtle or implicit, but when the lack of women in leadership roles is obvious, it is difficult to see that as anything other than overt bias. To break through the glass ceiling and continue advancing in careers, women can consider the following strategies:

1. Education and skill development: Continuously investing in education and skill development is essential. This ensures that women remain competitive and valuable assets to their organizations.

2. Networking and mentoring: Building strong professional networks and seeking mentor ing from both men and women in senior positions can provide valuable guidance and support.

3. Confidence and assertiveness: Developing self-confidence and assertiveness can help women speak up for themselves, showcase their achievements, and advocate for the opportunities they deserve.

4. Seek leadership opportunities: Actively seeking leadership opportunities, even if they may seem challenging, can demonstrate ambition and capability.

5. Work-life balance: Balancing personal and professional responsibilities can be challeng ing but is essential for long-term success. Organizations that promote work-life balance can help women thrive.

6. Negotiate salaries and benefits: Women should be proactive in negotiating their salaries and benefits to ensure they are fairly compensated for their work.

I have shared with my three adult daughters and one son from a very young age the importance of advocating for themselves. I believe fiercely, as a career professional, the importance for everyone, in any career role, to speak up. You are the captain of your ship! You determine your destination and the route that it takes to get there. We cannot afford to remain where we are – innovation requires us to be challenged and to have different perspectives. We can only make history in the art of the possible when we see ourselves in history. Go and do! Be amazing!

Education: JD, New York University School of Law; BA, Northwestern University

Company Name: Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Marc E. Kasowitz, managing partner

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 250 attorneys

Words you live by: Never pull the ladder up after you.

Personal Philosophy: “Pressure is a privilege.” – Billie Jean King

What book are you reading? The Candy House by Jennifer Egan

What was your first job? Lifeguard and swim coach, followed by an internship at the City of Evanston Law Department

Favorite charity: Sanctuary for Families

Interests: Reading, swimming, music, and spending time with family and friends

Family: Three sisters and four nephews

It can sometimes be challenging for a woman to stand out and be regarded as an excellent negotiator and litigator. Many people may believe that it is essential for a litigator to be loud and aggressive in order to win cases, but I was lucky early in my career to have a female partner as a mentor who demonstrated that there is another path.

My mentor was a petite and soft-spoken female litigator who admitted to me that she was very uncomfortable with public speaking. I was able to see her in action – in bankruptcy court, during settlement negotiations, in a room full of male partners, virtually all of whom were both much larger and louder than she was. But as she began negotiating on behalf of our client, her quiet assuredness and confidence, and deep knowledge of the facts at issue, led to her being able to persuade others in the room to see her client’s point of view, which ultimately led to a successful settlement. It was clear that she held the attention and respect of every person in that room without needing to raise her voice or intimidate opposing counsel. She impressed upon me that being prepared and having confidence in that preparation can lead to great success, without the need

for bluster, and inspired me to trust my work and be able to argue effectively for my clients.

Over the course of my career, I have had several experiences where opposing counsel tried to bully me into changing my position and agreeing to his client’s demands, whether in depositions, in settlement discussions, or before the court, by being the loudest or most aggressive person in the room. I have learned that I do not need to match this style in response, but rather can stay calm, lean on my preparedness to confidently articulate my points, and stand my ground to win the day.

At Kasowitz, I have spent a significant amount of time advising on structured finance and real estate-related litigation. I have continued to find success by digging deep into the business issues at play, and always being incredibly well prepared, whether we are planning for a trial or negotiating a settlement, earning the trust and respect of my clients.

To achieve success, it is imperative to know that you have something important to contribute and do not have to be the loudest person in the room. Instead, it is important to harness your strengths and use them to your – and your clients’ – advantage.

Don’t be intimidated by loud mouths. Know your subject and harness your strengths.

Maria Culic Anderson Partner

Education: JD, University of Texas at Austin; BS in Math, University of Washington

Company Name: Knobbe Martens

Industry: Intellectual Property Law

Company CEO: Steven Nataupsky, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Irvine, CA

Number of Employees: 649

Your Location: Seattle, WA

Words you live by: “Different isn’t wrong”

Personal Philosophy: Be authentic and work with integrity

What book are you reading? Horse by Geraldine Brooks

What was your first job? Desk clerk at a mini golf course

Favorite charity: Planned Parenthood

Interests: Running, audio books, travel

Family: Husband of 30 years, daughters (24 and 21)

There are many inflection points in one’s career, but some of the toughest inflection points for me were transitioning from the person doing all of the work, to the person managing the work and the person bringing in the work. I was still trying to do it all because of the message I had received growing up of “women can have it all.” Unfortunately, I thought that meant I had to “do it all.”

Luckily, I had some fantastic mentors, one of whom stands out for the pearls of wisdom he was always dropping in both the large and the small moments — although this one came at a large moment — when I was trying to get out of the office for 3 months of maternity leave. I was the first female associate to have taken maternity leave (the maternity leave policy was put in place because of me), so I didn’t have any other women who had taken maternity leave to ask for advice. However, the firm had a sabbatical program for partners, so I turned to the most senior partner in the firm for advice. This male partner always took his sabbatical, and was well past the early parenting years—and he gave me the following piece of advice, which had an impact well beyond my maternity leave:

“If you want to succeed, you have to delegate. The person to whom you delegate will do it differently than you and that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.” Mind. Blown.

In the short term, this enabled me to hand my work off to others and take my leave without undue stress. In the long term, however, the simple concept that “different isn’t wrong” freed me from so many self-imposed, legal industry-imposed, and society-imposed constraints. I was freed from the compulsive need to “do it all.” I was freed from the mindsets of the “Type A” personality and the mathematician, which dictate only one way to get to a correct result. I was freed from feeling that I had to shape my legal practice like (or even look like) the people that came before me. And I was freed from the notion that “having it all” is the end-all and be-all.

In addition, “different isn’t wrong” represents the nexus between my passion for diversity, equity and inclusion and my passion for intellectual property law. It is the threshold that must be crossed to make room for different views, experiences and solutions, both in society and in science. Hence, they have become my words to live by.

No, you can’t always have it all but if you delegate and accept differences, you can have more of what you want

Christy Lea Partner

Education: JD, University of Texas School of Law; BS, Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi

Company Name: Knobbe Martens

Industry: Legal Services

Company CEO: Steven Nataupsky

Company Headquarters Location: Irvine, CA

Number of Employees: 649

Words you live by: Be grateful.

Personal Philosophy: Success is not a skill, it is a persistent attitude.

What book are you reading? The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

What was your first job? Receptionist at Remax Realtors

Favorite charity: The Orange County Public Law Center

Interests: Anything outdoors and adventurous, including riding bikes, canyoneering, horseback riding, boating, swimming in the ocean or lake, hiking

Family: I have been married for 20 years to my high school reunion sweetheart, and we have three beautiful children that keep us young.

As a first-generation lawyer, I was originally influenced by fictional lawyers on TV. I loved watching Perry Mason, Grace Van Owen on LA Law, and yes, even Ally McBeal. I especially loved watching them argue their cases in court. In the fifth grade, I wrote a report on U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, which helped solidify my desire to be a lawyer when I grew up. I can still remember reading about how Justice O’Conner was forced to accept a paralegal position after graduating from law school, because no one would hire a female lawyer. I saw it as an honor and a challenge to be a great female trial lawyer.

My career was also influenced by many mentors and supporters throughout my life, starting with my parents. They encouraged me to major in engineering, because I had excelled in math and science in high school, and they saw engineering as a promising career and new frontier for women. I agreed and headed to Ole Miss where I earned a BS in Chemical Engineering, became a NASA Scholar, and cooped at a chemical company. But my desire to go to law school never waned. On my way to law school with my engineering degree, another mentor suggested that I consider patent law. I had never heard of patent law, but I soon started to learn everything I could about it. Then at UT Law, I was fortunate to have Mark Lemley as my patent law professor.

After law school, I headed to California and found gold at Knobbe Martens. I was very fortunate to land at Knobbe, because it is a special firm that values and supports its women attorneys, including through great mentoring, reasonable hours, and staffing women on important cases with significant roles in the courtroom. Importantly, early on in my legal career, I was included in pitches for large clients with major patent litigation. I learned to value my relationships with colleagues and clients, work hard, and make the best legal arguments possible. To paraphrase Perry Mason, there are no substitutes for good friends, happy days, and victory.

Inspired by TV lawyers and a Supreme Court justice, I became a real one – and I am happy that I did

Jessica Stamelman President, Business Services Division

Education: BS, Commerce, University of Virginia

Company Name: Kroll

Industry: Risk and Financial Advisory Solutions

Company CEO: Jacob Silverman

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 6,500

Words you live by: We can do hard things

What book are you reading? Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

What was your first job? Restructuring analyst at Houlihan Lokey

Favorite charity: Tikva Children’s Home - a Jewish orphanage in Ukraine

Interests: Travel, hiking, theater

Family: Wonderful family including four siblings and my sweet dog, Hudson!

Every woman knows what it feels like to be the only woman in the room. I have been there often, as I started my career in a male-dominated industry, sometimes as the sole woman on the team. Today, I am proud to be a leader at Kroll where over 50% of the top leadership positions in our business services division are held by women. While the conference rooms look different today, I have had an incredible journey to get here, filled with amazing bosses, mentors, and peers who have invested in me, believed in me, and presented me with opportunities that have skyrocketed my career. Here are a few of the lessons that I’ve learned along the way.

First, work hard in the beginning so you can thrive in the end. Whether it’s at the beginning of your career or when starting a new role – set yourself up for success. It’s important to work hard and be the best you can be. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and your work will speak for itself.

Second, build authentic relationships. Excellent work is just the baseline; I wouldn’t be where I am today without having cultivated meaningful relationships along the way. The best opportunities often come from connections that you’ve genuinely nurtured, not from recruiters.

Third, invest in female connections. There’s no one else better positioned to understand what you’re experiencing and how to navigate it than another woman. Seek out support from other women, and then take what you’ve learned and pay it forward.

Fourth, the definition of success will change throughout your career. Sometimes success looks like landing that premier job where you know you’ll be working long hours and putting work first. Other times it looks like taking a risk and pivoting off the ‘traditional path’ to make a move that better aligns with your priorities.

Lastly, show up as yourself. I often show up to a meeting with a hot pink water bottle, but I also ask the toughest questions in the room. Don’t try to be anything but yourself.

If you’re the only woman in the room, work your hardest, don’t be shy and and be yourself

Manu Gayatrinath Partner

Education: JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Company Name: Latham & Watkins

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Richard Trobman

Your Location: Washington, DC

Words you live by: Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Personal Philosophy: Work hard. Love hard.

What book are you reading? Design by Nature by Erica Tanov

What was your first job? Working at the New York Public Library

Favorite charity: Children’s Law Center

Interests: Travel and real estate

Family: Husband and two kids

The pandemic taught the world that global business transcends face-to-face negotiations, but adjusting my leadership style to a digital-first world underscores the importance of personalized attention and reclaiming some of what we had relinquished in 2020’s darkest days.

Until March 2020, my leadership philosophy focused on building camaraderie and spending significant facetime with young lawyers to mentor them on the intangibles essential to forging client trust. The pandemic’s massive and near-instantaneous shift to work-at-home tested everything we thought we knew about our profession. Overnight, the firm successfully transitioned thousands of personnel globally to remote set-ups, and not only did we survive but we thrived. Video conference and other collaboration tools enabled me to lead teams and transactions with my time-tested approach, providing context to conversations with one-on-one mentorship.

As both a member of Latham & Watkins’ Executive Committee and a mother to two young children, I intimately understand the pandemic’s outsized impact on parents and others with caregiving responsibilities. I quickly recognized the importance of being gentle with people facing these challenges and worked hard to ensure

that colleagues felt supported and were aware of firm resources, including flexible work schedules, accessible childcare options, and extensive well-being support. With a strong focus on making robust well-being resources available across the firm — including counseling and coaching, mindfulness support, on-demand programming, and mental health training — Latham has created a palpable culture of well-being that was integral to our successful return to work.

Unprecedented deal volume for the firm in 2021 and 2022 left little room for casual team-building exercises but opened the door for high-stakes, hands-on opportunities for my mentees. In this pivotal moment, on the cusp of normalcy, we are reclaiming what we had lost and I continue to integrate everything I have learned about leading under unanticipated circumstances. Now, I lead with a new appreciation for relationship-building, client travel, and the value of connecting face to face when possible. Even as we embrace options for remote work, my team and colleagues still crave the one-onone mentorship and connection that such collaboration affords. Because of the pandemic, I am a more nimble leader and even more prepared to tackle whatever future challenges my clients may face.

Latham & Watkins made sure that video conferences and other remote technology helped their employees during the pandemic.

They used the human touch as well

Estefania Roa President

Education: Personal coach, promoter of the Latina Empire, attended William Harper College and Northwestern Kellogg School of Management

Company Name: L.B. Hall Enterprises, Inc

Industry: Construction

Company CEO: Estefania Roa

Company Headquarters Location: Crystal Lake, IL

Number of Employees: 25

Words you live by: Don’t let the past destroy you, let it transform you and make you stronger.

Personal Philosophy: I believe that with determination and resilience anyone is capable of overcoming obstacles and create new possibilities

What book are you reading? The 5 Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

Favorite charity: I support various organizations that are focused in providing financial resources and education for teen moms

Interests: Awaking the vision of others – leadership, personal growth, helping the community

Family: Married – mother of 3, Oliver 22, Kamila 14 and Leonardo 7

Working to build buildings and hoping to build good lives for all

Our lives are filled with highs and lows, and within them lies immense potential and opportunities for growth, enabling us to become what we aspire to be, regardless of the challenges we’ve encountered in the past. I’ve learned not to be anchored by my history, but to embrace its lessons and forge ahead, building my future one step at a time.

My journey has been complex. I was born in Mexico and raised by my grandparents while my mother migrated to the United States. At the age of 6, I experienced abuse in silence. Meeting my father at 12 left me feeling isolated, and at 15, I became a single mother, learning self-reliance from a young age. Despite it all, I managed to transform my business acumen into a thriving enterprise. Today, I proudly serve as a life coach and CEO of my own company, L.B. Hall, competing in a predominantly male market. Additionally, I founded HOLA HAPPY, an organization empowering young single mothers to achieve their educational dreams.

My family provides unwavering support, and I deeply cherish my work. I see myself as entrepreneurial, focused, self-taught, and practical. Understanding the significance of forgiveness and personal and spiritual growth, I embrace challenges as stepping stones to uncover my true potential and the inner strength bestowed upon me by God.

In the toughest moments, God’s love sustains me and brings forth solutions. I place my trust in Him, knowing that all I set my mind to is achievable, no matter the obstacles that come my way.

My aspiration is to surround myself with visionary women who uplift one another without rivalry. I crave an environment where we can embrace vulnerability without victimizing ourselves, growing spiritually by learning from our experiences. My passion lies in inspiring women facing adversities, demonstrating that hope prevails, and obstacles can be overcome.

If you find yourself facing difficult times, don’t lose hope. Embrace each experience as a catalyst for growth and a source of invaluable lessons. If you hold onto your dreams and have the desire to flourish, an an abundance of possibilities awaits you. Let’s walk this journey together, supporting each other, and witnessing how we achieve our goals, crafting a magnificent future.

My passion lies in inspiring women facing adversities, demonstrating that hope prevails, and obstacles can be overcome.”

Heather A. Milligan SVP, Life Insurance Underwriting/New Business, Business Technology Solutions

Education: BS, Business Studies/Organizational Leadership, Southern New Hampshire University; AA, Business Administration, New Hampshire Technical Institute

Company Name: Lincoln Financial Group

Industry: Insurance/Finance

Company CEO: Ellen Cooper

Company Headquarters Location: Radnor, PA

Number of Employees: 11,300

Your Location: Greensboro, NC

Words you live by: Carpe diem! and “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln, also attributed to Alphonse Karr

Personal Philosophy: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi

What book are you reading? The 5 Graces of Life and Leadership by Gary Burnison

What was your first job? Records Clerk – Chubb Life Insurance Company of America

Favorite charity: The Greater Greensboro United Way, SPCA Interests: Reading, gardening, hiking

Family: Supportive and super fantastic husband Greg; delightful, smart and loving son Chris

“If you do not have a seat at the table, bring a chair.” I received this advice early in my career, and it continues to resonate with me today. The “table” in this analogy is the place—a boardroom, a conference room, a Zoom meeting—where discussions occur. The “chair” is the opportunity to participate in those discussions.

As a woman in a historically male-dominated industry, there have been times when I have had to not only earn my seat at the table but also bring my own chair. What does it look like to bring your own chair? For me, it means having confidence in the value you add and then having the courage to find ways to get involved in crucial conversations and business decisions, even when not initially invited.

Getting involved in these conversations requires that you have your finger on the pulse of what is happening in your organization. In an increasingly digital world, finding the “tables” to bring your “chair” to is more difficult. I have found that deliberate and intentional networking is critical to staying connected with colleagues across the organization and leaders across the industry. Often, I learn about a discussion, opportunity, or decision that is under consideration through networking. This opens the door to a conversation about how I can contribute. Whether framed as a development opportunity for me to grow, or an opportunity for me to add another perspective, I am then invited to the “table.”

To be at the table means holding yourself accountable for being fully present and being respectful of the opportunity offered. So once I pull up my “chair,” it is crucial to make a meaningful contribution to the discussion - even if it is to ask a thoughtful question. Over time, I have earned more “seats at the table” by asking to be included and then demonstrating my value once I am there.

Given these experiences over the course of my 34-year career, it’s important to me to help other women hone their confidence and courage as they work to earn seats at their own “tables.” I often share this advice as a co-executive sponsor of Lincoln Financial Group’s Women’s Business Resource Group, and I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to share wisdom, given to me, with other leaders who want to maximize their impact and potential.

As women and leaders, we have a choice: We can either wait for a chair to be pulled out for us – or we can bring our own chair to the table.

Don’t hesitate to bring your chair, your smarts and your confidence if you want to have a seat at the table

Grace Shie Partner; Chair of firm’s Women’s Leadership Committee

Education: JD, Georgetown University Law Center; BA, University of California, Berkeley,

Company Name: Mayer Brown LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Jon Van Gorp, Chair

Number of Employees: 4,000+ globally

Your Location: Washington, DC

Words you live by: “When there are nine.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s answer to how many women are enough on the U.S.Supreme Court

Personal Philosophy: Show up every day, without fail, because representation matters.

What book are you reading? Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

What was your first job? Temping in the legal department of a utility company during my college summers and school breaks

Favorite charity: I’m the proud parent of a Washington, DC public school student, and fundraising is critical for the school

Interests: Traveling the world to experience new cultures, and seeing the world through my children’s eyes

Family: My husband and I are the proud parents of two rambunctious boys, ages 3 and 6

or diversity

One of the proudest achievements of my career would be creating and hosting the joint diversity retreat between my law firm Mayer Brown and our client Accenture Legal this past spring. I invested 10 months into planning this first-of-its-kind retreat, together with an Accen ture co-host. We took the seed of an idea and grew it into a same-day, five-city, cross-country event, inviting over 200 legal professionals across our two organizations. We programmed a day that included “improv” icebreakers, games to discover commonalities and differences, a keynote session on building resilience, and a fireside chat with leaders who practice inclusive leadership.

