Women's Leadership Blog

Featured Leader - Ciji Saso: One Woman to Watch

Guest post by Kate Stence

Question #1: Tell us a bit about your background.

I’m the eldest of two sisters and grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. I attended the University of San Francisco and graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Afterward I took a few classes at Stanford Business School. This experience led to my interest in industrial psychology and helped me find my current job at Lucasfilm in their Training & Organizational Development department. Alongside this, I am an active volunteer and advocate for human rights. I am an AmeriCorps graduate, and have continued serving the community through a variety of non-profits throughout the San Francisco Bay area. My most recent work has been with C.E.O Women, HandsOn Bay Area, and FWL as a member of the events committee

Question #2: Why did you decide to work in the field of human resources, specifically training and organizational development? How does this compliment your work with women and girl rights?

I work in the field of Training because it allows me to be in an environment where the growth and development of individuals is the focus. By working in a creative company, I am encouraged to think about new and innovative ways about getting my job done, which I really enjoy. My work in the area of training and organizational development has taught me so much about being an effective leader and understanding the importance of strategy to move forward with and carry out my visions and goals. I have been able to take these skills and apply them in my advocacy and volunteer work with groups that are committed to social change and strengthening the lives of girls and women all over the world.

Question #3: What are the biggest work-related challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?

One challenge that I have faced has been balancing my time between my full-time job and my work in the non-profit world. For a while it felt that my life was pieced apart and I was getting pulled in two very different directions. I have come to realize that what I do in the space of organizational development and training holds a lot of value for non-profits and leaders in the community. Reversely, the constant drive for change and out of box thinking that non-profits are so good at has been beneficial to my personal development. By making connections in these different areas of my life I have been able to find a healthy balance, and at the same time bring a new way of thinking to the very different spaces that I work in.

Question #4: Tell us about the mentors you have had in your life (male/female).

My Mom. She has taught me and continues to teach me everyday the importance of honesty, standing up for what you believe in, and being fearless about life. She cares about the world and has shown me the impact that service can have on individuals and families that are fighting poverty and the many other injustices that afflict our world.

Question #5: Anything you wish you had known when you were in the very beginning stages of your career?

 Speak your mind and don’t be afraid to ask questions even if no one else is.

Question #6: What are leadership qualities you value most in others?

Listening really well. Curiosity. Passion. A desire for change. Asking really good questions.

Question #7: What is your greatest achievement?

Completing over 300 hours of AmeriCorps service in one year while simultaneously working a full-time job.

Question #8: Who inspires you?
My mother and sisters. Margaret Atwood, Mahnaz Afkhami, Gloria Steinem—the pioneers of our world.

Question #9: Do you have a mission statement or a tenet that you try to live by?

It’s important to have a strong voice in the world, that it’s okay to be different and try something new. When you take a risk and step outside of the norm this is when real change can happen. Elizabeth Blackwell really captured this spirit when she said, “It is not easy to be a pioneer—but oh, it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world.”

Question #10: Do you have work/life balance?

Yes, work/life balance is extremely important to me. Having a multifaceted life brings so much opportunity for growth and development. My family, the relationships I have with others, my volunteer work, reading, traveling allow me to have a greater awareness of the world around me. Even having to consider whether you have work/life balance, I think, is a privilege. I am truly grateful about everything that I have in my life and will continue to do my part to advocate for a better world for those in need.

 

Kate Stence is a writer, editor, and an avid endurance runner for SoleMates/Girls on the Run International and Run for Congo for Women/Women for Women International. She recently completed South Africa’s 85^th Comrades Marathon, a 56 mile endurance event for SoleMates. Currently, she resides in Paris, France and is the Associate Editor and a Blog Columnist for the International Museum of Women. Check out her writing at Her Blueprint.

Featured Leader - Molly Barker: On Being Our Best

Molly Barker, MSW and four-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete, founded Girls on the Run® in 1996. To date, she remains the Founder and Vision Keeper of Girls on the Run, a life-changing, experiential learning program for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The program combines training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the program are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, and physical development. The mission is to educate and prepare girls for a life time of self-respect and healthy living. Please check out Girls on the Run at http://www.girlsontherun.org.

