Aspiring business professional strives to help other women navigate historically male-focused finance careers

“We’re excited that our first ASPIRER scholarship award in 2022 goes to Nandini Goyal—a bright young woman with a passion to be an impactful force in business finance,” said Cheryl O’Donoghue, CEO at Aspire2STEAM.org. “Like technology pioneer Nancy Ridge, the woman who sponsored her scholarship, Nandini endeavors to make her mark in a male-centered field by ultimately remaining true to herself and, in particular, her values.”

Currently, Nandini is a student at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts pursing a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. “Economics is a topic that has always interested me and I love learning about how economic policies or shifts in our economy impacted the stock market and corporations worldwide,” said Nandini.

FULL PRESS RELEASE

[/fusion_text][fusion_youtube id=”https://youtu.be/LMO_UcmWNcs” alignment=”center” width=”” height=”” autoplay=”false” api_params=”” title_attribute=”” video_facade=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” css_id=”” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”yes” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” background_color=”#dddddd” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” box_shadow=”yes” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”5″ box_shadow_spread=”5″ box_shadow_color=”#e8e8e8″ box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”40″ padding_right=”40″ padding_bottom=”40″ padding_left=”40″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” align_content=”center” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”center” size=”3″ font_size=”28″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”1.5″ letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”#424242″ animated_text_color=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”30px” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

“Being a woman and having the knowledge to take care of yourself financially is a value that’s
been important to me throughout my life and I believe being financially astute plays a crucial
role in getting ahead in any career, especially technology- and finance-related fields which have
long been known for favoring men over women.”

[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The post Nandini Goyal Awarded Aspire2STEAM Scholarship Sponsored by Nancy Ridge, Ridge Innovative appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.

In this episode, Star2Star’s CRO and President, Michelle Accardi, interviews Nancy Ridge, Founder & President of Ridge Innovative. Listen to this enlightening episode and discover how these impressive women combat imposter syndrome in their own lives and hear their tips to overcome it. You’ll learn the causes and effects of Imposter Syndrome as well as find out how to use criticism to make you better, not to hold you back. Lean in and continue exploring the discussion about how Imposter Syndrome is disproportionately affecting more high performers, especially women.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”2_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

Show Links

TUNE INTO THE PODCAST

086: IMPOSTER SYNDROME TO UNCONSCIOUS BIAS WITH NANCY RIDGE

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”2_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”4347|full” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”https://headsinthecloudpod.com/episodes/imposter-syndrome-to-unconscious-bias-with-nancy-ridge” linktarget=”_blank” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://ridgeinnovative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/social-s2s-sangoma.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The post Imposter Syndrome to Unconscious Bias with Nancy Ridge appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.

I’m delighted to share this podcast, produced and directed by my friend and a woman I have come to greatly admire, Michelle Ragusa-McBain. She asks questions that allow for deeper reflection on how we evolve as professionals as well as giving me a chance to share about non-profits I am passionate about Aspire2STEAM.org, Women Veterans Interactive, and Alliance of Channel Women.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”2_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

“It’s fun to talk about successes, but we often don’t get to see the hardships, stumbling blocks, or failures that people who are hugely successful have experienced along the way…until now. Welcome to the Fail Forward Live Podcast, where we interview inspirational leaders for real talk on their journeys, and life lessons.

In this episode, Nancy opens up about her life lessons, her mentor, business coach and advisor, her advice to her younger self, and the importance of giving back!” ~ Michelle Ragusa-McBain

FAIL FORWARD LIVE WITH NANCY RIDGE

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”2_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”4308|full” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”https://youtu.be/fCK2fJ_wYCQ” linktarget=”_blank” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://ridgeinnovative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Fail-Forward-LIVE-Michelle-Ragusa-McBain-scaled.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The post Fail Forward Live appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.