I went into the retreat uncertain of the level of engagement the programming would attract. I’d only ever been a participant and never the organizer, at such events. But as the day progressed, I watched the group engage in genuine dialogue, share vulnerabilities, and exchange joy. We formed a community that day.

As I reflect on what inspired me to create this event for my diverse colleagues, I now know it was my pursuit for community. Why? Because I had witnessed my community—my Asian community—threatened during the pandemic.

Living in a world of #StopAsianHate, I felt a heightened obligation to my community to provide leadership in the pursuit of racial justice. As an Asian American woman, as a law firm partner, as the mother of young children, as the children of immigrants, and as an immi grant herself, my voice mattered. I had a platform from which to speak, and I used it. I moderated a panel featuring Asian American in-house counsel—where I met my Accenture retreat co-host— and used that platform to give a voice to their perspectives on our representation in the legal sector. I hosted a discussion with the CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles as part of Mayer Brown’s Race and Justice in America series. I exercised influence to support the activities and goals of my firm’s Asian lawyer’s affinity groups and women’s initiatives.

And then I dreamed big, creating a retreat alongside a firm client, which allowed me to engage in community building on a far greater scale than I could anticipate. The retreat fostered open dialogue and authentic discussions, and combining forces with a firm client who shares similar DEI values only amplified our joint voices. Representation matters, and community matters. Capitalizing on the momentum created by this event, I hope to inspire peers and colleagues to continue our community building.

This lawyer created a joint retreat to build community and to show that there’s no retreat from justice

Pat Lundvall Partner and Chair of the Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice

Education: JD, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law; MS, Exercise Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln; BS, Exercise Sciences, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Company Name: McDonald Carano LLP

Industry: Law Firm (legal services)

Company CEO: George F. Ogilvie III

Company Headquarters Location: Reno, NV

Number of Employees: 110

Your Location: Las Vegas, NV

Words you live by: I never compromise my principles or step over the line. It appears to be a slippery and sharp slope downward the moment you do.

Personal Philosophy: Life will make some decisions for you whether you like it or not. Be open to the joy that change brings and do not allow its sorrows to define you.

What book are you reading? Just finished Can’t Hurt Me by David Groggins

What was your first job? I started waitressing in my hometown coffee shop at the age of 13.

Favorite charity: Nevada Military Support Alliance. My late husband co-founded this organization and it now serves as a model for other states as their residents endeavor to support members of the military and their families.

Interests: Politics and current events, particularly world events.

Family: Being one of thirteen children demands that you think and plan ahead, which I have done most of my life. I probably overlooked some of the joys that being in the moment could have offered. I recently remarried to an absolutely terrific, exciting and sophisticated man. I am now basking and living in every moment of this new-found love.

Reaching back and paying forward the many favors that others gave you as you journeyed throughout your career is critically important whether you are male or female. As to the favors afforded to me by other women who broke barriers before I entered the profession, I consider raising the profiles of other women and creating opportunities for them to shine are the least I can do to pay my favors forward. For example, I selected an all-female team of McDonald Carano litigation attorneys who served as Nevada counsel in a national bellwether case which was tried in OctoberNovember 2022 resulting in a $62.65 million jury verdict for our client, plus attorneys fees and costs. I had a trial in February 2023 with an all-female trial team and another trial is scheduled for September 2023 with an all-female trial team.

It is imperative for women on an individual basis to find their voice and put themselves in the game, rather than waiting for someone else to do it for them. Stand at the front or in the middle of the room rather than at its edges. When it comes time to sit, make sure you do so at the grownups’ table. When you speak, do so confidently, and do not allow others to speak over you. And then make sure you have something to say.

Professional success depends on achievements you make for others, not yourself. Sometimes that means sacrificing your personal feelings or personal goals. I served nine years on the Nevada State Athletic Commission and was its first woman to become chair. The NSAC regulates professional unarmed combat, such as boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. It was a public service function for which you receive no compensation. Its principal function is to protect the health and safety of athletes who participate in those sports. It was a responsibility I took very seriously. Some of my rulings discharging that responsibility were not popular, but I never forgot my core function was to protect the athletes and not myself.

My last piece of advice as trite as it may seem is to find something you love doing. Competition is the common denominator in all aspects of my life. Being the middle child in a family of 13 – six brothers, six sisters, six older, and six younger – my competitive instincts were fine-tuned at an early age. As a competitor I am blessed that the law, in particular litigation, found me. After 35 years I continue to genuinely love what I do, and my proudest achievements continue to be when a new or existing client calls to say they need my help.

Pay it forward: Women should help other women get in the game but women have to speak up once they get there

Elaine Ki Jin Kim Partner

Education: JD, Yale Law School; BA, Yale University

Company Name: Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Managing Partners: Lucia Coyoca, David Steinberg, Greg Hessinger

Company Headquarters Location: Los Angeles, CA

Number of Employees: 250

Words you live by: What I tell my little girl: Be brave, Try new things, Be kind.

Personal Philosophy: Invest in yourself but also invest in the group.

What book are you reading? Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

What was your first job? As far as I recall, it was for my university, including the library and career center.

Favorite charity: Public Counsel, Constitutional Rights Foundation

Interests: Copyright, films/TV, dance

Family: Husband and preschooler daughter

Not that long ago, my mother mentioned to me that I was very outgoing and loud when I was young. Yet leadership did not come naturally for me. Looking back, I think that as an Asian-American immigrant growing up in the eighties and nineties, I was subconsciously affected by the “model minority” myth. I worked hard, kept my head down, didn’t speak up, and didn’t rock the boat. Perhaps the gender norms at that time reinforced that. So after entering the professional world, I have consciously worked to overcome those tendencies. I have had to learn to push myself out of my comfort zone, while still staying true to myself. Having a child about five years ago presented new challenges for leadership. In some ways, working from home during the pandemic helped me overcome these obstacles. Before the pandemic, I worked at the office late so I could work more and avoid the LA rush-hour traffic. Fortunately, I had good daycare options, as well as extended family members who helped with pick-up. But I had to choose between attending after-work events and seeing more of my child. During the pandemic (at least after the first year), remote work allowed me to work a full day and also spend more time with my daughter. Zoom also enabled me to join more boards and organizations, and attend more events.

I know I am lucky. Many women left the workforce during the pandemic because childcare responsibilities still fall predominantly on women. But with less separation between work and home, I believe that we as a society began to see others more holistically and gained greater appreciation of others’ personal lives and circumstances. I hope this change is permanent, and will encourage more women to become and stay as partners at law firms.

Leadership is an ever-evolving challenge, as we change as individuals and as a society. We — like leaders of many companies — are still trying to figure out “the new normal” and how to strike a balance between allowing flexibility, and maintaining workplace culture and bonds. One answer is that we need to be more intentional about creating opportunities to develop those relationships. To that end, when I was serving as the co-head of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee during the pandemic, we made it a point to meet and chat with every new lawyer via Zoom. Now, as I co-lead the Intellectual Property Practice Group, we are trying to re-engage every member by soliciting their ideas and involvement, by using surveys, encouraging more brainstorming and discussion at meetings, and bringing people together with casual social events.

The Great Pandemic pulled us physically apart but in some important ways, brought us closer together

Louise Truong

Labor & Employment Partner

Education: JD, UC College of the Law, San Francisco; BA, University of California, Irvine

Company Name: Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Managing Partners: Lucia Coyoca, David Steinberg, Greg Hessinger

Company Headquarters Location: Los Angeles, CA

Number of Employees: 250

Words you live by: Support women on their way to the top. Trust that they will extend a hand to those who follow.

Personal Philosophy: The world is huge and life is too short to just stay in the small bubble in which you live. The more I travel and learn about cultures different than my own, the more complete I feel.

What book are you reading? Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

What was your first job? Hostess at the Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland

Favorite charity: St. Jude’s Hospital

Interests: Going to musicals, watching NBA and NFL games (Go Lakers and Rams!)

Family: Husband Dennis, and our puppy, Ellie

My mother grew up in a war-torn country and escaped her homeland via a fishing boat in the middle of the night. She left with no extra clothes, no money, and no destination in mind. The small boat she and dozens of others were crammed in ran out of fuel after a week and floated aimlessly in the Pacific Ocean for three days. All they could hope for was a miracle. By happenstance, a large English freighter hit my mother’s boat, causing it to start sinking. The crew of the freighter rescued my mother and everyone else on her boat, and took them all to a refugee camp in Japan. Within a few years, she was able to immigrate to the United States, met and married my father, and had me as her first-born. My mother was one of the lucky few “Vietnamese Boat People” who survived. The odds were terrifyingly against her, but she made it. Her resilience and unfaltering perseverance had a tremendous impact on me and gave me perspective on the hardships that I face.

At times, it can be challenging to be a diverse woman in a male-dominated profession such as the legal industry, especially when someone mistakes me for the court reporter, or I am told “I do not look like a lawyer” when compared to my male colleagues. When these incidents occur, however, I remind myself that if my mother was able to survive her very real life-or-death ordeal, I too can overcome these hurdles. In fact, her journey gives me motivation to continue defying the odds, just like she did, and make my way up the ranks at both my firm and in the legal profession. Rather than accept the status quo, I have actively sought out, worked with, and advocated for female lawyers both at my own firm and at other companies.

I am also fortunate enough to have met other strong female trailblazers, who were able to successfully navigate the obstacles women face in the legal world and become highly regarded attorneys and leaders at their respective firms/companies. Despite their busy schedules, they each took the time to invest in me and give me guidance on how to work through adversities I face at the workplace. I know and appreciate that their efforts to help me with my career aligned with their hopes to make the workplace more inclusive, especially for women of color. Based on both my mother’s and my own experiences, I strive to connect with junior female attorneys and am driven to empower the next generation of female attorneys.

My mother was a Vietnamese boat refugee. She taught me that I can survive anything

Seleeka Harris Operations Senior Manager

Education: BS, University of Central Arkansas

Company Name: Moss Adams

Industry: Accounting

Company CEO: Eric Miles

Company Headquarters Location: Seattle, WA

Number of Employees: 5,000

Your Location: Dallas, TX

Words you live by: It’s OK to lead with your head...as long as you don’t forget you have a heart.

Personal Philosophy: You can’t change the world but you can present the world with one improved person – yourself.

What book are you reading? Atomic Habits by James Clear

What was your first job? Backyard Burger

Favorite charity: Special Olympics

Interests: Crafting, Photography

Family: 9-year-old son (Carter) and 6-year-old daughter (Carsyn)

businesses strive

Today’s interconnected world has made diversity an essential topic. Despite its association with racial diversity, the concept of diversity extends far beyond racial lines. It is essential to understand that true diversity encompasses a wide range of characteristics, including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, and socioeconomic background. The pandemic and work life post-pandemic has enhanced my understanding of the importance of diversity in all its facets and has transformed my leadership style.

In the wake of the pandemic, I was reminded that my organization’s greatest asset is its employees yet they were burdened with uncertainty and stress that adversely affected their mo rale and well-being. It became apparent to me how important empathy was to people when they felt isolated both physically and emotionally. I placed employee welfare at the top of my priority list, which led to increased attention paid to mental health support for employees, a more flexible work schedule, and a greater understanding of individual needs.

After the pandemic, as we gradually moved back to more in-person interactions, it was important to make sure that those individuals still felt that they were a priority, both for me personally and for the organization. By creating environments that recognize and respect the unique characteristics of each individual, I established a sense of belonging and empowerment.

My position as a black woman provides me with a unique insight into managing both my team and the corporate environment in which we work. One of the primary advantages of diversity is that it enables a wide range of perspectives to be brought to the table. As a team, we are composed of individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences, all of whom contribute unique perspectives that challenge assumptions and encourage creative problem-solving.

Having individuals from different backgrounds contributes to stronger social networks that are capable of coping with challenges and adjusting to changing circumstances. As a result of our organizations, diversity has created a rich tapestry of people who support and assist each other during times of crisis as well as triumph. In the intervening years since the start of the pandemic, I have learned about myself in ways that continue to shape my leadership and management practices, and that will help me become a catalyst for creating a culture of innovation and adaptability at work.

The pandemic taught business leaders that diverse perspectives can help their

Nancy Almodovar President and CEO

Education: BS, University of Houston, Bauer College of Business and part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program.

Company Name: Nan and Company Properties

Industry: Real Estate

Company CEO: Nancy Almodovar

Company Headquarters Location: Houston, TX

Number of Employees: 25

Words you live by: Own your happiness.

Personal Philosophy: Embrace the present, learn from mistakes, foster a positive mindset, and face challenges head-on to unlock personal growth and success.

What book are you reading? Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

What was your first job? Cashier at my parents’ supermarket

Favorite charity: Houston Area Women’s Center

Interests: God, family, real estate

Family: Loving wife and mother of two

Four enduring lessons from the pandemic

For me, the pandemic both changed some core values and reinforced others in my life and business. It has shaped my leadership style in ways that resonate with my commitment to excellence, innovation, and resilience in the real estate industry.

Being Present

One of the key lessons I’ve learned during these challenging times is the importance of being fully present. Staying organized with my time and calendar now keeps me less stressed. Being present allows me to focus on what truly matters.

Time Management

Calendar integrity has become a cornerstone of my leadership philosophy. If I say I’m going to be somewhere, I will be there. Through the pandemic hardship, I realized how important it is to be present, ensuring that I’m there for my family, my team, and my clients.

Positive Self-Talk

Positive thinking has the power to shape our future. During the pandemic, learning to believe in myself and the team around me gave me hope that we

would not only survive, but thrive through the pandemic, guiding me through uncertainty and inspiring me to dream big.

Embracing Change

Change is inevitable, and the pandemic brought plenty of it to our business. It truly forced everyone on our team to think and operate differently. It also taught me to accept the season of life we are in, whether it’s growth or struggle, to navigate the ups and downs of the pandemic and stay true to myself and my values.

Through the pandemic hardship, I realized how important it is to be present, ensuring that I’m there for my family, my team, and my clients.

Education: MBA, Gonzaga University; BA, Human Services/Salish Kootenai College; AA, Native American Studies, Salish Kootenai College

Company Name: Native Forward Scholars Fund

Industry: Nonprofit-Education

Company CEO: Angelique Albert

Company Headquarters Location: Albuquerque, NM

Number of Employees: 32

Words you live by: “To recognize that all of us are wonderful human beings shaped by different backgrounds, different ways of looking at the world, but still human beings.” – Dr. Henrietta Mann

Personal Philosophy: “I have an obligation to honor the legacy that my ancestors gave me.” – Secretary In Interior Deb Haaland

What book are you reading? A Promise Kept by Robert Miller and Robbie Ethridge & Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

What was your first job? I worked for my family’s concession stand at the Arlee Pow Wow

Favorite charity: Native Forward Scholars Fund

Interests: I enjoy creating traditional and contemporary Native art, as well as dancing traditionally, and being in nature.

Family: I have three brilliant sons and two amazing grandsons.

Intentional change can make for a transformational impact in Native American communities

Change is inevitable, but intentional change can be transformative for non-profits. Altering an organization’s brand, strategic direction, and internal structures are not decisions that should be made lightly. Done correctly, data driven, with purpose, and alignment, these types of decisions can elevate a nonprofit to the next level, providing the ability to impact those we serve at a much greater level.

As a Native woman, I am no stranger to overcoming challenges, overcoming barriers, and navigating changing environments. I have always been inspired to create change to positively impact our Tribal communities across this country. I believe leaning into the skills we have attained through our environments while utilizing our education is key to personal and professional success. As I lean into my skills with a drive to contribute what my education has taught me, I continue to fulfill my purpose.

With our students in mind, we opted to make changes. We rebranded, redefined our strategic direction, and restructured our organization. After 50 years of serving students in higher education, we are proud of the work we have done. We have provided over $350 million dollars in direct scholarships to over 22,000 students from over 500 Tribes in all 50 states. We have watched the success of individuals we funded, Secretary Deb

Haaland, Dr. Cynthia Lamar, and Dr. Henrietta Mann, move the needle forward for us as Native people in this country. We have contributed to over 1,700 law degrees and over 2,200 Ph.D. degrees. Again, these are all things that make us immensely proud. Yet, to address the enormous funding gap of 82% of our scholars who are not funded, it was imperative we act and scale up our organization. If we wanted to address the inequities in access to higher education for Native scholars, we needed to look inward, challenge ourselves, and make bold changes for more significant impact.

While our work at Native Forward is nowhere close to being complete, the changes we have made have created transformational outcomes for us and, ultimately, our students. We have tripled our revenue in six years, doubled the scholarship opportunities, and gained a broader network of supporters. Also, we have increased the graduation rates of undergraduate students to 69% and graduate students to 95%, compared to the national average of 41% for Native students. As we continue our mission to provide financial support to every Native student in this country wanting to pursue higher education, I can say I am passionate about making positive changes in the social sector, building on the success of those who came before and rising to new levels.

Education: JD and BA, University of Florida

Company Name: Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: James Lehman, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Columbia, SC

Number of Employees: 1,797

Your Location: Orlando, FL

Words you live by: Be kind to others and yourself.

Personal Philosophy: Every day is another chance to make the world a little better.

What book are you reading? Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

What was your first job? Lifeguard (still doing this, just not in the same way)

Favorite charity: Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families

Interests: Family, community service, travel and college football

Family: Clarence-husband, children--Celia Dorn, Celeste Hankins, Henry Thacker, three grandchildren

Time will tell if the pandemic changed how we work for better – or for worse

The business world has been forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic in both positive and negative ways. We all had to learn to work differently in terms of working remotely and conducting meetings virtually. But currently, even though the threat of the pandemic has passed, employees continue to isolate themselves. Instead of making an effort to meet in person, we continue to attend meetings virtually, even when we are in the office and other participants are right down the hall. Virtual meetings are a time saver, but when we do not attend a meeting in person, we lose the opportunities that occur before and after a meeting that allow us to get to know our co-workers or clients in a more meaningful manner. Those relationships shape our success over the years and allow us to recognize issues faster and respond to situations in a manner that is appreciated by others. Of course, virtual meetings allow you to expand your footprint without having the expense or time of travel. So, a balance is necessary to successfully navigate and grow those relationships.

The younger co-workers/associates are the group that will either suffer the most or teach us all how to be successful in this changed world. Mentorships will not be developed through shared experiences or hallway

chats. It may be that younger employees never meet their mentors in person if mentors are assigned across different corporate offices or all employees are remote. Whether this will make a difference in the future success of younger employees, will play out over the next couple of decades. The absence of these more personal interactions may also result in a continued loss of social graces and understanding of different cultures.

This same group, however, has taught the world that there is more to life than work. They have prioritized life over money, and family over work. Will this be enough to keep pace in the work world?

My other concern is that women will lose some of the leadership gains they made in the last 20 years. I have already seen more women choose new job opportunities that allow them to stay home as they get used to being there for their families, while working remotely. They have accepted lesser paying roles with no travel and flexible hours. I have not noticed as many men taking advantage of these jobs. This takes the spotlight off of those women who aren’t in the office every day and makes it easier to forget them.

It is my hope that the good that has come out of COVID-19 outweighs the bad in the long run.

Patty Arvielo CEO & Co-Founder

Company Name: New American Funding

Industry: Financial Services

Company CEO: Rick Arvielo & Patty Arvielo

Company Headquarters Location: Tustin, CA

Number of Employees: 3,594

Words you live by: If you see it, you can be it.

