from the College of Business! We hope that you will enjoy reading the first edition of the Women in Business and Philanthropy eNewsletter. We will be sending out a quarterly eNewsletter to update you with important College news items, events, initiatives, and new program updates, all relating to women in business.
Women in Business and Philanthropy Program
College of Business women alumna, students and friends continue to leave their mark on the University, the nation, and the world. The College of Business Development Office has launched a new program for Women in Business and Philanthropy that will support these exceptional women.
Through the Women in Business and Philanthropy Program, the College will:
- Identify, reconnect, and strengthen ties with women alumnae and friends of the College.
- Inform and educate women on the tremendous impact they make as College supporters and philanthropists
- Encourage and increase the participation of women in volunteer leadership positions within the College
In addition, the program will include mentoring, volunteering, and networking opportunities for women who would like to become more involved. For more details on the program or to become a member please visit our website at www.business.uiuc.edu/development/wib/.
Women in Business and Philanthropy Kickoff
This past May 8th, the College launched its new Women in Business and Philanthropy program. Business alumnae and friends gathered for an early evening reception at Wachovia in Chicago, where women had a chance to network, learn more about the Women in Business and Philanthropy program, and meet the Women in Business Roundtable speaker, Anna Catalano ’82. The annual Women in Business Roundtable discussion was held on May 9th, 2007.
Anna is a leader in the global petroleum industry, and during a career spanning over 20 years with Amoco Corporation and BP plc, she held a variety of U.S. and global positions and was president of Amoco Orient in the mid 1990s. Five years ago she was recognized by Fortune Magazine as being among the most powerful women in international business. Anna’s Roundtable presentation was titled DIY Leadership: Knocking Down Walls & Opening Doors. Presentation slides can be viewed at: http://www.business.uiuc.edu/alumni/roundtable/docs/WIB.ppt
For more information on upcoming Roundtable events please visit: http://www.business.uiuc.edu/alumni/roundtable/
Profiles in Leadership
Each newsletter will feature several alumna leaders in business. Additionally, there are more profiles available for viewing on our website at: http://www.business.uiuc.edu/development/wib/
College Update
Construction on the new Business Instructional Facility continues to progress. Prominently located at the corner of Sixth and Gregory, the $60+ million Business Instructional Facility will serve as an exciting new landmark for the Urbana campus. Designed by Cesar Pelli (world renowned architect and distinguished alumnus of the University), this impressive learning facility will provide 160,000+ square feet of space to accommodate state-of-the-art classrooms, career development and academic counseling centers, student program offices, a recruitment suite, a 300-seat auditorium, and space for students to meet and study. For more information on the new facility please visit: http://www.business.uiuc.edu/instructional_facility/
F U N F A C T S
Women now hold more than half of all managerial and professional positions in U.S. businesses.
40% of privately held American companies are women-owned.
What’s Next?
- Currently researching and developing a Women in Business mentoring program. More experienced alumnae will be matched accordingly with other female alumnae in an effort to encourage and motivate future female business leaders.
- Be sure you don’t miss any upcoming Women in Business and Philanthropy Events—sign up today on our website to receive special event invitations!
- Girls Just Want to Have Funds • Recently, the College co-hosted a special Women in Business and Philanthropy reception with guest speaker Rhonda Salins ’76. Rhonda is Senior Partner, VP of Investments for Smith Barney. Rhonda addressed a variety of topics and useful practices for women. The evening also included an additional presentation regarding women's charitable giving and philanthropy decisions.
- If you are interested in hosting a Women in Business networking event or reception, please contact Renee Sinow at sinow@uiuc.edu.
Profiles in Leadership
Sarah Tetzlaff
VeriSign, Former Senior VP
What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced thus far as a successful woman in the corporate world?
Talented men and women face a lot of the same challenges in business...learning the ropes, making valuable contacts, and demonstrating their contribution. For anyone who is “different” from the majority, due to gender, background, ethnicity, or other factors, they face the burden of showing that majority how the differences are valuable. I was often the only “skirt” in a room and had to find ways to show common ground. Companies which are hungry for growth are great places to show how this diversity brings value.
Do you have any expert advice for other women who are currently in the process of trying to advance their career in business?
The best advice I can give is an expression I learned while living in New York City shortly after graduating from University of Illinois: “If you don’t ask, you don't get.” I translate that to mean be open with your interests, goals, and dreams. Other people generally try hard to help those around them achieve those dreams, if they know what they are. It is also so important to network inside and outside your company, your industry, and your community, to gain the broadest world view possible.
Would you offer any financial suggestions in regards to saving/investing that have proved beneficial to you or that you wish you would have been told about at an earlier time?
Enroll in whatever 401K or ESPP plan you are offered, and be sure to set aside at least 15% of your gross for saving and investment. You won't miss it if it becomes a habit. And diversify your portfolio. In a corporate role, you can end up being heavily weighted in your company's financial returns. As an executive at MCI and then WorldCom, I learned this the hard way!
What does philanthropy mean to you?
It means being given a great gift, the opportunity to serve others. That’s what the best business leaders do in their daily lives at work. Philanthropy is a natural extension of that philosophy. Every time I’ve had the chance to contribute in that way, it is clear that the return on invested time and energy flows both ways.
Has there been anyone that has influenced you from a career perspective? What was their impact?
There have been so many mentors along the way that I’ve had the good fortune to observe and to interact with. Some relationships have been very formal....I participated as both mentee and mentor in a year long program in Atlanta. Others have been informal. Friends, colleagues, customers and people who have worked for me have taught me so much. Their impact is embodied in another of my favorite quotes: “You learn with one life and live with another.”
Profiles in Leadership
Maggie Zellers
Deloitte Tax, Partner
What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced thus far as a successful woman in the corporate world?
I feel so fortunate to work for a company, Deloitte Tax LLP, that provides so many wonderful and challenging opportunities. There are so many exciting projects to get involved with, clients to work with, philanthropic activities to participate in, and people to work with, that it makes you want to be able to “do it all”! I love learning, meeting new people, and being involved with new opportunities. However, there is a limited amount of time in the day—making it all the more important to prioritize and to multi-task. It can be challenging to choose where to spend your time and energy but this is crucial to achieve a healthy balance and to achieve long-term career goals.
Do you have any expert advice for other women who are currently in the process of trying to advance their career in business?
My advice is simple: find a good mentor and be a good mentor. I have been so fortunate to have many good mentors throughout my career. After talking with other women, I have surprisingly found that this can be a rare experience. I would not be able to replicate what I have learned from “watching” my mentors. This has allowed me to accelerate the growth and success in my career. It is also important to be a good mentor. It is amazing how much you learn about yourself when mentoring others. I believe that my success is dependent on the success of my teams. You cannot invest enough in mentoring and helping the people on your teams!
What does philanthropy mean to you?
To me, philanthropy means simply helping others—whether it is participating in more formal philanthropic events or the small things that you do on a daily basis to help others. Philanthropy is an important part of my life as I love helping, giving back, and teaching others. I learn so much about myself, both professionally and personally, from those that I have met while giving back to others in the community!
Has there been anyone that has influenced you from a career perspective? What was their impact?
I am fortunate in that I have had many mentors throughout my career. I think this is important as I find that I learn different things from different people. This allows you to look at many different strengths that people have and mold them to fit your own business style. I believe that I am the product of all of the wonderful people that I have worked with throughout my career.