Ridge, an influential leader in tech and women’s advancement initiatives, guides women-focused nonprofit as it expands its impact and numbers served

DES MOINES, IOWA, USA — Nancy Ridge, President at Ridge Innovative will serve as a strategic advisor to the humanitarian 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Mission Sisters Who Work, according to a statement made today from Mission Sisters’ officials. Says Cheryl O’Donoghue, the organization’s president, “Over the past couple of years, we have come to rely on Nancy’s perspective and guidance as we’ve expanded our mission to serve and support even more women with business and STEM scholarships and emotional intelligence leadership development resources.”

Nancy shares Mission Sisters’ commitment to provide valuable insights, training and tools to help empower women who work, enabling them to overcome barriers to their progress and the many inequities they still face in the workplace. “As a lifelong advocate for gender equality, I see Mission Sisters Who Work as a tangible way to offer practical support to women and girls that makes a difference,” says Nancy, who has also been a longtime champion and enthusiastic mentor for women and girls in both the workplace and her community.

Nancy Ridge’s support of Mission Sisters Who Work began in 2018. Since then she has been instrumental in amplifying the nonprofit’s books and training programs at technology industry events, and connecting Mission Sisters to women-focused groups, including the Alliance of Channel Women (ACW). Nancy is co-founder and past president of ACW, a nonprofit professional organization established in 2011 to enable other women leaders in the telecommunications and IT industry to collaborate to grow their businesses, develop personally and professionally and pass on their experience through mentoring.

Ridge Innovative is at the forefront of delivering digital transformation while building lasting relationships across a vast ecosystem of service providers, key partners and clients. In her role as president of Ridge Innovative, Nancy is a trusted advisor with a laser focus on using technology to ensure clients achieve their business outcomes. The results enable her clients to increase employee productivity; improve customer experience; and ensure their connectivity, mobility, cloud and application services meet today’s challenges. Nancy is a Silver Stevie recipient for Executive of the Year and also provides professional consulting and coaching for channel development and sales leadership.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”yes” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” background_color=”#dddddd” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” box_shadow=”yes” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”5″ box_shadow_spread=”5″ box_shadow_color=”#e8e8e8″ box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”40″ padding_right=”40″ padding_bottom=”40″ padding_left=”40″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” align_content=”center” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false” type=”1_3″][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”center” size=”3″ font_size=”28″ animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”1.5″ letter_spacing=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_top=”30px” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”#424242″ animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

As a lifelong advocate for gender equality, I see Mission Sisters Who Work as a tangible way to offer practical support to women and girls that makes a difference.”
— Nancy Ridge, President, Ridge Innovative

[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The post Nancy Ridge to Serve as Advisor to Mission Sisters Who Work appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.

Praise for New Book How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent Leader

“Training program in a book” helps readers uncover, develop, and activate their unique leadership “superpowers”  

DES MOINES, IA, USA – Early reviews are promising for the new book How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent Leader (While Crushing Your Goals) by author, Cheryl O’Donoghue. The book was created to help organizations and individuals meet the demand for a more emotionally intelligent workforce and to “help you unlock the best kept secret to a long and prosperous career—your own emotional intelligence—and how you can use it to lead yourself and those around you in a way that makes you relevant, respected, and indispensable.”

To accomplish this goal, longtime executive, emotional intelligence leadership champion, and coach, Cheryl O’Donoghue, has created a unique business guide which features compelling storytelling from twenty leaders of different ages and backgrounds, an eye-opening “superpowers” self-assessment, and plenty of intriguing exercises to:

• Discover your unique emotional intelligence leadership superpowers
• Gain important insights into how your superpowers work for you
• Learn how to develop and amplify your superpowers to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals with greater ease and confidence
• Customize your own personal plan to raise your leadership game and feel more fulfilled and satisfied with your work

Early reviewers of the book share their feedback.

