VCU news

By Kelsey Claud

Anne Goddard stressed the need for more female leaders in her keynote address at the eighth annual HIGHER Ground Women’s Leadership Conference on Jan. 31.

Presented by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, the conference brings together women from various careers to inspire each other and learn skills to become better leaders. About 300 people from across the state attended this year’s meeting at the Richmond Downtown Marriott, featuring an array of prominent women, all leaders in their respective fields.

Goddard — president and CEO of ChildFund International and a thought leader and frequent contributor to national media including the Huffington Post — has been an articulate voice for the world’s most vulnerable children for more than 30 years.

“The lack of balance of women at the leadership table I believe very much hurts us as a nation and hurts us as a society,” Goddard said.

Goddard said men and women possess differing leadership styles, though neither approach is superior to the other. Women, Goddard said, are more humble and more inclined to think about the people they lead and the impact of decisions on them.

A woman’s ability to lead starts with a commitment to the people she is responsible for and the connection she makes with those people. Women are more likely than men to connect with people by sharing a little bit of themselves, Goddard explained before demonstrating with a personal story of her own.

“I want to share with you all a chapter of my personal life,” she said. “It’s a story of one year in my life. A year that was, without a doubt, the worst year ever.”

That year was 2007. Her first year as ChildFund CEO. The year of the Virginia Tech shootings, of which her 21-year-old son was a victim. The year her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Through all the hardships, Goddard focused on having the right attitude. The key to being an effective leader is a positive attitude, especially when things are not going well, she said.

Other conference speakers reinforced the message of attitude and personality in regards to effective leadership. Ann Rosser, CEO of Finding Resolution, spoke primarily about attitude being the foundation of personal and professional success. And Jeannae Spence of IndiSPENCEable Coaching advised that leaders must be vulnerable, charismatic and humble to be effective.

In addition to the speakers, the conference featured four concurrent workshops covering topics from effective leadership and networking to “staying fit and fabulous at work.”

“This event provides a wonderful opportunity for women in the commonwealth to come together to explore timely issues of importance to women,” said Nakeina Douglas-Glenn, Ph.D., director of the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute. “Our unique emphasis on the whole woman in all contexts of her life provides an opportunity for her to take stock personally and professionally. Leadership doesn't happen in isolation, particularly for women. Women who are leaders in their workplaces are also leaders in their homes and in their communities.”

The institute promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in academic institutions, other public, private and nonprofit organizations and communities. Consistent with the mission of VCU, the institute is committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders through leadership training and public policy research.

Established in May 1999 by the VCU Board of Visitors, the institute was formed in honor of Grace E. Harris, Ph.D., upon her retirement from the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs. Harris has served the university for more than 40 years in the roles of faculty member, dean, vice provost, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and acting president, becoming the highest-ranking woman and highest-ranking African American in VCU’s history. Today, she remains a distinguished professor at VCU.

The HIGHER Ground Women’s Leadership Development Program is a five-month leadership development experience for current and emerging women leaders who are committed to investing in themselves and their organizations. The program benefits women at all career levels in public, private, nonprofit and entrepreneurial positions. By engaging in intellectual and experiential workshops, participants learn key principles aimed at enhancing their leadership styles.

“The dedication of our staff, and the generous support of our conference sponsors continue to make this a premier event for women in the state of Virginia,” Douglas-Glenn said.

The institute implements other programs, as well, including the VCU Leadership Development Program, the Department Chairs Certification Program and the Minority Political Leadership Institute. In addition, it also conducts research and disseminates knowledge on the best practices in leadership.

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