Most of my mentors in my early career were men, especially in negotiation.
In the National Speakers Association, there were men AND women who showed me the ropes and provided support. One group that stood out this past week at our Influence2025 conference in Scottsdale, Arizona was the Power Women of NSA
Several years ago…some women speakers noticed that women made up 50 % of our association’s membership. Karen Jacobsen pointed out to a few of us at the celebration banquet that year that 50% of our presenters and award recipients were not women.
❓Where have you noticed an improvement you would like to make?
❓What community could you create to support you?
Nothing is stopping you to ask for help or just talk over coffee.
What started as a conversation about getting more women on stage grew. It began with a few of us meeting including Karen, PEGINE ⚡ Echevarria MSW, CSP. and • Gina Carr, MBA, Fractional CMO joined by Eliz Greene. My friend ★ Elizabeth McCormick, CSP®, CVP, CVH led us selflessly for 3 years. Now, under the leadership of Kricket Harrison and Lois Creamer and people like Connie Podesta, MS, CSP, CPAE who put their mark and challenged us to start submitting proposals and start holding our own sessions and get togethers.
Know what we called ourselves? Power Women of NSA. Just look at the number of strong women at our luncheon this year. Way to Go National Speakers Association for supporting your members! We had four amazing speakers. Sarita Maybin, MA Alana M. Hill, PMP, CSP @Regina F. Lark and Myra Corrello, PhD Thank you to Valerie M. Grubb, CSP for organizing the speakers.
By the way, remember that Hall of Fame award ceremony which prompted the first conversation?
Look at how many women have received their CPAEs now AND three more women CPAEs were added last night! Congrats ✨Sylvie di Giusto✨ Allison Massari, CPAE® Massari and Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, CSP, CPAE AND last year Cy Wakeman and I received our CPAE!
I appreciate my men and women mentors. And, I recognize what is possible when a few people point themselves in one direction.
What Groups Support You?