SoleMates is the adult charity running leg of Girls on the Run® (GOTR). The program gives girls the finest example of healthy living. Learn more at http://www.girlsontherunsolemates.org.

Question #1: Tell me a bit about your background.
I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. My southern roots influenced much of how I viewed the world as a young adult. I started running when I was fifteen years old. I also started participating in some very risky and unhealthy behaviors around the same time. In spite of the risks I was taking in my personal life, I graduated from college with a Chemistry degree and several years later with a Master's in Social Work. I competed at an elite level in the sport of triathlon, but discovered in my early 30's that much of what I was "chasing" wasn't attainable. I hit bottom at age 32. On July 7, 1993 while out on a sunset run I had an epiphany that eventually led to my developing the Girls on the Run program.

Question #2: Why did you decide to work in the field of women and girl rights?
I've always been interested in serving the underdog. Growing up in the South in the 60's and 70's, women were one of the underdogs. I couldn't understand why in spite of our intelligence, strength, and perseverance, we were unable to reach our greatest potential.

Question #3: What are the biggest work-related challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?
At Girls on the Run, we talk a lot about the Girl Box. The Girl Box is an imaginary place girls go around middle school where we begin to morph into what we think we "should be" rather than staying true to our authentic selves. My greatest challenges have come from my own self-perceptions. Sure, our culture may box women in, but I have a choice to live life from inside that Box and all of its perceived limitations or I can intentionally live outside of it-choosing a path that honors the power I possess (in fact, the power that we all possess) which allows all of my gifts and talents to be utilized to their fullest capacity.

Question #4: Tell me about the mentors you have had in your life (male/female).
My mother was one of my greatest mentors.
When I was in fifth grade, my mother bravely stepped outside of her Girl Box and pursued a life that was authentic, alive, and honest. She began speaking up, standing up for her beliefs, and living!
My son, Hank, is one of my greatest mentors. He is a teenager and pursuing his dreams. He is fearless in his ability to be himself, in spite of the powerful (and often negative) influences of our culture's views of adolescence. My daughter, too, is full of life, radiant, and present.

Question #5: Anything you wish you had known when you were in earlier stages of your career?
I wish I had understood the importance of quiet time, reflection, and "slowing down." I had difficulty managing the perceived stress. Stress, of course, isn't real. Stress is the result of our own perceptions on what is going on around us, but I can clearly remember how stressed out I allowed myself to be in the early days of starting Girls on the Run. And as I write, I realize so much of our development as women isn't something we can force. It just happens through experience. As I always say, we don't know what we don't know. What I know now, certainly existed years ago, I just wasn't ready or yet able to see it.

Question #6: What are leadership qualities you value most in others?
I think there are two traits of key importance in leadership: Listening and being present. Leaders do not exist without the presence of others and so much of what creates a powerful leadership experience is being able to listen to those we serve as well as be present with them.

Question #7: What is your greatest achievement?
I'm in the process of accomplishing it, recognizing and achieving my greatest human potential.

Question #8: Who inspires you?
My children. I love them so much. I observe with joy in my heart how they are blazing a trail of their own. They see the world as limitless! They unconditionally love me and those around them. I seek to become more child-like and live life as they choose to live it!

Question #9: Do you have a mission statement or a tenet that you try to live by?
Yes, my mission is to inspire others to know and feel their worth.

Question #10: Do you have work/life balance?
I'm getting there. Stress is completely a perceived state of being. The quickest way to bring myself back to center in the work/life balance is almost embarrassingly simple. BREATHE. Breathing deeply gives me a momentary break from what feels like or appears to be chaos around me and pulls me right into center, then I am more capable of handling whatever is happening around me. On a larger scale, breathing deeply throughout the day brings peace and calm to my work/life balance that permeates everything I do, both throughout the day and throughout my life.