Personal Philosophy: Always take responsibility for yourself

What book are you reading? My latest reading has been articles focused on the social justice issues we are facing in this country and what we can do to bring about meaningful change for those who need it most.

What was your first job? Clerical position at TransUnion Credit

Favorite charity: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County

Interests: Traveling and spending time with my friends and family

Family: My husband Rick, my sons Trevor and Dominic, my daughter Tara and son-in-law Stuart, and my adorable grandchildren: Shae & Roman

Throughout my career and amongst my achievements, my passion, above all, has been cultivating an inclusive work environment and nurturing talent. As the co-founder and CEO of New American Funding (NAF), my drive comes from our team’s shared success and growth, which is the heart of our business. I’m specifically passionate about women in leadership and am committed to creating a multicultural workforce that excels through the societal challenges we face.

One way I create this workforce community that I’m so passionate about is through mentorship. It’s where I can impart my decades of experience and wisdom to those beginning their professional journey. And it’s where I find immense satisfaction, guiding employees toward their aspirations so they can be proud of their career path.

So I created a mentorship program, “Thrive and Lead.” It’s where I help people navigate their careers and everything in between, like networking and work/life balance. What’s exciting is that this program isn’t limited to our internal team; it extends to individuals outside our organization. I’m proud of this program because it reflects my belief in the power of shared knowledge and learning.

In addition to “Thrive and Lead,” I launched the “360 Mentorship Program,” a platform that matches early career employees with seasoned professionals within our organization at NAF. This program serves as an avenue for extensive career guidance and training. It also embodies that potent principle of sharing wisdom and experience.

My commitment to personal growth in my company goes even further with the “If You Want to Grow, We Want to Know” initiative. It’s an open platform for our team members to discuss their ambitions and objectives with me and senior leaders. This initiative fosters a culture of transparency and paves the way for potential advancement opportunities within the company.

My goal and passion is to invest in our most valuable asset, people. My mentor ship initiatives reflect that. I firmly believe that the best investment we can make is in the development and growth of our team members and especially by empowering women through leadership. Through their success, we collectively prosper and build a sustainable future for everyone, including at my company, New American Funding.

My other day job? Making sure mentoring for workers and the community is a priority

Amanda Kuhl Sarrubbo

Senior Vice President, Head of the Purchase Experience

Education: BS, Marketing and Mathematics, Boston College

Company Name: New York Life

Industry: Financial Services

Company CEO: Craig DeSanto

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 11,700

Words you live by: “Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.” – Sheryl Sandberg

Personal Philosophy: Asking all the questions is the key to solving problems

What book are you reading? It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

What was your first job? Actuarial analyst at Mercer Consulting

Favorite charity: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Interests: Traveling with family, days on the beach, pilates, and the New York Yankees

Family: Husband (John), two sons (Brayden, 5, and Chase, 7), and our cat (Calleigh)

Own It: Leading Others by Being Your Authentic Self

As I reflect on my journey as a leader, I find that there are three pillars that have contributed to my growth and shaped my identity, both at the office and at home.

1. Owning Who You Are

To be inspiring leaders, we need to have more than just self-awareness: we need to embrace who we are.

Working remotely during the pandemic, the roles of leader and mom overlapped in ways that were very new to many women. Whereas in the past, having one of my sons on camera in my home office would have been stressful, eventually it became normal for him to fall asleep in my arms while I conducted business meetings on Zoom.

Today, I am comfortable with the many roles that I play in life. The patience and empathy required to be a strong mother directly informs my leadership style and showing up to work every day with authenticity inspires trust and respect from my team.

2.

The Power of Mentors

Being outgoing by nature, I have formed relationships with many people at New York Life, but I’ve been especially grateful to have impactful mentors throughout my career. Oftentimes these mentors were previous managers or people I built deep connections with over time, but they all contributed to my development by pushing me to get outside of my comfort zone. Whether that meant taking a role I wasn’t convinced at first was the right move or not being afraid to speak my mind, these people have been instrumental to my success, and they continually provide the courage to seek continuous growth and development by opening myself to new experiences.

3. Strong Relationships are the Foundation of Inspiring Leadership

At the heart of my leadership philosophy lies the firm belief that strong relationships are the cornerstone of effective leadership. Over the years, my colleagues and I have worked and grown together both personally and professionally. We share pictures of our families, pets, and vacations, and we collaborate and celebrate

Building deep personal bonds in turn creates an atmosphere of trust, empowerment, and mutual support. When your team feels like they belong and you do good work together, your collective wins reinforce your presence as a leader.

While my experiences as a leader and as a woman may differ from others, we have much we can learn from each other. By sharing our experiences and listening to each other, we can inspire positive change for our teams and enrich our own journeys as we strive to own who we are, personally and professionally.

Education: JD, with honors, University of Texas; BA, English, Rice University; SHRM, Professional HR Development Certificate, Rice University

Company Name: Norton Rose Fulbright

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Gerard Pecht, Global Chief Executive; Jeff Cody, US Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: New York; Houston; London

Number of Employees: 7,417

Your Location: Houston, TX

Words you live by: Know your worth.

Personal Philosophy: Start with kindness.

What book are you reading? A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia

What was your first job? Babysitting

Favorite charity: Houston Food Bank

Interests: Sports and binging TV series

Family: My husband and two teenage daughters. I would describe my household as, “We run this house by committee.”

Along with humility and levity, a big part of my leadership style is vulnerability, particularly in terms of sharing stories and lessons. Vulnerability has always been a paramount quality for me – it’s part of my communication style so by default it’s part of my leadership style – but I think what really changed during the pandemic is that I learned to lean more heavily into it and meet people where they are. I understand that every person I interact with is going through something in their lives and I try to be mindful about those experiences. I think about how what I am going through might affect what I’m asked to do and then use that perspective to think through what others are experiencing with their responsibilities and as a leader, help guide them through that process.

I’ve always been an empath by nature, it’s just who I am as a person, and it’s a way for me to connect. I believe connecting to people and building strong relationships is an important way to lead and I would say the pandemic made that really hit home. During the pandemic we were all dealing with this unexpected and unfamiliar situation and while I always have been compassionate and empathetic, it really opened up a way for me to see the scope of how every

single person has challenges they are facing at any given time.

Working remotely made it harder in terms of frequency and organic opportunities to connect, but at the same time, it made it easier because we were all so fragile and raw during that time. Any conversation could turn into a conversation about life – any meeting, any hearing, any Zoom happy hour – and everything else became an opportunity to connect about something more significant than our meeting topic. It was a silver lining that I kept from the pandemic and that applies to life now. I didn’t forget those lessons and like most people, I’m not going back to how things were before.

Recently over the summer while engaging with our summer associates, I focused on putting myself in their shoes and having conversations with them about what it really means to move into this phase of their careers, recognizing that they are going to make mistakes, and then talking them through those instances and helping them build trust in themselves. I think it’s important for lawyers who have been practicing for a long time to be mentors because it’s easy to forget how hard it can be in the beginning. Remembering that with students makes me better with everyone that I engage with.

The pandemic taught me the importance of connecting with people – and I won’t forget it

Pawla Ghaleb Founder & CEO

Education: MBA,George Washington University; BS, George Mason University; Owner/President Management (OPM) Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School (in-progress)

Company Name: PBG Consulting, LLC

Industry: Government Contracting, Information Technology, Management Consulting

Company CEO: Pawla Ghaleb

Company Headquarters Location: McLean, VA

Number of Employees: 150

Words you live by: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” – Luke 22:42

Personal Philosophy: “Do not go with the flow, be the flow” – Elif Shafak

What book are you reading? Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

What was your first job? Math and French tutor at Northern Virginia Community College

Favorite charity: ChildHelp

Interests: Yoga, hiking, traveling Family: Loving parents and siblings, amazing nephews, nieces, and god-daughters, and extended family!

The glass ceiling, an invisible yet very real barrier, still looms large for many women. This is particularly evident in the traditionally male-dominated fields of government contracting and IT, where I’ve carved out my path. The barriers to success may seem daunting, and at times insurmountable, but as a woman who has faced and surmounted similar challenges, I stand as living proof that it is not impenetrable.

Writing this essay led me to recall the hard decision my mother had to make, sending my brother to the U.S for a brighter future when he was just 17. We had no connections in the U.S, no internet, yet my mother had an unyielding belief in a better future. Her strength and perseverance left an indelible mark on me and instilled a resilience I’ve carried throughout my professional journey.

Forging ahead with passion, boldness, and grit – the foundational pillars of my company, PBG Consulting, and lessons drawn from my mother’s courage – I have navigated formidable challenges. Despite the setbacks, I’ve managed to reach new heights and carve a path for other women to follow.

The journey to shattering the glass ceiling is intricate, and I’ve found that it begins with the empowerment of the self. Recognizing our worth, firmly believing in our abilities, and envisioning ourselves as leaders are the bedrock for making significant strides. These initial steps are instrumental in breaking through self-imposed limitations, cultivating the confidence to challenge the status quo, and disrupting the narrative that women are incapable of assuming leadership roles.

I’ve come to realize that mentorship and sponsorship act as transformative catalysts in this process. As a woman who has guided others in the government contracting industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand how nurturing talent, enhancing skills, and proactively opening doors to new opportunities can fuel

Our individual efforts must be complemented by collective actions. Building alliances with advocates of gender diversity, we can amplify our voices and drive systemic change. A united front is powerful and capable of reframing industry norms, thereby creating an environment conducive to our growth.

At PBG, we emphasize and celebrate diversity and inclusion. We’re proud that 60% of our staff and executive team and 84% of our managers are women. But beyond numbers, we implement policies that promote gender parity, mentorship programs, and ensure pay equity.

The glass ceiling persists, but it is not invincible. Empowerment, confidence, mentorship, alliances, and advocacy can be our chisels to chip away at it. As we break through, we redefine the corporate skyline, empowering the next generation of women leaders to soar even higher, pushing boundaries, and leading by example.

Women can shatter the glass ceiling by being confident, persistent and by having mentors

Heather Hoytink President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America

Education: BS, Marketing, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; ASCENT Executive Leadership Program, Dartmouth Tuck School of Business; Leading Global Business, Harvard Business School Executive Education

Company Name: PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA)

Industry: Food & Beverage

Company CEO: Kirk Tanner

Company Headquarters Location: Orlando, FL for South Division; (PBNA HQ in Purchase, NY)

Number of Employees: Over 15,000 in PBNA South Division; 60,000 in PBNA

Your Location: Orlando, FL

Words you live by: “Success is never owned, it is rented, and the rent is due every day.” – Rory Vaden, best selling author

Personal Philosophy: Be bold and dream outside the box – you never know what you’ll be able to make possible.

What book are you reading? Good Power by Ginni Rometty

What was your first job? Corn detasseling

Favorite charity: March of Dimes & Children of Fallen Patriots

Interests: Mentorship, sports, family

Family: Husband, 13-year-old twins, dog

Growing up in rural Wisconsin, the only working women were either nurses or teachers, which set me down the path of pursuing a nursing degree. It wasn’t until a marketing class during my junior year of college that a professor who took an interest in me helped me realize I had other options. Truthfully, I couldn’t stomach hospitals and would have made a terrible nurse, so I was fortunate to cross paths with Professor Tomkavick, just in time.

Changing majors junior year, I pursued a marketing degree with aspirations of entering the business world. I was raised on Midwestern values of hard work, humility, and grit, which set me up for success by helping me to connect with people from all walks of life. This has assisted me in networking, sales, customer relationships, people management, and talent development, among other crucial skills needed throughout my career.

I was drawn to PepsiCo because of the company’s iconic portfolio of brands, including Pepsi, Gatorade, and Mountain Dew. All of them are brands that I enjoy and that bring people joy. In addition to the opportunity to work on such meaningful brands, I find

purpose in mentoring rising talent. I’m currently responsible for 16,000 employees and all cross-functional activity that happens in the South Division for PepsiCo Beverages North America. In this role, I’m most passionate about working closely and guiding people, helping them successfully advance their careers. There’s no better feeling than seeing my team grow and take on new challenges.

I believe it’s my mission to champion others, especially when it comes to empowering women at every level in the workplace. From spearheading the development of PepsiCo’s Returnship program, which helps women professionals return to work after time off for caregiving, to mentoring women in sales as part of our internal leadership development program, I do everything I can to inspire employees of the South Division (and beyond) to dream big and achieve their goals.

Career paths aren’t always linear, and in my experience, transformational growth comes in waves. My own journey to becoming PBNA’s first woman division president would have looked very different if I’d stuck with my intended nursing major in college.

Her mission: Be a mentor to rising talent and empower women at every turn

Rachel

Livek

Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Education: BA, Anthropology & Sociology, University of Nebraska

Company Name: Powin

Industry: Battery energy storage, renewables

Company CEO: Jeff Waters

Company Headquarters Location: Portland, OR

Number of Employees: over 500

Your Location: Denver, CO

Words you live by: The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.

Personal Philosophy: Embrace the chaos of life and be present wherever you are.

What book are you reading? Babel by R.F. Kuang

What was your first job? Babysitter

Favorite charity: Clean Air Task Force

Interests: Music, reading, cooking, and spending time with family.

Family: Husband, daughter, and spoiled rescue dog

I grew up surrounded by strong women and a family who supported any path I chose. This allowed me to create a vision of myself in the C-suite, but I didn’t know how to get there.

Unexpected but invaluable advice from a leader early on shaped my perspective. “You’re going to need more than ability and aspiration to make it,” he said. He explained that long-term success comes down to combining those with work ethic. If I had my sights set on a top job, I would need to own it every day, not just on good days.

Years later, a female leader took an interest in my work and potential. She publicly acknowledged my capabilities during a leadership meeting, urging them to entrust me with a challenging project. This seemingly small act significantly changed my career trajectory, leading to work with increased complexity and visibility, including my first leadership role.

Today as a chief human resource officer where I am is in part due to that mentorship I received when I was starting out. And while I always endorse the importance of tenacious effort, that’s not the only advice I give to women embarking on their careers today. To truly thrive in your career, you need more than just talent and diligence. You need a sponsor. Someone who believes in you and advocates on your behalf when you aren’t in the room. We understand the importance of mentorship, but having a sponsor can be life changing.

However, it can be difficult to find sponsors, creating a gap for women to reach the highest levels in companies.

It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about developing women as a leading talent strategy for companies. Truly magical things can happen when we take a chance on people and invest in nurturing their talent. I’ve seen this time and time again throughout the years. As leaders, we must dedicate time, energy, and our voices to ensure that more women move into management and the C-suite. It’s easy to focus on the demands of our work, forgetting what contributed to our progression.

As a mom and executive, I can attest to the importance of remaining true to yourself, acknowledging your abilities, and not letting external influences sway you. However, we know women often don’t pursue positions because they feel they don’t have all of the skills listed, or there isn’t enough flexibility to support

To change the landscape of companies and board rooms, we must sponsor future women leaders and push them to venture outside of their comfort zones.

To rise in their careers, women need mentors. However, a sponsor who goes above and beyond is even better

Erin McAleer

President & CEO

Education: MSW, Boston College, Graduate School of Social Work; BA, College of the Holy Cross

Company Name: Project Bread

Industry: Nonprofit

Company CEO: Erin McAleer

Company Headquarters Location: Boston, MA

Number of Employees: 80

Words you live by: I’m a big Swiftie! One quote by Taylor Swift I stand by: “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”

Personal Philosophy: Meaningful change requires tackling the systemic challenges we’re faced with.

What book are you reading? Yes Please by Amy Poehler

What was your first job? Research analyst for the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Favorite charity: Project Bread, of course!

Interests: Karaoke, concerts, mentoring young women

Family: Wonderful husband and two children

We are facing the greatest hunger crisis we will see in our lifetime. One thing I know will always stay with me is the impact the pandemic had on our team and the unwavering resilience and dedication amidst uncertainty everywhere around us. The state shut down and seemingly overnight, there was a jump in the number of people living without enough to eat. Need was unlike anything we’ve ever seen, and my team just got to work. The world was in a state of chaos but at Project Bread there wasn’t a lot of panic. Instead, it was as though the crisis brought with it a hyper focus. Everyone seemed to understand the responsibility we had and still have, to respond. It was an incredible experience to see a group of people come together, with no ego, no complaining, truly driven by the mission. Doing whatever needed to be done together. We stopped fundraising so people on the fundraising team could answer and triage calls to our FoodSource Hotline. Our team working on child nutrition helped entire school districts pivot their food service literally overnight so no kids would have to go without enough to eat.

Looking back, what strikes me is the realization that I don’t think it ever occurred to the team that it might be hard to rise to the occasion. That mindset extended beyond the first few weeks too. Our team actually launched an entirely new program months ahead of schedule because of the even greater urgency the crisis brought to helping patients of community health centers access and afford food at a time when the barriers were more significant and numerous than ever.

I’m so proud to have overcome this challenge together in such an incredible way. A quote that I look to is by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Growing up food insecure, I had to learn how to be resilient, tenacious, and keep moving forward. What’s driven me to where I am today is my hope, and more than that, my knowledge that we can end hunger.

Project Bread’s relentless focus on the mission of feeding people made sure there was enough for all

Vidya Shankaran Senior Vice President of Customer Delivery & Success

MBA, Marketing & Finance, from IBS, India

Company Name: Revature

IT & Professional Services

Ashwin Bharath

Company Headquarters Location: Reston, VA

Number of Employees: 1,500-2,000 Dallas, TX

Words you live by: If it was easy everyone would have done it!

Personal Philosophy: Respect and Integrity are foundational elements to any relationship

What book are you reading? Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

What was your first job? I started off as an executive search consultant.

Favorite charity: Health and Education for Girls Practicing how to stay silent I have two children who are my biggest critics and supporters!

I make sure that opportunities for diverse candidates keep knocking

I am most passionate about creating opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds. Throughout my career, I have been devoted to the belief that building teams that are composed of different cultures and backgrounds leads to the creation of the strongest and most successful organizations.

As someone who began her career as an immigrant and young mother, I understand the significance of having access to programs and resources that can help aspiring candidates kick start their careers. My firsthand experience drove my desire to advocate for initiatives that would provide non-traditional candidates with the necessary support and opportunities to pursue a career in tech.

At Cognizant, my primary focus was to drive the development of new organizational structures that aimed to foster a more diverse workforce. I had the opportunity to lead the company’s Women in Engineering program that aimed at creating valuable tech opportunities specifically for women and increasing their representation within the tech workforce. As Chief Operating Officer, I also developed a comprehensive workforce strategy that emphasized diversity within the organization’s personnel in order to create a multifaceted workforce and modernized culture.

My passion for creating opportunities and diverse

workforces led me to Revature, a leading talent enablement firm, whose mission is to create pathways to technology careers for candidates from diverse backgrounds.

In my current role as the senior vice president of customer success at Revature, my primary focus is to develop a motivated and qualified tech workforce that can help our partners reach their staffing and technology goals. At Revature, I have had the opportunity to lead talent enablement programs that emphasize the creation of opportunities for junior workforce members and students from nontraditional educational backgrounds, as well as veterans and other communities that are under-represented in the field of technology.

A large part of my role also entails connecting with community organizations and educational institutions to develop partnerships and resources that help connect a broader range of candidates to career opportunities.

