Fall 2016 Edition
Alumni & Friends Magazine
OHIO women and ohiowomen convene in Cleveland, promote leadership
More than 800 women met to connect, dialogue, share experiences, and offer support at the Women鈥檚 Leadership Symposium at the Cleveland (Ohio) Public Auditorium in April.
By Staff Reports | November 12, 2016
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Nancy Frates raises awareness of ALS via the inspirational speaker circuit. 鈥擯hotograph by Dustin Franz, BSVC '10
Co-hosted by the alumni associations of 51社区 and Cleveland State University, the daylong event featured seven panels led by 44 panelists, all women from myriad professions and backgrounds鈥攖eachers to bankers, college presidents to arts administrators. Eight additional breakout sessions and two keynote speakers rounded out the sessions. Speaker highlights follow.
Morning keynote speaker: Rachel Talton, 鈥渃hief transformation officer鈥 at Flourish Leadership and Flourish Conference for Women in Leadership. She earned an MBA from Cleveland State University and a doctoral degree in management from Case Western Reserve University. Flourish supports women entrepreneurs and girls through leadership development, career training, and grants. Its vision: 鈥減ositively transform the lives of 10,000 women by 2020.鈥
Talton made her opening remarks pointed, noting the time that had already passed in 2016.
鈥淲hat have you done with the 104 days so far?鈥 she asked. 鈥淲hat are you going to do with the 262 left?鈥 Talton then invited the audience to 鈥渂elieve, plan for your purpose, and stay hungry鈥濃攖o consider how, like followers of Talton鈥檚 Flourish endeavors, to 鈥渉ave it all鈥 and 鈥渂loom where you are planted.鈥
Noon keynote speaker: Nancy Frates, mother of co-creator Pete Frates. He was 27 years old when diagnosed in 2012 with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease), a nervous-system disease that weakens muscles and that cannot be cured. His choice to use the diagnosis to raise awareness and research dollars through the challenge has inspired many. Nancy Frates鈥檚 earlier about his impact has more than 950,000 views.
Panels and sessions
Topics ranged widely about issues facing women today: from entering corporate leadership positions to battling breast cancer to making it as an entrepreneur. Panels and sessions included an audience Q&A at the end; excerpted clips from a selection follow.
In the 'C' suite: leading women in northeast Ohio share their insights
Q: How has your career changed as you moved into the 鈥淐鈥 suite?
As I climbed up, I thought discrimination was behind us. It wasn鈥檛 until I went from senior vice president to president that it became so blatant.鈥擫ori Varlotta, president of Hiram College
I had to spend time proving my competency as a woman and an African American. I had the choice to be annoyed or suck it up.鈥擝arbara Danforth, chief executive officer of Summit Academy Management
Q: How do you manage work-life balance?
I鈥檓 not a poster child for balance. Some days are good, some are bad. You should strive to be true to your values. And use your support network.鈥擥eralyn Presti, executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary for Forest City Realty Trust, Inc.
I like to work but see the need for a time out. Technology and the pace of life is more difficult. I鈥檓 working hard to manage that.鈥擲ally Farwell, president and CEO, Achievement Centers for Children
Q: Share a story about not being taken seriously because of your gender.
When I interviewed for a president position in California [at a higher education institution], I got a call. The person said the bad news was that I wasn鈥檛 selected. The good news was that I just 鈥渉ad to change my hair and wear make-up.鈥鈥擫ori Varlotta
I interviewed for a director job. A man offered me the position but said he wasn鈥檛 going to offer me much money 鈥渂ecause your husband makes enough.鈥 I said no, but then he came back with a better offer.鈥擲ally Farwell
Attendees mingle between sessions and take in the conference sponsors鈥 exhibitions. Photo by Dustin Franz, BSVC 鈥10
Women of Color: Aspiring and Inspiring
Q: Who encouraged you and how? Who discouraged you and how did you handle it?
My parents and my network of women [did the former]. Sometimes I鈥檓 my own worst enemy. So I push out the negative and keep positive people around me.鈥擩amie Elwell, leadership development consultant, Progressive Insurance
Q: How do you practice self-care?
I have two kids so I struggle with it. I spend 60 to 70 hours a week at my job. Whatever I have left, that鈥檚 my self-care.鈥擩amie Elwell
I鈥檓 28 years old. I take the day off on my birthday. I turn every electronic thing off. Work will always be there the next day.鈥擲hanette Buford-Brazzell, special events manager, United Way of Greater Cleveland
Q: What advice do you have for college students and young professionals?
Know what you are good at. Know what you don鈥檛 like. Lead with agility. When there is a five-point skill requirement on a job description, men think they need to be able to just do one. Women think they need to do all five. Don鈥檛 do that.鈥擩amie Elwell
List your quarterly goals. Surround yourself with people that will lift you up. Go for what you are passionate about.鈥擲hanette Buford-Brazzell