 

Kate Stence is a writer, editor, and an avid endurance runner. She has studied 18th Century Literature at the University of California Berkeley, feminist theory at Mills College, the French language at the Sorbonne, creative writing at New York University and the University of Iowa, as well as poetry at the Barnard Center for Research on Women. She recently completed the 85th Comrades Marathon, a 56 mile endurance event in South Africa, for Girls on the Run International and SoleMates. She will begin blogging for the International Museum of Women (www.imowblog.blogspot.com) as of July from Paris, France.

8 Influential Businesswomen and Their Smart Lessons

A guest post by Melissa Tamura

As an aspiring lawyer, there are many women I look to for inspiration in being successful in handling business. No matter what profession you are in, businesswomen can teach you how to be determined, confident, and authoritative in the way you handle your profession and life. These are just 8 women, in addition to many more, that are inspirational for women everwhere for the lessons they teach us.

1. Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey is a highly powerful woman in today's society. She has taught women everywhere how to overcome barriers like sexual abuse and racial stereotypes in order to achieve immense success. Her story is a story of resilience, strength, and fun confidence. Winfrey was born into poverty with a single mother, but used her hardships as a way to become an intuitive and effective communicator with women everywhere. In 1988, Oprah Winfrey assumed ownership and production responsibilities for her show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Winfrey created her magazine, O, in 2000 and now owns Harpo Productions.

2. Hilary Clinton In 2008, Hilary Clinton served as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. She attended Wellesley College and later went on to attend law school at Yale. She is a great example of a woman who takes on huge challenges and yields results. Even though she did not win the presidential election, Clinton now serves as the Secretary of State for President Barack Obama.

3. Carleton Fiorina Carleton Fiorina served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Hewlett-Packard, the information technology corporation based in Palo Alto, California. Her achievements are remarkable, because she is emblematic of diversity in a technological field that can be lacking driven women. In 2005, Fiorina stepped down from her role at Hewlett-Packard. However, her story shows how someone who once was a secretary can work to achieve the ranks of one of the most respected and powerful women worldwide.

4. Abigail Johnson Johnson runs Fidelity Investments along with her father Edward Johnson. Abigail Johnson is a powerful example of a woman able to break into the financial industry and manage over $1.1 trillion dollars.

5. Indra Nooyi Indra Nooyi is CEO and Chairman of PepsiCo and delivered strong profits for sales of $43 billion in 2009. Nooyi sticks to her guns and helped PepsiCo develop a company mission centering on sustainability and healthiness.

6. Bonnie Hammer At 61, Bonnie Hammer serves as President for NBCU Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions. She shows that age knows no limits and that women can achieve success beyond age limitations.

7. Andrea Jung Jung is phenomenal for her work in helping women to support themselves as CEO of Avon, which enables women to go door to door and sell makeup products.

8. Irene Rosenfeld As CEO of Kraft Foods, Rosenfeld has broken barriers in industries where men typically fill CEO roles. Her leadership helped Kraft Foods to outperform the S&P in the last couple years. These women are powerful examples of influential businesswomen with guts, determination, and an ability to get results. They are confidant and unwilling to allow anyone else to take the business roles they deserve.

Written by Melissa Tamura, who writes about online schools for Zen College Life.

 

4 Reasons Not To Be An Entrepreneur and Why You Should Ignore Them

Overcoming Your Fears: The Entrepreneur's Journey

 

So you want to be an entrepreneur, right? That was my life dream. It was my solution for "having it all": a successful professional, personal and family life. These were my motivations. What are yours?

 

Like many entrepreneurs, I had major fears before taking the plunge. Having the entrepreneur’s dream, and making it a reality are two different beasts. There are many mental roadblocks that can inhibit you from taking the plunge: 

 

I’m not sure about my idea. What if I fail?

 

Failure is what happens when you stop trying. No idea is perfect. Ideas evolve much like people. They grow, change, and need to be nurtured to blossom.  Too many people think the idea is the key to entrepreneurial success. In reality, the idea is just the starting point.  The challenges come with the journey that follows.

 

When I started Marry Me Live, I was a true idea romantic. I quickly realized that business success could not rely on the idea alone. Execution and evolution is the key to business prosperity. Although we are still true to the original mission (enabling everyone to attend the wedding regardless of geography), everything else about the business has evolved and changed in one way or another. 

