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Holly Frew
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Robinson College of Business
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ATLANTA ‒ WomenLead and Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business hosted Women Leading in Business, a university-wide lunch-and-learn on March 27 to celebrate Women’s History Month. The event featured Robinson faculty, students, and alumnae who shared insights, advice, and experience, and discussed the importance of leadership, equity, and belonging.
Clinical Instructor Marcia Cross of Robinson’s Business Communication program moderated the panel discussion, opening with historical data about the evolution of women in business; specifically, civil rights efforts and legislation to position women for success.
Featured panelists
- Vanessa Ibarra (B.A. ’09, M.I.B. 13, Georgia State 40 Under 40 ’22), former executive director of the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International & Immigrant Affairs, where she oversaw international strategy and global positioning.
- Kirsten McManus (B.B.A. ’24, WomenLead in Business ’22, Panthers on Wall Street ’23), Robinson Immersive Sophomore Experience student and alumni coordinator, and sales and marketing intern at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
- Jess Waldrop, clinical assistant professor of management and industrial/organizational psychologist, who previously was an organizational effectiveness consultant specializing in talent management, leadership development, and employee engagement and well-being.
- Indya Thomas (B.B.A. ’23, WomenLead in Business ’21), veteran service industry professional who balanced school and family responsibilities while earning her degree, and has appeared on "Atlanta News First" and "The Jennifer Hudson Show."
Highlights
- Ibarra shared how she “put her voice out there to amplify the voice of others and build bridges" through her work in the Mayor’s Office of International & Immigrant Affairs, and by listening to the needs of various communities and organizations. She stressed the importance of being your best advocate and showcasing your worth through facts, data, and quality of your work.
- McManus discussed the importance of mentorship and undergraduates shifting out of their comfort zones for new personal and professional perspectives. She also shared her experience overcoming a challenge and the value of resilience, stating, “This was a setback, but I am still going to smile.”
- Waldrop said women in leadership roles are beneficial to company culture and diversity in thought. She added, “Businesses cannot be a force for good if they are not an equitable resource for women.”
- Thomas talked about the necessity of kindness and empathy in leadership, saying, “I put my voice out there to speak strength to others.” She also educated attendees about “effort equity” — showcasing one’s professional value by tracking achievements and bringing those “receipts” to the negotiating table.
Women Leading in Business represents a programmatic collaboration between Robinson and WomenLead. Marian Higgins, associate dean for organizational development and culture, leads efforts to engage Robinson’s various communities to create and nurture an organization centered on student success. Sarah Gershon directs the WomenLead program, which centers on advancing leadership by empowering students to aspire to and achieve leadership roles.
Learn more about the Robinson College of Business »
Marcia Cross, Jess Waldrop, Vanessa Ibarra, Kirsten McManus, Indya Thomas