Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, Oprah Winfrey. These are just a few names that come to mind when it comes to women who, in their roles as leaders, have helped carve the path for the next generation of women in business. For Michigan State University students, there is another name that may rise to the top of that list: university president Lou Anna K. Simon. So when the Broad College of Business‘ Women MBA Association (BWMBAA) wanted insight on the career path of a female leader, President Simon was at the top of their list.
The Broad Women MBA Association, pictured with President Simon
“I wanted to focus on women in leadership for the upcoming year,” said Rose Glendinning (MBA Human Resources Management, ’17), president of the BWMBAA. “What better place to look for inspiration than right here on Michigan State University campus?”
After reaching out to President Simon’s office for an opportunity to gain some career insights on entering the world of business, Glendinning and her fellow BWMBAA members joined President Simon to share some words of wisdom over lunch.
“She advised us to think about the humanness of situations and how we are positively impacting those around us” said Glendinning, “Women need to support each other in the workforce, and by doing this we can empower and inspire those around us.”
From learning to not set goals based on positions to being flexible when seeking opportunities, President Simon left the BWMBAA with advice that they will take with them throughout their future careers. According to Glendinning, “Her engaging and caring presence only made the delivery of her words more impactful.”
