Unlocking women’s potential

4/12/2010 - An MBA isn’t just for those in the corporate world anymore.

Professionals in other careers — ranging from nursing to engineering to chemistry — are discovering the benefits of an MBA degree.

That’s the message the student organizers of the Women’s Leadership Workshop hope to convey to participants during the two-day event April 16 at 17 at the James L. Allen Center at Northwestern University.

Now in its fourth year, the workshop is an annual event that attracts high-potential women, who are early in their career and may be in industries where an MBA degree is not part of the traditional career path. The workshop features Kellogg faculty and alumni who will lead sessions on leadership lessons and career skills.

“Attendees are provided tangible leadership skills and are exposed to the value of the MBA through interactive modules delivered by some of Kellogg’s top professors, by networking with workshop participants, and meeting current Kellogg students,” said Jennifer Rowland ’10, event chair of the workshop. “More importantly, the weekend is designed to inspire and empower attendees to chart a meaningful path for their personal and professional development.”

The event will feature a keynote speech by alumna Dorothy Coyle '01, director of the Chicago Office of Tourism. Coyle was named one of the city’s “40 Under 40” by Crain’s Chicago Business and has presented at the U.S. Cultural and Heritage Travel Summit, the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism and numerous travel industry meetings.

Workshops on the first day include “Leading Teams” led by Katherine Phillips, associate professor of management and organizations, and “Values Based Leadership and True Balance in Your Life,” led by Harry Kraemer, clinical professor of management and strategy.

On day two, Julie Hennessy, clinical professor of marketing, will lead “Interviewing When the Product that You Sell is You.” Faculty members Sara Soderstrom, lecturer of management and organizations, and Michelle Buck, clinical associate professor of management and organizations, also will be leading sessions. They will deliver presentations on “Negotiating for Yourself: The Need to Ask and Ask Effectively,” and “Living a Life of Leadership: Putting it into Practice,” respectively.

Participants also will have opportunities to network, listen to a student panel and attend an optional admissions information session during the workshop.

The Women's Leadership Workshop is presented by the Women's Business Association and Kellogg Admissions.

For more information about the Women’s Leadership Workshop, please visit kellogg.northwestern.edu/wlw/