Panel Focuses on Women Leaders

Five leaders from various industries examined the progress of women professionals as they helmed the Spring 2021 Women’s Leadership Panel, hosted virtually by The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University.

“Women’s Leadership: Progress and Potential” marked the second year of the panel, which convened on March 25. It was created as an annual event to honor Women’s History Month. 

The goal was to share the experiences of women who have become leaders in the workplace and to provide guidance to students and alumni, according to panel moderator Norean R. Sharpe, Ph.D., Dean, and Joseph H. and Maria C. Schwartz Distinguished Chair, at the Tobin College of Business. “It was an honor and pleasure to gather a group of women who have accomplished their career goals during a time of progress in increasing gender equality,” she said.

In recent years, forums and conferences have surfaced to fast-track leadership growth for women, providing tools such as new strategic insights, global perspectives, and leadership skills that enable women to lead change, drive innovation, and sustain their competitive advantage.

Company-wide change that is driven by top administrators is crucial to success in welcoming increasing numbers of women in leadership capacities. In addition to inclusion, addressing the skills gap, retention, and succession are some measures that can challenge the status quo.

The panelists included Janice Menke Abraham, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of United Educators; Valerie C. Haertel, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, CVS Health; Georgette Chapman Phillips, Ph.D., the Kevin L. and Lisa A. Clayton Dean of the College of Business, Lehigh University; Charlene Prounis, Entrepreneur and former CEO, Flashpoint; and Lynn Perry Wooten, Ph.D., President, Simmons University.