Women in Leadership Program |
Develop Strategies & Interpersonal Skills for Greater Success
Women have always been at the forefront of policy change and breaking barriers. Today’s female executives work hard to balance personal and professional lives while exceeding expectations. Resilience and determination continues to empower women toward their goals to become chiefs of industry. You'll learn to navigate the nuances of thought leadership, barrier destruction and organizational influence. This program serves as a platform for women to engage and uplift each other by inspiring positive change.
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The Minnesota State Mankato Women in Leadership Program is designed by industry experts for professionals seeking expert advice, strategies and practical tools. From your initial Personal Leadership assessment, to team building, negotiation strategies, communications, organizational culture and more, be ready to roll-up your sleeves and apply new skills in this hands-on, interactive course.
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Benefits to Companies
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Benefits to Individual Students
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Learn how to navigate the nuances of leading through thought leadership, barrier destruction, and influence. Each module helps you assess your skills, develop your thoughts, and work out your strategies. Even better, this course provides you with the Women in Leadership Ultimate Toolkit of OVER 30 Workbooks, eBooks, team focused activities, online templates, assessments, planning guides, and cultural posters. All to help YOU on the road to success.
From the ongoing battle for equal rights to the breaking of barriers in the workplace, women face complex issues in a dynamic environment that has been dominated by men for centuries. Even in the face of adversity, women continually meet or exceed company expectations while continuing to juggle the day-to-day. The modern-day woman is often required to transition from mogul to mother in a matter of minutes. Enjoy a course created and taught by women leaders, for women leaders.
From the ongoing battle for equal rights to the breaking of barriers in the workplace, women face complex issues in a dynamic environment that has been dominated by men for centuries. Even in the face of adversity, women continually meet or exceed company expectations while continuing to juggle the day-to-day. The modern-day woman is often required to transition from mogul to mother in a matter of minutes. Enjoy a course created and taught by women leaders, for women leaders.
Module 1 - Pillars Of Positivity
Explore the important pillars of positivity and networking for female leaders. Learn to successfully lead change in your organization by understanding your strengths and how to use them, both intentionally and purposefully.
- Develop your own feminine strength, style and strategies.
- Discover the power of high achieving female role models.
- Break down silos and shatter the glass ceiling.
Module 2 - Inspiring Emotional Intelligence
Identify and assess empathy among employees and colleagues. Discover how to use your own experiences to inspire and lead team dynamics.
- Overcome individual and interpersonal barriers.
- Learn how to train teams for greatness.
- Uncover the elements of emotional intelligence that make an impact on your organization.
Module 3 - Winning Work-Life Balance & Mentoring
Embrace your self-confidence and expand your leadership while balancing your professional and personal life. Then, delve into mentorship and discover the rewards for everyone, including your organization.
- Identify the four essential elements of balance: learn, interact, framework, excel.
- Explore the benefits of a flexible working environment.
- Develop an action plan to help foster mentorship opportunities.
Module 4 - Improving Communication Habits
Overcome challenges with diversity and adversity in a dynamic work environment. Generate strategies to communicate with a dynamic work force while facing challenges and embracing inclusivity.
- Uncover verbal and nonverbal communication patterns.
- Examine gender differences in leadership styles.
- Develop your own style for speaking and presenting.
Module 5 - Advocacy, Actions & Accountability
Create your own advocacy plan, define your success measurements, and what resources you’ll need. Learn to be more assertive, when to take decisive actions, and how to allocate resources to hold everyone accountable.
- Identify how female encouragement is used in the decision-making process.
- Generate advocacy and reformation for policy change.
- Learn to properly allocate resources to influence and improve employee performance.
Module 6 - Skills for Contracts & Negotiations
Develop collaborative communication processes and skills for negotiation. Harness the power of your actions to lead and manage efforts in your organization, resulting in measurable and accountable projects.
- Discover ways to enhance your confidence, behavior and actions during the negotiation process.
- Understand the benefits of respect, resolution and returns for female negotiators.
- Learn close-to-the-vest strategies – she who speaks first often loses the game.
Module 7 - Driving Ideas, Intellectual Growth & Transformation
Learn to use idea sprinting and new product development as a means for intellectual growth and relevancy. Determine how ideas generated within an organization lead to transformational and transactional success.
- Identify the importance of the leader-member exchange theory.
- Explore methods that foster idea generation.
- Drive relationship-based innovation and learn how it impacts achievement among employees.
