On Friday 18 March, we hosted our first quarterly MBA Guest Lecture Series event on the topic of ‘Diversity in Leadership’.
The event welcomed a global audience of over 60 guests, a mix of MBA Students, Alumni and business owners.
In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 2, our Women in Leadership Scholars currently studying our MBA organised an interactive and inspiring event.
We welcomed Pia Roenhoej and Deborah Turner to the screen; two successful and inspiring women from diverse areas of business to share with us the positives, the challenges and the inspirations of being a woman in leadership.
Pia Roenhoej, Country Manager, IBM Technology Support Services Denmark (TSS)
Pia has a 32-year long career in IBM and shared with us her personal and professional experience of ‘shattering the glass ceiling’ of the tech industry.
Pia emphasised that communication is key throughout work and life. She said: “Be clear on what is important to you. Clarify with the people around you what your priorities are – be vocal, clear and close to them.”
Pia leads a busy life as a senior woman in tech, a mother and the founder and driving force of a housing association for young adults with multiple disabilities.
Pia shared the six characteristics she feels strongly are behind a person thriving to achieve: Integrity, Responsibility, Care, Determination, Authenticity and Priorities.
After a free-flowing Q&A, we invited our second speaker Deborah to the screen.
Deborah Turner, Deborah Turner Ltd
Running two very different companies and actively championing women in business, Deborah shared with us the importance of mentoring and supporting woman. Having worked in a male-dominated environment for many years, Deborah is fully aware of the challenges that women wishing to succeed can face in the workplace.
Increasing the visibility of role models is something Deborah is passionate about and will be driving the agenda for at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) where she is ‘Champion for Women’ in Business.
Deborah said: “Being a female leader gives you a voice. It’s important we use that voice for good.”
We thank our speakers and attendees for joining us, and all of you that stayed on to network. We hope you made valuable connections
Our MBA Guest Lecture Series events are hosted quarterly and welcome a global live audience of MBA Students, our KBS Alumni community and the wider community of business leaders.
To register your interest in attending a future event in the series, please contact Rosie Alexander, MBA & Alumni Officer: r.alexander-601@kent.ac.uk