{"id":12477,"date":"2011-06-17T13:41:51","date_gmt":"2011-06-17T17:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=12477"},"modified":"2017-11-01T10:40:36","modified_gmt":"2017-11-01T14:40:36","slug":"lasting-positive-changes-made-possible-through-women-on-the-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2011\/06\/lasting-positive-changes-made-possible-through-women-on-the-move\/","title":{"rendered":"Lasting, positive changes made possible through "Women on the Move.""},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI was thoroughly impressed with how the \u2018Women on the Move\u2019 program helped me better understand my strengths, make positive changes and develop an on-going strategy for my business,\u201d said Maria Elena Aitken, one of 22 women who participated in the leadership program developed and presented by the Center for Leadership<\/a> in the College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Participants included executives from Baxter Pharmaceutical; Odebrecht Construction; Preferred Care Partners; Ryder System, Inc.; U.S. Southern Command; and other businesses and organizations.<\/p>\n

Benefits start before the event, last long after.<\/em><\/p>\n

Each woman completed a pre-program exercise to assess her strengths, including gathering input from friends and business associates.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was eye-opening and a good confidence builder,\u201d said Aitken, founder of Sabia Communications in Coral Gables, Florida.<\/p>\n

Then, during the four-day \u201cWomen on the Move\u201d program, held in May at the Hyatt Bonaventure in Weston, Florida, sessions helped the women learn about managing work\/home worlds and developing personal action plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was hungry for academic stimulation,\u201d Aitken said. \u201cI finished my MBA ten years ago, and I wanted fresh information from intelligent, well-prepared presenters. That\u2019s exactly what I got.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Participants of the spring 2011 offering of \u201cWomen on the Move\u201d took part in an exercise geared toward developing and implementing strategy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the business school and the program\u2019s academic director, presented as did executive coaches Nance Guilmartin and Gino Coca-Mir. Guest speaker was Monica Luechtefeld, Office Depot\u2019s executive vice president, supply chain and information technology.<\/p>\n

Personalized coaching adds to value of experience.<\/em><\/p>\n

As part of the program, each participant had an individual coaching session.<\/p>\n

\u201cNancy Gould suggested more effective ways to communicate with my family, delegate additional chores and get better organized at home so that I now have more freedom and time for my business,\u201d Aitken said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joyce J. Elam with Maria Elena Aitken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt has been very rewarding to see this program expand and grow in demand,\u201d said the center\u2019s Garth D. Headley (MS \u201907), industrial psychologist and associate director, marketing and corporate relations. \u201cLearning to capitalize on individual strengths and leveraging them remains a fresh approach to executive leadership development.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next \u201cWomen on the Move\u201d program is scheduled for October 25-28, 2011.<\/p>\n