UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Women’s “Velocity” Leadership Conference Inspires Marymount Student Leaders

Last Friday, February 3, 2017, eight Marymount students had the chance to do just that at UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Leadership Conference. Themed “VELOCITY: Empower Together,” this day-long event brought together over 400 business leaders, students, and professionals to discuss topics surrounding women’s empowerment in the workplace, in our communities, and in the world at large. 

Dean of UCLA Anderson School of Management, Judy Olian, Ph.D., played a pivotal role in Marymount’s participation in the conference by opening up the conference to our group of eager girls. She opened up the conference, which took place at the sold-out Korn Convocation Hall, with powerful thoughts on the challenges that women face today, and spoke about the importance of needing to push forward at every level in order to truly achieve gender equality in the workplace and beyond. Ms. Olian, renowned author and thought-leader, centered her remarks around the poignant idea that “what is vital to women is vital to the world;” a message that was one of both great urgency and immense hope.

 

The conference’s two keynote speakers, Amy Powell, President of Paramount Television, and Cynthia Marshall, EVP of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Office at AT&T, provided the audience with very different, yet equally inspiring, stories and perspectives. Powell, whose graceful and quietly powerful presence left our girls in awe, spoke of the importance of strong influences, tenacity and flexibility in one’s career. Her underlying message, that an introverted, calm style of leadership can result in great success, left our students feeling a sense of dynamic inspiration. Jenna S. ’17 was struck by Powell’s story. She reflected, “As someone also interested in film and production, I’m inspired to see that a smart, quietly confident woman can thrive at the top levels of this industry.” When asked by Valory B. ’17 what advice she has for young women just starting out, Powell gave a pithy and welcomed response:

 

 

In an energetic, interactive and inspiring talk, Cynthia Marshall, EVP of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Office at AT&T, added to these concepts the importance of values and integrity. “Family is my number one priority,” she said, “and after that: fun. I just wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t fully embrace those two values.” She also facilitated an exercise where each audience member was asked to think of the values that would make up a “table of contents” for a book about what matters most to them.

Our students had the chance to brainstorm which concepts and attributes are most central to how they make decisions and set personal goals. Marshall radiated confidence, energy and self-awareness, sending the message that it is not only OK to be true to yourself, whether you are onstage, in a boardroom, or meeting someone for the first time, it is essential to your success.

 

Our girls also had the chance to participate in breakout discussions and a panel focused on sustainability in business. This fascinating and diverse panel gave different perspectives on how women can be leaders in enacting sustainable practices across all sectors. The panelists delivered relevant and important words of wisdom to our group of young students. Gay Browne, Founder and CEO of the sustainability-focused company Greenopia, advised our girls: “the word ‘no’ should never be seen as a closed door. As women, when we hear ‘no’ we sometimes feel compelled to accept it at face value. However, ‘no’ is just the door that opens to the answer. An idea can always be re-worked, tweaked or reframed in order to make it work.”

 

Overall, our students had an incredible experience learning from, and interacting with, these powerful, inspiring women at the Velocity Conference. In reflecting on the day, Kenya J. ’18 said, “It’s been very inspiring to see a variety women in different fields talking about leadership opportunities and how they can make a change, and empowering other women to step up to the plate to make a difference.”

 

Patricia L. ’18 shared, “This experience has been very humbling and inspiring to see how these women have overcome many obstacles. It’s also been inspiring to see the diversity, not only of gender but also with races. I feel like I’ve been given a confidence boost to become an entrepreneur and I don’t have as much doubt in myself to venture into different directions.”

 

Anamaria B. ’19 said, “I absolutely loved the whole experience and would love to do it again and again. It empowered and motivated me in so many ways, and I honestly feel like a new person after seeing how many women support each other. I feel like I can take on any challenge that lies ahead of me.”