Passion Prevails at 18th Annual SWIB Conference

On Friday February 5th, close to 300 women, including prospective and current students as well as alumnae and SWIB corporate sponsors, came together for SWIB's 18th Annual conference.  Conference Co-Chairs Megan Mansolf (‘10) and Michelle Go ('10) did a fantastic job putting together an extremely impressive and engaging agenda within the conference theme of "Adaptation: Creating Opportunity in a Changing Environment" for the attendees to enjoy. Keynote speakers Andrea Jung, Chairman and CEO of Avon Products, and Deborah Doyle McWhinney, President of Personal Banking and Wealth Management at Citigroup, along with panels and a Spotlight Workshop, all focused on helping conference attendees adapt themselves and adjust their goals to the ever-changing economic conditions that exist today.

The morning kicked off with the traditional presentation of the Distinguished Alumna Award.  This year's recipient was Christine Schneider, MBA '94.  In her acceptance speech, Schneider focused on the importance of remaining involved in the Stern and SWIB communities after graduation, and encouraged current students to remain active in these communities as they embark on their careers following graduation.  Schneider practices what she preaches: as the head of SWIB Alumni committee, has dedicated her time and effort to ensuring that the active SWIB community extends to all SWIB alumnae.

Dean Henry took the podium next to welcome conference attendees and to introduce the morning keynote speaker, Andrea Jung, Chairman and CEO of Avon Products.  Dean Henry cited Stern's dedication to having one of the top female populations of top business schools as an integral part of the school's heritage, and he emphasized his dedication to continue recruiting and educating women leaders during his tenure as Dean of NYU Stern.  Dean Henry then introduced Andrea Jung, stating she "embodied exactly the kind of leader we want to create at Stern."

Andrea Jung delivered a phenomenal keynote address.  She cited the drastic changes that have taken place in the business world during her career to date, recalling that when she started working, most women in higher levels in business were in non C-Suite jobs, meaning that they might hold positions such as the Head of HR or PR, but that very few were CFO's, COO's, or CEO's.  While things have progressed dramatically even over the past few decades, Ms. Jung noted, "we are still far from where it should be."  As a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Ms. Jung said, "I feel a deep personal responsibility to ensure that the next generation of women sitting in this room has the opportunity to take the lead roles."

Ms. Jung's inspirational speech also included personal stories.  She shared anecdotes about growing up in Canada, the daughter of Chinese immigrant parents, never imagining that she would be the CEO of a company.  Upon graduating from Princeton University, Ms. Jung originally considered joining the Peace Corps in an effort to do something that contributed to society.  She also emphasized the importance of the conference's theme, Adaptation, and how it is relevant not only to today's businesses but also to all business leaders throughout their careers.  Ms. Jung spoke of the need for leaders to "fire themselves" from time to time in order to reinvent themselves to continue to make the best objective business decisions. 

Ms. Jung ended her address by sharing the things she has found critical to achieving success in business.  While she mentioned many objectives for one to follow, such as having compassion, courage and perseverance, pride and humility and balance in your life, she feels one of the most important factors to achieving success in business is to have passion for your work.  Ms. Jung stated that she has felt so fortunate to find a company that allows her to not only achieve business success, but also to give back to the community in ways that satisfy her Philanthropic goals as well.  The fact that Avon Products was founded on the basis of empowering women to "get out of the house and make their own money" and that the company, whose slogan is "The Company for Women," continues this dedication today in everything it does, has brought her personal satisfaction that keeps her focused, dedicated, successful, and happy with the decisions she has made in her career.  Ms. Jung summarized the need for passion as follows: "There are so many sacrifices with work, men and women who excel at what they do have a love affair with their work."

After the first keynote address, the attendees went to one of four panel discussions.  The first panel, "Rise of the Phoenix: Re-Inventing Yourself," focused on the delicate balance between embracing change and re-inventing oneself to staying focused on personal and professional paths.  The second panel, "Leading the Pack: Making Change from Within," focused on how to make powering and positive change in a company or industry while trying not to alienate yourself or others in the process.  The third panel, "Being a Chameleon: Changing Your Career to Fit Your Surroundings," focused on how women can change their careers, both in business school and after, to help fit their goals and lifestyles.  The fourth panel, "Personal Finance: Creating a Bull Market for your Financial Future," was a candid conversation about managing ones personal finances to help insure financial stability and security. 

SWIB Co-Presidents Catie Rosen (MBA '10) and Rebekah Ahn (MBA '10) kicked off the afternoon portion of the day with their presidents' address during the luncheon.  The Co-Presidents shared that they first met at the SWIB conference two years earlier, and were inspired at that time to become leaders in the organization.  Next, Dean Corfman introduced the afternoon's keynote speaker, Deborah Doyle McWhinney, President of Personal Banking and Wealth Management at Citigroup.