"Believe in yourself. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain"

Sponsored by Sigma Theta Tau International (the Honor Society for Nursing), “Economic Empowerment: Developing Leadership Skills for Decision-Making, Governance and Policy”was held on March 17 in at the Salvation Army building. Attended by approximately 30 participants, it was conducted by 3 panelists, an Sigma Theta Tau representative, and an UN Women representative. In general, it was geared towards women in the nursing and healthcare profession, though all content shared could be easily applied to women in all professions.

The session began with an overview of data that demonstrates the value of women membership on corporate and non-profit governance boards. The panelists shared data and stories from around the world about the benefits that women bring to boards. Of particular note, based on audience reaction, was the story of Iceland’s bankruptcy 2009, where the major companies that failed were run by men and the major companies that remained successful through the bankruptcy were led by women, and the statistic that female membership on boards results in an increase on return on investment of 8-13%.

After providing evidence of the importance of women leaders on boards, the panelists shared practical strategies and advice to women interested in developing the skills necessary for board leadership. Nine necessary skills for effective performance on a board (communication skills, ability to lead, ability to govern, program expertise, strategic thinking, marketing skills, fundraising ability, financial management, and legal expertise) were defined and practical skills for several were demonstrated using audience volunteers. Of the skills demonstrated, the audience was particularly interested in the demonstration of business card presentation, especially how a person can use their presentation of their business card to establish a relationship with someone, and cultural differences in business card practices.

The next topic was advice for women pursuing board positions. To have a successful experience pursuing a board position, one should have an open mind, understand their own motivations and goals, evaluate one’s readiness for the role, talk to mentors, assess the organization itself, and never underestimate the value that one’s decision will provide to the board. Finally, the panelists shared a variety of resources that can be used by women interested in leadership on boards. These includes international resources such as the International Women’s Forum, Global Board Ready Women, and Broadrooms, national organizations, and local organizations such as Chambers of Commerce.

The session concluded with a discussion and question and answer session. One audience member asked for advice establishing succession plans for leadership structures, and another asked for the panelists’ thoughts about why women are more represented on NGO boards as compared to corporate boards. Another, who was new to her profession, asked how she could start the trajectory towards leadership in her field even though she’s not ready for it yet. To this, a panelist responded: take risks, get involved, and accept mentors who meet your needs.