The Women’s Leadership Council strives to prepare the next generation of leaders

When Rachana Pillai ’20 MBA attended a ‘Women as Leaders’ panel discussion and networking event, she was moved by the conversation about work-life balance, as well as the message of empowerment.

“Women leaders know that helping other women is essential,” she said. “When you learn from other women, they can encourage you and give you the strength and inspiration to achieve your goals.”

Organized by the University’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC), a group that inspires, guides and provides opportunities for women at the University, the event brought together students, faculty members and leaders such as Josephine Moran ’01 MS, ’19 EMBA, member of the University’s Board of Governors and Executive Vice President of Provident Bank.

The WLC was first conceived when Moran became chair of the University’s College of Business Advisory Council in 2018. Committed to the engagement, growth and development of women, the WLC aims to help women reach their full potential.

“It’s important for future female leaders to have role models to increase their chances of becoming leaders themselves one day.”Courtney Smith ’20

“Mentoring has had a huge impact on me,” Moran said. “Without the confidence and encouragement I received earlier in my career from male and female mentors, I would not be where I am in my career. I would like the board to do even for current students.

The University has hosted a Women’s Leadership Conference for the past five years, and the hope is that the new Women’s Leadership Council will be a student-focused program that will host even more networking-focused events. and empowerment.

“The Women’s Leadership Council is an exciting new initiative, building on five years of success with the Women’s Leadership Conference,” said Nancy Savage, Ph.D., chair of the conference steering committee and associate dean of Tagliatela College. of Engineering from the University. “I look forward to working with Council members to create meaningful opportunities for our students and alumni to connect.”

Striving to encourage women to become inspirational and transformational leaders in their communities – while fostering a strong learning environment and connections between them – the WLC Steering Committee includes more than 20 professional women, who represent diverse backgrounds, industries and areas of expertise.

“I expect the WLC to empower women at the University to be confident changemakers,” said Khadija Al Arkoubi, Ph.D., associate professor of management. “We hope this will boost their confidence and self-efficacy, as well as create opportunities that will support their quest for personal and professional growth.”

Courtney Smith ’20, a business management major who also attended the Women as Leaders event, is grateful that the WLC will continue to provide these meaningful opportunities for students.

“Having a Women’s Leadership Council at the University is important because it allows future leaders to see examples of women who have already become leaders in their field,” she said. “It’s important for future female leaders to have role models to increase their chances of becoming leaders themselves one day.”

The next WCL event will be Wednesday, March 4 from 4:30-7 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge at Bartels Hall on the University’s main campus. Titled “Strategies for Surviving Student Debt,” it will aim to help students understand credit and repay student debt. The first in a series focusing on the financial well-being of students, the event is part of the celebration of Women’s History Month at the University.