I feel fortunate to work for a company like Revature that allows me to put my strengths and passions into action, and I’m committed to continuing to work to foster diversity through Revature’s talent enablement programs that provide career opportunities to those in often underrepresented groups.

Elizabeth Burnett Partner; Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Education: University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D.; Creighton University, BA in English

Literature and Spanish

Company Name: Robins Kaplan LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Ronald Schutz

Company Headquarters Location: Minneapolis, MN

Number of Employees: 440 total including all offices and full-time staff

Words you live by: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson

Personal Philosophy: Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

What book are you reading? These Truths by Jill Lepore

What was your first job? Sales Associate at Sears, Roebuck & Co.

Favorite charity: H2O for Life - Service-learning organization that empowers youth to help solve the global water crisis

Interests: Cooking, baking, traveling (particularly exploring national and state parks), and serving on the Board for H2O for Life

Family: Husband and two young children

Preparation is always key but especially as you launch a new career

Before I became a lawyer, my father passed along a piece of advice that has helped shape my professional career: Preparation is the best substitute for experience. In the early years of practice, I was regularly humbled by how much there was to learn. There were so many first-time experiences and avenues for growth. Frequently, I found myself submitting a brief, taking or de fending a deposition, and arguing a motion opposite a lawyer with significantly more experience. A juxtaposition that some opposing counsel went out of their way to highlight.

Over and over, I returned to preparation and tried to make the most of each opportunity. Robins Kaplan’s trial advocacy and writing programs were safe spaces to develop skills and incorporate tailored feedback. For client matters, I immersed myself in the facts of the cases, strove to deeply understand the legal issues, revised—and revised again—legal briefs and memos, and mooted oral arguments. Clients and partners trusted me with substantive opportunities early and often. Sponsors and mentors generously and consistently invested in my development. All of this helped me to cultivate a growth mindset. With each new experience, I felt more comfortable being uncomfortable. Even now, with more than a decade of practice to guide me, meticulous preparation is an essential component of my work.

Today, it is my privilege to pay it forward and I do so through mentoring and sponsoring lawyers in the early stages of their careers. I regularly repeat: Preparation is the best substitute for experience. And strive to provide meaningful avenues in my cases for young lawyers to develop and demonstrate their skills, encouraging my partners to do the same. As co-chair of Robins Kaplan’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, my work includes evaluating and helping ensure that mentoring and substantive opportunities are available to all of our developing law yers, including those who identify as belonging to historically underrepresented groups.

I hope that a sustained focus on preparation and making the most of each experience will help our lawyers to develop both competence and confidence. That it will fortify them against opponents who may seek to exploit differences in experience, age, gender, race, or cultural heritage for some perceived advantage. I hope that this advice and approach is as empowering for them, as it has been for me.

Education: JD, University of California, Berkeley School of Law; BS, Management Science, University of California, San Diego,

Company Name: Robins Kaplan LLP

Legal

Company CEO: Ron Schutz

Company Headquarters Location: Minneapolis, MN

Number of Employees: 440 total including all offices and full-time staff

Your Location: Los Angeles, CA

Words you live by: Take your big goals one step at a time. You must learn to crawl before you can walk, learn to walk before you can run, and learn to run before you can jump. By the time you need to jump, you will be ready.

Personal Philosophy: “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.”

What was your first job? Cashier at Sears

Favorite charity: Bet Tzedek (“House of Justice”), local nonprofit in San Diego Star Wars, Disney, Harry Potter, world travel, ancient history, and convention events (such as Comic-Con, D23, Celebration, International Gem Show, etc.)

Married with two kids (8 and 5)

Hollywood inspired me to become a lawyer and now I’m opening the door to others

When I think about what influenced me to pursue a career in law, I’ll admit it was not because I had a deep understanding of the industry or knew the impact that I could make as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field. Instead, my initial inspiration came from movies, like “Legally Blonde,” “My Cousin Vinny,” etc. because I was the first one in my immediate family to attend college. Despite learning how different the practice of law actually is, over time, I have come to realize I could be a role model and resource for young attorneys as well as make an impact in our ever-changing industry.

Being a woman of Hispanic heritage, a mother of two young children, and a firstgeneration college student has made me incredibly grateful for the mentors I have had over the years that helped mold me and supported my dream to become a partner and leader within my law firm. Because of this, I strongly believe in paying mentorship forward and opening the door for those behind you. Otherwise, what is the point if we cannot make our industry better than how we found it? Being able to support up-and-coming attorneys, particularly those of minority groups, is so very critical for further pushing the needle forward on diversity, equity, and inclusion within our legal industry, especially at the highest levels. I understand that systemic, enduring change requires more than a “one and done” approach, and I am dedicated to the long game.

For this reason, I have pursued various DEI efforts both within and outside my firm, including serving as co-chair of my firm’s Women of Robins Kaplan (WoRK) Resource Group, being an active member of the Robins Kaplan DEI Committee, and serving as the firm’s 2023 Fellow for the Legal Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). I also served in various leadership positions within the Women Lawyers Association Los Angeles (WLALA) as well as the Conference Planning Committee for the California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP), the latter of which is dedicated to creating business development opportunities for diverse attorneys.

In June 2023, I co-planned and served as a panelist for the first diversity program involved with the Loss Executives Association (LEA), a key insurance industry conference attended by seasoned practitioners and clients in the property insurance industry. The program was called, “Fostering and Empowering the Insurance Industry to Attract and Retain New and Diverse Talent,” and it generated energic feedback and responses. I have been asked to help generate ideas for additional programming for the LEA on this critical topic for future conferences.

Christina Lincoln

Partner; Co-Chair for Firm’s Women of Robins Kaplan (WoRK) Resource Group; Member of Firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee; Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS)

Leigh Anne St. Charles Managing Partner, Nashville Office

Education: JD, Columbia Law School; BA, Philosophy and History, Western Kentucky University

Company Name: Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP

Industry: Legal

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Your Location: Nashville, TN

Words you live by: “Don’t sit upon the shoreline and say you’re satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids, and dare to dance the tides.” – Garth Brooks

Personal Philosophy: Treat others how you want to be treated.

What book are you reading? Circe by Madeline Miller

What was your first job? Bagging groceries

Favorite charity: American Cancer Society

Find

The pandemic introduced changes to every facet of life. One positive outcome for many was the increased availability and acceptance of remote work—a solution that has benefited employees and employers alike. I am fortunate to work at a firm that was quick to adopt remote work, and has retained flexibility around a hybrid work environment.

Yet, six months into the 2020 lockdowns, I chose to start working at the office again. When colleagues, clients, or acquaintances expressed surprise over this decision, I felt the need to supply a full explanation for why I would choose to resume the daily commute and forego the opportunity to work just a door’s width away from my amazing children.

While I cited a litany of justifications which were absolutely true, such as the need to conduct upcoming depositions and a lengthy virtual arbitration, I felt uncomfortable with simply stating the truth: working in-office just worked better for me. Having a tangible barrier between time at work and time at home helped me to work better while I was in the office, and then be more fully present with my family when I was at home. It also worked better for my children, who struggled with me being physically present, but unable to play or pay full attention to them.

Although I knew that this arrangement worked best for me, I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that as a mother, I was doing something wrong. Nor could I shake the nagging doubt that failing to thrive in an environment

that benefits so many working parents translated into a personal failing of some kind. What kind of mother wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity to be closer to her kids each workday?

With the benefit of three years’ hindsight, I understand more clearly that I was caught in one of the seemingly infinite guilt-traps that plague nearly every working mother. While I felt compelled to offer a full explanation for my decision to work outside my home, millions more felt compelled to justify their commitment and productivity while working remotely. (I exclude from this the scores of women who actually are forced to justify their commitment and productivity when working from home; a topic deserving its own, much lengthier, commentary on the rampant bias women face in the workplace).

I am passionate about my work representing employees, often working mothers, in their legal battles against discrimination, retaliation, and inequitable pay. I am passionate about striving to be the best parent and role model I can be for my children. For me, retaining some separation between home and work allows me to balance both. For others, the exact opposite is true. Still more benefit most from a flexible hybrid solution.

Measuring the merit of your decisions by someone else’s yardstick will always make you feel like you’ve come up short. Find a way to work that works best for you.

There is no right or wrong way to balance family and work.

what works for you

Zenita Henderson

Chief Marketing Officer

Education: Stanford University, Graduate School of Business & Tuck Executive Education programs at Dartmouth; BA, Rosemont College

Company Name: Segra

Industry: Telecommunications

Company CEO: Kevin T. Hart

Company Headquarters Location: Charlotte, NC

Number of Employees: 1,300

Words you live by: “I am not afraid, I was born to do this.” – St. Joan of Arc

Personal Philosophy: Keep going

What book are you reading? Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

What was your first job? Telemarketer

Favorite charity: Blind IT

Interests: Technology, music, old movies, shopping, traveling

I spent most of my career at one company that was acquired multiple times over the almost 30 years I was with them. I was fortunate to have survived many lay-offs, mergers, internal changes, always selected to be a part of technology projects and product launches, but my progression was not as stellar as the body of work I was producing. I had an impeccable reputation internally, and thought of as the person to get stuff done or supported; but my title did not reflect it.

Almost 20 years into my career, an industry colleague urged me to join our industry associations to network outside of my company and to meet other professionals across our industry. I followed her advice and an entirely new world opened up to me. I met the most amazing women executives across our industry, joined committees to utilize my expertise and to strengthen skills I wanted to build. I began to work on high profile industry events with these associations and the exposure in a leadership capacity at these events raised my visibility in the industry and more importantly – changed my perception within the company.

They saw me in a different light. I eventually joined the board of several high-profile associations in the industry, began to speak at events, and became president. Those key interactions and networking paid off tremendously. So much so that I eventually departed my employer after 28 years after I was hired by the CEO of one of the industry associations. By virtue of my work at that association, another CEO six years later asked me to join my current employer as chief marketing officer; a few months later I was asked to take on an additional role as interim chief revenue officer. I preach to anyone that will listen, to get outside of their workplace. Join industry and trade associations that support your craft and network, network, network.

Networking outside of my company helped me rise in my career – I recommend it to everyone

Renee Bea Partner

Education: JD, Stanford Law School, BS, University of California, Berkeley

Company Name: Slarskey LLC

Industry: Litigation

Company CEO: David Slarskey

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 11

Words you live by: Figure it out, get it done.

Personal Philosophy: There is always more to learn.

What book are you reading? Two Wars & A Wedding by Lauren Willig, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, and Point Made by Ross Guberman

What was your first job? I worked at an ice cream and chocolate shop in Solvang, CA.

Favorite charity: Mercado Global

Interests: Reading (obviously, ha!), tennis, cooking, travel, and photography

Family: I am married and have two daughters, ages 11 and 14, who are lucky enough to have all grandparents and aunts and uncles still with us in this world.

My personal journey as a leader intersects with the larger social narrative around race and gender. I view my leadership role as an opportunity for transformation and empower ment. My path has been shaped by my identity, as a woman of Guatemalan heritage, and my aspirations.

When I embarked on my professional journey, I was acutely aware of the scarcity of individuals who shared my background and ambitions. I aspired to thrive in my career while also nurturing a family life—a balance that few role models had successfully achieved. Their absence, however, did not discourage me; it inspired me to become the role model I wished I had when starting out.

My journey wasn’t just about achieving personal success; it was about creating a blueprint for others facing similar challenges. In a profession that seemed to push women to choose between career and personal life, I was determined to chart my own course—one that resonated with my values and aspirations.

My path was marked by resilience, practicing at the most formidable trial law firms in the world, and by entrepreneurship, founding and building two boutique litigation practices on opposite coasts. In the pursuit of my own career goals, I believe in the power of lifting and guiding others along the way. I share with my colleagues and mentees not only my legal expe rience, but also my personal conviction that success can be achieved without sacrificing one’s values and personal well-being. Through mentorship, I want to show the next generation of our profession that integrating career, family, and personal fulfillment is possible.

I am not alone. By empowering young women and people of color in the legal profession, and offering guidance and mentorship to aspiring lawyers more broadly, I am working along side many others who are rewriting the narrative of what success looks like. My own journey is a testament to the responsibility we all share to uplift the next generation of lawyers.

In celebrating my recognition as part of “Women Worth Watching in Leadership,” I ac knowledge not just my personal achievements, but the power of diverse narratives in inspiring change. My story exemplifies that with the right mindset and support, women like me can carve a path that aligns with their dreams. As I continue on my journey, I am committed to fostering a more inclusive future for all, where personal aspirations and professional ambitions can thrive side by side.

It’s your life, so chart your own course and show others how to chart theirs

Jennifer Owens VP, Associate General Counsel

Education: JD, The George Washington University Law School; MA, University of Delaware; BA, Washington & Lee University

Company Name: Sonepar

Industry: Electrical Distribution

Company CEO: Philippe Delpech

Company Headquarters Location: Charleston, SC

Number of Employees: 10,000

Words you live by: It is what it is; it becomes what you make of it.

Personal Philosophy: Progress, not perfection.

What book are you reading? Trust by Hernan Diaz

What was your first job? Working retail at a locally owned store at the mall.

Favorite charity: Lowcountry Local First, a Charleston-based nonprofit focused on growing and supporting locally owned and diverse businesses.

Interests: Spending time with friends, experimenting in the kitchen, hiking in the NC mountains, and making my way through my long list of book recommendations.

Family: Two step-daughters from my former marriage and a rescue dog, Georgia.

“I’ve never had a female boss before.” One of my direct reports – a whip smart woman in her early 30s – made this comment recently and it took a moment before I realized she was referring to me. I so rarely think of myself as “the boss,” that it did not automatically register. When it did, I realized just how important her statement was. First, that she was well into her career and had never had a female manager. While women make up half the population, we still lag behind in leadership roles. I was fortunate to have strong women as colleagues along the way, but I did not have a “female boss” until my mid-40s. Where have all the women gone? If you are a woman, you likely know the answer to that: They have opted for a different career, or are at home caring for children or aging parents, or working for themselves to have more control over their time and energy.

Which led to my second realization: Women leaders – that growing, but still slim, percentage of women in the C-suite – are uniquely positioned to effect change. I made it to the table. I have a seat, and I take that responsibility to heart. It is important for women to see other women as leaders, to know that there is room for them at the table. It is also critical that women support other women and bring them along with advice, encouragement, mentorship, and opportunities.

“Women helping women” has been the narrative for so long that we may have missed the opportunity in front of us: women helping men. I do have a seat at the table, and most of the other people there are men. I have learned that when I open the door to conversation, my male colleagues not only listen, but are actively engaged and genuinely curious about the experience of women in the workplace. Do women struggle to speak up when they are the only one in the room? Yes, and it’s not because we lack confidence. Ask a woman for her opinion, she’ll tell you. Do women leaders walk a fine line between being “the boss” and being perceived as “bossy”? Most definitely. Have her back the next time you are in a meeting together.

It is my goal to create space for these conversations. Recently, the president of Sonepar North America, Rob Taylor, sat down with women from across the business for coffee and listened as they shared their experiences and personal stories. This type of conversation allows women to be heard and their varied life experiences understood. With understanding comes respect, and that is the workplace we should all be working towards.

When women get a seat at the table, they have to help other women take a chair and get men to listen

Cheryl Ragland Chief Marketing Officer

Education: BA, Muhlenberg College

Company Name: Spirent Communications

Industry: Telecommunications

Company CEO: Eric Updyke

Company Headquarters Location: United Kingdom

Number of Employees: 1,500

Your Location: Maryland

Words you live by: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

Personal Philosophy: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

What book are you reading? Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

What was your first job? Sales representative for AT&T

Favorite charity: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Interests: I love going to a museum, a bookstore or taking a long hike

Family: Enjoying time with my two great kids – Grafton and Ella

The pandemic threw plenty of challenges at business leaders. One was knowing what we were up against in the early days and pivoting to this new normal.

Uncertainty and lack of clarity on the evolving risks made even the simplest decisions bewildering. Should masks be required for those employees who had to remain onsite? Making it clear that sick workers should stay home was obvious, but what about co-workers who may have been exposed? How long should they wait before returning to their teams, so that others didn’t fall ill?

There were no easy answers, but eventually, businesses found their stride. With the luxury of hindsight, many came out stronger and in a better position to react swiftly to the next crisis.

The saving grace of this global calamity was the connectivity that businesses have today. More than once, I reflected on the fact that had COVID arrived just five years earlier, the options for working remotely would have been severely curtailed.

But, like the pandemic itself, those solutions also brought new challenges.

As a business leader, I found that it was easy to hop on a video call, but harder than ever to truly connect with my team. Gone were the casual office chats about a co-worker’s kids or hearing about an exciting weekend on Monday morning.

Instead, we suddenly had wall-to-wall Zoom meetings. While this led to increased productivity for many firms, it also came at a cost. Zoom fatigue and quiet quitting became part of the business vernacular.

I realized that for my organization, we needed to slow down. I made a conscious effort to connect with my team members one-on-one at a personal level. As a leader, I needed to truly know them as people to understand and help solve their problems.

I heard about how their families grappled with the lockdown to stay positive. I learned about their small, personal triumphs – Facetime calls with family they couldn’t visit, and the pain that hit them when the pandemic took their loved ones.

I learned to ask how they were doing instead of leading with problems in our business. To check in on their mental health and how they were coping with their children being home from school. To lend an empathetic ear and nod instead of setting an agenda upfront. And the great thing is it helped me too!

Now that the worst of this tragedy is behind us, organizations are ready to get back to work. As they do, I hope we can maintain this more human approach to business – one that prioritizes people’s lives over work rather than the other way around. It’s a pivot I plan to keep.

Technology was important for businesses during the pandemic but we can never forget the human touch

Dana Bryson Senior Vice President, Social Impact

Education: Master of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School; BA, University of Virginia

Company Name: Study.com

Industry: Education technology

Company CEO: Adrián Ridner

Company Headquarters Location: Mountain View, CA

Number of Employees: 200

Your Location: Denver, CO

Words you live by: From my mother: “Work hard. Be kind.”

Personal Philosophy: Practice Radical Kindness. Every day. Always. It is the greatest way to build peace in this world. And we will not have justice without peace.

What book are you reading? Teacher Diversity and Student Success: Why Racial Representation Matters in the Classroom by C. Lindsay, M. Hansen and S. Gershenson

What was your first job? My first job was working in a restaurant at 14 years-old bussing tables. I was a waitress through school for the next 10 years, mostly part-time.

Favorite charity: For six years I have been the Board Chair of World Child Cancer USA, and I am proud of our work treating children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries. Interests: Urban/community gardening, environmental advocacy, community organizing, yoga Family: Husband John, son Nico (13) and daughter Zea (11)

I am a biracial woman of color, and my parents were pioneers in the fight for interracial marriage. Their union became legal in Virginia just days after the Supreme Court overturned the state’s antimiscegenation law in the landmark Loving vs. Virginia case. My upbringing was influenced by my paternal grandparents, who were socialist activists fighting for workers’ rights in Harlem. They instilled in me strong values and a sense of purpose, shaping my understanding of success. My fear of mediocrity served as a powerful motivator for me, and I have channeled this fear into my pursuits.

