‘Walk Your Talk’ and Other Inspiring Advice from Nobelist Leymah Gbowee
Since being internationally recognized for co-leading a women’s movement that ended the most recent civil war in Liberia, Leymah Gbowee has hardly rested on her (Nobel) laurels. She continues to work for women, peace and security issues, founding The Gbowee Peace Foundation to provide education to women and underprivileged youth as well as serving as a global ambassador for Oxfam International and as a member of the UNHCR High Level Advisory Group on Gender, Forced Displacement and Protection.
Still, what Gbowee loves most is the time she spends in Africa working with young people to empower and inspire them. Here, the peace activist’s wise words for leaders of any age and situation. Read More
Q&A: Rachael Ray on Her First Job, Being the Boss and Eating Healthy at Work
Even though she has 22 cookbooks, four TV shows, a lifestyle magazine and a line of dog and cat food, don’t call Rachael Ray a one-woman-cottage-industry. “I don’t like those terms,” she says. “It sounds like I created an ‘evil empire’ or something.” Her success wasn’t plotted out: “I just enjoy working, I enjoy people and I enjoy food. So, I do what I love; the TV just sort of happened. That’s just a bonus.” Read More
Inspired By: Debbie Dunnam
“…always approach your role as if you were the general manager of that business regardless of your level or position.”
Debbie Dunnam is SVP of Worldwide Services Sales and Global Customer Success at Cisco and sits on the Board of the Texas Conference for Women. Here she shares the story of how she went from field rep to senior management in the tech industry…with a little help from her role models. Read More
Inspired By: Jessica Baker
“Every day I do at least one thing, many times it is several things, that renew my spirit and fill me up.”
2013 Conference speaker Jessica Baker leads development of The Respect Institute’s programming and trainings for youth influencers and fundraising initiatives. This is how she got there: Read More
Inspired By: Verná Myers
“Welcome critique. This is the quickest way to learn and to grow in your profession.”
Verná Myers started out as a corporate lawyer, but now she runs a firm that showcases her strongest skills and satisfies her deep desire to fight for justice. How did she make the leap? Read on.
Be Inspired: Jane Pauley on Finding Your Voice
You’re probably a better negotiator than you think, says Jane Pauley, a contributor to CBS’ Sunday Morning after almost four decades at NBC and New York Times bestselling author of Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life. It’s just that your style isn’t the typical tough-guy act. Read More
Inspired By: Randi Zuckerberg
“I’ve always believed in bringing my authentic self to work, and that often meant being unafraid to speak my mind and not apologize for who I am.”
Randi Zuckerberg served as the marketing director for Facebook for six years, where she struck groundbreaking deals with ABC (for the first online-offline presidential debates) and CNN (to cover Barack Obama’s inauguration). She was ranked among one of the “50 Digital Power Players” by the Hollywood Reporter. She is currently the CEO and founder of Zuckerberg Media, a media and production company of the future, and editor-in-chief of Dot Complicated, a modern lifestyle weekly newsletter and blog.
Inspired By: Colleen Brewer
“Courage, confidence, and compassion have served me best at work and at home.”
Wife, mother (of two daughters), boss, sister, daughter, friend, nurse, teacher, volunteer, cook, negotiator and shrink, are just a few of the roles Colleen Brewer, vice president of sales and marketing for the Austin American-Statesman, fills. Here, she shares how her definition of success is shaped by her many roles. Interview by Rachel Allen, Statesman Solutions staff. Read More
Inspired By: Anita Perry
“Be curious and learn as much as you can about changing careers or positions.”
Anita Perry, First Lady of Texas, offers advice for women looking to reinvent their careers, explains how her father inspired her to begin a career in nursing, and shares what keeps her motivated in our “Inspired By” Q&A. Read More
Inspired By: Tracy Yelencis
“It’s all about competence, collaboration, and delivery that allows you to build the relationships and respect you need to succeed.”
Tracy Yelencsics is director of global brand in corporate marketing and communications at Xerox, responsible for the worldwide management of the Xerox brand operation.
Q: Please share how your professional career began and how you ended up where you are today? Read More