 

It is such a big risk. Is it worth giving up job security?

 

We all say we want to be an entrepreneur when times are bad.  The question you need to ask yourself is “Would I still be willing to give up my job when times are good?”

 

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone.  There is risk. There are ups and downs.  It takes a certain mindset to stay positive when things look bleak. If the entrepreneurial drive is stronger than the benefits you receive at the best of times, it is time to re-evaluate your situation.

 

Look yourself in the mirror and determine if your current position is getting you closer to your entrepreneurial dream. If the answer is “no”, staying in your current situation is the “bigger” risk. 

 

I'm scared. How do I get over my fear of “taking the leap”? 

 

You are likely reading this article because you want to take the leap. You are halfway there. You’ve done your research. If you have not done your research, start by talking to entrepreneurs. You will realize that they are not super humans, but everyday people like you and me. Those individuals took the leap because their passion for their business overtook their fear of failure.

 

Still not convinced? Do something that scares you just a little bit everyday.  Talk to that handsome stranger in the elevator, go skydiving, sing karaoke in a very crowded bar, whatever it is that gets you out of your comfort zone. 

 

When you realize you are still alive and breathing, you may be closer to taking that leap after all.

 

I cannot afford to be an entrepreneur! How will I finance the business?

 

If you are passionate about being an entrepreneur, you will find creative ways to make it work.  It could be a part-time job, friends and family investment, small business loan, or being a full-time employee/nights and weekend entrepreneur.  

 

Keep in mind that you may not be able to afford your current lifestyle. Being an entrepreneur takes sacrifice. But, when you have the vision, the sacrifice is worth it.

 

These are a just a few of the many thoughts that I’m sure are swirling around in your head. After reading this, if you still think you want to be an entrepreneur, the best advice I can give you is to not over-think the process!

 

The biggest hurdle of all is keeping your fear of the unknown in check. The entrepreneur’s journey is risky, but it is that same risk that can make your dream a reality. You will never feel completely prepared, but that is what makes the journey so thrilling. Once you realize this, taking the plunge is much easier than you think. So step back, relax and jump!

About the Author:

Stacy Yamaoka is the co-founder of Marry Me Live, a live wedding streaming and wedding webcasting service enabling wedding couples to share their wedding LIVE with family and friends around the world. Stacy Yamaoka is also the Director of College Mentorship for Future Women Leaders.  

Reinvented & Ready - A conversation with Sheila Patel

Guest post by XuanThu Pham:

"OK, nobody is going to talk to my model right now, I need to finish her eyes," Sheila gently but firmly whispered as she brushed hues of grey on the model's eyelids. The model was talking, and distracted, making it a bit challenging for Sheila to set the makeup in just-the-right-way. Who could blame the model? The whole excitement about getting your personal makeover was hard to keep mum about.

I watched Sheila curiously as she applied customized makeup on two women in a clockwork manner. She was focused. The world buzzing around her - invisible. It's almost as if she was performing a solo dance. A Martha Graham of Makeup, so to speak. The repertoire would go like this:

Brush on eyeshadows. Step back. Look at model. Sheila's eyebrows furrow in slight disapproval as she studies the eyes. Add a few more strokes on the cheek bones. Step back and look. And a sigh of contentment is let out. She finally secured the look she wanted and moves on to the next part of the model's face. Her process was intriguing and for a moment, I wondered if she did yoga stretches before each makeup job since doing makeup involves so much physical movement.

There are many makeup artists in the Bay Area, but once in a while, you meet a professional that has a distinct style, background, and work approach that catches your attention. Sheila Patel is one of them. We recently sat down together and talked about her work, life, and career. Here are some of her thoughts and experiences, which she shared with me:

Me: Tell me about why you do your work and what you have worked on. Who do you work on now?

Sheila: I really enjoy making women look their best by playing up their best features. I'm passionate about makeup and believe that no matter how beautiful you are, good makeup can truly enhance they way you look. I have done the entire gamut of makeup services including TV commercials, MTV, music videos, bridal makeup, fashion shows, and product launches.

