Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

​This year’s Women’s Leadership Conference, presented by PNC, took place virtually over a 2-day period.
With the theme of Learn and Lead, there was so much insightful material to be shared.
Thank you, PNC, for your sponsorship and support, and to Jim Hansen for being a strong ally.

We kicked off day 1 with a panel discussion, “Cultural Differences and Acceptance: I Am Not My Hair!” Once of the best quotes we heard was from Chanae Wilson, "there is a comfortability and confidence that comes with being able to wear your hair in its natural state."
Our Panel Included:

• Shemekka Ebony, Co-founder, Crown Campaign
• Judge Ashleigh Parker Dunston, Wake County District Court, 10th Judicial District
• Senator Natalie Murdock, NC Senator, District 20

Contributors included:

• Terence Everitt, NC House Representative, District 35
• Kacie Fore, Senior Public Engagement Specialist – Transmission, Duke Energy
• Chanae Wilson, Community Connections Manager with the Budget & Tax Center, North Carolina Justice Center
• Courtney Vinson, Teacher, Wake County Public School System
• Matt Calabria, Chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners, District 2
• Shinica Thomas, Wake County Board of Commissioners, District 6

 
The remainder of day 1 featured breakout sessions for participants to choose 2 of 3 topics:

• The Future is Yours!
• Putting Equity and Inclusion into Action
• The Power of Your Community

Day 2 kicked off with, “Modern Workplace (The Burnout Epidemic.)”
One of our favorite quotes from this session was, "Open communication is built on the foundation of trust." –Amy Bacon, Senior VP, Enterprise Data Risk Management, PNC
Panelists included:

• Amy Bacon, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Data Management, PNC
• Carla Mantilla, Head of Client Lifecycle Management, Credit Suisse
• Kelli Dragovich, Chief People Officer, Pendo

The remainder of day 2 featured breakout sessions for participants to choose 2 of 3 topics:

• Retaining Female Leadership
• Resilient Leadership During Uncertain Times
• The Trailblazers

For “The Trailblazers” session Machelle Baker Sanders, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce, reminded us, “We need to close the pay gap before 2060.”

Gold Sponsors:
ABB Inc.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Credit Suisse
Highwoods Properties, Inc.
Merz Aesthetics
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
 
Silver Sponsors:
Bailey's Fine Jewelry
Carolina Hurricanes
Citrix
McAdams
Syngenta Crop Protection
Wake Technical Community College
WakeWorks Apprenticeships

Breakout Session Sponsors:
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Stewart
 
Bronze Sponsors:
Alfred Williams & Company
Barnhill Contracting Co., Inc.
Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines
HH Architecture
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
​

For so many of us, taking that professional leap is intimidating. Sure, a promotion sounds wonderful. But what about all the extra responsibilities that come along with the job? Many of us have and will ask ourselves the question, “Am I going to be a good fit?”

Leaders often view these challenges as opportunities.

“You need to be looking for those opportunities where you are nervous that you’re going to do well,” said Deverre Lierman, associate vice president and delivery head with Infosys. “If you’re too confident, then you’re not challenging yourself.”

Lierman was one of three speakers at our Chamber Professional Women’s Luncheon in February. More than 400 people registered to attend the lunch at the Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley, hearing from women who are executives in the Triangle.

Along with Lierman, we heard from Stephanie Jensen, director of Professional and Specialty Solutions at BASF, and Marshae Mansfield, the vice president and chief operating officer of Lenovo (United States) Inc. Our moderator was Ashley Cagle, assistant executive director with Wake County Economic Development, a program of the Raleigh Chamber.

Each talked about the importance of finding a work-life balance.

“To me, it’s about doing the thing that needs to get done when it needs to get done,” said Jensen. “It’s always about priorities. Sometimes, it’s making sure my kids are at hockey practice. Sometimes, it’s working until 11.”
Mansfield reminded everyone to take the time to rejuvenate themselves.

“I give Lenovo everything I have when I’m in the office and I give my family everything I have when I’m at home,” she said. “Everyone respects that.”

Lierman said we all have the same 24 hours in a day and it’s difficult to get everything accomplished in that time period. But, she said, things are different when you take a broader approach to time.

“Rather than 24 hours, I try to look at it with what I’m able to accomplish over the course of a week, or a month, or a year,” said Lierman.

Each also shared their thoughts on how women can chart their leadership journeys.

Mansfield said it is important to have a manager who believes in you and a strong personal brand.

“What is your brand,” she asked. “What do you want to be known for in your organization? When you walk through the hall, what do you want people to say about you?”

Jensen said one person’s journey should not look the same as another.

“Own your own journey and make it what you want it to be,” she said. “Come up with your plan for success.”
Lierman reminded the audience to take that leap.

