The College of Business introduced a Women in Business initiative for the spring 2016 semester. Business faculty nominated several upper-level female business students for the program. Of those nominated, twelve students were selected to participate in the program: Anna Brauch, Emily Coffman, Jillian Ferguson, Hillary Lebedun, Jessica Ledford, Janet Phimmasone, Melisa Pilipovic, MacKenzie Plaia, Kristen Ramey, Jessica Sandifer, MacKenzie Smith and Paige Weinberg.
Linda Blakemore ’84 and students at January 2016 luncheon.
The group of junior and senior business majors attended a lunch meeting once per month during the spring 2016 semester. Each luncheon featured a guest speaker who shared their career path and presented on various professional development topics.
January: Linda Blakemore ’84, president and CEO of the Gemini 3 Group, focused on the importance of relationships and a strong work ethic.
February: Martha Hutzel, library director of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, discussed generational differences in the workplace and work-life balance. Hutzel shared her own professional/leadership reading list with the students and reminded them to read.
Sara Branner and students at March 2016 Women in Business lunch.
March: Sara Branner, director of marketing for Chalk N’More/former executive director, Smart Beginnings Fredericksburg encouraged the students to stretch themselves and not be afraid to accept new opportunities. She urged the group to treat others with consistency, fairness and respect.
April: Melinda May ’91, chief financial officer, Hazel Land Companies/Owner, Featherstone, LLC served as the final speaker in the series. She stressed the importance of mentoring, trusting oneself when ethical situations arise, not to be afraid of failure and about saving financially.
The program will be expanded for the 2016-17 academic year to include a full year of programming, additional networking and social opportunities for those selected for the Women in Business initiative.
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