To recognize International Women’s Day 2016, we asked female faculty and students from across the business school to tell us about women who inspire them, what challenges they’ve faced in the workplace or school, and what hopes they have for women in business in the future.
Claudia Ewing
MSACCY Candidate
How have you overcome challenges, personally or professionally, as a woman in business school or the workplace?
“Taking challenges as an opportunity and not a threat. By realizing I am in charge of my future.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“There are still too many women that leave their careers because they believe or are pushed to believe they cannot be “business” women and mothers at the same time.”
Ayse Balta
Supply Chain Management Senior
What women inspire you and why?
“The ones that have had faced challenges.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“I would like to see more women in management roles.”
Klavdia Ballard
Strategic Management, Ph.D. Candidate
What women inspire you and why?
“Working and studying mothers.”
Judy Mai
Supply Chain Management Sophomore
What women inspire you and why?
“My mom inspired me because of the amount of time she has invested in my professional growth, education and morals. Although she has never stepped foot in a corporate office nor understands how the recruiting process goes, she’s taught me to persevere and keep trying, over and over again.”
How have you overcome challenges, personally or professionally, as a woman in business school or the workplace?
“Instead of even considering the financial aid and advancement opportunities, I learned to just go with the flow. I joined organizations to build leadership skills, network to build a family in Bauer, and make differences from what I learn in class and my community.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“I see many more corporate positions opening up to women. I hear more open doors being readily accepting for our thoughts, ideas and opinions. More importantly, I see more opportunities for growth.”
Marina Sebastijanovic
Clinical Assistant Professor, Management
How have you overcome challenges, personally or professionally, as a woman in business school or the workplace?
“A challenge that any international woman faces—finding her identity in a new culture and finding their place in a still predominantly male work environment.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“An opportunity to be viewed as a part of the team, not just symbols of equality in the workplace.”
Leeza Pavlyshyna
MSACCY Candidate
What women inspire you and why?
“Women that conquer the world of business.”
How have you overcome challenges, personally or professionally, as a woman in business school or the workplace?
“I have had to work harder and smarter to prove my worth in the workplace.”
Naomi Cosman
Marketing & Sales Senior
What women inspire you and why?
Anne Frank, My mother, Coco Chanel and Rosa Parks
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“Treated equally, earn the same, can progress at the same speed in their career as men, not hired because of looks.”
Jia Yu
Management, Ph.D. Candidate
What women inspire you and why?
“Women who can balance work and family.”
Viviane Nguyen
Marketing Sophomore
What women inspire you and why?
“Any woman who follows their passions inspires me to be myself and create change.”
How have you overcome challenges, personally or professionally, as a woman in business school or the workplace?
“By focusing on my strengths and being genuine and assertive, I’m able to compete and compare to men.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“I hope to see more diversity in upper-level careers and in male-dominated fields.”
Naomi Muchai
Accounting Junior
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“Equal pay. More C’s in associations/companies. More female world leaders.”
Brinda Penmetsa
Finance Sophomore
What women inspire you and why?
“Katty Kay, Christine LaGarde, Malala Yousafzi, Renu Khator. They are women in leadership roles who hold their own while undergoing scrutiny from others in their field. They are leaders who know the way, go the way, and show the way. They get stuff done and are inspirational while doing so.”
Rima Shah
Finance and Public Health Sophomore
What women inspire you and why?
“Emma Watson—may sound cliché as a feminist but after watcher her ‘He for She’ campaign, it truly inspired me. She taught me not to be afraid of the movement. It’s about equality for men and women. I hope people realize that it’s not just about ‘He for She,’ but also ‘She for He’. I believe it’s about women in leadership who strive to achieve.”
How have you overcome challenges, personally or professionally, as a woman in business school or the workplace?
“I’m pretty short. People generally view me as weak because of my size and gender. However, after taking risks, becoming an officer who strives for improvement getting a minimum wage job that’s strictly to learn about customer satisfaction, and continuing my passion in dance, people see me for my accomplishments and merit.”
Aminat Muibi
Supply Chain Management and Communication Senior
What women inspire you and why?
“My mother. She put herself through business school and started her own business.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“More women as CEOs. Better work conditions. Paid maternity leave in the U.S.”
Mahek Hooda
Supply Chain Management Sophomore
What women inspire you and why?
“A woman that inspires me is Rani Ramchandani. She graduated last year (works at ConocoPhillips) from Bauer. She left a mark at UH by starting the Mr. UH competition and has been a mentor to me and empowered me to take chances at UH.”
Dusya Vera
Associate Professor, Management
What women inspire you and why?
“Wilma Rudolph. From polio and scarlet fever to 3 Olympic medals. (Doctors told her she would never walk) Plus, her quote is: “Doctors told me I would never walk, my mother said I would; I decided to believe my mother.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“The freedom to choose what makes them happy and comfort to do it without judging themselves for their choices.”
Natasha Naik
Public Relations Junior
What women inspire you and why?
Maya Angelou, Mother Theresa and my Mother.
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“Women can lead.”
Vidha Dixit
Marketing and Management Junior
What women inspire you and why?
Mother Theresa- ethic of care, compassion and belief in humanity.
Indra Nooyi—Indo-American CEO, World’s most powerful woman (Forbes)
Latha Ramchand—My idol. Kind, compassionate, always learning, open to new ideas.
How have you overcome challenges, personally or professionally, as a woman in business school or the workplace?
“To be completely honest, I haven’t faced a host of challenges as a woman in business school. UH’s diversity and the openness of Bauer contribute to a thriving environment for people from all walks of life. I have only been motivated, encouraged and empowered during my time here.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“More women CEOs! Work-life balance is always a difficult topic, but it is incredibly important to have women in upper management to promote diversity in ideas and experience.”
Gloria Degracia
Accounting Junior
What women inspire you and why?
“Michelle Obama because she always encourages young ladies to pursue their education and future before any boy.”
What new opportunities do you hope to see for women in business in the next 5-10 years?
“I hope to see more women as CEOs and leaders of companies.”