“This is an incredibly valuable business guide integrated seamlessly into a self-development workbook,” says Jean O’Neill, Vice President Channel, Cyxtera Technologies. “Personally, I benefited from taking the self-assessment first, reading the profiles second, and working on the exercises third. The assessment helped me discover and reconnect with my emotional intelligence leadership superpowers and uncover other abilities I can develop to be an even more impactful leader. The profiles added another layer of insight to help tackle the leadership challenges and opportunities I face and offered plenty of helpful suggestions I will put to use.”

Nancy Ridge, Founder & President, Ridge Innovative says, “This book takes the mystery out of being an emotionally intelligent leader. Not only does it simply describe why it’s important but once again, Cheryl O’Donoghue clearly guides her readers to examine themselves and take action. Being inspired by the stories of the emotionally intelligent leaders in the book, one can take responsibility for their own journey, thus stepping up to play a part in changing the world.”

“Emotional intelligence is rapidly being recognized as one of our most important relationship skills, and with How to be an Emotionally Intelligent Leader, author Cheryl O’Donoghue cements her status as an expert on this subject,” says Nate Westre from MMIT Business Solutions Group. “Cheryl explains emotional intelligence in simple terms and provides easy-to-follow steps and valuable techniques to develop and grow our own EQ.  I enjoyed the techniques she shared to raise self-awareness and break down emotional barriers that can slow our professional progress. And using Cheryl’s included checklists and worksheets to track and measure our emotional intelligence growth will have us all raising emotional intelligence leadership abilities in no time!”

Khali Henderson, Senior Partner at BuzzTheory Strategies agrees, “Except for teleportation, few superpowers can have as great an impact on our personal and professional lives as emotional intelligence. It turns out, the path to high emotional intelligence actually is paved with good intentions. O’Donoghue shows us how to get there, step by step. Plus, instead of boring us with academic theory, she tells the story of emotional intelligence through the unforgettable journeys of twenty extraordinary people—young and old. These profiles give me new hope for humanity! And, the self-assessment and exercises, give the rest of us a roadmap for developing our emotional intelligence superpowers, the gifts we were given and the ones we wish we had.”

“Additionally, How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent Leader lifts the curtain and exposes the one characteristic that is shared amongst all those interviewed: GRIT, and being able to draw from the shared personal experiences of the profiled leaders is extremely impactful,” says Natalia (Botti) Schenkel, National Director of Channel (Chicago) at Masergy Communications. “I appreciate how Cheryl captured the essence of each person and emphasized the emotional intelligence points in the gray boxes. This book reminds me of the Vince Lombardi quote, ‘Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.’ But rarely do we get real insight into what ‘hard effort’ actually means. This book shows you how leaders are made and offers us more than just a study on emotional intelligence. This is a guidebook for our ongoing leadership development.”

All royalties earned from O’Donoghue’s books go to the charitable nonprofit Mission Sisters Who Work. Mission Sisters provides women self-empowerment and emotional intelligence books and training, as well as scholarships needed to help take charge of their lives, so they are well-equipped to close their own gender, opportunity, and pay gaps. The organization has a special focus on serving those from underprivileged communities interested in business or STEM careers.

How to Be an Emotionally Intelligent Leader as well as other books by the author—How to Be a Woman in Technology and How to Be a Woman in Business are available on Amazon.

Visit cherylodonoghue.com or BnEiLeader.com for more information on the author, her books, and additional resources she has available to develop emotional intelligence leadership in companies and individuals.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”yes” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” background_color=”#dddddd” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” box_shadow=”yes” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”5″ box_shadow_spread=”5″ box_shadow_color=”#e8e8e8″ box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”40″ padding_right=”40″ padding_bottom=”40″ padding_left=”40″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”center” size=”3″ font_size=”28″ animated_font_size=”” line_height=”1.5″ letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”30px” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”#424242″ animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=””]

“The call for emotionally intelligent leadership could not come at a better time. Grateful to be a part of this tribe and committed to the change we can bring together.”

[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The post How to Be An Emotionally Intelligent Leader appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.