Growing up, dinner table conversations revolved around equity and justice, fueling my desire to challenge institutions and rebuild broken systems. This led me to pursue an advanced degree in public policy, as I believed that understanding the power structures behind these systems was essential for their reconstruction. My work has flourished at the intersections, as an entrepreneur, nonprofit advocate, activist, founder, funder, urban farmer, yoga instructor, board member, chair, and advisor. Without question, my most important role is as a parent, which is teaching me patience and humility. While my role as a mother is the most important one in my life, I am called to the work that I do to honor my ancestors and the sacrifices they endured.

Some of my most interesting and challenging work

was in the decade I spent in urban government, where I served as chief of staff to Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown and senior appointee to DC Mayor Anthony Williams and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. In the private sector, I represented the only minority-owned Major League Soccer team (at the time), DC United, in their negotiations with Maryland and Washington, DC to build a new stadium, which was completed in 2018.

Some of my most rewarding work has been supporting youth and in education. I helped create DC’s largest urban farm, helping residents in public housing to grow their own food. Without access to healthy food, young minds cannot learn. I am proud of the thousands of teachers in a national program I created who worked as elected members of their communities to increase equity in education. The program supported former teachers transitioning into public office, empowering them to advocate for 26 million school children across the nation. In my current role at Study.com, I lead the company’s social impact work and have the privilege of innovating to address systemic inequities to increase educational equity and enhance student outcomes. I am most proud of our Keys to the Classroom program, which assists aspiring teachers in preparing for and passing their licensure exams, strengthening the diversity of America’s teacher pipeline, thus giving underserved students increased self-confidence and opportunity for success.

She’s busy helping the next generation of teachers and students flourish in the years to come

Jane E. Veron CEO and Co-Founder

Education: MBA, Harvard University; BA, Yale University

Company Name: The Acceleration Project (TAP), Inc.

Industry: Nonprofit – Small Business Consulting Company

Company CEO: Jane E. Veron

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 22 management team; 160 pro bono consultants

Words you live by: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Personal Philosophy: “Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it.”

What book are you reading? Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

What was your first job? Lifeguard and swim instructor

Favorite charity: The Acceleration Project – best return on philanthropic investment

Interests: Public service (former mayor of Scarsdale, NY), racquet sports (tennis, paddle, pickle ball), art history

Family: What matters most – my wonderful husband, fabulous three daughters, devoted parents, loving extended family, and sweet doggie

Her organization, TAP, helps small businesses tap into success

I am passionate about creating a more inclusive and equitable economy and fervently believe in the catalytic power of small business. Small businesses not only provide essential goods and services but also create jobs and uplift families and communities. They are the engine that drives our country and are fundamental to the American Dream. Successful small businesses help close income, gender, and racial inequality gaps. Yet, not all small business owners have access to resources and expertise that allows them to flourish.

I co-founded The Acceleration Project (TAP) to ensure that under-resourced small business owners get the support they need to survive and thrive. TAP empowers our clients by providing customized strategic, operational, marketing, and financial guidance. For too long, small business owners, particularly women and people of color, have faced barriers to their advancement. They have been left out of networks and have struggled to get access to capital. At TAP, we reverse this trend by forging trusted relationships to help small business owners navigate their ecosystems. We accelerate small business owners’ success, igniting positive change that reverberates throughout their communities and creates a ripple effect of economic empowerment and transformation. And key to our impact is our people.

I have long believed that there is an abundance of talent that can be harnessed for social good. TAP’s success affirms my conviction. We attract the best of the best: women and men from Fortune 500 companies, investment banks, and consulting firms; entrepreneurs who have built their own businesses; professionals who work full-time, part-time, or during career pivots. Each is devot ed to meeting business owners where they are. They embody our deep commitment to dignity and respect, demonstrating not only technical knowledge but also cultural competence. We do not rest until our small business owners gain the confidence and skills to accelerate their growth.

And there is so much more work to be done. I am optimistic that together we will continue to solve societal problems. What is required is diversity of thought, innovation, and collaboration. In addition to serving as CEO of my nonprofit, I have worked in the private sector as a management consultant and Fortune 100 executive and in the public sphere as mayor of my town. Each of these experiences has informed the next and has given me insight that enables me to bridge differences. Over and over, I have seen that when we work together, great things happen.

Our small business owners possess the skills, creativity, and drive; it is up to us to level the playing field and open doors.

Mareisha N. Reese

President & COO

Education: MBA, University of Maryland; BS, Spelman College & Georgia Tech

Company Name: The Winters Group, Inc.

Industry: Consulting

Company CEO: Mary-Frances Winters

Company Headquarters Location: Charlotte, NC

Number of Employees: 17

Words you live by: “...if you have faith and do not doubt. ... it will be done.”

– Matthew 21:21

Personal Philosophy: “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. … You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What book are you reading? The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones

What was your first job? Summer intern at The Winters Group, Inc.

Favorite charity: American Heart Association

Family: I am loved and supported by my husband, Mom, brother, rambunctious dog, extended family and in-laws!

When you learn about my background, you may be surprised that I am in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion. My undergraduate studies led to degrees in computer science and electrical engineering. While it might seem counterintuitive that I am now leading a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm, my experience working in a predominantly white, male field led me to this career choice.

Prior to joining The Winters Group, I worked as an engineer at a large defense contractor. My experiences of often being the only Black woman in my workspaces, and the biases and microaggressions that came along with that, led to my passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work. At The Winters Group, we are committed to creating a more inclusive, equitable and just world. We work with clients that have employees who share similar experiences to my own.

Black women in engineering are still not common. And women in science and tech jobs leave at higher rates than their male counterparts. Research cites hostility, isolation, work styles and conditions as the primary reasons for higher attrition rates. These reasons mirror my experience. Working in a male-dominated environment, with no one (or very few) who looked like me, had a profound impact on my ability to thrive in that work environment.

I decided that I did not want others to endure my experience. I wanted to try to “change the equation” – or least be a factor in creating the change. So, I found my way to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. DEI strives to create spaces where everyone feels they belong and can be authentic. Our work at The Winters Group includes challenging inequitable systems and helping clients to create inclusive cultures. We guide organizations to interrogate inequities and create solutions that dismantle unjust systems.

After my 12 years in the DEI field, I believe that we have seen progress, but we have also experienced setbacks. I choose to not let the setbacks discourage me from the mission I was called to do. Diversity and inclusion work is increasingly more difficult as we witness more attacks on our efforts to create fair and just work environments. I am committed to stay the course to create a world that works for all.

After a bruising experience in engineering, she’s dedicated to bringing DEI to more workplaces

Jacqueline Bendon Senior Vice President Industrial

Education: BSBA, Creighton University

Company Name: Union Pacific Railroad

Industry: Transportation

Company CEO: Jim Vena

Company Headquarters Location: Omaha, NE

Number of Employees: 33,000

Words you live by: Do the right thing

Personal Philosophy: Work hard, be helpful and do your best

What book are you reading? Whatever my children are reading, just finished The Chronicles of Narnia series

What was your first job? Checker at Didier’s Grocery Store

Favorite charity: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation & Women’s Center for Advancement Omaha

Interests: Spending time with family and friends, gardening and traveling

Family: Husband Mark and three children

Throughout the years, I have received a lot of advice; solicited and unsolicited, good and bad, forgotten and remembered. But the most impactful advice I received came in the form of feedback from a female boss many years ago. We worked in the heavily male dominated transportation industry, and she informed me that even though I did great work, I needed to develop more confidence.

She went on to inform me that I would be moving to a new position that had historically been held by men. The position consisted of leading a large, multi-shift team with seven direct reports, all of whom were male with the youngest being fifteen years my senior. It was a position that I would never have considered on my own. I thought she was crazy. Turns out, she was right; I did need more confidence and that position ended up being a catalyst for me both personally and professionally. During that time, I learned so much about building relationships and trust, the importance of setting expectations and holding people accountable, as well as managing with data and driving results. Looking back, I grew and stretched in ways that surprised me and gained confidence that allowed me to pursue other opportunities I might not have considered had I not been given that impactful feedback.

As a long-time employee at Union Pacific, I have had the privilege of working with many talented leaders and employees and have learned things from each one. As a leader, and as a recipient of strong leadership, I know I play a large role in helping all people have a pathway to achieve their potential. Feedback and coaching are essential as is learning new things and taking risks. At Union Pacific, I am active in our UpLift sponsorship program which pairs executives with high-potential diverse employees. In our community, I am proud to serve on the board of directors for the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) in Omaha who provide vital programming, education and prevention to address victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. I am grateful that others recognized my potential and helped me develop and I love having the opportunity to pay it forward!

Fear not: Sometimes the toughest jobs are just what you need to grow and build confidence

Jo Ellen K. Stock

General Auditor

Education: JD, Creighton School of Law; BSBA, Accounting, Creighton University

Company Name: Union Pacific Railroad

Industry: Transportation

Company CEO: Jim Vena

Company Headquarters Location: Omaha, NB

Number of Employees: 35,000

Words you live by: Learn something from everything you do. Be prepared, kind, and thankful.

Personal Philosophy: Leave things better than you found them.

What book are you reading? The Visitor by Lee Child

What was your first job? Babysitting

Favorite charity: I have several - church, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s, and animal related causes

Interests: Travel, baking, and music

Family: I have a big family, with siblings, nephews, niece, and two dogs

I am fortunate to have amazing mentors who heavily influenced my career. While I have received countless valuable pieces of advice over the years, there are four that individually are very helpful, but collectively help me embrace change.

First and foremost, do not become complacent, rather look ahead for change. It is constant, either in changing facts, people, responsibilities, or perspectives. Some changes will completely surprise you, but there should not be many.

Second, be prepared. Being prepared is more difficult if you believe change is inevitable. Sometimes the only thing you can control is your reaction and you must take steps to prepare to react well. This means developing the knowledge and skills needed to respond to a variety of possible events. These skills could vary depending on the change, but one skill is always necessary, which leads to the next piece of advice.

Always focus on improving communication skills. Effective communication is generally necessary but especially so when dealing with change. I cannot think of a single change that did not impact at least one other person. The communication process starts with ensuring the right people are notified at the appropriate time and understand what their role might be. Effective communication also requires actively and objectively listening to others, and taking feedback. This is crucial because change may make people nervous, and they will need time to adjust and collaborate to arrive at the best response.

The final piece of advice is always be a team player. Just as change is inevitable, so is the fact there will be a few changes you do not like. While the change may be difficult, the key is to be supportive, positive, and trust the team and process.

The nature of change and its impact varies greatly. Sometimes embracing change is as easy as learning new facts. Other times it is more involved. Regardless, these tools help me to look for change and take it in stride.

There’s no escaping change, so be ready when it comes

Jessie Beeber Partner, Co-Chair New York Commercial Litigation

Education: JD, Cornell Law School; BA, Cornell University

Company Name: Venable LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Stuart P. Ingis, Chairman

Company Headquarters Location: Washington, DC

Number of Employees: ~1,700

Your Location: New York, NY

Words you live by: “Try to see the good in others. When you’re tempted to judge someone, make an effort to see their goodness. Your willingness to look for the best in people will subconsciously bring it forth.” – Marianne Williamson

Personal Philosophy: “Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility.” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton

What book are you reading? Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

What was your first job? Working at the pet store in the mall. Being in the company of animals, and teaching people how to care for their pets, never seemed like work to me.

Favorite charity: MatchDog Rescue: rescuing puppies and dogs from high-kill shelters in the Rio Grande Valley, and finding permanent homes for them.

Interests: Walking, baking, composting, true crime podcasts and Nordic noir novels

Family: Me, my husband (Jason), one kid off to college (Max) and the other starting sophomore year of high school in the fall (Arlo), two rescue dogs (Hattie and Rocky)

I have been a litigator for almost thirty years. What I like most about my job is that it allows me to challenge myself and to learn new things all the time. The key to being a successful litigator is being willing to dive in and do the work to understand your client’s business and the problems it is facing. That process has taken me on some fascinating journeys. A few years ago, I was hired by a Bra zilian power plant whose fleet of U.S.-manufactured generator sets exploded when they were put into full operation. I flew down to Brazil with our mechanical expert, and only a basic understanding of how a diesel engine worked. After several days in the garage with the expert, taking engines apart piece by piece, I got a whole new understanding of the case. I learned so much more than I would have by merely reading his report. That is what’s exciting to me about being a litigator. Each new case gives you an opportunity to learn or do something new, especially something that might be out of your comfort zone.

Recently, I was appointed the co-chair of Venable’s Commercial Litigation Group in New York. I would say that my guiding principle in this new role is the development and training of our up-andcoming attorneys. I believe that junior lawyers learn best by getting the opportunity to take on real responsibility, including taking the lead in court and at depositions. There’s a real difference between doing the research for a brief, maybe even writing it, and being the one to argue it. When you’re the one standing in front of the judge, answering her questions, you begin to appreciate even more the time and effort you put into crafting your argument.

I have also been the chair of the Partnership Selection Committee, and a member of the Summer Associate Hiring Committee, for a number of years. Both of these roles are important to me because I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the development and career advancement of our attorneys go hand-in-hand. To achieve a balanced partnership, we have to invest in the selection of our most junior associates, and the mentorship and sponsorship of all of them along the way. These two roles give me the opportunity to impact the development of our lawyers at two key points in their careers: when they come to us as rising 2Ls seeking summer associate positions, and again at the point where they are being considered for promotion to partner. Through these roles, I’ve also gotten to learn more about the incredible lawyers and practices we have across the Firm. In my new role as co-chair of our group, I think my most important jobs are to help all of our lawyers develop and grow their businesses, and for our more junior professionals to help them get to the next level in their career.

To keep growing as a litigator (or in any other position), don’t get too comfortable in your comfort zone

Sasha Lucas

SVP, Customer Experience

Education: MBA, Emory University, Goizueta Business School; BBA, International Finance & Marketing, University of Miami, Herbert Business School

Company Name: Verizon

Industry: Technology

Company CEO: Hans Vestberg

Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Words you live by: Trust your instincts.

Personal Philosophy: Work hard, stay curious…and pay it forward.

What book are you reading? My Life in Full by Indra Nooyi

What was your first job? Working at my family’s retail jewelry business (all hands on deck!)

Favorite charity: Domestic Abuse Support (JBWS) https://jbws.org/

Interests: Family, travel, tennis, food & wine

Family: I love spending time with my husband, Chadd, and our two children, Kiran and Talia

I’m passionate about using transformations as a form of problem solving, and am extremely fortunate to have built a career at the intersection of digital experience, data and emerging technology to influence customer experience design. For me, elevating customer experience is like solving a puzzle – it’s about removing friction, inventing new ways of doing old things.

Digital disruption has been occurring for decades. Overtime, we’ve seen incredible examples like the evolution from videotapes to DVDs to Blu-ray or the introduction of platforms like Airbnb and Uber that disrupt society and bring about more accessibility and ease to everyday life. Today, we’re exploring how to solve problems with new tools like Generative AI and 5G among others, which have and will continue to heavily influence the way we live, work and play – much like the internet first did.

However, implementing these new innovations is only half the battle. As a leader, I’m highly focused on the importance of listening to both consumers and team members as a way that moves the needle forward and creates change. Beyond the tech itself, understanding customers from a 360-degree view of insights, changing expectations and their unmet needs, play a pivotal role in implementing new ways to improve and provide more

intuitive and unique experiences.

Not to mention, new opportunities also present a learning curve, and the quality of an organization’s team can be the reason it ultimately succeeds or fails. When it comes to identifying solutions, the most valuable asset is having a strong team of people and partners of diverse backgrounds that bring different perspectives to the table. In this light my approach has always been to listen intently, understand our strengths, and fiercely support our team’s thoughts and contributions. At Verizon, I’m determined to bring these aspects together by ensuring our physical, retail, industrial, omnichannel, and digital teams are working together to fully understand user needs and pain points in order to provide efficient customer service programs.

Businesses will have to figure out how to handle innovation and how to best serve their employees and customers

When it comes to identifying solutions, the most valuable asset is having a strong team of people and partners of diverse backgrounds that bring different perspectives to the table. ”

Education: MBA, New York University, Stern Business School; Villanova University

Company Name: Verizon

Industry: Technology

Company CEO: Hans Vestberg

Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Words you live by: Always do your best - as in the wise words of Oprah Winfrey, “Doing your best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

Personal Philosophy: Stay curious, work hard and do your best

What book are you reading? I am always reading at least two books at any given time; one to learn and one for fun. Right now, I am reading Daring Greatly by Brene Brown and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

What was your first job? I worked the floor and the fitting room at Tempo Fashions – a clothing store on Long Island.

Favorite charity: Lunch Break, a wonderful non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, life skills and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County, NJ. (https://lunchbreak.org/)

Interests: Playing and laughing with my daughter and husband, reading, learning and working :)

Family: I have a wonderful 5-year-old daughter, Kelsey, and an amazing husband, Chris. I was raised by two loving parents, and my favorite roles in life are being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister/daughter in law, and aunt to nine awesome nieces and nephews.

First, I want to thank Profiles in Diversity Journal for recognizing me as a part of Women Worth Watching in Leadership. I am honored and grateful. A little bit about me, I am the daughter of an amazing mother and father who instilled in their four children the importance of education and hard work. My parents raised us all to believe we could do anything we wanted to do in life – but it takes hard work and dedication. My parents also encouraged me to be well-rounded – to try new things and to never give up. They instilled that ‘family comes first’ and I know that having a supportive family allows me to soar to even greater heights in my career and in everything that I do.

I do believe that opportunity is where luck meets preparation and it is important to always do your best in all aspects of your life. There are a few key tenets that have guided my career. First, follow what you are passionate about – the kind of work that will light your inner spark. Second, take risks and get out of your comfort zone. Raise your hand for the challenging assignment – you will not regret it. Third, take personal ownership of the management and trajectory of your career – while you will have leaders, partners,

mentors and sponsors to guide your path, you are in the driver’s seat of your career. Fourth, know yourself well. Recognize your strengths then surround yourself with those who complement your skills and offer a different perspective. And fifth, “make a list of pros, make a list of cons, throw the list out and go with your gut.” I was given this advice by an early boss and mentor while making a career choice. I used it then, and again many times in life, and never once has it failed me.

I know that balancing a career and a family is hard work, but it is also a lot of fun. Some days will be all about work, others more about family. Every day I make the best decision I can for that day, and I try to have fun along the way.

While I am proud of the achievements in my career, I constantly feel as though I am just getting started. Overcoming harsh challenges, executing remarkable campaigns, and making a true impact in the industry, keeps me energized every day. And my daughter and husband are the lights of my life and I am grateful for all that they do to allow me to do what I love.

What I’ve learned: Be brave, follow your passion, weigh your options – and then follow your gut

Susan Schroeder Partner and Vice Chair of the Securities & Financial Services Department

Education: JD, NYU School of Law; MA, University of California; BA, Georgetown University.

Company: WilmerHale

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Co-Managing Partners Susan Murley and Robert Novick

Company HQ: Washington, DC and Boston, MA

Number of employees: 1,988

Your location: New York

Words you live by: “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln

Personal Philosophy: Be who you are; don’t fight it. And that includes being wrong sometimes. We’re all wrong sometimes. Owning that as a leader creates a safe space for everyone else, and that’s when people can be at their best – when they know they can take risks and make mistakes too.

What book are you reading? I could Google the name of something impressive, but the truth is I love historical fiction. It’s a release valve. My mom and I trade ridiculous novels and I devour them on the subway.