Module 8 - Executive Leadership & Organizational Culture
Change is hard, people are resistant, and the market is becoming more fiercely competitive every day. Organizations must quickly evolve or be left behind. It takes a special leader to navigate these waters and get your entire organization marching to the same drummer. Arm yourself with these indispensable leadership skills.
- Discover how to drive adoption across your entire organization.
- Successfully jump start your role by gaining quick wins and bring others along with you.
- Become a successful change-agent for experience-first thinking and inspire change.
Capstone Projects: Women in Leadership Personal Growth and Organizational Strategic Plans
To reap the highest return-on-investment, you're encouraged to create your very own strategic plan. Complete the Personal Growth Plan to step into your new found power with confidence, authenticity and presence. Or, use the Organization Strategic Plan to support all women in leadership throughout your entire company. Each program workbook and exercise helps build your very own professional Women in Leadership portfolio.
Dr. Sarit J. LevyFrom patent acquisition to web development, Dr. Sarit Levy strives to build strong foundations and scalable practices for each organization she works with. These organizations span multiple industries, countries, and platforms; and these solutions led to the development of an innovative way to measure a firm's contributions and predict future success.
As an academic and entrepreneur, Dr. Levy has led, advised, and taught business programs for top universities and organizations around the globe. Not only is she multi-lingual, but Dr. Levy is also well-versed in sustainability, analytics, and international negotiations. With a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Touro University International and an M.S. in Management Engineering and Computer Science from Long Island University, she's played an integral role in many successful accreditation processes and continues to be an influencer in business leadership. |
Blanca Greenstein, Esq.Blanca was a lawyer for 25 years and served as a trial lawyer (voted Lawyer of the Year at the Public Defender's Office), head of litigation for a publicly traded corporation Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, partner of two major law firms (Morris Laing Evans Brock & Kennedy, Chtd and Greenstein & Associates) and is also an inventor of a fully patented custom built email management program called Ingate, which she invented to process high volumes of corporate email.
Blanca’s true calling however is to produce broadcasts on a variety of topics to educate and empower her audience. The collective influences within the Laws of Life team reaches almost 74,000 followers in South Florida. Blanca also believes in the power of networking and also hosts a weekly networking event attended by business owners nationwide. Blanca is a superior public speaker that fires up her audience and motivates her listeners to be the best person they can possibly be. She is featured on 95.9 and 106.9 radio stations and has a regularly scheduled Podcast and Webcast that is always FIRED UP! Blanca is a force to be reckoned with and appears as a speaker at events worldwide. |
Corvaya JeffriesAs a veteran journalist and reporter for some of the top news teams in the U.S., Corvaya is both a newscaster and news-maker. After launching Florida Time, an online platform featuring news from 22 South Florida teams, she's grown both her subscriber base and her talents as a storyteller. While working for organizations like CNN, she regularly improves content, manages apps and teams, audits competitors, and pitches breaking news events. A driven thought leader, Corvaya’s dedication to copy-writing, editing, and multi-platform production has led to industry accolades such as a CNN Diversity Fellow and the winner of Cox Media Group’s Digital Talent Program.
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Stephene Klein, MPH, MPHA, MBAs a real estate broker, radio host, and positivity influencer, Stephene is used to taking on many roles. Whether she's selecting commercial properties for expansion or reaching an audience of over 87,000 through various media platforms, Stephene stays focused on four foundational principles: resilience, resourcefulness, resolve, and reinvention. She's reinvented herself many times over 20 years in public relations, marketing, advertising, and business development. After working with CBS, Nielsen and JK Whatley, she's received awards for creative writing, video production, and was nominated for Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40.
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Tiffany CraftTiffany Craft is a visionary leader in international business expansion, strategy, marketing, and advertising. With a proven track record of driving growth in global markets, she has successfully guided brands such as Calvin Klein, to thrive across diverse regions, including Latin America, Asia and Europe. Her expertise lies in crafting innovative strategies that align with cultural nuances and deliver measurable results, such as achieving significant increases in international revenue.
