Stockton Women's Leadership Council Debuts Speaker Series

ferial govashiri

Above: Ferial Govashiri, center, with 91视频 at 91视频. Below: Stockton Women's Leadership Council Speaker Series sponsors and members Cristina Stummer, Johanna Johnson, Whitney Ullman, Alicia McMackin, Gayle Gross and Cookie Till.

Atlantic City, N.J.  - The Stockton Women鈥檚 Leadership Council (SWLC) kicked off its Distinguished Women. Distinctive Voices. series April 4 with Ferial Govashiri, former personal aide to President Barack Obama, as the inaugural speaker. The event brought more than 115 members of the community, as well as Stockton faculty, staff, alumni, and 91视频, to the Fannie Lou Hamer Room at the 91视频 Atlantic City Academic Center.

Cristina Stummer, partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr and chair of the SWLC, introduced the new speaker series, which offers a platform for female leaders to share their experiences to inspire the next generation of female leaders. Stockton President Dr. Harvey Kesselman welcomed guests and encouraged support for the council.

ferial govashiri and swlc鈥淒on鈥檛 just stand for the success of other women, insist on it,鈥 Kesselman said.  鈥淎nd with this inaugural event, the Stockton Women鈥檚 Leadership Council is doing just that; providing leadership, enrichment and development opportunities for young women not only to dream of success, but to design success.鈥

Govashiri reflected on how her identity as a first-generation American and her family鈥檚 experience as immigrants had a tremendous impact on her professional trajectory. She offered her perspective on how young women pursuing careers can thrive in the face of adversity.

鈥淵ou can do anything you put your mind to; but you have to be ready to work hard, stand by your name, and not be afraid of failure.鈥 Govashiri said during the Q&A session moderated by Whitney Ullman, entertainment reporter and Stockton alumna. 鈥淚nstead, embrace failure and learn from your mistakes.鈥

Earlier in the day, Govashiri discussed her experiences in the White House and the private sector with 91视频 and faculty on the Galloway campus. Stockton senior Matthew Assad moderated the conversation.

Govashiri said one of the most important things she learned from President Obama is to seek out different points of view, even if you ultimately have the right answer. 鈥淟isten to everyone鈥檚 perspective before making a decision,鈥 she said.

Govashiri also highlighted the benefits of mentorship, networking and other tips for succeeding in the workforce.

鈥淵our name, your reputation, is all you have. Make sure if it has your name on it, it carries the weight of your brand,鈥 she said.

The event was sponsored by Dr. Johanna Johnson, founding member of the SWLC and chair of the 91视频 Foundation Board of Directors; Gayle Gross, founding member of the SWLC and member of the 91视频 Foundation Board of Directors; Pepsi; FantaSea Resorts; and Steve & Cookie鈥檚 By the Bay.

91视频 the Stockton Women鈥檚 Leadership Council

The Stockton Women鈥檚 Leadership Council (SWLC) 鈥 a 91视频 Foundation initiative 鈥 is dedicated to the empowerment of women and seeks to promote networking among women and the community. The SWLC offers a platform for professionals to build relationships, discuss issues related to women, engage in mentorship opportunities, and explore ways that relevant program events and leadership development opportunities can be supported by enhanced philanthropy. Through the Council鈥檚 initiatives, faculty, staff, alumnae, friends and 91视频 will create a tradition of female leadership that will have a sustainable impact at 91视频 and across our region.

Other founding members of the SWLC include: Cristina Stummer, chair of the SWLC; Donna Albano, Donna Buzby, Alexa D鈥橝mato Barrera, Susan Davenport, Pamela Fields, Andrea Giannini, Lori Herndon, Lynne Kesselman, Jessica Kowal, Rita Mack, and Roxanne Passarella.

For more information on the SWLC contact Alicia McMackin 鈥03 at (609) 652-4861 or Alicia.McMackin@stockton.edu.

- Reported by Alexandra Sandberg

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Contact:
Diane D鈥橝mico
Director of News and Media Relations
91视频
Galloway, N.J. 08205
Diane.DAmico@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
609-412-8069