On March 20, 2024, Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management hosted the inaugural “Generations at Work” Women’s Leadership Luncheon, commemorating Women’s History Month. The gathering brought together 165 attendees from diverse backgrounds, all eager to explore the impact of multiple generations in today’s workforce.
The luncheon kicked off with a keynote address by Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and New York Times bestselling author. Using humor and personal experiences, she highlighted how far women have come, and how far we still must go, fighting stereotypes and expectations of others.
Following the keynote was a professional panel of noteworthy speakers from various fields. Among the panelists were Jacqueline Dalton (MGT ’96), Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Leonela Fuentes Mora (MGT ’16), Senior Manager of Apprenticeship at Greater Cleveland Partnership; Phyllis Harris (MNO ’05), Executive Director of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland; Lisa Lebowitz (MGT ’98), Founder of Potentialize LLC; Marsha Mockabe (CNM ’94), President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland; and Sharon Riegel, Business Leader of Compensation and Benefits at Progressive Insurance. The panel was skillfully moderated by Dr. Laura Guilliam (MGT ’18), Center for Talent Development at Progressive Insurance.
The panelists reinforced the idea that women’s empowerment is a collective effort. They recognized trailblazing women who helped shape their careers; their stories serving as inspiration for others and reinforcing the importance of mentorship and role models. By supporting each other, women can create lasting change. “The words of wisdom shared by out panelists and Connie were truly inspiring,” said Brian Breittholz, executive director of alumni relations with the Weatherhead School. “We look forward to continued programming in this area as there is clearly a need and a desire,” Breittholz added.
They also explored the diverse roles women play — as professionals, caregivers (for children and elderly parents), and community leaders. Acknowledging these multifaceted roles fosters understanding and appreciation.
The panel covered a range of other critical themes, including work-life balance, the importance of strong male allies, challenges each generation of women faces, career transitions/retirement, the importance of setting boundaries, lessons they have learned and can pass on to the next generation of women, examining pay parity, and the importance of retaining women in the workplace.
The best advice for positive change? Support one another and extend grace. Your voice is your power, and women should use it to uplift their fellow women.
Weatherhead was proud to partner with Dress for Success Cleveland for this event. Attendees were asked to either bring an item of clothing to donate or to donate to their "Your Hour, Her Power" Campaign. This campaign asks individuals to donate one hour of their pay so that Dress for Success can purchase items for industry-specific jobs such as scrubs, uniforms, etc.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s continue to amplify women’s voices and champion progress.