September 27, 2010
St. John’s University is proud of its alumnae.
Over the years the University has produced outstanding women
graduates who have distinguished themselves in every aspect of
business and the professions. They are unmistakable reflections of
the value of a superior academic education combined with a
philosophy that embraces a strong work ethic, always a part of the
St. John’s experience.
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Laura Cranston, R.Ph. ’84P is Executive Director, Pharmacy
Quality Alliance, Inc and a member of the University’s Board of
Governors. A transplanted New Yorker who has lived and worked in
Washington, DC for many years, she recalled the difficulty of
balancing the often conflicting responsibilities associated with
her roles as both business executive, wife and mother. For her,
telecommuting was a partial, if not a perfect solution.
“Working from home is sometimes more difficult than people
think because you’re doing work and dealing with the kids at the
same time,” she noted. “I was probably one of the first
telecommuters in my industry, and the toughest challenge for me was
when to turn it off. I think it’s getting easier now, because more
and more women are doing it for part of their careers. I’m thankful
that I’ve had the opportunity to telecommute when I wasn’t
traveling.”
As do many women executives, Diane M. D’Erasmo ’76CBA faces a
similar challenge. In her role as Executive Vice President and
Regional President, Commercial Banking, HSBC Bank USA, she
frequently finds herself choosing between her professional and
personal responsibilities. While having to choose may not always be
easy, for this outgoing and energetic executive, it’s something
that she’s able to handle very well.
“I really don’t think that the term ‘work-life balance’ is
appropriate,” she said, “because balance implies a 50-50 equation,
which really isn’t possible. I much prefer the term ‘work-life
choice’. Sometimes it’s like juggling balls. At times my focus is
on my family and I’m giving more attention to them, and at other
times it’s on work, and then that takes priority. I have a lot of
energy, and depending on the situation at the time is how I
schedule myself.”
As any student of history knows, in the past it was simply
assumed that senior executive positions would be held by men. Women
pursuing a career in business were frequently relegated to lower
level occupations, and the disparity that existed between men and
women in hiring, career advancement and pay scale was the norm.
Fortunately, while gender equity in business is still not complete,
the advances that women have made during the past few decades are
indeed monumental.
“When I came into the business world, some 30 years ago,
there were really no women in senior executive positions,” recalled
Kathryn A. Morrissey ’71C, ’79MBA, Executive Vice President,
Wholesale and GEM (Government, Education, Medical) Solutions at
AT&T. “We had no role models and no mentors. Now, there are
lots of women who have broken through into senior executive
positions, and they’re serving as role models and mentors for other
women as well. That just didn’t exist 30 years ago.”
Today, women are not only holding senior positions in
established corporations and organizations, they’re coupling their
creativity and business acumen with a spirit of entrepreneurship by
planning, establishing and managing their own companies. One such
notable alumna is Angie Onassis Parlionas ’01C, ’06MBA, Chief
Executive Officer and Inventor of YoYo Lip Gloss, a trendy product
that has taken the teenage market by storm. This dynamic young
woman admits that she was “…always fascinated by lip gloss, from
the time I was a child, even though my parents usually didn’t let
me use it.” Onassis credits her graduate studies at St. John’s with
teaching her how to formulate a successful business plan, a skill
that ultimately led her to form her own company. She strongly
encourages other young women to take advantage of the many
opportunities that now exist for young entrepreneurs.
“I always encourage young women to get a good education,
follow your dreams, go with your heart and be passionate about what
you do,” she said. “Now, more than ever, there are so many
opportunities for women in the business world, that sometimes I
even think we have the upper hand.”
Jenny Alonzo ’87SVC, currently enjoys a satisfying career as an
Entrepreneur and Media Consultant. Formerly Co-Founder, Executive
Vice President, Marketing and Communications at MIO.TV, this
successful alumna credits St. John’s for getting her started on the
road to success. For her, the University will always hold a very
special place in her heart, and she is committed to showing her
appreciation in a variety of ways.
“For me, it’s all about giving back,” she said. “St. John’s set
me on the right path to my career, which was a natural entry into
what I wanted to do. I’ve been very lucky because of what the
University did for me, and now that my daughter is a freshman at
St. John’s, it’s even more important for me to keep that connection
going. St. John’s has been a part of my family ever since I turned
13, and it always will be.”
These five exceptional women recently came together to share
their experiences and insights with other members of their St.
John’s family at a breakfast seminar in New York City,
appropriately titled “Women in Leadership”. The program was
co-hosted by [St. John’s The Peter J.] Tobin College of Business
Alumni Association (TCBAA) and the St. John’s University Alumnae
Association.