What was your first job? I worked at the candy counter at the discount movie theater in town. Movies were 99 cents.

Favorite charity: Planned Parenthood

Interests: Motorcycles, reading ridiculous novels, college admissions tours (hopefully only a temporary interest this academic year), securities laws, especially Rule 144A. It’s my favorite rule.

Family: I have one very patient husband, one smart and funny teenager, one good dog, one bad dog, two wonderful parents, a brother and about 10,000 cousins.

I’m an introvert and small talk and “getting to know you” conversations are not my sweet spot. I’ve always gotten to know my colleagues and develop my relationships through the actual work we do as lawyers – sitting in a meeting and talking about this or that rule, or the facts of a case.

When I rejoined WilmerHale as a practice leader after working at a regulator, it was only a month before the pandemic lockdowns. Then in March 2020, our lives were broken down into 30-minute video conference chunks. You would think that is an introvert’s dream – no more small talk! Everything is about the rules and the cases! But I came to realize there was a missing piece to the way we were all interacting – with our peers, leadership, the less experienced attorneys, and our business professionals.

Without bumping into each other in the hallway or collectively procrastinating in each other’s offices, it was more difficult to get to know people as actual human beings. That’s not just important because it is pleasant to know and like your colleagues – it’s important because you have to trust your colleagues.

As a leader, I need my team to be able to take risks, speak up, think creatively – and that means they need to be able to make mistakes and trust they will still be a valued team member if they say the “wrong” thing or have an idea that ultimately doesn’t get adopted.

But at the same time, I recognize that it’s not always realistic or preferable for everyone to be in the same physical space. It’s easy to romanticize the in-office camaraderie I experienced 20 years ago, until I remember the challenges of being stuck in the office as a young partner with a two-year-old daughter at home. We have to find a way to balance individual flexibility and professional community.

So, as a first step I’ve tried to find ways to make my team’s interactions less transactional while accommodating flexibility. For instance, I try to add 15 minutes of video conference “debrief” after meetings with clients or regulators, so that the internal team can reflect on what we heard and share ideas. We all need to be actively looking for new and inclusive ways to create interstitial spaces for people to connect.

Here’s the new reality: Leaders have to create an atmosphere where teams can get to know each other in the virtual world

Where are they now?

Over more than two decades, Profiles in Diversity Journal® has recognized more than 2,000 Women Worth Watching® in the pages of our magazine. In this issue, we catch up with 21 more past Award recipients, who have since been promoted, started their own companies, taken on new roles, or moved into entirely new fields of endeavor. Like all of our Women Worth Watching Award winners, they are dynamic leaders, who welcome challenges, embrace change, and share their knowledge and wisdom with the next generation of women. Read on, and see where their professional journeys have taken them.

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2022

Ashley Finan, part of the Women Worth Watching class of 2022, recently announced that she was promoted to chief scientist for the U.S. National and Homeland Security Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory. Her new duties include safeguarding the nation’s safety and energy future. We took note of Finan when she served as director of the National Reactor Innovation Center at the laboratory last year. Finan, who told readers of her love of nature and physics in her essay in 2022, has a PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ashley E. Finan Director, National Reactor Innovation Center

Education: PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Company Name: Idaho National Laboratory

Industry: Energy

Company CEO: Dr. John Wagner (Laboratory Director)

Company Headquarters Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho

Number of Employees: 5,400

Words you live by: Be gentle with others; you don’t know what they are going through.

Personal Philosophy: Listen with an open mind and speak the truth, do what is right, strive for excellence, and care for others.

What book are you reading: A Higher Standard by Ann Dunwoody

What was your first job: Barn hand

Favorite charity: Christ the King Church (RI) and Friends of the Teton River Interests: Outdoor sports, time in nature, geopolitics, technology, and energy Family: Husband, 5- and 7-year-old sons, and dog

How Clean Air, and Clean Energy, Became My Mission

I grew up with a deep love for the natural world, and I’ve always spent as much time as possible outdoors. I also have a special appreciation for clean air as someone who has asthma. While I’m fortunate that it’s well-controlled with modern medicine, it’s something that I manage on a daily basis, and it has naturally impacted the course of my life, the values I hold, and the career path I eventually chose.

Another key to my career path was growing up within 10-15 miles of two nuclear power plants. Even

During my university studies I came to appreciate that climate change is one of the greatest challenges we will face in my lifetime. I also wanted to help preserve the beauty of the natural world, while benefiting humankind by providing us with abundant, clean energy. I concluded that nuclear power would become increasingly important to addressing energy needs in the face of this threat. And that’s how I decided to study it.

Along the way, my choice has been affirmed, as I’ve seen more of the world and the devastating impacts of

at a young age, I had a positive view of what they were doing for the environment by providing clean energy.

My love for the outdoors helped put me on course for a career that would benefit the environment. Another important factor came in the form of a fantastic high school physics teacher, who made me think harder and smarter than any other teacher had.

With an interest in science that this remarkable teacher helped me develop, I went to college to study physics. There, my love of nature and my desire to benefit the world through technology came together.

energy poverty. My commitment has intensified over the years, as I’ve learned more and witnessed firsthand the impact of energy geopolitics broadly, and nuclearenergy geopolitics in particular.

Finally, my heart is now fully enlisted each time my son Clark sees smoke and asks mommy to work on getting that smoke out of the air. I am grateful to teachers and other mentors who helped me recognize my interests and pursue what I love, and I am now doing my best to provide that same encouraging leadership to those I work with every day.

My love for the outdoors helped put me on course for a career that would benefit the environment.”

“

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2021

Michelle Martinez Reyes, a recipient of Women Worth Watching in 2021, is now the director of marketing for the global law firm DLA Piper in the Americas, which has offices in 40 countries. Reyes was the chief relations officer for Kelley Kronenberg, a business law firm, in 2021. Reyes once told Profiles in Diversity Journal that talent can trump bias if you are “best in class” in your career. Reyes earned a MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a BA from Florida International University.

There is always some element of gender and racial bias in the world, but talent can trump it if you’re “best in class” at what you do. I have found that if you find good mentors and sponsors along your career path, it also helps you navigate the politics and career roads much more effectively.

Invest in Yourself, Your Craft, and Your Relationships

Being a woman in business has its own unique set of challenges. Sometimes the challenges shift, depending on age. And sometimes challenges shift, depending on personal life chapters. Regardless of their background, executives should focus on performance, growth, and development on both personal and professional levels to be able to stay competitive and lead in their fields.

Whether you are the financial head of a household, a sole or single parent, or caretaker to others, you will have to find creative ways to juggle time and locations, and sometimes to find resourc-

es and family to help manage responsibilities and overall performance.

There is always some element of gender and racial bias in the world, but talent can trump it if you’re “best in class” at what you do. I have found that if you find good mentors and sponsors along your career path, it also helps you navigate the politics and career roads much more effectively.

Invest time in developing your skills, your network, your relationships, your craft, and your emotional intelligence. Sometimes timing, patience, and the unknown are working in your favor without you being consciously aware of it.

Michelle Martinez Reyes CHIEF RELATIONS OFFICER

Christine Brown Senior Director, Public Relations

Best Advice Received…

I’m sure, similar to many women, that in my 25 years of professional life, advice has poured in—sometimes requested, oftentimes unsolicited.

I’ve either appreciated or disregarded it, but undoubtedly the one piece of advice that made a huge impact on me fortunately came very early in my career, related to how to work with others. I remember the moment clearly. It was my first proper job in a publishing company and I was talking to our CMO—interviewing him for the company newspaper—and asking a rather simplistic question about how it felt to have such a large team working for him. His response was simple: “They don't work for me, they work with me.” This concept was astonishing to me. It may just seem like semantics, but “chain of command” in the work environment was already entrenched in my imagination, and I thought leadership was about mandating action

Where are they now?

and expecting others to comply. Being the boss was the pinnacle of your career. It meant that your opinion matters, your judgment is unquestioned and those who work “for” you, do as they are asked. The idea of teamwork, and that people work with their leaders, was a novelty and opened my eyes to a way of working which has stood me in good stead throughout my career.

Anyone who leads a team knows that people management is the hardest part, when done properly. Investing the time and energy to get the most out of others, as well as understanding their motivations and needs, is vital. Traditional hierarchical structures are becoming a thing of the past in certain types of big business, as well as functions like marketing, where the benefits of flat hierarchies are obvious, including clear communication and speedy

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING® AWARD WINNER

Women Worth Watching 2020

action. However, the real benefit of this way of engaging is the incredible opportunities for growth and innovation for the business, as well as the increased empowerment and overall satisfaction—both for employees and their managers—of recognizing that everyone has value and brings something to the table.

I’ve been lucky enough to manage a team for much of my career, and the personal satisfaction that has brought me is immense. That pride has come from setting aside the concept of being the boss and focusing on working with individuals together to create positive outcomes—to the benefit of the company, the team, and myself. So when I am now asked how it feels to have a large global team working “for” me, my response is definitive: They work with me, and the results are impressive.

Christine Brown became part of 2020 Women Worth Watching when she served as senior director of public relations at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and now she is the senior director of Global Commerce at the company. In 2020, she told readers that she learned an important lesson from a corporate executive at AMD who told her that his team worked with him, not for him. It’s a lesson she vowed never to forget. She earned her MA from Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London.

Priyanka Timblo

Job Title: Associate

Education: LL.B./B.C.L., McGill University Faculty of Law; BA, University of Miami

Company Name: Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP

Industry: Law

Company CEO: n/a

Company Headquarters Location: New York, New York

Number of Employees: 80

Words you live by: Destiny is not for comfort-seekers. Destiny is for the daring and determined who are willing to endure some discomfort, delay gratification, and go where destiny leads. –T.D. Jakes

Personal Philosophy: You choose your thoughts, and there isn't one thing running through your mind that you don't allow to.

What book are you reading: Educated by Tara Westover

What was your first job: Math teacher, Breakthrough Collaborative summer program in Austin, Texas

Favorite charity: Breakthrough Collaborative

Interests: Hiking and gardening

Family: My husband, Bryson, and my son, Orion

Take the chance that maybe you are good enough. Throw away the script. Be attuned to your audience, calibrate your tone, and speak with confidence from a deeply honest place. Leave no room to doubt yourself.

Leave No Room for Doubt

Ilive for those moments on the job when I have to think on my feet, when the reams of meticulous preparation recede into the background and I am forced to act and speak from a place of instinct. As a lawyer advancing in my career, these extemporaneous speaking opportunities hold increasingly higher stakes: responding to a judge’s question on the fly, cross-examining a witness on facts I just heard for the very first time.

But to own those moments, I have had to suppress the messages I have been taught since childhood about how women should act: “Don’t speak out of

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING® AWARD WINNER

Women Worth Watch 2019

turn. Don’t speak at all unless you are sure you are right. When you do speak, make sure it’s from a carefully scripted answer, preferably vetted by someone with more experience than you.”

These messages—well-meaning as they may be—cultivate an ethic of risk-averse perfectionism that holds as its premise, “You are not good enough as you are.”

My advice: Take the chance that maybe you are good enough. Throw away the script. Be attuned to your audience, calibrate your tone, and speak with confidence from a deeply honest place. Leave no room to doubt yourself.

25 www.womenworthwatching.com

Where are they now?

Priyanka Timblo, a recipient of the Women Worth Watching award in 2019, is now a partner at Holwell Shuster and Goldberg law firm, where she was once an associate. One of the founders of the New York based boutique law firm praised her for being a “fearsomely talented litigator.” In 2019, Timblo told Profiles in Diversity Journal that to be successful, she had to learn to ignore societal messages that urged her to be quiet. Instead, women should “speak with confidence from a deeply honest place,” she said. She has a legal degree from McGill University and a BA from the University of Miami.

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2018

Libby Herrmann, team member of Women Worth Watching 2018, has been making sweet music as a professional pianist in addition to working as a talent acquisition leader at Page Outsourcing, a company dedicated to specialized recruitment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. She was selected for WWW in 2018 when she served as the chief relationship director, North America for WilsonHCG, an executive recruitment company. Herrmann has a MBA from the University of Iowa and a two bachelor’s degrees from Iowa State, one in marketing and the other in music, of course.

Title: Client Relationship Director, North America

Education: MBA, University of Iowa; BS, marketing & BA, music, Iowa State University

Company Name: WilsonHCG

Industry: Recruitment Process Outsourcing

Company CEO: John Wilson

Headquarters Location: Tampa, Florida

Number of Employees: 700+

Your Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Words you live by: “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou

Personal Philosophy: Perspective and patience are imperative to achieving balance and success.

What book are you reading: Currently, it’s a tossup between reading nursery rhymes and Ladybug Girl by David Soman and Jacky Davis with my toddler.

What was your first job: Babysitting four kids, ages 5, 3, 20 months, and a newborn!

Favorite charity: Cannonball Kids’ Cancer Foundation

THE PERSON-TO-PERSON RELATIONSHIP WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE HEART OF BUSINESS SUCCESS AND WHAT DRIVES A HEALTHY BOTTOM LINE. WE SHOULD BE DILIGENT IN NOT LOSING SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER AS INDIVIDUALS AND OF OUR VALUE TO THE DATA-DRIVEN PROFITABILITY EQUATION.

People Are Still Our Most Valuable Asset

One of the most intrinsically fulfilling realizations you can have as a professional is the realization that you’ve positively impacted a life, a career, or a thought process in order to meet a critical business or personal need.

Our daily opportunities for human contact are becoming more limited in this era of technology, automation, and artificial intelligence. The popular ad slogan “Reach out and touch someone” has never been more relevant than it is right now. It is our innate ability

as human beings to collaborate and problem solve; we need to continue to practice this, especially now, in a business arena where the practice is no longer required but continues to be imperative.

The person-to-person relationship will always be at the heart of business success and what drives a healthy bottom line. We should be diligent in not losing sight of one another as individuals and of our value to the data-driven profitability equation. That we are all imperfectly human, but filled with brainstorming

capability and innovative ideas, must be taught to those entering the workforce. It will be a point of competitive advantage as companies adopt lower cost, automated options for efficiency.

This is why I appreciate the opportunity to work for a company that is genuinely, 100 percent focused on human capital—re-investing in our own people and our clients, re-imagining possibilities, and rewarding progressive thinking. People are truly our most valuable assets.

Libby Herrmann

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2017

Nikki Katz, part of Women Worth Watching in 2017, is now managing director, head of digital for Bank of America. In 2017, she was the vice president of technology for the Walt Disney Company with a motto that stressed “hard work, big ideas and character.” She has a BS from Stanford University.

Nikki Katz

Title: Vice President, Technology

Company: The Walt Disney Company

Industry: Media & Entertainment

CEO: Robert Iger

Employees: 195,000

Headquarters: Burbank, CA

Education: B.S., Symbolic Systems, Stanford University Personal philosophy: Work hard, think big, and act with integrity, and all the other pieces will fall into place.

As vice president of technology for Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI), Nikki Katz is a driving force behind Disney’s efforts to bring its stories to consumers in inventive ways. Her responsibilities range from designing, developing and operating technology platforms that power games and websites; to new, expanded responsibilities in e-commerce. She leads and shapes DCPI’s platform services organization, while delivering large-scale technology solutions that are leveraged across The Walt Disney Company.

She launched her career at Yahoo! as a software engineer and progressed through technology roles across engineering, operations, product and management.

Katz’s focus on improving diversity within technology through education and career enhancing opportunities is groundbreaking, and her

innovation and leadership inspire her peers. She believes in creating and investing in programs that will spawn the next generation of women engineers, and is a leader and an example in the technology world.

A champion for women in STEM, Katz helped found DCPI’s Women & Technology, an organization designed to support and grow female talent in technology roles. “I am very proud of our Women & Technology organization,” she notes. “It is a vibrant community of over 300 that continues to grow, achieve, give back and cement Disney’s position as a great workplace for women in technology.”

She is also the primary driving force behind a program that enables employees in

non-engineering roles to pursue a new career in engineering.

Katz believes she achieved her leadership organically: “It was through a blend of hard work, an amazing sponsor and mentor, great teams, a supportive family and the opportunities that luck and life afforded me.” She reflects, “I do my best to pay forward the support I’ve received and success I’ve had through the mentorship of, and advocacy for, women at Disney and beyond.”

“Play your own game,” she tells younger coworkers. “Don’t worry about external expectations or limitations. Hard work, big ideas and character are always going to help you win, and are completely within your control. And when you have arrived, reach back to bring other women up with you.”

HARD WORK, BIG IDEAS AND CHARACTER ARE ALWAYS GOING TO HELP YOU WIN, AND ARE COMPLETELY WITHIN YOUR CONTROL.

~ NIKKI KATZ

HEATHER GARBODEN VICE PRESIDENT FINANCIAL PLANNING AMERICAN AIRLINES

Where are they now?

Company: American Airlines

Industry: Transportation/Aviation

CEO: Doug Parker

Employees: 100,000+ Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas

AMERICAN AIRLINES VP EXCELS AT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

Heather Garboden is responsible for the capital and operating budget, long-range financial planning, forecasting systems, and the corporate purchasing department for the largest airline in the world.

Garboden’s colleagues say she’s an outstanding leader with the ability to bring people together for successfully developing creative solutions that deliver results.

Garboden joined American West (which merged with US Airways, which ultimately merged with American) in 2003 in the revenue management section and has held various management roles in yield management and domestic and international pricing, the backbone to success at any airline.

Her career track record includes financial support and analysis for

joint collective bargaining agreements that resulted in industry-leading compensation for American Airlines employees. She’s also managed over $1 billion in annual capital spend related to IT, aircraft reconfigurations, facilities, customer experience and marketing.

Earlier this year, she was promoted to American Airlines’ vice president of financial planning. Looking back at her career, she describes her first manager role as her biggest career leap, since it was a position on a new team. “It gave me the experience of managing a new group, which is something that has continued to happen throughout my career, even in my most recent role,” Garboden said.

In her professional affiliations, she’s an advocate for fellow female colleagues as a steering member of

the Women’s Leadership Program. It’s designed to provide resources and learning opportunities for women looking to advance their careers. She’s also active with the company’s Do Crew employee volunteer program and has been involved with Junior Achievement, and Phoenix Suns Charities, an organization serving children and youth in Arizona.

Garboden’s guiding principles are work hard, have a good attitude, and learn from mistakes. “As long as I work at an airline, it will never be boring and there is always an interesting project or initiative to work on,” she said. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Villanova University. PDJ

Women Worth Watching 2016

Heather Garboden, a Women Worth Watching winner in 2016, keeps moving up the ranks at American Airlines. This year, she became senior vice president at American Eagle and Cargo at American Airlines and over the years she has gained expertise in complex financial analysis, financial planning and other areas. In 2016, Garboden served as American Airlines’ vice president of financial planning and analysis and led an 80- member finances team. She graduated from Villanova University with a BS in business with additional education from KPMG Executive Leadership Institute for Women.

Kristy Fercho

This Dynamic SVP Builds Relationships and Revenues for Fannie Mae

mize the value of existing customer relationships, develop new customers, negotiate pricing and contracts, and coordinate company activities intended to establish, support, execute, and enforce business arrangements.