In addition, I worked with many actors in India such as Bipasha Basu. I've worked on celebrity brides as well as TV. I've done some prestigious commercials with Coca Cola, Lakmé, and Close Up toothpaste, and a ton of music videos, which were all fun.
Now, I provide services to whoever wants to look great. With individuals, I work on weddings, budding models, and individuals who need that perfect look to make an impression for that very hard to secure job interview. With the B2B space, I can work with ad agencies, film productions, digital media, and music videos, which I've done work for extensively in the past.

Me: What inspires you?

Sheila: My family inspires me to be the best person I can be. Generosity inspires me. OMG, I am sounding like a beauty pageant contestant...occupational hazard. Kevin Aucoin inspires me. My mentor in India, Cory Walia, is another person. Bill Gates and President Barack Obama are also great inspirations for me.

Me: Where do you normally work?

Sheila: I work wherever the location requires me to be. Whether it be studios, wedding locations, movie sets, trailers, etc., I go where the job takes me.

Me: Which specific makeup job have you done that you are most proud of? Why?

Sheila: I was with MTV India at the time and I did a whole series of shows with Malaika Arora called "MTV Love Line." She is very beautiful. The way the show was filmed and styled made Malaika look stunning and it all came together beautifully. I really enjoyed that.

Me: If you have advice to give to people who want to pursue a similar career, what would that be?

Sheila: Follow you heart. If you feel passionate about something, you will find a way to be successful.

Me: Please tell us three interesting factoids about yourself.

Sheila: 1. I love good food, wine, gossip, and great company (is that considered as one factoid?) 2. I am a better cook than a makeup artist. 3. I can't dance.

------
Learn more about Sheila Patel at:
sheila@sheilapatelsf.com
www.sheilapatelsf.com

 

 

Media contact:
XuanThu Pham
RedRadish Marketing

www.redradishmarketing.com

xuanthu@redradishmarketing.com

XuanThu Pham is a marketing communications consultant, with expertise in helping individual entrepreneurs, early stage businesses, and tech companies develop and launch their marketing programs. She has worked for clients in the technology, services, consumer products, nonprofit, and marketing/advertising spaces in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific regions. Please visit www.redradishmarketing.com to learn more or just to drop by and chat about all things Star Trek, food, and design.

Jessica Wan, Featured Leader

Future Women Leaders recently had the opportunity to chat with Jessica Wan, former FWL officer and currently a student at Berkeley's Haas School of Business.  Jessica is this month's featured leader!

:: Tell me a bit about your background.
I'm originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and also grew up in Columbus, Ohio. I headed out west to attend Stanford University for my undergraduate studies, where I double-majored in Product Design (a multidisciplinary blend of mechanical engineering and art) and Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance. I've always enjoyed having diverse interests and hobbies in my life, and this really showed in college when I would be in the machine shop by day working on a lathe and singing in an opera at night.

:: Why did you decide to get an MBA?
I had been working for the San Francisco Opera as a marketing manager for three years, and I really enjoyed my job, loved the people I worked with, and admired the company. However, looking at my goals for the next 5-10 years and wanting to give more to my work required a basic level of business knowledge that I didn't yet have. I felt that of all types of companies, nonprofit organizations absolutely had the most to gain from their employees pursuing MBAs. On a personal level, I realized that I needed to learn more about the business world in general and that I wanted to make connections with a diverse set of people outside of my field.

:: What are the biggest work-related challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges I have faced have been in situations where I didn't have formal power or authority. Being a young professional in mature organization presents both a challenge and opportunity to implement change where it's needed. But getting buy-in from colleagues can be difficult as it may be perceived that the old way was flawed. The way I overcame these types of challenges was through building rapport and trust with colleagues and providing concrete information and data about the change. Also, don't underestimate the amount of time it may take for people to sway in your direction.

