CCI’s Women in Leadership Conference motivates female students to overcome career challenges

Posted by Amy Farnum Patronis on
Provost Garnett Stokes and Dr. Laura Osteen were two of the panelists at the Women in Leadership Conference on Feb. 4.

Florida State University’s College of Communication & Information (CCI) recently hosted the first  “No Limits: Women in Leadership” – a free event for college and high school female students on Feb. 4 at the Turnbull Conference Center.  The conference, co-sponsored by CCI and NetApp, was designed to teach young women about challenges facing female leaders and techniques to overcome those hurdles.

“Florida State’s young women are an inspiration to all of us and they are already doing great things,” CCI Dean Larry Dennis said.  “This conference will enable some of Florida State’s best and brightest students to develop the leadership skills they need and help them achieve their goals and aspirations.”

Dr. Laura Osteen
Dr. Laura Osteen

The event featured a six-person panel, which included two prominent women leaders from Florida State University — Provost Dr. Garnett Stokes and Dr. Laura Osteen, Director of Center for Leadership and Social Change.

The panel also included four women, who are leaders in their respective industries: Lesly Baer-Cardec, Randstad US, Sr. Director of PR & Content Marketing; Amishah Best-Bell, NetApp, Inside Sales Dev Manager; Colleen Smith McMillan, Citrix, Sr. Director – WW Services Partner Programs; and Dr. Kathleen M. Dalton, Senior Engagement Manager, Unisys Corporation. Following introductions of the panelists , a lively question and answer session with the students ensued.

Enara Nazarova
Enara Nazarova

“Having the chance to actually interact and learn from female leaders themselves is so empowering,” student Enara Nazarova said. “They have worked hard to earn their place in their fields as professionals and what they had to share with us was invaluable.”

Maria Arjona
Maria Arjona

“The Women in Leadership Conference was extremely empowering,” student and CCI outreach coordinator Maria Arjona said. “It gave me, as a female student, a lot of confidence in regards to my future and success in the Information Technology field, which is primarily male dominant. The panel of women business leaders was very helpful and offered some great advice about issues that women face in today’s society. The conference was very motivating, and I hope to see it grow in future years.”

“At NetApp, we take our responsibility to give back to our communities very seriously,” said Asmishah Best Bell, NetApp’s Manager of Inside Sales Development Team. “The leadership role Florida State University’s College of Communication & Information has demonstrated in the support of STEM and their activities to encourage young women to enter these important fields is an effort NetApp was honored to be a part of and support.  Our co-sponsored Women in Leadership Conference was pivotal and eye-opening event in the lives of many young students. Thank you Florida State for allowing NetApp to participate!”

Following the expert panel, students spoke with 26 breakout leaders – all successful business and industry leaders from the Tallahassee community.

Ashley Augustine
Ashley Augustine

“Just from attending this conference I have expanded by network by leaps and bounds,” student Ashley Augustine said. “I am now in contact with a Project Management professional in the D.C. area, who has given me great career advice. I have developed professional relationships with more of my peers whether they are in my career field or not. This Conference was a great success for me.”

“Women In Leadership provided me with the empowerment to allow myself to shine as an individual in the workplace,” student Skylar Matchett said.

A video produced by V89’s Anne Marie Lindemann of the event can be seen here:
youtube.com/watch?v=axbN54kN4sI&feature=youtu.be