A pioneer in the social media space, Tiffany has been at the forefront of building impactful partnerships within online communities. She excels in fostering collaborations with retail, media and entertainment providers and leveraging user-generated content to enhance brand visibility and engagement. These initiatives have cultivated authentic, loyal audiences while setting new standards for digital marketing. Tiffany's strategic vision is complemented by her creativity and data-driven approach to advertising. Her ability to merge traditional media with cutting-edge digital strategies has resulted in award-winning campaigns that resonate globally. She believes that strategic AI integration is also essential for organizations to unlock new efficiencies, gain actionable insights, and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly data-driven world. Beyond her professional achievements, Tiffany is dedicated to mentoring future leaders and advancing inclusion within a broad range of industry sectors. As a sought-after speaker, she frequently shares her insights on global marketing trends, digital transformation, and the evolving role of partnerships in building communities. "As Vice President of Advisory Experience at Zschool, I lead a team of advisors, who are actively collaborating with faculty in shaping curriculum across multiple disciplines, ensuring it reflects the latest trends and best practices in organizational leadership. By incorporating diverse areas of expertise, we create a comprehensive learning experience that equips future leaders with the skills necessary to drive innovation and impact within their organizations." With her passion for innovation and proven leadership, Tiffany continues to redefine success in international business and marketing, making her a trailblazer in the industry. |
Instructor Team Contributor
Jen RichJen Rich is a District Manager at Sherwin-Williams with 17 years of experience, including nine in leadership. Passionate about mentoring women, she has led efforts to create Women’s Resource Groups. She holds a Bachelor’s from Eastern Michigan University, an MBA from Youngstown State University, and is pursuing a Doctorate at Bellevue University. Jen also serves as a Program Advisor for Women in Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
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Kathleen M JeffersonKathleen Jefferson is a dedicated Customer Service Professional with 23 years of experience. Holding a Master’s degree in Business Management, she is passionate about leadership development and fostering diversity. Committed to empowering women of all backgrounds, she is proud to be part of this program, advocating for greater representation in leadership roles.
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Janet ElliotJanet Elliot is the Director of Financial Services (B2B Credit), bringing 25 years of expertise in credit, legal contract review, and national accounts. A strategic leader, she is passionate about advancing women’s growth and development, founding and leading her company’s women’s ERG since 2021. Outside of work, she uses her love of photography to capture meaningful moments, creating lasting memories for others.
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Nikki HauckNikki Hauck is the Vice President of Human Resources at Oppidan Investment Company, bringing expertise in talent development and workplace culture. A graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in Education, she holds multiple certifications, including SPHR, PHR, CDP, and CDSP. She recently earned a Certificate in Women in Leadership from her alma mater, reinforcing her commitment to fostering inclusive and dynamic workplaces.
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Mentor Team Contributors
Jennifer LeszczynskiJennifer B. Leszczynski, with over 19 years at Humana, started as a National Account Executive and evolved into the Director of Contract Management, overseeing all agent contracting for Humana Medicare. Passionate about process development, she has a background in corporate training and radio. As a leader, Jennifer fosters a fun team culture, recognizing and appreciating uniqueness to elevate talent. In her spare time, she indulges in aerial and cirque fitness, including flying trapeze and lyra.
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Deborah RoseDeborah Rose has been with the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services for over 23 years and currently serves as the Manager of Asset Management Initiatives. A dedicated mentor, she is certified through the organization and has been a mentor for MentoringWorks and the Project Management Program since 2010. She also contributed as a committee member for both programs, demonstrating her commitment to professional growth and leadership development.
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Katherine PetersenKatherine Petersen is an Account Manager at Endries International in Brillion, Wisconsin. With experience at Optimas and Arrow, she has progressed from a buyer to managing inside sales teams, gaining a well-rounded perspective on the fastener industry. Her expertise in purchasing, customer service, and sales management allows her to provide informed recommendations and innovative solutions, ensuring business success and strong client relationships.
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Susan SpiersSusan Spiers, a seasoned business leader, founder of Spiers Consulting, and co-founder of @Trust-Worthy, brings diverse expertise in strategic planning, business development, training, marketing, and communications. Starting as a schoolteacher, she transitioned through non-profit and corporate roles, holding executive positions at firms like Deloitte and Trimble. Susan is lauded for her customer-centric strategies, adeptly navigating complex relationships to secure clients, partners, and projects. Recognized for "connecting the dots," she assembles optimal teams and information for Fortune 500 clients, consistently delivering results.
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Pam StegmanPam Stegman is a dynamic leader who champions customer-driven solutions by deeply engaging with stakeholders to drive meaningful change. She believes people are the true power of any organization and is committed to unlocking their full potential. With a proven track record in strategy, process improvement, cost reduction, and delivering new services and products, she excels at assessing requirements and driving impactful outcomes that fuel business success.
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- Angelina Hamilton, Lake Regional Health System.
- Julie Babiracki, Consolidated Communications.
- Peggy Sowden, Stratasys.
- Alyssa Glaser, Baker Tilly US, LLP.
- Lisa Stahnke, Medica.