Previously, Kristy served as senior vice president for Fannie Mae’s singlefamily mortgage business, central region. Responsible for managing the business contributions of nearly 2,000 lenders, she drove the achievement of revenue, profitability, and housing mission goals through business development, risk management, credit and pricing, technology initiatives, and best market execution.

Earlier in her Fannie Mae career, Kristy served as vice president of human resources, responsible for company-wide programs and initiatives to improve work force performance, utilization, and satisfaction. She led the company’s culture transformation effort, guided development of its people strategy, and oversaw the design and execution of programs and initiatives required to implement this strategy.

“I think the most important quality a woman leader should have is authenticity,” said Kristy. “Be comfortable in who you are. You will always be more effective being your true and authentic self.”

Prior to joining Fannie Mae in 2002, Kristy was with PepsiCo for eight and a half years, most recently as director of HR for several corporate functions worldwide. She began her career at Baxter Healthcare, with positions in sales, operations, and HR.

Kristy served as chairperson of the National Advisory Council for First American Corporation until 2010. That same year, she was recognized by STEM magazine as one of 50 Top Women in Finance. She was also named one of Diversity MBA Magazine’s “2012 Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive and Emerging Leaders.” PDJ

Women Worth Watching 2015

Kristy Fercho, part of the Women Worth Watching class of 2015, keeps rising to the top. The former senior vice president of Fannie Mae who told Profiles in Diversity that women must strive to be their “authentic selves” is head of diverse segments, representation and inclusion at Wells Fargo Bank where she is responsible for embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in all bank operations. Before her Wells Fargo experience, Ferco was president of mortgage for Flagstar Bank. Fercho has a MBA from St. Joseph’s University and a BA from University of Southern California.

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2014

Serena Fong, a Women Worth Watching winner in 2014, told us back then that she is always evolving. She is now the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion partnerships at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. She became part of WWW as a vice president of government affairs for the non-profit Catalyst after a career in journalism. Fong has a BA from Syracuse University.

accepted that I’m as wise today as I’ll be tomorrow and that I’m worthy of the light, I abandoned the tomfoolery of my saboteurs and became unafraid to enter a delicate web of expediential growth.

Once I learned that my intuition is less fallible—and more trustworthy— than my intellect, I became comfortable blazing unconventional paths. And I recognized that others always seem to join in my crusades. During these times, I remember that when I am vulnerable enough to share that which is most personal, it turns out to be an expression that resonates deeply with others.

feits designed to simply make me look good, avoid embarrassment, or gain superficial prestige.

My inner work has been simple, yet profoundly emancipating. First, I stopped betraying myself every time I made a mistake. I abandoned overzealous self-criticism and self-loathing, reconciled myself to my imperfection, and began cultivating an unconditional friendliness with myself. Once I

I participate in the daily struggle to be authentic, rejoice at the privilege of being midwife to my own transformation, and constantly measure my motives to ensure congruence between my values and behavior. I evaluate whether my actions are aimed at satisfying my soul’s purpose, or unsavory counter-

Serena Fong

Always looking for a new challenge, this Catalyst VP made a leap from news to nonprofit.

From the time I was a 14-year-old high school freshman, I knew I wanted to be a journalist. Yes, I was one of those students: Driven, focused, and striving to succeed despite having grown up in an economically depressed city with historically low rates of college attendance. I had a plan, and was determined to follow it. With the help of numerous mentors and sponsors, I achieved a successful career in television news. I covered an array of issues and met interesting people with a variety of life experiences, which allowed me to learn and develop skills such as time management, attention to detail, and effective communication. I was exactly where I planned to be; the hopes and dreams of a 14-year-old girl from Richmond, California, had come true.

And yet, ten years into my career

as a news producer, I began thinking about life beyond the news cycle. Recognizing that finding a new career is a lengthy process, I thought about the issues that were important to me. I also considered how I could apply the skills and knowledge I had developed as a journalist, while fulfilling my desire to give back to my community.

Three years later, I left the television industry, and was unemployed for the first time ever. It took close to a year to launch my new career in the missiondriven nonprofit world. During that time, I gained an incredible amount of knowledge about myself and what I truly want to do with my life, as well as what I don’t want to do, which is just as important. While I’m happy with my current career path, I intend to continue challenging myself for years to come. Plans and goals can change,

For balance, I find isolated hideaways where no one knows my name or journey; where swimming, reading, and capturing moments in poetic expression are my major activities. I get quiet enough to listen to my mistakes, internalize my lessons, and engage in the curious paradox of finding new ways of “being me.” And I remember that being vulnerable enough to share these personal revelations is a gift that I should not deny the world. PDJ

and it’s important to use change to learn about your strengths and weaknesses. PDJ

Cheryl Cofield

This D&I Director at Georgia Tech has learned to trust her instincts and value her unique gifts.

“Once I learned that my intuition is less fallible—and more trustworthy—than my intellect, I became comfortable blazing unconventional paths.”

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING

“While I’m happy with my current career path, I intend to continue challenging myself …”

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2013

Anita Allemand continues to make her mark in the healthcare industry. Currently, she is the chief transformation Integration officer for Walgreens Boot Alliance. In 2014, Allemand was a vice president at CVS Caremark where she spent 15 years in various positions of responsibility. She started her career as a pharmacy technician at a hospital. Allemand earned her doctorate in pharmacy at Midwestern College and a BS from Illinois University.

What does it take to succeed and stay competitive in your position/ field? I think, in any field, to be successful you need to demonstrate passion, commitment, and collaboration. Those three characteristics are key to achieving positive outcomes. For me, success comes from an ability to understand and appreciate the trouble many people are having currently navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. So, working in the healthcare field, particularly the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) industry, requires a high degree of empathy and the ability to know what a customer needs in terms of better healthcare. My team and I work to understand the unique needs of our clients and patients, so we can subsequently develop healthcare solutions that help people stay healthy.

HEADQUARTERS: Woonsocket, Rhode Island

WEBSITE: www.cvscaremark.com

BUSINESS: Pharmacy healthcare

REVENUES: $123 billion

EMPLOYEES: 200,000

TITLE: Vice President, Enterprise Product Innovation

EDUCATION:

BS, BS, University of Illinois at Chicago; PharmD, Midwestern University

FIRST JOB: Car hop at a drive-in restaurant

MY PHILOSOPHY: Set goals, work hard, and leverage your personal style to achieve results. Don’t be afraid to change career directions.

What I’m Reading: How Children

Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, by Paul Tough

Anita M.

Allemand

SINCE I WAS A GIRL I HAVE BEEN A SCIENTIST BY NATURE, A LOVER OF LEARNING. My mother instilled the importance of education in me early in life. I remember her visiting the admissions office of my kindergarten repeatedly, determined to have me accepted.

I vividly remember that. It was an early realization that a good education was something to prize and pursue.

In addition to school, my parents believed athletics, specifically team sports, were a vital part of shaping the leadership skills needed to succeed in life. I was enrolled in gymnastics classes at a young age, which fostered what would become my competitive nature. I played both individual and team sports throughout my childhood, but I most enjoyed team athletics. To this day, I am not a command-and-control leader. My leadership style involves achieving results through teamwork.

During college I worked part-time in the Alzheimer’s unit of a nearby nursing home. Each day I worked with people who were struggling to remember their names or recognize their relatives. While heartbreaking, that experience also incited my passion for healthcare. I knew then that I wanted to help people. That part-time job was a turning point in my life, solidifying my dedication to helping others lead healthier lives.

When I graduated from pharmacy school, I thought I would work in a retail pharmacy. Initially I enjoyed working as a pharmacist and although I appreciate the impact retail pharmacists have on the lives of their patients, I quickly realized that I wanted to help more people by working to improve the healthcare system. That influenced my decision to transfer to the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) side of healthcare. I’ve been able to help many patients in pharmacy care, behind the scenes, rather than behind the pharmacy counter. It has been a deeply rewarding experience knowing I am affecting the way pharmacy care is delivered and helping ensure our customers understand and adhere to their medications. It allows and requires me to be an innovator. I am able to help people successfully access healthcare by shaping how that occurs. For me, that is the most important takeaway.

Company and Executive Women Worth Watching® 2014 Award Winner

CVS Caremark

“My leadership style involves achieving results through TEAMWORK ”

Jamie Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

› What does it take to succeed in your position? I need to be informed, calm, thoughtful, open to a variety of opinions, and willing to make hard decisions.

› Has discrimination affected you as a woman in the workplace? If so, how did you deal with it? Absolutely. I have treated it like any other obstacle and figured out ways to achieve my goals despite any discrimination. I have owned the outcome.

› How do you balance career and lifestyle/home responsibilities? I thoughtfully prioritize things, you can’t do it all. I make sure that I get help and I don’t feel guilty about taking care of myself.

Chung

HEADQUARTERS: Bentonville, Arkansas

WEBSITE: www.walmart.com

BUSINESS: Retail

REVENUES: $443 billion

EMPLOYEES: 2 million

TITLE: Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Walmart Global eCommerce

EDUCATION: BA, Pomona College; JD, Harvard Law School

FIRST JOB: Associate at the law firm of Cooley LLP

MY PHILOSOPHY: Be self-aware, treat others with respect and compassion, and own the outcome.

FAMILY: My husband Curtis and daughter Maile

Where are they now?

AT WALMART, WHILE WE’RE CELEBRATING OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, WE TALK MORE IN TERMS OF THE NEXT GENERATION . . . A FORWARD LOOKING PERSPECTIVE OF HOW WE WILL WRITE A BRAND NEW STORY OF THE NEXT 50 YEARS TO HELP MORE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE A BETTER LIFE. One of the factors that will determine our future success as a company is the quality of an individual’s education. Walmart’s Lifelong Learning Program offers a competitive advantage to 1.4 million U.S. associates to attend college while also working at the company, through a partnership with American Public University (APU). The partnership puts associates on a faster track to earning a college degree, reduces their length of time in school, and makes the overall cost of education more affordable.

Personally, I was fortunate to grow up in Hawaii where I attended a very wellestablished private school that provided a strong base for my entire education. The curriculum was well-rounded and the teachers focused on ensuring that every student understood why education was key to success in their lives. Being academically successful was just as “cool” as being a great athlete. That solid foundation prepared me well when I enrolled in Harvard Law School and later served as a partner in a law firm and general counsel in my professional life. The impact of education is far-reaching and allows us to gain the necessary skills and confidence to succeed.

We have to realize that times have changed and the skills that students need are very different from even twenty years ago when the internet was just gaining momentum. We have a better understanding of how everyone learns differently and must be taught using various teaching methodologies. Our educational system must evolve. To unlock a student’s fullest potential, the student must be taught in a way that best aligns to his or her most natural learning style.

Most curricula today teach students about roles and boundaries from books that are outdated and non-inclusive. I believe that students will learn more quickly and effectively if they can experience it using their five senses. We should offer students immersive learning experiences that not only teach information but also focuses on having students hone the practical, real life skills necessary to succeed in this quickly changing world. Our environment is becoming increasingly more global. We must expand beyond teaching just English. We cannot consider foreign languages as elective—they must be seen as essential. By including foreign languages, cultural diversity, and public speaking classes into school curricula, students will be better prepared for life outside of the classroom. That is the purpose of next-generation education.

September/October 2012 WWW.DIVERSITYJOURNAL.COM 65

Women Worth Watching 2012

Jamie Chung became part of the class of Women Worth Watching in 2012 when she worked as senior vice president and general counsel of the Global eCommerce division at Walmart. Now she is the chief corporate counsel of Rivian, an electric vehicle company. Chung has a BA from Pomona College and a JD from Harvard University Law School.

BoultwoodBrenda

Constellation Energy

Youhave to find inspiration. It doesn’t come to you.

Growing up in rural South Carolina, I never met college professors, scientists, CEOs, or artists. Although a supportive family and loyal friends surrounded me, not much was on the doorstep. I sought out challenges where I could in school, on the tennis court, volleyball court and track. I found inspiration in fiction, music and competition. I imagined a journey to surround myself with diverse people who had a similar thirst to learn, innovate and make a difference. I pushed myself to believe that this journey was in reality just another challenge that growing up I worked hard to prepare myself for.

At the time, I was not sure where the journey would take me. There was always a destination, but I placed more emphasis on the path than the endpoint. I came to understand that smart, motivated people inspired me; I needed them all around me to help find the way. These people have shown me that one is never finished learning and that constant learning requires an open mind. Bringing people along on the journey required me to become a leader with a vision to inspire others. Role models were essential to imagining the destination. My first role model

“

was my father, who congratulated me on my successes along the way, but was able to push me to create something with my life. He inspired me to believe that my world could be larger than a South Carolina town if I was willing to work for it. A middle school tennis coach inspired me to think about a career, and that girls could be as tough and competitive as boys. Continuing my education became a necessity, rather than an option.

The goal of continuing my education was not laid out and neither was the path taking me there. Instead, my academic degrees became an almost eight-year journey fueled by the motivated people around me and the opportunities ahead. This has continued in my career, where organizational level has never been as important as learning and the ability to influence.

Albert Einstein said, “Learning is not the product of schooling but the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” But while I have been inspired by role models and the desire to learn, it is inspiring others that, ironically, has become a remarkable source of inspiration. Einstein also said, “Success is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” It is no surprise that hard work propels the journey forward.

There was always a destination, but I placed more emphasis on the path than the endpoint.

Women Worth Watching 2011

$14.3 billion

EMPLOYEES: 10,300

Where are they now?

Brenda Boultwood, one of 2011’s Women Worth Watching, is now director of risk management for the International Monetary Fund. Boultwood came to our attention in 2012 when she was senior vice president for Constellation Energy. She told Profiles in Diversity readers back then that she had to find her own inspiration and path as a girl from rural South Carolina who did not know many professionals. Boultwood has a PhD from the City University of New York.

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2010

Kate Adams, a senior vice president at Honeywell when she was selected as one of our Women Worth Watching in 2010, is now part of the executive team of Apple CEO Tim Cook. Adams’ latest title is general counsel and senior vice president of the Legal and Global Security for the global tech powerhouse. She is responsible for all legal matters including corporate governance and intellectual property among others. Adams has a law degree from the University of Chicago Law school and a BA from Brown University.

Kate Adams

Within Honeywell’s legal department, we see diversity as the foundation of a culture that promotes respect, understanding, and appreciation of different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Since more than 50 percent of the leaders within Honeywell’s legal function are women and minorities, diversity is an important factor that has led to our successful track record.

Honeywell’s legal team has won or resolved the vast majority of its major litigation and helped secure more than 29,000 patents or pending patent applications worldwide. The team has also contributed to the successful integration of more than 60 acquisitions throughout the past eight years. Diversity has enabled our team to generate new and better ideas faster and to collaborate and innovate more effectively. In all its forms, diversity has provided the energy to fuel our performance culture and helped Honeywell achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.

We also believe it’s important that leaders be evaluated on what they accomplish and how they do it. Each year, members of Honeywell’s legal

team are assessed on their ability to foster diversity and teamwork. This makes our work environment more productive, more dynamic, and more positive. It enables us to come together and deliver the kind of outstanding results our company has come to expect.

Customers choose Honeywell because they know our employees, technologies, and solutions can help them face the challenges of a world that’s getting more complicated every day. We hire the best people, give them every possible opportunity to learn, grow, and develop, and reward them for their contributions. Our size, industries, and portfolio breadth enable people to have long and dynamic careers, progress into leadership positions, and explore diverse opportunities across businesses, functions, and regions.

No matter where you go or what profession you choose, diversity will always play an important and positive role in your career too. Embrace it as an opportunity, use it to your advantage, and enjoy all the possibilities it will bring to you and your team.

122,000

“Diversity has enabled our team to generate new and better ideas faster and to collaborate and innovate more effectively.”

Honeywell

women worth watching in 2011

Women Worth Watching 2009

Where are they now?

Swee Chen Goh, chosen as a Women Worth Watching in 2009, left a long, successful career at Shell Companies in 2018 and is now chairman of the National Arts Council of Singapore. When Goh was selected for the WWW honor she was vice president of global lubricants for Shell. She wrote in her Profiles in Diversity Journal essay that her goal was to leave any job “a better place,” something she is surely doing at the arts council. Goh has a MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.

Swee Chen Goh

Royal Dutch Shell

TITLE: Vice President, Global Lubricants

EDUCATION: BS, Victoria University of Wellington (new Zealand); MBA, University of Chicago

FIRST JOB: Wrapping wafer biscuits for $1 a day

WHAT I’M READING: Forgotten Kingdom, by Peter Goullart; The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama

MY PHILOSOPHY: Live life with purpose and optimism. Happiness would be reflecting 20 years from now, and knowing that have lived my life with no regrets.

FAMILY: Husband of 20 years; and children aged 16,14, and 11.

INTERESTS: Home renovations, cooking with family and friends.

FAVORITE CHARITY: none. i contribute where the need is greatest. Right now, it is basic needs for underprivileged children.

COMPANY: Royal Dutch Shell

HEADQUARTERS: The Hague, the netherlands

WEB SITE: www.shell.com

BUSINESS: Global group of energy and petrochemical companies.

ANNUAL REVENUES: $458.4 billion (2008)

EMPLOYEES: 102,000

GGrowing up, the third girl in a poor asian family of five other siblings, i learned to take each day as an opportunity to seek new frontiers. This could be challenging a status quo or finding new ways to get things done with what you have. avoiding the path of least resistance is oftentimes an uphill struggle, but the rewards are well worth it.

i have not always had a successful career. i recalled one of my early jobs in a Fortune Top 10 company. During the first year, i naively assumed that securing the job was the achievement, and i failed to contribute to my full capabilities. i had an atrocious year-end performance review. i concluded that i was the “victim” of an incompetent line manager. it took me a week to realize that i was responsible for the outcome—i own the first action to ensure that i have a successful career. now, i go into each job aiming to leave the organization and business in a better place than when i first joined.

i have been able to stretch my capabilities and knowledge through a variety of assignments in shell. When i was offered the role of vp, Global iT services, i thought i would surely be promoted to my level of incompetence and the likelihood of failure could be high. i accepted the challenge and the assignment became one of the highlights of my career. it was here i learned that a successful leader needs to have a keen nose to sniff out the business opportunities, a strong stomach to make the tough decisions, and the tenacity to see through what you started, despite obstacles.

The word “i” is used numerous times here. This is done deliberately. i believe that a successful individual takes charge of his/her life and takes personal accountability for his/her actions. a successful individual also recognizes that “i” is one of many— inclusion of others and their perspectives will almost always lead to better outcomes.

“…go into each job aiming to leave the organization and business in a better place…”

DDeveloping functional and leadership expertise will be a defining characteristic of organizations and teams that succeed. as companies become flatter, and more responsibility is placed upon the shoulders of their managers, it is important to equip professionals with a leadership tool kit. relationship building, maturity, and courage are among the most important components in my leadership tool box; and continuous improvement in these areas will be critical to my success as i move closer to the executive suite.

