Regional Leaders Headline Forum's Executive Roundtable

Ann Schmelzle organized an executive round table of regional leaders to tell their stories and share lessons learned. These women had such varied and interesting stories.  Phyllis Ellison, Cortex, shared the importance of growing teams and the challenges she faced when re-entering the workforce after taking a number of years off. Lauren Herring, Impact Group, spoke of the importance of saying yes to opportunities … don’t count yourself out because you only have 90% of the qualifications (which men never do!). Theresa Ruzicka, Catholic Charities, discussed the importance of creating a sounding board for yourself … the one she started 20 years ago still meets monthly. And Dr. Stacy Holmes, Harris Stowe, insisted we have to create our own opportunities for leadership. She said, “always focus on the work…not a title or a position.”

Ann summed up the themes as: 

• Don’t say no.
• Take risks.
• Go after your passion.

 
Thanks for a great discussion. You can see 40 minutes of the meeting here … part of the discussions happened in small break out rooms (so you had to be there!).