“Take the opportunity,” she said. “Be uncomfortable. There’s never going to be a perfect moment. Set aside that self-doubt and go for it. You never know where it might take you.”

We want to thank all of our speakers for their great insight and stories that they shared. We also want to thank our CPW sponsors. Your support and partnership ensured this event was a great success.

Discussion of this CPW event reached beyond the luncheon as our official Twitter hashtag, #RaleighCPW, was among the top trending topics throughout the day in the Raleigh area.

Please also join us on May 29 for our Women’s Leadership Conference. This conference has grown so much that it is now our most attended Chamber event. More than 800 professionals will attend. The half-day conference features a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and panel discussions with local successful executives. It also is a great way for women in business to connect and network.
​
We hope to see you there! 

By Dawn L. Friedel
Instructional Developer
Citrix



I attended the July Chamber Professional Women’s Luncheon at Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle Park to network with other women and learn how to maximize my personal productivity. I arrived early, and the lobby was already buzzing with the sound of voices as women from many local companies gathered and exchanged information. I stopped at several of the vendor booths to say hello and learn about other businesses, some I didn’t know are in the area. As a Citrix employee, I was happy to talk about my company, explain what we do, and describe our unique culture.  

When the lecture opened, I chose a table with several ladies from a variety of businesses. It was a pleasure to speak with Patty Page from Personal Lifestyle Concierge and Ashley McGee from Theo Davis Printing. While enjoying the salad and bread, I filled out the Wheel of Life and questionnaire that would be used to help determine how much of my energy I spend on relationships, the environment, body, mind, and spirit, and work.

The speakers were engaging, and I could relate to the stories they told about needing to set priorities, be more productive, use my energy wisely, and focus on accomplishing tasks (one at a time). We heard from: 

• Becky Jacobs, CEO, Simple Change Wellness
• Kim Brame McGimsey, founder, Breakthrough Health
• Emily Parks, productivity consultant, Organize for Success 

When asked who was a good multi-tasker, my hand went up in the air as I juggle to balance, work, school, volunteering, and my personal life. But by the end of the session, I learned just how unproductive it is to multi-task. When given the statistic that there is a 40 percent loss in productivity due to multi-tasking, it didn't sink in until they had me prove it. Timing a simple task like writing the alphabet and a string of numbers took me only 30 seconds when I was able to do one and then the other. However, when I had to switch between the two, or multi-task, it took me one and a half times as long (45 seconds, for those who don’t want to do the math).  

There are only 1,440 minutes in a day, so making the most of that time requires organization. Using the Eisenhower Box to determine what needs to be done, the order in which to do it, what to delegate to others, and what to remove was very insightful. I came away with insight on how to make myself more productive and with a plan to get started. I’m pleased I was able to attend this session and feel I have tools to be more productive as a result.

The Chamber Professional Women's Luncheon series offers quarterly luncheons featuring noted speakers. Each events provides an opportunity for professional development and valuable networking. Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events. 

By Angie Coole
Brand Manager, Greene Resources




Greene Resources had the wonderful opportunity to be the presenting sponsor for the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce's Professional Women's Luncheon on April 27, 2016. At this luncheon, Valorie Burton presented on the topic, "Successful Women Think Differently." 
 
Valorie Burton is a best-selling author, speaker, and life coach, dedicated to helping people be unstoppable in every area of life. She has appeared numerous times on television programs, including the TODAY Show, Dr. Oz, CNN, and has written for Oprah Magazine, Essence, and many other magazines. Valorie earned her master's degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master's degree in journalism from Florida A&M University. 

Valorie's discussion included six different habits to cultivate a healthier, happier and more resilient mindset. These habits originate in positive psychology, a study of the strengths that enable people to thrive and have happier, more successful lives. 
 
1. Believe You Can Do It
Adapt a thinking style that combines reality with a positive outlook. By viewing failures as an opportunity to learn something and by taking credit for your successes, you become more likely to succeed in the future.
 
2. Get Off The "Hedonic Treadmill"
The "hedonic treadmill" is the idea that human beings adapt to improvement. When something great happens, whether it is a promotion, new house, new relationship, or some other achievement, we quickly grow accustomed to this new, positive change, and it loses its value. To prevent this from happening, reflect on your life over the past few years. Some of the things you only hoped for 2-3 years ago may be things that you have right now. By reflecting on these past achievements and creating simple changes and goals, you can create a reservoir of joy and excitement in your life.
 
3. Stop Trying To Fix Your Weaknesses
Stop focusing on everything that is wrong about you and start focusing on what is right. Remember, there are hundreds of things you do not know how to do or cannot do well, and that's okay. By reflecting on the things you like about yourself and your strengths, you will grow and continue to improve. 

4. Build Your Muscle Of Self-Control
According to the Marshmallow Study by Stanford University, your ability to develop self-control and discipline has a much greater impact on your ability to thrive and succeed than talent or intelligence. If you do not have a purpose, it is very easy to give up. Create goals and make yourself work towards them, and do not let failures stand in your way of trying again.