:: Tell me about the mentors you have had in your life.
I typically haven't set up formal mentorships with people I see as mentors; my mentors tend to be people whom I very much admire who have gone through the experience that I am going through at the time. For example, I see my voice teacher as an incredible mentor -- she plays multiple roles of teacher, coach, performer, businesswoman, mother, wife, and artist. And through it all, she remains authentic, passionate, and committed. Many of my mentors play many roles in their life, and it is their desire to be so multifaceted that draws me to them.

:: Anything you wish you had known when you were in earlier stages of your career?
Speak up! Negotiate! Don't be seen as over-willing or desperate. These are things I wish someone had told me in the beginning of my career. I think that when you're just starting out in the working world, you are so eager and excited to take on projects and challenges that you end up saying "yes" before you even hear the question. However, there is a fine line between enthusiasm and being taken advantage of. It's great to be excited about work, but just make sure you're truly wanting the opportunities you're seeking -- not just because you're expected to want them.

:: What are leadership qualities you value most in others?
Honesty, empathy, enthusiasm, authenticity, creativity, strong will, and a great listening ear.

:: What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement was to succeed at work, apply for business school, and maintain a peaceful home all while going through the most difficult personal period of my life. I had lost my mom - my best friend - and was going through all the cycles of grief and despair, yet I knew I had to somehow move forward. I continued working, devoted myself to my family, and took on the huge job of applying to grad school. It was the most intense year of my life, but I feel I came out of it a more mature and composed person. After that challenge, I felt I could take on anything.

:: Who inspires you?
Andy Goldsworthy, Placido Domingo, Mohammad Yunus, Jacqueline Novogratz, Barack Obama. My parents, my husband, my in-laws.

:: Do you have a mission statement or a tenet that you try to live by?
I really, really like Eleanor Roosevelt's tenet of doing something every day that scares you. I try to live up to this and hope to improve at it. I suppose my own mission statement would be something like "give your all, infuse creativity into your work and play, and let go of doubts and worries." Not as elegant as Eleanor's one-liner, but it works for me!

:: Do you have work/life balance?
At the present moment, I am blessed with incredible work/life balance as an MBA student. I know that will probably change once I move back into the working world, but I yearn to find a compromise such that the line between work and life isn't so defined. I desire a job that fulfills my life and a home life that supports and may even complement my work. My hope is that my life as a whole doesn't need to chunk into specific categories, but can operate as one well-oiled machine.

Featured Woman Leader of the Month - Carla Cooper, CFA

Carla Cooper is a seasoned finance professional who was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to share her insight with Future Women Leaders.

Question #1: Tell me a bit about your background.

I have an undergraduate degree from Princeton. I joined Prudential Securities after college and spent three years there. Because I had a liberal arts major, and no finance background, my first four months at Prudential were really a tough challenge - a brutal four month financial education. Many of my peers had finance backgrounds and seemed to be so far ahead, but I knew that I would be able to overcome those challenges. In college, I wrote a 140 page thesis on a complex political topic - I knew I could do anything.

Early on, I really wanted to prove myself - prove that I could handle the challenges of the job. As a result, I ended up pursuing the CFA because I felt it would provide me with the skills I would need to do well at Prudential. And this is key - a lot of people advised me not to pursue the CFA, noting that my time would be better spent doing something else. Ultimately I made my decision based on what I believed would be the right step for me. One lesson I took away from my experience at Prudential is that it is important to look at what the organization values and take steps that will lead you to succeed in that environment.

Question #2: Why did you decide to get an MBA?

I wanted a flexible degree that would provide me with options in business. I decided to attend Kellogg because I felt it was a well-rounded school, which was an important aspect for me since I was considering getting out of finance. I spent my first summer in business school working in marketing - in some ways it was a horrible experience, but in other ways it was fantastic. I'd like to note here that difficult experiences really sharpen your thought process - there is usually something to be learned. I wouldn't seek out difficult experiences, but I wouldn't avoid them either. After that summer, and after spending time hearing about what friends in finance were doing, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in finance.

Something to consider when evaluating a job prospect - you can accept a job for the person you will be working for, if not for the job itself. After business school, I went to work for the co-director of Equity Research at Robert W. Baird & Co. and I became his right-hand woman. At Baird, I worked my way up from an Associate position to a Senior Analyst role. I spent about 10 years in sell-side research with Baird before I decided to transition to Baird Investment Management (where I have been for 4 years).