As 2019 winds to a close, we reach both the end of the year and the end of the decade. An auspicious time for reflection.

As I traveled from Los Angeles to London at the beginning of December, those reflections gave me more than memories, they lit the fire to ignite a new chapter in the history of The Alliance of Channel Women (www.allianceofchannelwomen.org).  The ACW logo is a lovely image of delicately shimmering grasses. It speaks to the grassroots nature of our founding, the flexibility we as women must demonstrate to fulfill the many roles we inhabit, our resilience to elements that would cut us down and yes, it also hints at roots that go deep.

Carried through the sky on the wings of an airplane, I was also carried by the collective intention and support of co-founder Hilary Gadda of TPx, Informa’s next generation of advocates  – Kris Blackmon and Kathleen Connolly, and loyal sponsor John DeLozier of 8×8. All had seen the vision of bringing the message of ACW to the women in the burgeoning channel in Europe. We have become an integral ingredient for channel development and growth.

I had been told the women there are 10 years behind us in terms of their penetration in the tech industry as well as their autonomy and equality at home and in the workplace. I found this information shocking, and inspiring. The fire was burning to carry our message, to enroll these women in the principles that have taken the members, sponsors and our channel at large so far in our last 10 years. I thought of how ready we were to embrace the mission of collaborating with each other to grow our businesses, to support each other as women in a male dominated industry and to mentor each other and younger women into the channel. 10 years later, would the ground be as fertile in Europe as it was at our first meeting in Las Vegas? Would I once again have the privilege of stepping into a “yes”?

I got my answer as our small group of 25 gathered the next day. They entered the room somewhat shy, tentative, not sure how to approach myself, current President Stacy Conrad of TPx and President-Elect Amy Bailey of Telarus. We did our best to put them at ease, to invite them into an environment where it was safe to speak of our darkest fears and greatest failures. To use those feelings and experiences not to give up but to step up. To be honest in seeing not only our part but also how a change in our attitude could change the trajectory of the future for all. To acknowledge we have the power to elevate each other.

In classic ACW fashion, we asked other women to help us and they were willing. Marcela Gonzales of Vonage served as our warm and welcoming MC. Kris kicked off the event with a heart felt message of solidarity and support. Estelle Johannes of CompTIA flew in from northern England to participate in a panel that was expertly led by Kelly Danzinger of Informa. I spoke of those roots mentioned earlier, how Hilary, Bita Milanian of Ribbon and I dreamt of being the change. And our panel shared experience, strength, hope and practical tips to negotiate for what we want and deserve. At the breakout tables afterwards, comments like; “I’ve never been to anything like this before,” and “I can’t believe how honest they were,”. The message had been carried.

The next day, I was introduced to a woman who could be the leader to create this group, this collection of like-minded women, there in Europe. How fitting…10 years behind, 10 years later, the message resonates. What an honor to be a part of women finding their collective voices to bond and grow together, to make our industry and yes, our world, stronger.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”yes” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” background_color=”#dddddd” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” box_shadow=”yes” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”5″ box_shadow_spread=”5″ box_shadow_color=”#e8e8e8″ box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”40″ padding_right=”40″ padding_bottom=”40″ padding_left=”40″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”center” size=”3″ font_size=”28″ animated_font_size=”” line_height=”1.5″ letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”30px” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”#424242″ animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=””]

“All had seen the vision of bringing the message of ACW to the women in the burgeoning channel in Europe. We have become an integral ingredient for channel development and growth.”

[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The post Carrying the Message: Alliance of Channel Women in London appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.

