IN THEIR OWN WORDSHelping others up the corporate ladder is one of the hallmarks of a
successful woman.
We asked this year’s YWCA Career Women of Achievement
“How do you lift as you climb?”
Here are their responses:
Beverly A. Grant
Vice President, Customer Business
Development, North America Food Channel,
The Procter & Gamble Company
“I see my role as a mentor and a coach, so it’s just natural. From a coaching standpoint you want to bring out the best in your players. How can I help each of them be the best person they can be? I focus first on the personal. I try to connect with people personally and try to provide them with the right level of support so they can be their personal best, because if you are your personal best, it’s very easy to be your professional best.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Leads a staff of 700 and manages a budget of $120 million, with more than $8 billion in sales
First African-American female to serve as director and vice president in Customer Business Development at P&G
Has held multiple leadership positions within P&G in areas ranging from global beauty care and feminine care to human resources and sales training and development
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Board of Directors, Network of Executive Women
Associate Member Advisory Board Chair, Food Marketing Institute
Top 100 Women in the Grocery Industry, Progressive Grocer Magazine, 2007 and 2008
John E. Pepper Diversity Award, 2008
Board of Directors, OneCity Foundation
Member, Big Brother/Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Foundation
Julie S. Janson
President, Duke Energy Ohio, Inc. and Duke Energy
Kentucky, Inc.
“I sit in a highly regulated, highly male-dominated business, and I think when you find yourself in that kind of a setting it’s important to recognize differences in communication styles (between men and women) and differences in the way decisions are made...I think it’s very important that we realize that many opinions matter, that we find our voices and feel comfortable speaking as long as it’s done in a diplomatic, professional way. Our business is rapidly changing with technology and other developments, and we need many types of people. We need marketing people, we need people with technological backgrounds, and as the business changes we need to value those different skill sets and opinions. I try to collaborate and value all opinions.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Leads Duke Energy’s Ohio and Kentucky operations, with revenues of $3.4 billion, serving approximately 1 million electric and natural gas customers in Southwest Ohio and approximately 235,000 electric and natural gas customers in six Northern Kentucky counties
Responsible for all activities related to rates and regulatory strategy, community affairs, economic development and government affairs
Former senior vice president of ethics and compliance, and corporate secretary for Duke Energy
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Board chair, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Partnership, citywide campaign chair, 2010 City of Cincinnati Fine Arts Campaign
Vice Chair, Regional Public Policy Council, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Co-chair, Cincinnati Business Committee Economic Development Task Force
Board member, 3CDC, Cincinnati Regional Chamber Executive Committee, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati City Council’s Climate Protection Steering Committee and Vision 2015 Regional Stewardship Council in Northern Kentucky
Leading Women of Cincinnati Award
2009 Member, The Commercial Club of Cincinnati
Diane Jordan-Grizzard
Chief Operating Officer, Beech Acres
Parenting Center
“It is by the grace of God that I have had so many she-roes on whose shoulders I stand. These strong mentors set the stage for how I have to do things. Mentoring helps me help others examine their experiences and re-imagine their future voices…I am passionate about helping women find the power and authenticity of their inner voices. The yearning that we have to do something sometimes starts at a young age, but a tape goes off in our heads about what we can or can’t do. We need to reshape that dialogue to be more positive. We can use that to motivate against the fear and inertia that sometimes gets in the way. I love helping women see the strength in themselves and who God made them to be.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Manages five departments, which include more than 200 employees, contractors and foster parents, with an annual budget of $10.8 million
First woman to serve as COO at Beech Acres Parenting Center
Former Management and Technical Support for Ohio Department of Education and Region V Head Start, The Ohio State University
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Past board member Lighthouse Youth Services, Inc., Cincinnati CAN, Cincinnati Collaborative Initiative, Children’s Defense Fund Advisory Committee, Comprehensive Community Child Care, National Child Welfare League Advisory Committee Cultural Competence
Board member Elementz Hip Hop Youth Arts Center, Sankofa Critical Thinking Youth Program, National Alliance on Mental Illness (Hamilton County)
Leadership Cincinnati Class XXXII, Steering Committee Member, the Inclusion Weekend Program
WCPO Profiles in Courage Award Recipient, 2009
Author, Free Soil (publication July 2010)
Jean Lydon-Rodgers
Vice President, Military Systems, GE Aviation
“When I mentor women, I first identify what they do well. Then I give them ideas for enhancing their abilities, especially in areas where they excel because it builds confidence and keeps them focused where they can truly shine. I also help them lay out a realistic timeline to meet their objectives. So many women struggle with the age-old challenge of trying to balance work and family. ‘Family’ may mean young children or aging parents, and we want to do it all flawlessly. The key is to take it in realistic bites so we don’t get overwhelmed. Listen to the heart, because the heart really is the best judge of when it’s time to take the next role. Is it the right time for my kids? Is it the right time for my husband? I’ve had terrific mentors that have helped me with that. It’s my time to pay it forward now.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Manages a $4 billion business with more than 500 employees worldwide
Responsible for delivering engines that power more than 20 aircraft types used by the U.S. Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army and international customers
First female president, GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team
First female vice president, Military Systems, GE Aviation
Former Vice President & General Manager, General Manager and Manufacturing Programs Manager, and Program Director, F136 Engine Project
Key leadership role, GE Women's Network at GE Aviation and Cincinnati hub
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Board member, Cincinnati Fine Arts Fund, Symphony Orchestra Allocations Committee
GE Volunteer, Caring Service and Greater Cincinnati United Way/Community Service Fund, and Chase Elementary School
Member, GE Women’s Network cabinet at GE Corporate Level
Tonya M. Matthews, PhD
Vice President of Museums
Cincinnati Museum Center