Question #3: What are the biggest work-related challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?

• My Prudential experience (described in Question 1) - when I chose to pursue the CFA
• I had a challenging boss early in my career, and in terms of lessons I took away from that experience: have a thick skin - don't take things personally. If someone is being difficult, understand that there is another story underlying their behavior - might not be you
• Also - I had two kids while working as a Senior sell-side Research Analyst - no easy feat (I am blessed to have a supportive spouse). Something to consider - don't let others dictate to you what makes a good mom; it is important for your kids to see you as a happy person - so do what makes you happy

Question #4: Tell me about the mentors you have had in your life (male/female).

• My first boss at Baird - I really learned how to think things through and improved my interpersonal skills
• I had a great mentor at Prudential - someone who rescued me from the challenging boss I described earlier. She was smart, had a great presence - was strong and definitive and a great role model partly because she was a woman

Question #5: Anything you wish you had known when you were in earlier stages of your career?
Rules of the corporate or business world are sometimes unspoken - i.e. not as crystal clear as "these are the things you need to do to get an A." Sometimes you need to take risks or seek out guidance
Always weigh the costs and benefits of your actions. Don't be risk averse, but people can sometimes forget that the downside is higher than the incremental upside that they are focused on
Just have to figure things out as you go.

Question #6: What are leadership qualities you value most in others?

• Directness
• Good blocking and tackling
• Someone who is consistent versus someone who is on once a year
• Engage with the people/work/process/everything and has some commitment to periodically stepping back and reviewing the strategy/goal

Question #7: What is your greatest achievement?

• I was really proud that I was a top ranked Senior Research Analyst at a firm I really respect.
• I was proud to have stayed on track professionally at the same time as I was raising a family
• You have to love what you do because there will come a day when being with your kids will become really attractive

Question #8: Who inspires you?
My husband inspires me because he is so level headed and is always thinking about how to solve problems. I am also frequently inspired by what I read and by people I meet.

Question #9: Do you have a mission statement or a tenet that you try to live by?

• You aren't learning anything if you are talking; make sure to listen!
• What goes around comes around
• Golden rule - treat others as you would like to be treated

Question #10: Do you have work/life balance?

• I have work/life balance - but I am always on the go; I don't get to sleep much, but that is ok with me
• I have three regular volunteer commitments - which I enjoy 
• Exercise is definitely my stress release

Featured Leader, Sweta Srivastava Vikram

:: Online Profiles
Website
Follow on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn

:: Current Title & Company
By passion - I am an author, writer, poet, and blogger living in New York City. In my day job - I am a marketing professional; I head the marketing department of NYSSCPA, the oldest state society of CPAs in the United States.
 
:: Favorite Book(s)?
There are so many books that have made an impression on me for different reasons. Overall, I am drawn to richness in language and words that serve as a conduit to cultures. Some of my favorite books are: "Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini; and almost all of Pablo Neruda's poetics works.

I have read every book written by Jane Austen at least a few times. Her beautiful mind created fascinating, satirical, humorous, and realistic stories that have stood the test of time. Her work inspires and influences readers even today. She rose above the social restrictions that the society had placed on women in her times.
 
:: Women Leader That Inspires You?
I grew up admiring Kiran Bedi, India's first and highest ranking woman police officer. She fought against all odds, including but not limited to a patriarchal society, and earned herself a successful career. But despite her demanding job, she sustained a traditional, personal life. Bedi is not just a retired cop who has won national and international recognition; today, she is also a social activist who has made a difference to Indian lives by starting NGOs and helping the needy.

Maybe I am biased, given Michelle Obama and I share the same zodiac sign, but I am an ardent fan. I admire how real, relatable, and grounded she is. At least on the face of it, Michelle Obama's celebrity status hasn't crept into her logic, which makes her a good role model for impressionable minds.

:: Who Was Your Best Manager? Why?
My current boss, William Pape. He is a good human being before a boss.

