Professional women from across the region convened on Nov. 14 to connect and network with like-minded women at the Advancing Women in Business event held by the Eli Broad College of Business. It can be difficult to take time out of a busy schedule to create new connections and keep the passion for personal development going, yet these women make the time for it.
The Advancing Women in Business moderator and panelists (from left): Julie Fasone Holder, Lea Ammerman, Betsy Meter, and Chris Oster engage the audience at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center on Nov. 14. Photo by Kasra Raffi
Alumni, students, and friends met at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center for networking, workshops, and to hear a panel of dynamic, successful women who discussed their real-life career journeys. The workshops were led by Lydia Weiss, educational program coordinator at Michigan State University’s WorkLife Office, on “Busting the Myth of Work-Life Balance” and Jane Evarian, associate director of Lear Career Services and Graduate Career Management at the Broad College, on “Networking Strategies for Career Management.”
“It’s a wonderful networking event and it’s empowering to meet and hear from women (like me) who have had their own struggles and challenges and have persevered and been successful,” Julie Fasone Holder (BA General Business Administration ’75), CEO/founder of JFH Insights, said.
The panel, moderated by Fasone Holder and consisting entirely of Spartan alums, was made up of Betsy Meter (BA Accounting ‘82), Michigan managing partner with KPMG LLP; Christine Oster, former global director of talent and leader development with General Motors; and Lea Ammerman (BA Integrative Management ’05), vice president of member services with MSU Federal Credit Union.
Participant Anjali Patel at the Advancing Women in Business event on Nov. 14. Photo by Kasra Raffi
Members of the audience asked questions that provoked a dialogue closer to a conversation rather than a standard Q&A. “Fantastic panel – loved the candid nature and honesty,” Lizzy Kennedy, Full-Time MBA candidate in the Class of 2019, said.
Added Fasone Holder, “There was so much engagement, enthusiasm and appreciation for the counsel and advice from the women who spoke.”
The event was an important one for the present and future of business. The Broad College wants to see women at the forefront of tomorrow’s business. In order to reach this future, a little extra support may be all that is needed.
“Women are lifelong learners and it’s important that we help each other reach our dreams and mentor each other. Women are eager to go for it — sometimes we just need a little encouragement,” Fasone Holder said.
Cheri DeClercq, assistant dean for MBA programs, said “the Broad College is committed to helping women reach their full potential. Our Advancing Women in Business events are one great way that we bring together amazing women to encourage, inspire, and empower each other.”
