Women Leaders
Join At Smith For Day of Sharing
On March 4th, 2005, the Smith Association of Women MBAs
hosted their marquee event: the Women's Leadership
Conference (WLF) at the Robert H. Smith School of
Business. Sponsored by Bank of America, the days
activities included a keynote speech by Cynthia Flanders
82, MBA 88, Middle Market Banking Executive for the
Mid-Atlantic region of Bank of America, and three panels
touching on consulting, finance and non-traditional
careers. The day concluded with a special topic seminar
on "Negotiation for Women," taught by Dr. Joyce Russell,
professor of management and organization at Smith.
Flanders, who was introduced by Dean Howard Frank,
discussed her career rise in Bank of America, advantages
of being a woman in the banking industry, common
mistakes made by women during their careers, and advice
from her own experience. Rather than being cynical,
Flanders offered a realistic perspective on women's
roles in the workforce, and pragmatic advice for career
advancement.
The Women's Leadership Conference was well attended
and received by its attendees, which included part-time
and full-time MBA students, as well as faculty and
administration of the Smith School. Lindy Duvall,
incoming president of the Smith Association of Women
MBAs offered, It was really a success in large part
thanks to the outgoing officers and every Smith woman
who jumped in and agreed to bring in personal contacts.
The amount of help that was offered was really amazing.
Everyone's enthusiasm helped make the day a success.
The Consulting Panel, moderated by
Dr. Rhonda Reger, professor of
management and organization, included:
- Emily O'Halloran Senior Manager,
Accenture
- Ann Yoders CEO and Founder,
Bronx Cash Register Consulting
Company
- Hilary Bruggen President and
Founder, Strelmark Business
Development Consultants
- Mary Haffey Managing Director,
Bearing Point
The Finance Panel, moderated by Susan
White, teaching professor of finance,
included:
- Susan Crown Vice President of
Investments, UBS
- Colleen Deasy Director of
Treasury Operations, Discovery
Communications
- Sarah Hays Vice President,
Marriott International Inc.
- Cynthia Keith Loomis Sayles
Investment Consulting
- Kalliopi Lekas Vice President,
Citigroup
Sadia Asghar, a first-year full-time MBA student, had
this to say regarding her conference experience: The
conference was a tremendous way to bring together
accomplished women from all sectors including finance,
consulting and entrepreneurship - to leverage how Smith
women can and will take on these roles in leadership
positions in the near future. Highlighted by Cynthia
Flanders' keynote address, and Professor Joyce Russell's
negotiations sessions, the day was filled with powerful
testimonials to how women can change the tapestry of
businesses in all sectors.
Catherine Sheehy, a first-year
full-time MBA student, said, The Smith
Women's Leadership Content provided a
terrific blend of valuable content and
opportunities to network. In fact, I
have coffee meetings with some of the
women I met that day, and other people
with whom they have since introduced me.
I look forward to participating again
next year.
The seminar on Negotiations for Women
was especially relevant for the MBA
students and administration members of
the audience. Caroline Griswold, a
first-year Smith MBA said, The
Negotiations session was very valuable.
One of the greatest lessons was also the
most simple - the need to ask for what
you want! Joyce Russell, professor of
management and organization, pointed out
that women generally do not ask for
promotions or raises, and in the few
instances that they do, they undervalue
themselves by not asking for enough.
Once women are aware of this issue, we
can begin to take steps to change our
behavior. We need to do our research to
determine what our work is truly worth
to our employers, be confident in our
talent, and ask for what we want. Only
then will we become equal with men on
terms of salary and position in the work
force.
▓ Monisha Banerjee, MBA Candidate 2006, Smith Media
Group