The greatest lesson i have learned in business is the importance of relationships. i began my career in sales, where my success was not based solely on my ability to master the job, but more so on what i could persuade others to do for and with me. This humbling, yet important, lesson helped me to realize that every person has a unique experience or perspective that must be considered in conjunction with my goals. The ability to influence is critical, as leaders must be able to inspire others to move beyond their individual silos and to work together towards a common vision.

an effective leader also possesses the ability to place her personal interests aside and do what is best for the team. This requires maturity and selflessness. i am thankful that as unilever continues to change, it has provided me with new opportunities to lead larger teams. Further, as my sphere of influence increases, i am committed to ensuring that our work force looks more like the marketplace in which we compete.

while people with similar backgrounds, experiences and personalities would be a delight to work with, they may not provide a significant competitive advantage for the company in the long run. The excitement and real reward for me comes from recruiting diverse people to be members of my team. it takes courage to extend beyond cultural norms, but both my department and this organization will reap the benefits of many different types of people contributing to the achievement of our common goals.

Throughout my career, i have been blessed to work with people who are smart, passionate and committed. My leadership style is a part of my professional brand, and my success will be determined to the extent i leave a place in better shape than it was when i arrived.

...I have been blessed to work with people who are smart, passionate and committed.

Where are they now?

KimberlyB.Davis

Personalpowerandinfluencearekeyingredientsforsuccessin life.Developingpowerbeginswithpreparationandastrong focusonleadership,buttheintersectionofpowerandleadershipismoreintricatethanthat.Leadershipisaboutwhoyou areandhowwellyouharnesstheresourcesavailabletoyou. Becommittedtosomething.Bepassionate.Createapathto powerthatisdefinedbypurpose.

Thesuccessesinmycareerandmyabilitytonavigatethe challengesarerootedinearlymentoringandstrongleadership models.Fromtheexamplesofpreparation,courageandservicesetbymymotherandgrandparents,tothesupportprovidedbysponsorsandmentorsthroughoutmyprofessional career,Ihavealwayshadapassion,andbeendriven,tocoach andmentor.Iviewithasanobligation.Earlyinmycareer,that meantassumingleadershiprolesinprofessionalandcommunityorganizations.Lateroninmycareer,itmeantexposing andencouragingyoungblacksandLatinostoentertheworld ofInvestmentBanking,andtodayitmeanscoaching, mentoringandleadingbyexamplewithinJPMorganChase andmycommunity.Mentoringhasbeenapassiondrivenby purposetoleavealegacyofunlimitedpossibilities.

Recognizingtheimportanceofstrongleadershipskillsas asuccessfactorincorporateAmerica,in2003Ico-developed andimplementedinpartnershipwiththepresidentof SpelmanCollege,Dr.BeverlyDanielTatum,thefirst

COMPANY: JPMorganChaseFoundation

TheJPMorganChaseFoundation’ssocialinvestmentextends acrosstheglobe,reachingnearly500citiesin57countries. Lastyear,JPMorganChaseanditsFoundationpartneredwith morethan2,800not-for-profitsandcontributedover$110 milliontoprogramsthatrevitalizecommunitiesandhelp themthrivethroughaccesstohousing,educationandcultural arts.Since2004thefirmhasinvested$241billiontoward its10-year$800billionpledgetolow-to-moderateincome communitiesthroughmortgages,smallbusinesslending andcommunitydevelopment.

TITLE: SeniorVicePresident,GlobalPhilanthropy; President,JPMorganChaseFoundation

EDUCATION: BAineconomics,SpelmanCollege; AspenInstituteExecutiveLeadershipProgram

FIRSTJOB: SummercounselorforInner-CityGirls Chicago,Illinois(Age16,theythoughtIwas20!)

READING: TheEndofPoverty, byDr.JeffreySachs

PHILOSOPHY: YourpathtosuccessisguidedbyPreparation, PassionandPurpose.Buildpowernetworksandbridgesfor otherstocross.“BetheChange”youwanttosee.

FAMILY: Myhusband,St.Clair,of23yearsismybest friend,supporterandconfidant.Mychildrenaremy proudestaccomplishments.

INTERESTS: Entertainingfriendsandtraveling.

FAVORITECHARITY: Youthandcommunity-basedinitiatives ofGraceBaptistChurch,Mt.Vernon,NewYork

LeadershipCenterforWomenofColor:SpelmanLEADS,Center forLeadershipandCivicEngagement.Eachyear,theSpelman LeadershipCenternurturestheability,strengthanddynamicintellectofwomenofcolor,preparingthemfortheworldofwork.

Truly,theSpelmanLeadershipInstituteistherealizationof mypassionformentoringandbuildingnetworksofpowerand influenceforwomenofcolor.IcountitablessingthatIwas exposedtopowerfulexamplesofcourageandleadershipearlyin mylife.

Theexamplesprovidedbymyfamilytaughtmethefollowing:

•Faithandfamilyalwayscomefirst.

•Neveraskforpermissiontolead.

•Neveraskifitisokaytotakeastepinanewdirection.

•Leadershipisawillingnesstoleaveyourmark.

Thelessonsofpreparation,faith,familyandcommunitythat I’velearnedfrommymother,grandmotherandinfluencersinmy lifehavebuiltbridgesthatIamnowproudtousherothersacross.

Women Worth Watching 2007

2007 Women Worth Watching winner Kimberly B. Davis is now senior executive vice president of the National Hockey League and her biggest goal these days is attracting, retaining and developing a diverse fanbase for the 32 clubs in the league. Her new job is in line with Davis’ vow in the pages of Profiles in Diversity Journal to “never ask if it’s ok to take a step in a new direction.” Profiles in Diversity first profiled her when she was serving as senior vice president of global philanthropy at JP Morgan Chase Foundation. She has earned praise from Hockey News, Adweek, and Savoy Magazine for being one of the most powerful leaders in corporate sports. Davis graduated from Spelman College with a BA in economics.

“Neveraskforpermissiontolead.”

Where are they now?

Women Worth Watching 2006

Jennifer Wuamett, part of the WWW class of 2006, wears several hats at NXP Semiconductors including executive vice president, general counsel and chief sustainability officers. In 2006, she was vice president and chief intellectual property counsel at Freescale Semiconductor, which merged with global NXP in 2015.

She has a JD from Arizona State University and a BA from McDaniel College.

Jennifer B. Wuamett

Many opportunities exist today for women to be successful. Women who leveled the playing field before us faced numerous limitations, including the proverbial glass ceiling. Although external limitations still exist, the biggest challenges we face are often self-imposed, prompted by doubts and fears. Success results from the choices we make, attitudes we adopt and priorities we set. Following are my thoughts on some key factors for overcoming limitations.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Confidence is essential. We all have that nagging little voice that sometimes tells us that we aren’t good enough to succeed at x, y, or z, and that it’s only a matter of time before others realize this. Learn to silence that voice and remind yourself of past successes and how good it feels to try new things and succeed at challenging opportunities. One of my favorite books on this topic is Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, by Susan Jeffers.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE. Don’t wait for someone else to create your life map or your career path and your opportunities—only you can do that effectively. Step out of your comfort zone and set reach-out goals to further your growth.

DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE. Accept and enhance your natural strengths and talents, and be proud of your femininity. Surround yourself with people who are strong

COMPANY: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.

HEADQUARTERS: Austin, TX

WEBSITE: www.freescale.com

BUSINESS: Global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for wireless, networking, automotive, consumer and industrial markets

RANKING: No. 10 semiconductor company in world (per iSuppli)

2005 REVENUE: $5.8 billion

EMPLOYEES: More than 23,000 people in 30 countries

TITLE: Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel

EDUCATION: JD, Arizona State University; BA, McDaniel College

FIRST JOB: Cashier at Rustler Steak House

READING: The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman; Leadership by Rudolph Giuliani

PHILOSOPHY/LEGACY: To live a purpose-driven life and to create a lasting, positive influence in the lives of those with whom I interact.

FAMILY: Two sons, ages 7 and 16

INTERESTS: Reading, traveling, learning, boating

FAVORITE CHARITY: Girl Start

in areas where you are not so strong. A great book on the topic of recognizingyour key talents is Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton.

FIND YOUR PASSION. I can truly say that I love my work—it energizes me. If you don’t love what you are doing now, then find a way to do what you love, and success will follow naturally.

RELISH MENTORS. They are a major key to success. I have been fortunate to have had many wonderful mentors throughout my career. If you don’t have a mentor, then read books about successful people you admire to understand the traits and behaviors that made them successful. Also make the effort to invest time and energy in coaching and mentoring future leaders—it can be life changing for both you and them.

EMBRACE CHANGE. The only constant in life is change. We can’t control all the changes that impact our world, but we can control our attitude and reaction. Embracing a positive acceptance of change is a critical factor for growth and success.

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING IN 2007

“Success results from the choices we make, attitudes we adopt and priorities we set.”

Women Worth Watching 2005

Where are they now?

Denise Kaigler I

My work ethic has never been compromised

From my first day, I have arrived to work energized, committed to doing my best, and ready for anything

I was willing to do the task no one else wanted to do I ran when others walked I smiled when others whined I saw opportunities to learn when others saw obstacles And I was, and am, never willing to sacrifice my integrity Ever

Here are three pieces of career advice I’d like to share:

• DON’T BE AFRAID TO MOVE OUTSIDE your comfort zone and learn something new Embrace such opportunity with enthusiasm Although I have always held some type of communications position, I have never held the same type of job longer than 18 months I am constantly reinventing myself, or accepting new challenges to reinvent the ways in which the job’s functions are performed

• STAY FOCUSED on delivering quality results A gallant effort without results doesn t move the needle, for the company or for me A solid effort with strong and positive results is something that will benefit the company and my career

TITLE: Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer

EDUCATION: BA: Emerson College

FIRST JOB: McDonald s in Laurel MD

READING: The Big Bad Wolf (Patterson)

PHILOSOPHY: Set goals Dream And when you achieve those goals and dreams, do it again and keep setting them

FAMILY: Husband (19 years); daughter (13) and son (10)

INTERESTS: Reading; traveling; movies; being with family and friends

FAVORITE CHARITY: Sportsmen’s Tennis Club

• HAVE FUN and keep it all in perspective As much as I love my job, I am committed to maintaining a vibrant and healthy attitude and lifestyle A caring circle of family, friends, colleagues, and mentors combined with a healthy sense of humor serve as my life’s foundation

COMPANY: Reebok International Ltd

HEADQUARTERS: Canton, MA

WEBSITE: www reebok com

BUSINESS/RANKING: Footwear/apparel/equipment; #3 in international sales

Denise Kaigler was a senior vice president of commerce at Reebok when she was one of our Women Worth Watching in 2006. Now she is founder and principal of MDK management consulting company and an adjunct professor at two colleges where she teaches public relations and personal branding. Kaigler graduated with a BA in journalism and communications from Emerson College. 2005

2004 REVENUE: $3 8 billion

EMPLOYEES: 9 00 0 (worldwide)

As a black woman, I have faced many career challenges However, I have never used gender or race as an excuse to fail I view both as a beacon of light In most situations, I stand out Over the years, I’ve learned to use those situations to have my voice heard and my ideas seen That has been of great benefit to me as I have traveled the path to my executive suite

Where are they now?

Karen M. Hardwick S

ome lessons we learn by observing those who succeed; others we learn the hard way. Here are some lessons that have served me well. Keep your spiritual house in order. In my experience, to excel one must tap daily into the power of the divine. Include whatever nourishes your spirit, whether that is yoga, prayer, running, reading sacred texts, meditation, etc. Do things that make you laugh, that help keep your professional life in perspective; it’s an important part of who you are, but it’s not all of who you are. And stay in touch with those who love you whether you succeed or fail.

Operate from a position of strength: leverage your unique gifts and passions. As a new graduate in systems engineering, I realized that I had capitalized on my analytical abilities, but that I wanted to exploit my talent for oral and written advocacy. So I passed up lucrative consulting opportunities to attend Harvard Law School. I endured three more years on a

COMPANY: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P

WEBSITE: www.hhlaw.com

TITLE: Partner

AGE: 41

EDUCATION: BSE, University of Virginia; JD, Harvard Law School

FIRST JOB: Intern at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

WHAT I'M READING: The Art of Possibility by Zander & Zander; His Excellency: George Washington by Ellis; and The Bondwoman's Narrative by Crafts/Gates

PHILOSOPHY: I seek to serve God and my neighbors in all that I do.

FAMILY: Single

INTERESTS: Travel, photography, reading, Pilates, music, conversational French

student’s budget, but I was muchhappier.

Master your craft— learn from the best. While researching law firms for summer jobs, I found that many of the finest trial lawyers practiced at Hogan & Hartson. I landed a summer position there, earning an offer to return as an associate. When I returned after graduation, I made sure that management knew I wanted to become a great trial lawyer and was prepared to hustle to achieve that goal. As a result, I learned from the very best how to write briefs, take depositions, examine witnesses, and persuade juries. I never miss opportunities to hone my craft.

Cultivate fertile ground in which to grow. Build a support network of peers and mentors who can help you develop a vision for your career, encourage you when you’re down, answer ‘dumb’ questions, and give you fresh perspective on challenges. Know the key people in your business unit and make sure they know you and what you do well. Seek their counsel on opportunities to advance your career. Keep in touch with colleagues from your college, industry conferences, and the like. These relationships will allow you to grow and evolve.

Take charge of your own professional development. Think of yourself as the CEO of your career. Remember, no one has a greater stake in your success than you. Take responsibility for your successes and failures, and for creating new opportunities to grow. If you find yourself in an environment that does not support you—move on.

When you fail (and you will), get up, learn from your mistake, and get back in the game. If you’ve never failed, you’ve never taken a risk. And if you never take a risk, you aren’t stretching yourself and will have to be satisfied with something less than your best.

Women Worth Watching 2004

When Karen Hardwick became a 2004 WWW award winner, she was general counsel for Hogan & Hartson, now called Hogan Lovells US LLP. These days she serves as general counsel for the U.S. Utilities, AltaGas Ltd., senior vice president and general counsel for WGL Holdings, Inc. & Washington Gas. Hardwick offered readers sage advice in 2005 when she urged them to master their craft, learn from the best and remember the power of persistence during adverse times. Hardwick earned a JD from Harvard and a BSE from the University of Virginia.

“Our culture is ripe with diversity because we have someone in place who understands it to be more than race, ’’ says

Audrey Boone Tillman Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources AFLAC

Tillman, AFLAC’s director of human resources and a senior vice president with the company “Dan said ‘I won’t sit around a table with advisors who all look like me

Tillman, who started in AFLAC’s legal department as an attorney in 1996, doesn’t head up the company ’ s diversity initiative

But two years ago, Chairman and CEO Dan Amos tapped her to be AFLAC’s human resources director, placing the company ’ s diversity program and other employee-related programs under her leadership She didn t make big program changes except one

“The head of our diversity initiative wasn’t a company officer at the time, so I approached Dan He understands how important diversity is, and the importance of support from the top,” says Tillman

“Audrey is the driving force behind taking

our diversity efforts to the next level,” says Brenda Mullins, second vice president of diversity/employee relations “Her partnership with Dan and her drive to succeed gave me the reinforcement, support and inspiration that I needed to expand our diversity initiatives ”

The highest-ranking African-American female in AFLAC, this married mother of three says her career has progressed because of AFLAC’s work environment

The photo on the credenza tells a vivid tale a smiling Bonita Stewart, DaimlerChr ysler’s Director of Chr ysler Brand Communications, arm-in-arm with Celine Dion, the pop diva whose cr ystal-clear voice and music grace some of Chr ysler’s recent advertising spots It’s a strong testimony to the rising presence of executive women in the male-dominated automotive industr y, certainly, but also represents a marketing strategy built on the strengths of diversity initiatives and a conscious approach to attracting young, hip buyers to the Chr ysler brand

“The world has changed,” says Stewart, who holds responsibility for all print, electronic and broadcast Marketing Communications for the Chr ysler brand The top golfer in the world is African-

American; one of the most popular rappers, white There’s an AfricanAmerican ‘Friend,’ and a street-savvy African-American detective on ‘Law & Order The media and the marketing industr y are responding to the positive reality of our diverse population ”

Stewart credits her father for teaching her the Four C s to Success Concentration, Culture, Character and Courage qualities that are part of the reason Ebony Magazine named her as one of their “Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications for 2003 She holds an MBA in Business Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business, and began her career with the Chr ysler Group in 1993 as Manager of Marketing Strategies

Stewart takes pride in the knowledge that her success allows her to open doors for other women of color “The greatest rewards I’ve received in my career have been the notes and letters from minority women, thanking me for being a positive role model

Where

Women of Initiative 2003

Bonita Stewart, honored as part of Women Worth Watching as the director of brand communications at Chrysler in 2003, is now a board partner with Gradient Ventures, a Google-led early-stage venture fund for AI. Stewart was the first African American vice president at Google where she honed her skills in marketing for 15 years. She also co-founded two companies and co-authored a book, A Blessing: Women of Color Teaming Up to Lead, Empower and Thrive, in 2020. Stewart has a MBA from Harvard and a BA from Howard University.

For Audrey Boone Tillman and the supplemental insurance giant AFLAC Incorporated, the job of creating a more inclusive environment is ever-evolving

“ … if you’re willing to WORK HARD, your efforts will be noticed … ”

Bonita C. Stewart Director, Chrysler Brand Communications DaimlerChrysler Corporation

“ the WORLD has changed ”

Where are they now?

Women of Initiative 2002

Kristin Devine, part of the Women Worth Watching class of 2002, is now vice president of operations at The Ohio State University. Devine entered the ranks of WWW as a senior audit manager at Deloitte & Touche, Columbus. At the time she said “I have a genetically stubborn nature – it has been a positive force in helping me to overcome both mental and physical obstacles.” She is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

CORPORATE INDEX

FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation……………………………………………………………………………………………….......….78

GEHA………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...................….37

Gibbons P.C………………………………………………………………………………………………………………................……………..80

Globality Inc…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..............……………………81

Gradient Ventures…………………………………………………………………………………………………….......………………………154

HiddenLayer…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............……………..82

Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP………………………………………………..…............................………………….7, 83, 84, 85, 138

Hughes Hubbard Reed & Reed LLP…………………………………………………………………………………………............…………..86

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP……………………………………………………………….………………………………………….......87, 88, 89

Idaho National Laboratory……………………………………………………………..…..................................….5, 90, 91, 92, 93, 135 International Monetary Fund……………………………………………………………………………………………………........…………146

Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP……………………………………………………………………………………………………….................….94

Knobbe Martens…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....….38, 95, 96

Kroll………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............….97

Latham & Watkins……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..........…39, 98

L.B. Hall Fireproofing…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….........…..99

Lincoln Financial Group………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….........…100

Powin……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......……..114

Project Bread…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......……….115

Revature……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....………..116

Rivian……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………........……145

Robins Kaplan LLP………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......28, 117, 118

Rohini Anand LLC………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………..........………..18

Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP………………………………………………………………………………………………………..........……….119

Segra……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......………….120

Slarskey LLC…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......…….121

Sonepar USA…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......……….122

Spirent Communications………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....…………..123 Study.com………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......………….124

The Acceleration Project……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...........……125

The Ohio State University…………………………………………………………………………………………………………......…………155

The Winters Group, Inc.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..........………..126

Union Pacific Railroad……………………………………………………………………………………………………..........…29, 30, 127, 128

U.S. Utilities, AltaGas Ltd…………………………………………………………………………………………………….........…………….153

Venable LLP………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..............……..129

Verizon……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………........…….130, 131

Walgreens Boot Alliance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………......………….144

Washington Gas…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………........….153

Wells Fargo…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….........……142

WilmerHale…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….............….132

WGL Holdings, Inc………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….........………153