|
|||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The Most Powerful Women in HR
Human Resource Executive names the 25 most influential and prominent women leading HR organizations today.
Madelyn Jennings, retired senior vice president of human resources for the Gannett Co. and currently a principal in the Cabot Advisory Group consulting firm, remembers the time she won a golf tournament during a General Electric conference and outing. Her prize? A trophy with a male golfer on it. "It didn't occur to them that there might be women playing in the tournament too," she says, noting the incident seemingly occurred "100 years ago." Ronna Lichtenberg, president of management consultants, Clear Peak Communications, and author of Pitch Like a Girl: How a Woman Can Be Herself and Still Succeed, remembers the first time a colleague at Prudential Securities broached the idea that a woman working part-time should still be considered for promotion, a once unheard-of concept. "I was shocked," she says. She also remembers having to escape a forceful advance by a male co-worker-before there were sexual harassment laws. One hundred years ago, indeed. These days, women, especially in the HR field, are flexing a different kind of muscle-and making a difference for the women and men who work for their organizations. Slowly but surely, HR is going from a male-dominated, union-oriented, security-minded profession to a field attracting more and more strategically oriented women leaders who emphasize human resource initiatives tying their organizations' bottom lines to such concepts as executive compensation, health-care cost containment, work/life balance and talent management. The women at the top of the HR discipline have a solid grounding in business and understand organizations and people, say our honorees and others in the field. After soliciting input from our readership and seeking nominations from a host of experts, analysts, academicians and HR leaders, Human Resource Executive magazine received well over 100 nominations for its final list of the most influential and powerful women HR leaders. Our editorial board reviewed the nominations and chose 25 honorees whose levels of responsibility and achievements in their organizations and in the HR discipline are indicative not only of their strategic, hard-driving and imaginative abilities, but are also reflective of the ever-changing role of women in business today. It's not quite as lonely at the top as it used to be. Fourteen years ago, in 1991, there were only a few women among the top HR leaders in Human Resource Executive's list of the 50 largest U.S. companies. In 2001, nine of the top 50 companies had women in the senior spot, and last year-only three years later-that number jumped to 19. That's progress-progress that most of our honorees acknowledge, although many think corporate America still has a long way to go. As playwright and diplomat Clare Boothe Luce once said, "Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, 'She doesn't have what it takes.' They will say, 'Women don't have what it takes.' " Similar sentiments were expressed by some following the recent downfall of Carly Fiorina, former CEO at Hewlett-Packard Co.-one of the few women CEOs of a Fortune 500 company-but most of the powerful women in HR we interviewed for this feature believe women now stand on their own. HR isn't a pink-collar ghetto, but a position growing into a feeder-to-the-CEO job, they say. The mere existence of these powerful women-not even mentioning their active mentoring or role modeling-sends that message to their organizations. A recent survey by the Simmons College School of Management in Boston and H-P found that almost eight of 10 (78 percent) women under 34 had aspirations for the highest leadership positions. Of course, challenges exist for anyone who seeks such a position. "By and large," says honoree Kate DCamp, senior vice president of HR at Cisco Systems Inc., "it's very possible to have a great career as a woman, but you can't sit still and wait for someone to hand it to you." These women have not. They have overcome challenges, obstacles and barriers. Many of them have known what it's like to be the only woman in the room or at the table-or in a golf tournament. They've had to, many times, pave the way. Many of them note how difficult it is-and how important it is-to have a good work/life balance. As Golda Meir, a former prime minister of Israel, once poignantly said: "At work, you think of the children you've left at home. At home, you think of the work you've left unfinished. Such a struggle is unleashed within yourself, your heart is rent." Creating a work/life balance for employees is easier today because of the influence of women in HR, says Susan Meisinger, president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management in Alexandria, Va. Telecommuting, flex-time, job sharing, flexible pregnancy leave and other types of alternative work arrangements are all creative approaches devised because women in key roles-and, in many cases, the executive men who are married to such women or are the fathers of women entering the workforce-saw the necessity to create better ways to keep high-performing women in the corporate world and better ways to accommodate work and family life. Such changes have paid off, according to New York-based Catalyst, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization for women. A 2004 Catalyst study of about 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies revealed a 35 percent higher return on equity and a 34 percent higher total return to shareholders from companies with higher representation of women on their senior-management teams compared to companies with lower representation. There is no lack of women in corporate America today; the challenge now is moving more of them into senior-leadership positions, says Nan Langowitz, director of the Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College in Babson Park, Mass. "Many companies certainly have commented to me that they can track how their women progress and it seems to be sort of a glass cliff, if you will, and depending on the company, they know exactly where that level is," she says. The overt forms of discrimination against women, she says, are mostly gone. Now, women must contend with more subtle forms or double standards at some companies. But as Charlotte Whitton, a feminist and the first female to serve as mayor of a Canadian city (in this case, Ottawa) once said: "Whatever women do, they must do it twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult." Certainly not difficult for our honorees. TERRY KASSEL Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., New York Number of Employees: 50,600 Background: Prior to her current position, Terry was head of human resources for Merrill Lynch's U.S. Private Client group. Before joining USPC, she held a variety of leadership positions in the Office of General Counsel, including assistant general counsel responsible for managing the employment law and securities litigation groups. Before joining Merrill Lynch in 1985, she was a partner in private practice in New York and New Jersey. She serves on the board of managers of the Merrill Lynch Community Development Co. and is a trustee of the Winthrop H. Smith Memorial Foundation and of the Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation. She received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from New York University and a juris doctorate from Seton Hall University. Greatest accomplishment: Working with executive management and being in a position to help accelerate progress around diversity and leadership. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Inertia-the inherent human resistance to change. Many times, people will only accept change when there's a downside to not changing, which sometimes puts me in the position of having to create a downside. Future goals: Seeing more women and minorities in upper management roles. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Trust yourself and your instincts. If you think you can do it, go for it. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: The courage of my Merrill Lynch colleagues on Sept. 11, from Stan O'Neal (now our chairman) to thousands of people who worked night and day to ensure Merrill Lynch was open for business and ready to serve its clients, and that our colleagues were OK. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I would have recognized the importance of adapting my style as a leader, understanding that different people have different needs and expectations. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Running with my dog. Book I am currently reading: I never read just one book at a time, so right now I'm enjoying Bob Dylan's Chronicles, Philip Roth's The Plot Against America: A Novel, and Samantha Powers' A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. CD in my CD player: Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads Favorite saying/slogan: I keep an embroidered pillow in my office: "Behind Every Great Woman is Herself." I definitely believe that. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: When you look at the challenges facing women executives in a male-dominated business community, you have to go from the general to the specific. In general, most companies have an appetite to diversify and promote minorities. It's just that different folks achieve different levels of success depending on where they start. There's a general recognition that diversity is good, but everybody makes different progress. Any regrets? Too few to mention. JACQUELINE KANE Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: The Clorox Co., Oakland, Calif. Number of Employees: 8,600 Background: Jackie joined The Clorox Co. as vice president of human resources on March 29, 2004, and was later named senior vice president. Prior to joining Clorox, she spent more than three years at Hewlett-Packard. She joined H-P in September 2000 as director of executive and leadership development. In December 2000, she was appointed director of strategic change and played an important role in the acquisition of Compaq Computer Corp. During her last year, she held the post of vice president of executive leadership and human resources for corporate functions. Prior to joining H-P, Jackie served for 22 years in the financial services industry, including as senior vice president of human resources for the Global Capital Raising and Global Capital Markets Group at Bank of America. Greatest accomplishment: I don't have one great accomplishment, but a series of significant milestones: leading the Bank of America merger, leading strategic change when H-P and Compaq merged and, here at Clorox, making people strategy a critical building block in the success of the company. Greatest challenge or obstacle: My greatest challenges have also been my greatest opportunities to learn. I have been engaged in leading efforts that had no precedent, like the mergers. Those were just such opportunities. Future goals: I'd like to accomplish several things. At Clorox, I'm focused on our people strategy, enhancing the leadership of Clorox and developing a culture of diversity of thought. Also, I'd like to use my skills to advance the activities of organizations whose boards I serve on. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: I would give the same advice to women and men, and it applies beyond HR: It's important to have a passion for the work you're doing. You have to create an environment where you are continually learning. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: There have been a lot. What I'm currently having the most fun doing is teaching a course on strategic change at Harvard University. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I would have loved to work in more locations around the world. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: I'm known for enjoying professional and college sports, especially football and basketball. I also like to give back to the community. Book I am currently reading: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan. Most recent movie enjoyed: The Notebook Favorite saying/slogan: Carpe Diem (Seize the Day) Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: You need functional expertise and you should take a role outside your comfort zone because that's where you will develop the most. Finally, you need to create an environment where everyone can succeed. Maintaining a work/life balance really depends on what the families agree to. It's unique for each individual. Any regrets? No. ANNE deBRUIN SAMPLE Title: Senior Vice President of Worldwide Human Resources Company/Headquarters: PepsiAmericas, Chicago (executive offices in Minneapolis) Number of Employees: 14,000 Background: Anne has served in this position for the past three and a half years and is responsible for all aspects of compensation and benefits, communications, organizational capability, recruiting and employment, and employee relations. She began her career at Whirpool and joined PepsiCo in 1988. There, she held a number of managerial, director and vice president positions. Greatest accomplishment: The opportunity I've had to assemble such a fine staff and team of HR professionals is what I consider my greatest accomplishment. The folks I've brought on board and added to the team have just brought such enormous value to the business and are well-respected. Greatest challenge or obstacle: For me, the obstacle was jumping in quickly to work on the issues without the team. I think that's why it was such great learning. Future goals: We have built a strong HR team. I would probably like for that group to be recognized widely as being a talented group that adds enormous value. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: If people come into HR, they have to recognize that their very first obligation is to learn the business and be able to relate to the business challenges. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: I've had the opportunity to work for some great people who have inspired me through their leadership and feedback. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I'm not somebody who has a lot of regrets or looks for a lot of redo's. If I had the opportunity, I would have worked very, very hard to extend my time in a global assignment because an expatriate posting is just an incredible developmental opportunity. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: I'm hanging out with my family, playing with my kids, either skiing, boating or playing ball. I've got two boys, 10 and 7. We do a lot of outdoor activities. Book I am currently reading: America by Jon Stewart. I enjoy his sense of humor. It's always good to get different perspectives on the world. Favorite saying/slogan: I love to use quotes in communications. But there's not one I hang on to. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: Clearly, we still operate in a male-dominated workforce. There are challenges to anybody coming into a work environment. People have to be careful not to let that limit their performance. [Managing work/life balance] is the absolute biggest challenge. My family is absolutely first and foremost. Balancing those two is an incredible challenge. Any regrets? No. It's really a frame of mind in terms of how you look at the experiences you've had. There are things I wouldn't want to repeat again, but I wouldn't take them out of my background. GAIL T. LOVELACE Title: Chief People Officer Company/Headquarters: General Services Administration, Washington Number of Employees: 13,000 Background: Gail has been with the GSA since 1979 and was named its CPO in 1998. In this capacity, she is responsible for agencywide human capital management. She is a member of the International Personnel Management Association and the Chief Human Capital Officers Council. She was named to the 2000 Human Resource Executive Honor Roll and was a 2002 honoree of the Presidential Rank Award as a distinguished executive. Greatest accomplishment: I know I've done my job well when I see people or organizations I've helped become successful. Greatest challenge or obstacle: My personal drive for perfection gets in the way sometimes. When you're in the people business, my kind of intensity can create problems. I've actually learned to relax a little bit. Future goals: I'd most like to make a meaningful difference in the work life of federal associates; not with new programs necessarily, but simply by helping people understand how things work in the company and what avenues are open to them. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Search for and understand why you want to be in HR so the journey is really meaningful. The people business is unique and complex, so you need to be there for a reason. Helping people be successful is what drives me. You need to decide what it is about this business you care about. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Years ago, I was a newcomer at another government agency, already at a higher compensation level than people who'd been there for 20 or 30 years. Many barely made enough to support their families, yet were afraid of the repercussions from their bosses if they asked HR to help them make career-development moves. I realized people need to understand what opportunities exist and they need encouragement to try. That's our job, to help them open those doors. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I wish I had learned more about some aspects of HR, such as retirement, performance planning and metrics, the latter of which I'm learning a great deal about now. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Spending time with my husband and children. Book I am currently reading: Standing at the Scratch Line by Guy Johnson (son of Maya Angelou) Most recent movie enjoyed: Ray Favorite saying/slogan: Feel the fear and do it anyway. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: The obstacles faced by women in corporate America are still very much a problem, at work and at home, but at least women can actually get to the table. Staying there is more problematic. Any regrets? I don't always think I made all the best decisions about balancing work and life, but everything is a learning experience and every day gives you another chance to change the world. BONNIE C. HATHCOCK Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Company/Headquarters: Humana Inc., Louisville, Ky. Number of Employees: 14,000 Background: Bonnie joined Humana in 1999, where she brings a sales and marketing background to the human resource discipline. She previously was vice president of HR for US Airways and Siemens-Rolm, and served in sales and marketing roles at Xerox Corp. Greatest accomplishment: Securing the means to enter and graduate from college. I grew up in a wonderful home with lots of love and limited money. My high school plans had not included college, but I learned that progress is not necessarily a straight line. In my career at Humana, it has been repairing HR's reputation from broken to impactful. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Being promoted to the top HR role at Siemens with no HR experience. Those early days were quite challenging. I learned what it takes to be an effective corporate leader and, specifically, an effective HR leader. Future goals: To continue to make a difference for many years to come. When I finally do retire, I'd like to engage in helping people achieve all they can be. This may take the form of opening a school on the art of business protocol, coaching CEOs or top executives, or inspiring audiences to reach significant heights in their lives and careers. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR is: Stay out of the mire, the transactions. Hire talented, smart people-many with no HR background for maximum thought leadership. Concentrate on the truly high-impact initiatives that help you leave your mark on the company. Become one of your company's most compelling spokespeople. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Two teachers: one who pushed me beyond my environmental limitations ... and another who taught me the value of efficient, accurate, thoughtful, no-excuses work. Also, Siemens executive Peter Pribilla, who believed in my ability and promoted me-with a sales and marketing background-to the top HR role for the largest Siemens company in the United States. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I would have stayed in sales and marketing. I love HR and I want to continue making an impact ... but I can only wonder if I had stayed in sales and marketing what my career would have been. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: I'm enjoying one of life's blessings. Let's say, at an elegant spa or fine restaurant. I also like to use the creative side of my life. I design birdhouses and present them as gifts to friends and loved ones. Most recent movie enjoyed: Sayonara with Marlon Brando. CD in my CD player: Tim McGraw's Greatest Hits. Favorite food: Seafood served with sauce on the side, lots of fresh veggies, good earthy bread and a bite or two of cheesecake for dessert. Favorite saying/slogan: If the world were perfect, how would this have played out differently? JILL B. SMART Title: Managing Partner of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Accenture, New York Number of Employees: 100,000 Background: Jill is responsible for Accenture's global personnel management and capability development. Named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business in 2004, she is a director of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and a trustee on the board of the Accenture Foundation. She also sits on the President's Advisory Committee at the University of Illinois. Greatest accomplishment: As I was about to have my first child, I got the phone call that I was about to be made a partner at Accenture. . . . It wasn't achieving "partner" status, it was that my hard work had paid off. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Balancing my career and the needs of my family. I really have a great support system through Accenture. It's a great culture in terms of supporting each other. But even with that, that's the biggest challenge. Future goals: Any group has room to grow, and I would like to help make Accenture's HR department a best-practice organization in all facets. Before I leave, I want everyone, internally and externally, to feel that we're that kind of company in every aspect. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: I believe in telling people how it is, even when they don't like it. I want people to tell me if there's something they want me to do or change, and it's only fair to do the same. Person or event that most inspired me in my career: Steve James, the recently retired Accenture CEO, has inspired me in many ways. A long time ago, he asked me to do a project for a client, a difficult project. But he looked me in the eyes and said he knew I could do it. The way he looked at me made me feel so confident, and it really impacted me. Every day I went home and thought I was failing, but I asked for help, built a team, and a year later, it was successful. Book I am currently reading: Tribunal, by my mother, Pat Bellavia. I get to proofread her novels and see how they turn out. Most recent movie enjoyed: My 7-year old's choice: Alien vs. Predator. CD in my CD player: Now 15. It's a compilation of radio hits, because my 12-year-old daughter pretty much owns the CD player in the car. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: I do believe that there are many challenges centered around balance that do impact women, overall, maybe a bit more than men. But for women, it's a matter of being honest. You never get what you don't ask for. You have to be balanced. Any regrets? I don't think so. My mother always taught me that you can't look back at mistakes you made. But it's important to learn from them. JOAN CROCKETT Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Allstate Insurance Co., Northbrook, Ill. Number of Employees: 39,600 Background: Joan began her career with Allstate more than 32 years ago, joining the firm as an underwriter. She's held a number of HR positions at the corporate and division level. In her current position-which she's held since 1994-Joan oversees an HR team of nearly 600 employees and an annual budget of $80 million. In 1997, she was named HR Executive of the Year by Human Resource Executive and, in 1999, was elected to the National Academy of Human Resources. Joan received a bachelor's degree in political science from John Carroll University. Greatest accomplishment: I had the wonderful opportunity to take the helm of HR 10 years ago when we became a publicly traded company. Overnight, Allstate went from being a subsidiary of Sears that no one really knew much about to a Fortune 100 company. We've been on a steep learning curve as an organization ever since. As a public company, it's much tougher to compete. You not only have to worry about the competition, but you also have to balance the interests of all stakeholders. Ten years later, we've emerged as a much stronger company. We have a workforce that is highly skilled and engaged. And they get it. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Change in one form or another is always right on your heels-the challenge is to stay ahead of it. Future goals: I'd like to be able to look back at Allstate in the year 2031, when we're 100 years old, and see a thriving, vital organization. I'd like to be able to say that we never lost sight of all the fine things about our culture. Things like our commitment to diversity, to integrity and fairness. I'd like to be able to say that we kept the right balance between all of our stakeholders. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Know the business that you're in. Know how your business makes money. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: I'd have to say my mother, who passed away this past year. Mom instilled in me and my brothers and sister a strong work ethic; a sense of fairness in treating every individual with respect and dignity. What she taught me as a child, I've been able to apply to my work. Book I am currently reading: Diversity by Peter Wood. He argues today's definition of diversity has become a narrow type of conformity. On the lighter side, The Alphabet Murders by Sue Grafton Most recent movie enjoyed: I'm a classic movie buff. Casablanca comes to mind. CD in my CD player: Diana Krall. Favorite saying/slogan: I don't really have a favorite, but I've used a paraphrase of Rosabeth Moss Canter's quote on change-that in the middle, change can look like failure. It helps people stay the course and not give up. JEAN M. HALLORAN Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, Calif. Number of Employees: 40,000 Background: Jean joined Hewlett-Packard's Medical Products Group in 1980. Within that group, she held a number of positions in HR, manufacturing and strategic planning before becoming group personnel manager. In 1993, Jean was promoted to personnel manager for the Measurement Systems Organization and, in 1997, was made H-P's director of corporate education and development. She has served as Agilent's HR leader since August 1999 when it was spun off from H-P. Born in New York, Jean holds a bachelor's degree in art history from Princeton University and a master's in business administration from Harvard University. Greatest accomplishment: The actual launch of this company as an independent $8 billion start-up. I was the second or third person brought onto the management team of the new company, so I love to call myself the first volunteer. I'm proud we've made the Top 10 lists of employers in many countries. There are a lot of ways in which individuals feel their voices are heard here. Contributions from everyone and respect for the individual are the magic pieces of Agilent. I work here because I love what I do. Greatest challenge: The creation of a new company, helping 40,000 employees adjust to the new company. At the time, we were trying to imagine how these 40,000 employees would be able to go out and not be part of H-P; we thought it would feel like separation anxiety. Once we got over that, it really wasn't about separation, but about the creation of a new company. Then we were up and running and we got down to the business of being ourselves. Future goals: My dream would be demonstrating that great business results and human development are, at their best, the same thing, not two pieces of a seesaw that you try to balance. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Tell the truth and get real about your promises. Deliver the results you're accountable for. Person or event that inspired me in my career: The invitation to launch Agilent and, simultaneously, inventing a company, inventing my own job and learning how to do my job-the sheer exhilaration of doing something that big and that worthwhile for the first time. Book I am currently reading: I just finished reading Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom-his is an amazing story. Most recent movie enjoyed: What the #@&? Do We Know? CD in my CD player: Duke Ellington, Live at the Whitney Favorite saying/slogan: The significant problems we face cannot be solved with the same thinking that led to the problems in the first place. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: I don't have kids and I can't even imagine how it would be to have this job and to have children. I have great admiration for those who [manage it]. KAREN JENNINGS Title: Senior Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Communications Company/Headquarters: SBC Communications Inc., San Antonio Number of Employees: 167,000 Background: Since 1972, Karen has held many positions with SBC. Appointed president for Southwestern Bell in Missouri in 1996, she became vice president and general manager, operator services for SBC Telecommunications Inc. in 1997. Named senior vice president of human resources in 1999, Karen assumed her current role in July 2002. A 2004 Human Resource Executive Honor Roll recipient, Karen has also completed executive-development programs at Northeastern University and at the University of Michigan. Greatest accomplishment: Being part of a team that is dedicated to employees and successful at getting the job done. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Overseeing HR for more than 160,000 employees can be complex. When I was given the opportunity to add communications to the mix, it was a challenge to ensure that we excelled in both areas, but that turned into one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. Future goals: I am excited about the communications, made possible through technology, that we can bring our employees-it's top of my list. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: It's key that HR leaders advocate for employees, making sure they have the best benefits possible; work in a safe, friendly environment; and understand they have respect and appreciation from the executive team. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: SBC Chairman Ed Whitacre is one of the strongest advocates for employees and has a deep respect for the people on the front lines. I consider myself lucky to have one of the best role models in the business, with an understanding and appreciation of the key role human resources plays. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: When I reflect back, it's clear everything has happened for a reason. It's important people not focus on the past, but rather embrace what they've learned and apply it to today and future situations. CD in my CD player: "Mom Mix." My son made me a CD with songs he and I used to listen to. It's full of traditional rock with some classics from the '70s such as Neil Diamond. The first time I heard it, I cried. I was so touched. Favorite food: A great cheeseburger. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: I have learned that how people view circumstances is key to their success. I manage a work/life balance by understanding my personal and professional commitments, and by doing my best to address each. You don't have to be superwoman to be a good employee, wife, mother and daughter. . . . It just takes balance. Any regrets? I can look back and think that I might have done some things differently, but then I realize that this was exactly what needed to happen at that particular time in my life. I believe in looking forward. KATE DCAMP Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Cisco Systems Inc., San Jose, Calif. Number of Employees: 35,000 Background: Kate leads a global team of HR professionals responsible for the design and implementation of business strategies, programs and tools that focus on recruitment, retention, leadership, development programs and productivity. She's an active member of the National Advisory Board on Executive Compensation for WorldatWork and the professional society for Compensation and Benefits. Greatest accomplishment: I'm really blessed to work at something I completely love and I've always worked for really good companies. My greatest accomplishment at my current job is changing the game for what HR is in the company. HR was a hiring machine and wasn't necessarily focused on developing people. I've gotten HR a different seat at a different table here. Greatest challenge or obstacle: For years, I didn't want to be head of HR. When my boss was retiring, I finally took it on simply because I preferred not to have another HR boss. A lot of people get caught doing something they like and don't consider doing something new. It's probably better for your soul than doing what you like for a long, long time. Future goals: In my last six months on the planet, I would like to know that I had a really transformative effect on a lot of people. I'd like to know that I helped people see themselves and their possibilities in a different way. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Get a variety of experiences within and outside of HR. Opportunities to learn are always associated with a big challenge. I always say cast a wide net for talent and cast a wide net for experiences and influences. If you get stuck in your own groove, your perspective will narrow. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: My current boss has handled both adversity and triumph. He's very smart and also has a great big heart. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I can't say there's anything I would have done differently. I sort of believe that whatever happens, happens, and that life is always upward and forward. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: I'm with my family, probably cooking a great big meal. Book I am currently reading: Medical Mysteries, which is actually an old book I found in a secondhand bookstore. It's about how physicians figured out really hard, weird outbreaks. Most recent movie enjoyed: The remake of Manchurian Candidate. Favorite saying/slogan: It's actually Italian: Love rules without rules. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: Women have to be careful to find a company with other women working there who have thrived and survived and not only one other woman. And that it's part of the culture to like differences in people. Really good companies don't exclude great minds and great talent. Any regrets? I really don't look back that much. KATHLEEN S. BARCLAY Title: Vice President of Global Human Resources Company/Headquarters: General Motors Corp., Detroit Number of employees: 326,000 Background: Katy took on her current position in 1998. Her responsibilities include providing strategic HR counsel to GM units worldwide and coordinating GM's training and development activities. During her time at GM, Katy has held progressively higher positions of responsibility in HR, including manager of labor relations and director of compensation. She has spent most of her career at GM, except for stints at Southland Corp. and Allen-Bradley Co. from 1981 to 1985. Katy, a Milwaukee native and a 1978 graduate of Michigan State University, earned a master's in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology through the Sloan Fellowship program. In 2000, she was named a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. Greatest accomplishment: Handling the job I have and raising a terrific family. I have two teen-age sons and a great husband; to me, that's the greatest thing. Future goals: I'm at that age where you're starting to think about legacy. When I leave the company, I would like to look back and know I've had a significant hand in building the capabilities of the people here, making sure we've got a great system for developing great leaders and a great culture that drives performance around the world. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Acquire a deep understanding of the business. Truly understand how it's wired together, how work gets done, how synergies are created and capabilities leveraged. Do that as an HR leader and your effectiveness will be multiplied exponentially. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I would have pushed harder earlier in my career to get an international assignment and get more operating experience. It goes back to the issue of deeply understanding the business. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Watching my sons play sports-they play baseball and basketball. They're both in high school. Except for when the score is tied, that's when I'm most relaxed and happy. Most recent movie enjoyed: The House of Sand and Fog. It's about the misunderstood goodness of people. CD in my CD player: My Spanish tapes Favorite food: I have two: popcorn and veal saltimbocca. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: Maintaining the work/life balance is definitely a challenge, especially when you have a job like this (I'm on the road a week or so each month). You have to be very organized, allocate time wisely and, most importantly, have your priorities straight. If getting to a basketball game today is really important to me, I'll manage everything else around that. And if you have a dual career with your spouse-well, we have to constantly manage our calendar. Once a week we're looking out three months ahead-who's out of town, who's out for the evening, what the kids have for commitments, workload-it's a constant juggle. But it can be done. LAURIE SIEGEL Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Tyco International, Princeton, N.J. Number of Employees: Approximately 260,000 Background: Laurie has worldwide responsibility for leading the company's strategies in the areas of leadership development, organizational effectiveness, compensation and benefits, staffing, learning and human resource systems and processes. She joined Tyco in 2003 after serving as vice president of human resources for Honeywell International for eight years. She also serves on the board of directors of Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. Greatest accomplishment: I hope to look back and say my greatest professional accomplishment was building a capable and well-respected HR organization at Tyco-not completely, but, in some respects-from scratch. We have made great progress to date, but there is still a lot of work to do. Greatest challenge or obstacle: There is a mixed view of the HR profession. Some business leaders have come to expect and demand big things from the function. Others still look to us only for transactional support and fail to see how our contributions make their organizations work better. The challenge for most human resource professionals, I believe, is establishing credibility and influencing those in the latter category. Future goals: I think you know you have really penetrated an organization when you can look to the most specific organizational level (a single facility, possibly in a remote corner of the world) and see an integrated, effective and aligned human resource capability. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: My father was a physician and always said that the keys to his success were the three "C"s-competence, compassion and communication. It may not be the most sophisticated leadership model, but I believe that those three attributes will take you far. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: I was very lucky, growing up (professionally speaking) at AlliedSignal under the tutelage of Don Redlinger -- one of the greats. I often think today, "What would Don do or say in this situation?" Don had a certain wisdom that is hard to emulate, but that was certainly inspiring. Also, Larry Bossidy (Honeywell's former chairman and CEO) always led with great character and put the agenda of developing people at the forefront of business success. If I had to do it over, I would have done this differently: I wouldn't change a thing. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: We spend a week on Martha's Vineyard every summer. Book I am currently reading: I just finished The Kite Runner, which I really enjoyed. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: It would be naïve to say that career women will never encounter those who think they are less savvy or less capable because they are women. But I do believe the obstacles are surmountable. Overall, it's clear women have opportunities in today's business world to be very, very successful. Work for leaders who know that your value is not diminished by the fact that you are a woman. Any regrets? None. LEA SOUPATA Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: United Parcel Services Inc., Atlanta Number of Employees: 360,000 Background: A native of New York, Lea joined UPS in 1969 and now manages the HR function for all its employees worldwide. Following several assignments with UPS in HR, sales and operations, Lea became the district manager of the company's Central New York District in 1990. Prior to being appointed to her current position, she was named vice president of HR. Lea serves as chair of The UPS Foundation, the company's charitable arm, and has been active in a number of community service programs including the United Way. She is a trustee of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic foundation dedicated to helping disadvantaged children. She also serves as a board member of Junior Achievement of Georgia and the HR Policy Association, and is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. Greatest accomplishment: Having the opportunity to serve as a general manager has been a very important part of my career. Because I was responsible for all facets of the business, I was able to get close to the people and see them progress in their jobs. Greatest challenge: Topping the list is balancing the need for change with our UPS culture legacy. In recent years, we've grown the business through acquisitions and have added people to the organization with different business practices. Given this, we have to make sure we don't lose the values we've established-and we must ensure that every member of the workforce (including those joining us) understands what we stand for as a company. Future goals: I'm proud of the succession-planning process we've been able to develop and enhance over the years, but believe there continues to be room for improvement. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Whatever leadership position you're in or whatever industry you're working in, know what entry-level people do and understand the business model. Person or event that most inspired me in my career: It was having the opportunity to work in operations and learn the business. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I would have grasped more quickly the true meaning of moving from being a people advocate to a business partner. Book I am currently reading: Night Fall by Nelson DeMille Most recent movie enjoyed: The Notebook CD in my CD player: Motown hits Favorite food: Wine LIBBY SARTAIN Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief People Yahoo Company/Headquarters: Yahoo! Sunnyvale, Calif. Number of Employees: 8,000 Background: Libby joined Yahoo! in 2001 to lead the global human resources efforts and manage and develop the HR team. Previously, she was vice president of people at Southwest Airlines. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. Greatest accomplishment: Two things: A number of people who have worked for me and I have mentored have gone on to very great things in their careers; secondly, the organizations I have worked for have become better places to work because of what my team and I have done. Greatest challenge or obstacle: As a young woman who liked fun and a good joke, the challenge for me was to be taken seriously. Once I got to a certain age and certain level, that wasn't as hard anymore. It became part of my own personal brand and people liked that about me. Future goals: I would love to see Yahoo! recognized as one of the best companies to work for in the world. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: It's all about business first. I think some women have great people skills, but they lose sight of the fact that this is a company and the company has goals and strategies they have to accomplish for their shareholders, customers and employees. One mistake I made when I was younger was I felt I had to win and that meant somebody had to lose. Maybe I won the argument, but I lost the business relationship. It's better to foster relationships. Get your point across and nobody wins and nobody loses. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Working in the culture of Southwest Airlines for the 13 years I was there, I was inspired every single day by those people. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: It would have been very valuable and fun to go into business operations and run a plant, but it hasn't hurt me. It would have made me more aware of what business leaders need from HR and their challenges. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Getting together with my family and friends, relaxing and enjoying their company. Book I am currently reading: Ten Minutes from Normal by Karen Hughes. CD in my CD player: Norah Jones Favorite food: Fried seafood platter and a very rich chocolate dessert. Favorite saying/slogan: Get over it. There are a lot of people who are all upset about something that happened, and you can't change it. You can only change the future. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: You make trade-offs because of work/life balance and you pick the best options that you have. I have sometimes chosen work over family and, at times, my family has not been so happy with me. I bet men have those same situations. SUZANNE F. MEDVIDOVICH Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: United States Postal Service, Washington Number of Employees: 700,000-plus Background: Suzanne joined the USPS in 1974 as a letter carrier at the New Cumberland, Pa., post office. In November 1999, she was selected as the vice president of area operations for the Midwest Area and, in February 2001, was named senior vice president of human resources for the entire organization, reporting directly to the Postmaster General. She oversees and has greatly influenced diversity development and employee resource management, has been an instrumental force in expanding USPS' training and development and executive orientation programs, and successfully guided her workforce through the post-9/11 anthrax crisis. Greatest accomplishment: My department has been able to help employees make decisions about their lives and careers through technology, maintain a safe and secure work environment, and use training and development to create a succession pool of well-skilled future leaders. Greatest challenge or obstacle: We are currently replacing our existing outdated technology with one HR system, provided by SAP, that is streamlined, standardized and automated, and will be the biggest HR system in the world, integrating 83 HR business processes. Future goals: I would like every one of our employees to understand how valuable they are, what their role is in serving our customers, how they contribute to the success of the organization and what this means to their personal successes and lives. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Seek out organizations that value diversity and the strategic role HR plays in the overall success of the organization. Person or event that most inspired me in my career: Postmaster General Jack Potter inspired me to take on greater challenges during the anthrax terror attack on the Postal Service. During this period, every function in our organization remained bonded as a solidified team protecting our employees, customers and our brand. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: Sept. 11 and the anthrax crisis heightened our recognition of the need to understand the roles of other agencies, and the need for coordination and collaboration between them. At the time, we did not have contacts in the other federal agencies, which caused us a lot of extra effort. Today, we are involved with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Homeland Security, the Centers for Disease Control, as well as many other organizations. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Spending time with my children and grandchildren. Book I am currently reading: The Fred Factor: How Anyone Can Make the Ordinary Extraordinary by Mark Sanborn Most recent movie enjoyed: The Bourne Supremacy Favorite saying/slogan: Take care of the customer. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: There are managers who are more comfortable with male peers than female, but fortunately, they are fading out of control positions. To the women who are still feeling excluded in a male-dominated society, I say: "Be more assertive and refuse to be ignored." MIRIAN GRADDICK-WEIR Title: Executive Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: AT&T, Bedminster, N.J. Number of Employees: 47,000 Background: Mirian joined AT&T in 1981 and held a variety of HR assignments before becoming director of AT&T's Consumer Service Centers in the eastern United States. In 1994, she moved back into HR, eventually being named to the top position. She is a member of AT&T's Executive Committee, and was named HR Executive of the Year by Human Resource Executive magazine in 2000. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. Greatest accomplishment: The successful implementation of a large-scale HR outsourcing project in 2002, which was risky at the time and faced a fair amount of resistance inside the company. Also, personally, my getting teen-age girls out of the house and into college. In today's environment, it's extremely tough, especially being a career woman juggling job and family and ending up with kids being happy-that's something I am proud of. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Trying to change HR policies and practices in a company that was rooted in a monopoly and then has transitioned into a fiercely competitive environment. Future goals: I'd like to pass along lessons learned and experiences to others to help them be successful business partners as well as make a broader contribution to the HR profession. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: My dad, Sam Massenberg. He always pushed me to realize my potential when I might have had more of a limited perspective of what I might do in terms of my career. He was an Air Force pilot who was shot down and was a POW during the Korean War. He always said, "You can be faced with extraordinary obstacles and you can choose to let those obstacles overcome you or you can choose to overcome those obstacles." If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: As I look back, there's not a whole lot of regrets. I think I have been truly blessed. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: I'm sitting on a fabulous beach reading a novel. Book I am currently reading: Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue, by Jane Pauley, her autobiogaphy. Most recent movie enjoyed: Ray CD in my CD player: Lionel Ritchie Favorite food: French food. Rack of lamb is a favorite. Also, French desserts: crème brulee, souffle. Favorite saying/slogan: Life is about getting out of your comfort zone and really experiencing new challenges. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: I'm not sure there are more career obstacles per se for women than men; maybe there are different obstacles. There are still very few women up in senior positions, so it's very lonely at the top. A lot of times, you are paving the way. I think women have a little tougher time juggling career and family because, no matter how supportive your husband or partner is, women bear more of the burden. NANCY A. RAE Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: DaimlerChrysler Corp., Auburn Hills, Mich. Number of Employees: 86,718 Background: Nancy has been the top HR leader since 2000, having spent her career with Chrysler, starting in 1978 as an interviewer qualifier at its truck assembly plant in Warren, Mich. Nancy earned a master's degree in industrial relations and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Eastern Michigan University. Greatest accomplishment: Over the last five years, I led my HR organization through a total change of top leadership, in addition to a three-year companywide turnaround starting in 2001 that cut costs by more than $70 million. Today, HR is strategically aligned with the company's long-term business plan through our centers of expertise, and is taking a more aggressive approach in staffing, competency and organization modeling in anticipation of future business needs. I'm especially proud of our global diversity efforts, particularly for women. Greatest challenge: We are in a fiercely competitive environment today and, as an HR organization, have moved beyond the turnaround days in which we played a key role in restructuring the company. We now have to look at business differently-not just at acquiring the right skill sets, but on developing leaders. Future goals: As a global company, we have more opportunity for global integration and global diversity efforts, particularly as they relate to gender differences. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Know the business and deliver on commitments. In addition, have a "can-do" attitude; always go that extra mile. Be ahead of what the customer wants and take advantage of opportunities for growth, even assignments you might not want at first. Lastly, always be willing to give back in mentoring roles. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Early in my career, I watched effective leaders put others at ease, regardless of situations or circumstances. I've also watched them empower and encourage employees beyond what they think is possible. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I have a 16-year-old daughter and the time has flown since she was a little girl, happy with Barney videos. Savor that "high" once in awhile, be it a trip, vacation or school project with your child. We all need to stop, smell the roses and savor success before we move on to the next crisis or challenge. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Vacationing with my family. Book(s) I am currently reading: Good to Great by Jim Collins; The Broker by John Grisham. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: It really is possible to maintain a balance in your work and life. Don't play that guilt-trip line. Make a decision to do something, but then don't second-guess your decision. Be 110 percent when you're at home and 110 percent at work, but don't try to be some place other than where you are at each and every moment. PATTI AYARS Title: Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Communications Company/Headquarters: Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis Number of Employees: 3,500 Background: Patti has held positions leading both domestic and international HR functions in a broad range of businesses. Her extensive experience with designing organizations and people processes has helped shape the organization's culture, drive excellence in communications and integrate people development as a business process. She is co-author of the book, Mastering Momentum: A Practical and Powerful Approach for Successful Change. Greatest accomplishment: Creating transformational changes in multiple organizations. I don't point to just one specific accomplishment, but anything that changed and therefore helped people move beyond outdated thinking that was limiting the possibilities of what they and the company could achieve. At Roche, we have transformed the culture and moved it forward to the point that we were recently named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. Greatest challenge or obstacle: To enable people to become what they want to be and sometimes not having someone realize their full potential. I can really see the possibilities in people but that [may not be] what they want. Future goals: My personal mission is to bring out the best in others so they can realize their full potential and what their dreams are, and create organizations or environments where people can flourish. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Be yourself. Be clear on your priorities, be clear about the difference you want to make. Don't make trade-offs that aren't consistent with who you are and what your life objectives are. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Generally, seeing people accomplish goals they never thought possible. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I would have moved from manufacturing to partnering with sales and marketing and other functions early in my career so I would have diversified my experiences earlier. I would have found stronger mentors earlier in my career because I think they could have helped accelerate my learning curve. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Spending time with my family. I love to travel with them, experience the world. Book I am currently reading: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. It's a good reminder how to keep faith alive in a very busy world. Most recent movie enjoyed: Under the Tuscan Sun. It was light, fun. Favorite saying/slogan: Meet people where they are, not where you would like for them to be. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: Clearly, business relies on networks and the relationships that people have to function in. However, I find that competence breaks down a lot of the obstacles. If you're one of those people, I think you create opportunities for yourself. Any regrets? I really don't have any. I learn from every experience I've gone through. NANCY REARDON Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources and Communications Officer Company/Headquarters: Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J. Number of Employees: 24,000 Background: Prior to joining Campbell in August 2004, Nancy served as executive vice president of human resources for Comcast Cable Communications Inc. She has also worked for Borden Capital Management Partners, Duracell Inc., American Express, Avon and General Electric. She is a member of the Human Resources Planning Society, the Society for Human Resource Management and the Philadelphia Women's Forum. Nancy is a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., with a bachelor of science degree in psychology with honors. She earned her master of science degree in social psychology from Syracuse University. Greatest accomplishment: My emphasis has been on creating a business partnership where the HR and communications functions are integral to creating business success. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Helping line leaders see people as assets, not overhead. Bright, talented people can figure problems out and add value. Future goals: Campbell has wonderful brand equity. I'd like to see our company gain the reputation of matching talent with brand esteem. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Build a well-rounded business foundation, including financial knowledge, and develop an understanding of the dynamics of the industry you are working in. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Bob Haughton, an early mentor at GE who headed employee relations for international, demonstrated an exceptional balance of leadership, personal integrity, high work standards and cross-cultural expertise. I just remember the standards that he had, for himself and his team. He did flawless work, and he was very insightful in picking the right issue to work on. He was very strategic. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I'd "stop and smell the roses." I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: I'm an avid skier. Book I am currently reading: The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien. The book was selected by the One Book, One Philadelphia program, an initiative by Philadelphia's mayor and the city's library system that encourages the Greater Philadelphia population to read and discuss a single book. CD in my CD player: A Prairie Home Companion: 25th Anniversary Audio Celebration Favorite saying/slogan: Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.-William Jennings Bryant. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: It's a big issue right now, considering the news about [the recent forced resignation of Hewlett-Packard CEO] Carly [Fiorina]. On the other hand, there's Brenda Barnes taking over [as president and CEO] at Sara Lee. I think it's clear we're not there yet, but we've made a substantial amount of progress. It's unfortunate to see the articles intimating that [Carly's ouster] happened because she is a woman. Any regrets? Not at all. PATRICIA NAZEMETZ Title: Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Xerox Corp., Stamford, Conn. Number of Employees: 58,100 Background: Patricia joined Xerox Corp. in 1979 as a benefits operations manager and held a variety of assignments in human resources before being named to her current position in 1999. Before joining Xerox Corp., she worked as a benefits analyst at W. R. Grace & Co. She serves as a director on the boards of the National Business Group on Health and Catholic Health Services of Long Island, where she chairs the human resource committee. She is also a trustee of Fordham University, where she serves as vice chairman of the board. She received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and a master of arts degree in philosophy from Fordham. Greatest accomplishment: Personally, my family is my greatest accomplishment. Professionally, it's been helping to keep Xerox's best talent on board during difficult times. Greatest challenge: Keeping up with the pace of change. Future goals: Peace of mind and a way to "give back." My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Be smart, be honest and keep your sense of humor and your perspective. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: The courage of our senior team-led by Chairman and CEO Anne Mulcahy -- to face adversity and turn it away. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: Nothing. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Unwinding with family and friends. Book I am currently reading: The Motive by John Lescroart Most recent movie enjoyed: Million Dollar Baby Favorite saying/slogan: I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.-e.e. cummings. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: Balance is something you have to bring or achieve yourself. It's different for everyone and it takes some "trial and error" to get it right. Any regrets?: Not really. Mostly, things have gone better than I could have hoped -- as much by luck as by choice. EVA SAGE-GAVIN Title: Executive Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Gap Inc., San Francisco Number of Employees: 150,000-plus Background: Eva joined Gap Inc. in March 2003. Prior to that, she worked at Sun Microsystems, where she was the senior vice president of human resources, and at Disney Consumer Products, a division of The Walt Disney Co., also as the senior vice president of human resources. In addition, she served in various senior human resource leadership positions for PepsiCo Inc., including its Taco Bell division, and for Xerox Corp. Greatest accomplishment: I've had a combination of personal and professional success. I've always had a goal to be in a role like this since I was 15 years old, to work somewhere in the senior HR world. I've also been happily married for 15 years and have a 9-year-old daughter. My biggest accomplishment is being able to do all three. Greatest challenge: The challenge is in having to make very tough choices to be successful. I've relocated 14 times and signed up for assignments that others weren't interested in. Future goals: I want to leave a legacy that I am known for the business results I've produced and for developing a world-class HR team. I'm a strong believer in the idea of functional excellence and setting the cultural tone from the top. Since joining Gap two years ago, we've worked to clarify and set a global culture. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Know the business, the core business you're in. Know how profit is realized in your business; then apply your HR skills to that. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Two things. One is the idea of mentorship. I had great high-school teachers who were mentors and had many other mentors along the way in my career. Second, I sold technology systems for Xerox in the early 1980s. It helped me understand the core business and what employees go through. Those lessons were never forgotten. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I'm happy with the tough choices I've made, but I would have finished an MBA I started. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: I love to ski. Book I am currently reading: Confidence: How Winning Streaks and Losing Streaks Begin and End by Rosabeth Moss Kanter. I always give Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan as gifts. Most recent movie enjoyed: In Good Company Favorite saying/slogan: You only go around once, so go for it. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: There are two challenges for women in their careers. They need better access to information through informal networks and, when a woman's career takes off, often that is when tough personal choices must be made. Any regrets? Fourteen relocations were more disruptive than they needed to be. I could have skipped a few of those moves, been less disruptive to my family and still achieved success. SHEILA KEARNEY DAVIDSON Title: Vice President and General Counsel Company/Headquarters: New York Life Insurance Co., New York Number of Employees: 8,100 Background: A member of New York Life's executive management committee, Sheila is responsible for the company's human resources, office of government affairs, employee health and corporate health in addition to being general counsel. She joined New York Life's office of general counsel in 1991 after several years with the National Association of Securities Dealers. Sheila received her juris doctorate from George Washington University. She and her husband, Anthony, live in New York with their two children. Greatest accomplishment: Achieving a work/life balance with a 6- and 3-year-old, both boys. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Being asked to do things outside my area of expertise. I started out as a Wall Street regulator, and I came here when the company was just starting out in the securities business. Then I was asked to take over the insurance area in the office of general counsel. Then the chairman asked me to take on the HR function. Every time I've been asked to stretch and grow, it's really worked out for me. Future goals: Continue to step up to the plate. I wanted to be a journalist, I wanted to be a nun, I wanted to be a lawyer. To this day, I don't have a final goal, but I've really enjoyed my career. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: I tell them, first, push yourself outside your comfort zone, and second, project an air of confidence -- but you need to be very well-prepared in order to do that. Anticipate questions and have others critique your thinking. Don't apologize for your opinions -- make sure they're well-researched, but don't be suffused with self-doubt. Don't let anyone shout you down when speaking -- I've seen, time and again, men tend to raise their voices and women tend to be quieter. Be confident, but don't make it a false confidence. Person or event that most inspired me in my career: My mother -- she was a reporter, she worked on the morning edition of the paper so she could be at home during the daytime, then switched to the afternoon desk when we got older. I don't have this baggage about being a working mother because mine was a working mother. To me, that was inspirational because I felt that my mother had a value and identity beyond just being my mom. I'm very proud to pass that along to my sons. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Playing with my kids and going to soccer games and birthday parties. Book I am currently reading: Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield Most recent movie enjoyed: The Incredibles Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: Technology, such as the BlackBerry, is a great enabler [for working mothers]. It allows for a fluidity that didn't exist before, back in the days of fax machines and bicycle messengers. SUSAN TOY STERN Title: Chief Deputy Director Organization/Headquarters: County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Number of Employees: 85,000 Background: Susan assists in the direction and administration of the county's HR program and has been responsible for all aspects of human resources, ranging from recruitment and employee relations to compensation and training. She also served as president of the International Public Management Association-Human Resources in 2001 and has been an active member in other organizations, such as the Southern California Personnel Management Association. Greatest accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment will be accumulative in the impact we've had helping our departments to recruit and retain the best qualified individuals to meet our public-sector needs. Greatest challenge or obstacle: One of the biggest challenges we had a number of years ago was during our budget cuts; we had countywide downsizing. There were about 3,500 employees that were downsized. Future goals: My biggest to-do is to prepare the next generation. The whole workforce-planning initiative -- not just for HR but throughout the county -- is to help our department managers, in association with our chief administrative office, identify their strategic workforce plans, develop their succession plans, identify individuals at the right place at the right time for future needs and also train the new generation of workers. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Select good people who can go out and help achieve the vision and leadership that your [organization] has identified and help get its work done. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: I've had a number of great mentors and managers who have guided me. Probably my leadership skills are honed from what I saw in them and what I learned from them along with my ability to match it to my personal attributes and then make it work and be comfortable for me. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: I'm not sure I would have done anything differently. I've learned from my mistakes and was lucky enough to have managers who supported me through the mistakes. Book I am currently reading: I'm not. I have so much reading that I take home every night. Favorite saying/slogan: I have to borrow it from a colleague: Life is great. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: The whole field has changed from male-dominated to an equal 50-50, if not more female-dominated. We've seen that women who have critical leadership skills and knowledge are succeeding even despite gender issues. Part of my philosophy is work hard and play hard. I've learned that I have to make that focus to put aside the work, even though I take it home, to concentrate on taking time for myself and my family in order to rejuvenate and get ready for the next week. Any regrets? No. HR was the best fit for me. SUSAN J. COOK Title: Vice President of Human Resources Company/Headquarters: Eaton Corp., Cleveland Number of Employees: 51,000 Background: Prior to joining Eaton in 1995, Sue was vice president of human resources at Tandem Computers Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. While at Tandem, she was on the American Electronic Association's executive HR committee. Prior to joining Tandem, she had a 17-year career in human resources at IBM Corp. Her last position at IBM was in the personal computer business, where she was personnel manager at IBM's 11,000-employee complex at Boca Raton, Fla. Sue received a master's of business administration in personnel management and industrial relations from Loyola University in 1977 while with IBM. She holds a bachelor of arts in history from the University of Colorado. She has been involved with the HR Policy Association for more than 10 years and currently serves on its board of directors. Greatest accomplishment: My willingness to take risks and pursue opportunities when they presented themselves. Greatest challenge or obstacle: My attitude is "play the hand you're dealt." There are no obstacles. Future goals: Ensuring there is a talented human resource team in place that will step up and help Eaton achieve its high-performance goals. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Worry less about being a woman in a leadership role and focus more on just being a good leader. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: Childhood competition with my brother, and being part of a winning organization: These helped create a permanent, positive and winning mind-set. If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: Without question-get more global experience. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Playing golf on a great sunny Florida day. Book I am currently reading: Night Fall by Nelson deMille CD in my CD player: Kenny Chesney, When the Sun Goes Down Favorite food: Ice cream Favorite saying/slogan: No whining . . . play the hand you're dealt. MARY JEAN CONNORS Title: Senior Vice President Company/Headquarters: Knight Ridder Inc., San Jose, Calif. Number of Employees: 18,000 Background: Mary Jean joined Knight Ridder's corporate staff in 1988 as assistant to the senior vice president of news and operations. She served as vice president of human resources for Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. from February 1989 to December of that year before returning to Knight Ridder as vice president of human resources. Promoted to senior vice president of HR in September 1996, Mary Jean was named senior vice president in 2003 while continuing to oversee the HR function. She serves on Knight Ridder's executive committee, acts as chairman of the Board of California Strategic Human Resources Partnership and, in 2003, received the Human Resources Excellence Award from the HR Symposium in California. Greatest accomplishment: The alignment of an entire company around goals and accountability. Greatest challenge or obstacle: Motivating people in an existing culture to try new things and develop new skills. Future goals: To leave a legacy of top talent, including a successor ready to step in seamlessly. My advice to women seeking leadership roles in HR: Put your ego in your pocket and act ethically in pursuit of the highest and best aspirations of the company. The person or event that most inspired me in my career: My first and only female boss, Janet Chusmir, succeeded further than other women before her and created a possibility for me by helping me see that I, too, could fill big shoes. I'm most relaxed and happy when I'm doing this: Gardening Book I am currently reading: The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant Most recent movie enjoyed: Sideways CD in my CD player: An Italian language study course Favorite food: Salad Favorite saying/slogan: It is in giving that we receive. Additional views on career women and work/life struggles: The key to success for me has been to avoid playing the victim, not choosing to work in environments where opportunities I sought were closed and working to help open doors for others. ... I think the number of women in top Fortune 100 jobs tell you that some exclusions and setbacks exist. But we shouldn't focus on those as a reason not to achieve. We should focus on opportunities, and on opening more opportunities for women who follow us. I have a strong marriage and other interests. I find time. I'm organized. I don't work just to work. I delegate. I prioritize. Those aren't magic bullets. But somehow it all gets done. Any regrets? I didn't take advantage of an opportunity to study abroad when I was in college. My mother wasn't in favor of my pursuing the opportunity, and I used that as an excuse. With the wisdom of middle age, I realize that I could have persuaded my mother-or at least prevailed upon her-and I really just wasn't mature enough to understand what I was giving up. I believe now that I was a little afraid and lacked the confidence to go for it.
April 2, 2005 Copyright 2005© LRP Publications |
||||||
Print
Email
Write to the Editor
Reprints
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
© Copyright 2010 LRP Publications. All rights reserved.
|
||||