“I am a deliberate lifter. I have specific conversations with people and ask, ‘What are you doing? What would you like to do? What did you have the most fun doing?’ The part that still gets me is that mentors do not choose; they are chosen. Contrary to that famous comment that ‘I am not a role model,’ it’s not a choice. I’ll be in the middle of a conversation and realize that is the role I’ve been nominated for. This is the unconscious part of lifting as we climb. People are always looking around, looking for people who are doing what they want to do, or simply looking very happy doing what they’re doing. While I try to be deliberate in lifting as I climb, I find myself in mentoring or lifting roles before I realize what’s being asked of me.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Oversees more than 100 staff members and their budgets totaling $4.5 million, plus 3 million museum artifacts and collections
Responsible for educational programs, community engagement and scholarly research in science, history and early childhood development
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Member, National Society of Black Engineers, Society for Women Engineers, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Advisor, Maryland Center for the Book, 2004-2008
Board member, Community Law in Action
Member of Implementation Team, FUSION Lab Hughes STEM High School, 2009
Mentor, Over-the-Rhine/Cincinnati, OH and Baltimore, MD
Scholar-Advisor, Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Member, Cincinnati Freedom Project
Cincinnati Business Courier Forty Under 40 Award, 2008; Cincinnati Herald Nefertiti Award, 2009
Fellowship Recipient, Association of Science & Technology Centers, 2006
Terri L. Roth, PhD
Vice President of Conservation and Science,
Director of the Lindner Center for
Conservation and Research of Endangered
Wildlife (CREW), Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
“Lifting as you climb comes naturally. One of my goals is to train the next generation of wildlife conservation scientists. I am constantly helping young scientists, whether they are looking for advice or formal collaboration. Our post-doctoral training program enables us to pass on what we know while serving as role models. I try to respond to every email I receive, from high school students to fellow scientists. I remember I was once that young scientist knocking on doors. Our work is a labor of love for a noble cause. We do not hesitate to share information, ideas or suggestions. There are no intellectual property or patent concerns, no product market competitions or stock holders. We want to save wildlife from extinction, and we will achieve greater success acting as a community of passionate individuals that share, encourage and ‘lift’ each other even as each of us climbs.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Manages a state-of-the-art research facility, directs a post-doctoral training program for young scientists, supervises a staff of 20 and manages an annual budget of $1.1 million
First female vice president at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
First woman to serve on the Executive Board of the International Rhino Foundation
First person to successfully breed the Sumatran rhinoceros in captivity
Reproductive Advisor, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, World Conservation Union and its Species Survival Commission
Research Associate, Reproductive Physiology Program, National Zoological Park’s Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian Institution
National Leadership Grant, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2008
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati
Distinguished Off-Campus Scholar, Zoology Dept., Miami University
The Honorable
Julia A. Stautberg
Judge, Hamilton County Municipal Court
“I have so many opportunities to mentor others. I’ve been involved in the Supreme Court of Ohio Mentoring Program for two years, so I’ve had the chance to mentor first-year lawyers. Also, I’ve been involved with the Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (CALL) for two years, and this year I’m the chair. Through CALL, I’ve had opportunities to mentor younger lawyers and specifically lawyers who have been identified or self-identify as interested in being leaders, whether it’s leaders in their law firm or their community. That’s been a great opportunity. Whether it’s at work or on boards I’m involved in, I welcome the opportunity to mentor young lawyers and to mentor new board members to reach their full potential.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Presides over misdemeanor criminal cases and civil cases, and presides over one of two mental health dockets
President, Cincinnati Bar Association
Former director, Hamilton County Board of Elections, supervising a staff of 40 full-time workers and, during an election cycle, 80-100 workers and 4,000 poll workers
Former assistant prosecuting attorney and chief assistant prosecuting attorney, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Juvenile Division
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Chair, Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers
Past or current board member, Hamilton County Justice Commission, Leadership Cincinnati Steering Committee, ProKids, Anderson Park District, Chase College of Law
Member, Ohio Bar Association, Ohio Judicial Conference, National Association of Women Judges, American Judges Association
Instructor, Ohio Supreme Court’s Judicial College
Mentor, Supreme Court of Ohio Mentoring Program
Champion of Hope Award, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, 2008
YWCA Rising Star, 2006
Gail W. Wells, EdD
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Northern Kentucky University
“For leaders to be successful at lifting others and moving them toward excellence, they must believe in those they are leading…It is my pleasure to provide encouragement, support and professional development experiences to empower others to move to higher levels. I feel a particular responsibility to support women, minorities and those who are economically disadvantaged. I try to establish an environment where people are not afraid to take risks and accept challenges. When there is success, we celebrate. When there is failure, we try to learn and become stronger and ultimately more successful. It is important to help folks determine what they really love to do and can do well. Then it is important for them to establish goals, and together, we can work to build the background required and look for opportunities to move forward.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP:
Responsible for 1,800 employees (approximately 1,200 faculty and 600 staff members), and a budget of more than $100 million
Responsible for NKU’s Information Technology Division and the Enrollment Management Division
First female dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
First female Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, 1993-1999
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE:
Past or current board member, The Fine Arts Fund, The Strive Initiative, The Vision 2015 Initiative, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Community Advisory Board, The Classical Music Hall of Fame, The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, The NKU Council of Partners in Education, American Democracy Project
Graduate, Executive Leadership Program, Harvard University
—Compiled by Jennifer Hogan Redmond
Career Women of Achievement honorees photography by Daylight Photo