Do You Embrace Your Greatness?

We all need role models, and this morning I attended the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) Women of Excellence awards. Carol Evans, President of Working Mother Media, and Betty Spence, PhD, President of NAFE, hosted the event. Both have unbounding energy and are committed to advancing women and girls. It's exciting to be around them. There were 13 honorees, several of whom I know personally. What struck me is that these women are bold risk-takers, and look to pay it forward. 

This year's wome of excellence winners included:

Helene Gayle, MD, MPH, President & CEO, CARE USA;
Elaine Sarsynski, Chairman, President & CEO, MassMutual Internationl LLC;
Robin Lenna, EVP, Corporate Benefit Funding; Chair of the Board, MetLife Assurance Ltd.;
Victoria McInnis, Chief Tax Officer, General Motors;
Aida Sabo, Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, Cardinal Health;
Sandy Carter, Vice President, Social Business Evangelism and Sales, IBM;
Rosemarie Lanard, VP, Employee Engagement & Diversity, McGraw Hill Financial;
Linda Descano, President & CEO, Women & Co; Managing Director & Head, Digital Partnerships, Content and Social, North America Maketing, Citi;
Tracey Gray-Walker, Senior Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company;
Donna Pepe, Founder & President, Communication Strategies, Inc.;
Beth Harrison, Head of Global Women's Empowerment, Corporate Affairs, Walmart;
Geri Shapiro, Regional Director, Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; and
Darlene Tranoski, Program Director for Women Against Child Trafficking. 

The message for me was that women at every level can step out more boldly and make their mark in their businesses, in their communities, and in the world. The time for change is now – not tomorrow, next year, or five years from now. Robin Lenna, MetLife, talked about stepping out of your comfort zone. I totally agree. 

We need more women leading businesses and assuming profit-and-loss (P&L operations) positions. We need more female leaders in government and in other organizations.

It is possible to create immediate change, one action at a time. 

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Janet Wigfield, Working Mother Media (left) with Dr. Betty Spence

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Dr. Betty Spence, Helene Gayle, and Carol Evans (left to right)