{"id":28892,"date":"2017-07-26T12:36:55","date_gmt":"2017-07-26T16:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=28892"},"modified":"2017-08-07T16:01:38","modified_gmt":"2017-08-07T20:01:38","slug":"2016-7-in-review-fius-power-up-womens-leadership-summit-launches-expanded-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2017\/07\/2016-7-in-review-fius-power-up-womens-leadership-summit-launches-expanded-program\/","title":{"rendered":"2016-7 in review: FIU\u2019s Power Up Women\u2019s Leadership Summit launches expanded program."},"content":{"rendered":"

This summer, BizNews will present highlights of College of Business events held throughout the year.<\/em><\/p>\n

New insights, new colleagues and new inspiration: these were the takeaways for more than 200 attendees of the second annual PowerUp Women\u2019s Summit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The conference, presented by the College of Business<\/a> and its Women\u2019s Alumni Advisory Council<\/a>, took place on Jungle Island on April 20, 2017. For its second year, the event expanded from a half-day to a full-day program, which included panels on visionary leaders, technology and being your own boss.<\/p>\n

\"2016-7<\/p>\n

Getting things off to a good start was keynote speaker Susan Ford Collins, a sought-after executive coach and author of \u201cThe Technology of Success\u201d book series. Her talk, titled \u201cSuccess has Gears -Which Gear Are You in?\u201d offered powerful but easy-to-implement career building tools.<\/p>\n

\u201cHighly successful people take the time each day to acknowledge the success they have, not the failures. Record your successes,\u201d Collins said. And, she said, taking on more is not always the right move. \u201cSuccess is also deletion. How many of you have stopped doing something you hated and discovered something way better?\u201d<\/p>\n

The conference was open to all, and drew attendees visiting South Florida as well as those who were part of the local network. A strong contingent of FIU graduates were among the speakers and helped participants recognize the power of the alumni network.<\/p>\n

\"Luly
Luly B, our mistress of ceremonies provided “the fire” throughout the day for attendees.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A day of learning and connecting<\/em><\/p>\n

Seema Pissaris<\/a>, clinical professor in the Department of Management & International Business<\/a>, moderated the Visionary Leaders panel featuring six executives \u2013 five of whom were FIU alumni.<\/p>\n

\u201cSmall victories help you climb the confidence ladder,\u201d Pissaris said, agreeing with Collins that documenting your days is invaluable. \u201cWrite about the shot you are going to take \u2013 not next year, or next week, but tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francis Hondal (BBA \u201987) executive VP, Global Consumer Credit and Loyalty Solutions at MasterCard Worldwide, advised the audience to dare to reach, noting that finding opportunities isn\u2019t always easy.<\/p>\n

And, said Pissaris, getting all the personal-professional ducks to line up might not happen immediately. \u201cMaybe that week, or that month is not balanced, but trust me, balance will come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Susan
Susan Ford Collins, keynote speaker, provided words of wisdom on the gears we use to achieve success.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Others on that panel were:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Carmen Perez-Carlton (BBA \u201982), president of FiberNet Direct<\/li>\n
  • Diane Ramy Faulconer (BS \u201974, MS \u201974), a former senior executive and management consultant, philanthropist<\/li>\n
  • Elizabeth Oates, VP finance and strategy, Celebrity Cruises<\/li>\n
  • Pamela Silva-Conde (BA \u201903, MBA \u201912), co-anchor at Univision\u2019s news program Primer Impacto.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Also drawing strong interest was the technology panel, where a wide-ranging discussion touched on opportunities for women in computing and other key tech economic drivers.<\/p>\n

    The men-to-women ration in the tech sectors needs to change. And that begins early. \u201cGirls are good at math, we need girls to change the conversation,\u201d said Holly Knowlton Delgado, channel account manager at Dell.<\/p>\n

    Once in a company\u2019s inner circle, reach out. \u201cIf you are the only woman in the room, spread the word \u2013 we\u2019re here,\u201d Delgado said, adding that she\u2019s thankful for the opportunities she\u2019s found and likes the challenge of turning tech into business strategy. \u201cHow do we talk tech and really make it valuable to our customers?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

    \"Misha
    Misha Kuryla, Suzy Batle and Yanyn San Luis pose after the \u201cBe Your Own Boss\u201d session.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Others urged participants to be on the lookout for potential opportunities to open a door. \u201cThe challenging project no one wanted? I jumped on it,\u201d said Marta Duque (BBA \u201901), senior manager, Global Business Process Optimization, Citrix. And don\u2019t be afraid of critiques. \u201cFeedback helps us be better,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

    The ubiquitous nature of technology is only increasing, said Teri Howard, (BBA \u201985, MBA \u201901), chief technology officer for the Miami Dolphins, and she agreed with Duque that it\u2019s essential to take on important projects.<\/p>\n

    Lourdes \u201cLuly\u201d Balepogi (BS \u201900) owner of consulting firm Luly B., Inc., moderated the final panel on entrepreneurship, which, said the speakers, takes a firm belief in oneself.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAlways believe something awesome is about to happen,\u201d said Misha Kuryla (MIB \u201904) the founder of Misha\u2019s Cupcakes.<\/p>\n

    Plans are already underway for next year\u2019s event that will take place on International Women\u2019s Day, said Yanyn San Luis, interim director of alumni relations in the COB\u2019s Division of Information Technology.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPower Up was an incredible opportunity for women to gather, network, learn from each other, and come away with insights that will allow them to move forward in both their personal and professional lives,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are especially grateful to members of our Women\u2019s Alumni Council, who took on critical roles as organizers and speakers.\u201d<\/p>\n