:: Your First "Real" Job?
It was with Kelloggs in Mumbai, India. I got the job straight after my post graduate degree in Sports Nutrition. My boss and I worked on marketing campaigns where we introduced young kids in India to the notion of breakfast cereal using games, quizzes etc. My stint at the multinational firm introduced me to the tantalizing world of marketing, and I have never looked back.

:: Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
I always carry a journal in my bag because I am rather productive on New York City subways. The rhythmic movement of the subway car and people-watching triggers my thought process. Also, a long walk, irrespective of whether it's a beach or a city park, always acts as an enabler for my creative juices.

:: What Do You Value Most in Employees? Colleagues?
I value professionalism, honesty, reliability, communication, and education in my employees and colleagues.

:: What Would You Like to Be the World's Best At?
I aspire to be the best at whatever I do. It's definitely not easy, but I don't accept mediocrity from myself. This means I constantly push myself to achieve more. Here is one of my all time favorite quotes, by Roger Walters, that always intrigues me: "I'm in competition with myself and I'm losing." 

:: What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement?
While I think I have miles to go before I get to a point where I can build a list and look for the 'greatest,' I have to say that 2009 has been a year with a few big ones. I got an offer, from a publishing house, for my chapbook of poetry. The book will be out in spring 2010. My pieces (poems, fiction stories, and creative nonfiction essays) were accepted in anthologies and several literary journals across the US, Canada, UK, and India. I was invited to read my work around NYC and other cities. And I finished working on my first fiction novel. I met my writing commitments while juggling a demanding full-time job and family/personal life.

:: What Is Your Personal Mission Statement?
To create social change using words.

Featured Leader, Preethy Padmanabhan

Preethy is one of the 2009 FWL-Become a Fearless Entrepreneur Alumni and Team Leader at Cisco. As our host, you can meet her at the Become a Fearless Entrepreneur Informational South Bay Session. 

:: Current Title & Company
Co-Founder, GloSmart

:: Online Profiles
Join Preethy on LinkedIn

::Favorite Book?
Celebrating Silence - Sri Sri Ravishankar
Leadership and Self Deception - Arbinger Institute

::Woman Leader That Inspires You?
Indra Nooyi - CEO of PepsiCo
Padmasree Warrior - CTO of Cisco

::Who Was Your Best Manager? Why?
My best manager was Richard Faubert, my hiring manager at Cisco, San Jose. He encouraged me to grow from an individual contributor to a Program manager and it was my first step towards confidence and developing management skills.

::Your First "Real" Job?
My first Real job was at Hughes Software Systems in Bangalore, India. I started as a Software developer for Voice over IP.

::Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
More relevant -  "When do I do my best thinking" - Right after my meditation, yoga or a relaxing activity

::What Do you Value Most in Employees? Colleagues?
I value employees, colleagues who honor their commitments,  are straight talkers and honestly inform me both good and bad news. 

::What Would you Like to Be The World's Best At?
I would rather be good at many things than best at one thing. That is why I chose to experiment with Entrepreneurship as it will give me a taste of everything I can do and I love variety.

::What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement?
Winning the Hughes Best student award in my final year at Undergrad competing against 50 top applicants from my university BITS Piliani, India.

::What is Your Personal Mission Statement?
My personal mission/ goal is to live in the present moment and focus on how to make a difference each day to myself, my family, my business and my world. My heart is full, my mind is clear and my body is relaxed. My intuition is guiding me to my ultimate destiny.

First Woman to Win Nobel Prize in Economics

Boggles the mind that Elinor Ostrom is the first woman to win a Nobel prize in Economics. The fact that we are still reaching milestones like this shows how far we have come and how far we have yet to go. Notably, Ostrom was also the fifth woman this year to win a Nobel prize - a record number of women to win in one year.  

Link to an interview Ostrom gave on October 12th that discusses her reaction to winning the prize: NPR Interview With Elinor Ostrom

Link to an article discussing Ostrom's achievements in economics: Guardian Article - Ostrom

 

Photo citation: Elinor Ostrom celebrates winning the Nobel prize in economics. Photograph: John Sommers II/Reuters