5. Be Prepared For Battle
Recognize that there are some thoughts that can be controlled, as well as some that cannot be controlled. By noticing when you have negative thoughts and taking steps to combat them, you can develop a positive outlook that will lead to greater success. When a negative event or challenge occurs, instead of jumping to the worst case scenario or the craziest negative thought, think of the best case scenario or the craziest positive thought. By recognizing "crazy thoughts" or negative thought patterns, you can break them and cultivate newer, more helpful thought processes.

6. Cultivate Positive Emotion
Negative events inevitably occur in life and can often outweigh any positive events that happen simultaneously. To counteract this, you must constantly cultivate positive emotions, even in small ways. Create anticipation for something in the future, like a vacation, treat, or outing, or volunteer your time and service to those in need. Find an activity you like to do simply for the fun of it. Smile.  By always looking for opportunities to create a sense of joy, you can prepare yourself for those inevitable negative moments.
 
Being successful in today’s world requires the development of unique thought processes, a commitment to follow through and the ability to never give up. At Greene Resources, we are always eager to meet candidates and clients who demonstrate these qualities because we know that these attributes will allow them to reach their career goals, contribute to a positive business culture and allow both them and the company to achieve greater success. Learn more here.

The Chamber offers several opportunities for education and networking for professional women. Reserve your spot at the next Chamber Professional Women's Luncheon on July 21 here.

4 Questions with Claire Shipman
Claire Shipman, ABC News contributor and New York Times bestselling author, is the keynote speaker at the March 11 Women's Leadership Conference. She answered four questions for us leading up to the event.

Voters' Guide is Live
Prepare yourself for the March 15 primary election with the Chamber's Voters' Guide. This online resource includes links to each candidate's campaign website and social media presence.

ConnectNC Invests in Our Future
Connect NC is a bond initiative that makes vital investments in North Carolina without raising taxes. It will create better job training opportunities for the 21st century and make our state safer and better prepared.

Help Chamber Define Goals
The Chamber is conducting an organizational assessment to define goals for 2016-19, and your feedback is critical to the success of this process. Current members please complete this short survey; previous members please complete this one. If you have already participated in the survey, thank you!

How Emerging Entrepreneurial Hubs Are Becoming America's New Boomtowns
Two studies released last week indicate that at least a handful of smaller cities in the U.S., including the Raleigh-Durham area, are emerging as places that investors and entrepreneurs are increasingly making bets.

Avoid Damage and Disruption at Work
From hiring practices and workers' comp to discrimination and harassment ---- join us to learn about elements of risk management that can stop problems before they occur.

Moving Toward World-class Teacher Preparation
What 21st century strategies will prepare top educators to teach and lead in our public schools? Find out on March 2 at an event hosted by Cooperating Raleigh Colleges in partnership with the Wake County Public Schools System.

Council Approves Raleigh Arts Plan
The Raleigh City Council formally adopted the Raleigh Arts Plan at its meeting last week. The plan identifies needs and suggests bold projects. Read an overview of the plan here and download the full plan here.

7 Timeless Communication Tips from Abraham Lincoln
In addition to his leadership legacy, Abraham Lincoln was an outstanding conversationalist---- and many of his communication principles are applicable today.

If you liked this recap, make sure you subscribe to the Chamber's e-newsletter to receive this information directly in your inbox each week.

What surprised you the most in your research findings regarding women’s confidence?
Both Katty and I were most surprised at the fact that women routinely underestimate themselves. We didn’t really think the numbers on that would be so solid. I think we were also surprised that there is a genetic component to confidence. Some people really are born with a propensity to be more confident. It’s annoying!
 
What does it mean to be professionally confident?
It means that you are not afraid of risk and failure. It means you are willing to be less than perfect, in order to grow.

Is there a difference between being aggressive and being confident?
Absolutely. Being aggressive is a behavioral style. Being confident is evaluating the situation, and deciding that you are willing to act because you believe you can affect change. Confidence can be quite quiet and calm.

What is the first step to building your confidence?
Self-awareness. It’s critical that you become aware of your internal dialogue. Are you ruminating? Are you striving for perfection? Are you telling yourself not to take a chance and step out of your comfort zone? In the course of writing this book, for example, I came to see what a die-hard perfectionist I am, and how much that inhibits confidence. Once I understood what I was doing, it became easier to change it. Not that I’ve fully morphed into a devil-may-care risk-taker, by any means. But when I find myself hesitating or stewing, I can stop that process and move on much more easily.

Shipman is the keynote speaker at the Chamber's Women's Leadership Conference on March 11. In addition to her presentation, the event includes a panel discussion and breakout sessions further exploring your executive presence.

Learn more and register here.