Local chapter of nonprofit, Alliance of Channel Women, uses book club selection to help give women tools to flourish in their tech careers and in life

DES MOINES, IA, UNITED STATES, October 3, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ — When Anne Kolbo from Technology Source (technologysource.com) received the book How to Be a Woman in Technology (while Focusing on What Matters Most) she went straight to Chapter 17 to read what Nancy Ridge, co-founder of the Alliance of Channel Women (ACW) and Founder and President at Ridge Innovative, had to share. Nancy has mentored Anne over the years and has been her role model as she’s developed her own brand as a woman in tech. “But then I couldn’t put the book down and devoured every chapter,” says Anne. “I also noticed that the book was coming into conversations that I was having every day with other people, so that inspired me to launch a book club with How to Be a Woman in Technology as our first selection.” The book club is open to all—both ACW members and non-members—and participants meet virtually each month via phone with a final meeting that’s both virtual and in-person.

This is an unusual twist on the concept of a book club,” says the book’s author Cheryl O’Donoghue who is an ACW member and book club participant. “The ACW book club members are the heroines, along with the women featured in the book, and our shared experiences drive the plot line. We are all contributing to the story of being a woman in tech today and writing new life chapters, together, as we forge ahead.”

In the first session, the book club members discussed chapters they enjoyed and what resonated most with them. The second session got even more personal as they discussed their own journey as women in tech, pivotal experiences and best advice received and given. For the final session, the ladies will meet in person (some will join virtually), have a wine tasting event and share their experience putting into action a self-development exercise created by O’Donoghue to help participants focus on what matters most in their life.

Other women featured in the book have also dropped in to participate in the book club and share personal- and career-focused ideas and insights with the group including, Nancy Ridge (noted earlier); Rebecca Rosen, VP of Marketing at Broadvoice (Chapter 16); Amy Bailey, VP of Marketing at Telarus (Chapter 12); Jean O’Neill, VP Channel at Cyxtera (Chapter 3) and Raquel Wiley, Senior Channel Marketing Manager at TPx Communications (Chapter 8).

“Launching this book club is a career highlight for me,” says Anne. “I’m getting so much from hearing the other women speak. It’s very inspiring.” One of the women who shared her experience with the book was Megan Michaels who had just finished her summer internship with Technology Source. Megan grew up surrounded by leaders in technology who just happened to be women, including her mother, Christine Michaels of TPx Communications and Ridge, a longtime family friend.

Inspired by her role models, Megan decided to read the book for her senior-year project and discussed it on a panel in front of her class. She warned her classmates in advance that they might not find the book interesting because it’s about technology and women in technology, specifically, but she wanted them to know it was interesting to her and why. “I was surprised by their reaction because everyone else had fictional books that were cool and interesting and I’m sharing this real-life book, but it caught everyone’s attention, especially the boys,” says Megan. At the end of the panel discussion, the majority of questions were directed to Megan as her male classmates asked if the book helped her realize that technology was the right path for her and if she has a better understanding of how to be a woman in technology.

“Men are major contributors to our journeys as women in technology, to be sure,” says Cheryl. ‘I love that the book is helping us have meaningful conversations with women and men. We all benefit from sharing an inside view of the challenges and opportunities women face as well as ways we all can support one another and play positive roles in the future of our industry.”

Those interested in participating in the last book club session on October 10 (virtually or in-person) can still sign up even if they haven’t participated previously. Contact Anne Kolbo at anne.k@technologysource.com for information. Established in 2010, Alliance of Channel Women is a not-for-profit organization of women who are in leadership, ownership and revenue-generating roles in the indirect sales channel of the telecom and IT industry. Alliance of Channel Women brings all people together to empower and advance women’s careers and leadership roles in the technology channel. To learn more and to become a member, please click here.

All royalties earned from book purchases of How to Be a Woman in Technology support the charitable work of Mission Sisters Who Work. Mission Sisters provides women self-empowerment books, programming and scholarships needed to take charge of their lives and close their own gender, opportunity and pay gaps. The book is published by Amazon KDP Direct. Take advantage of promotional, lower pricing now extended through the end of the year—softcover $11.99; Kindle $4.99. ISBN 978-1795357999. Visit cherylodonoghue.com for more information on the author and her books.

Cheryl O’Donoghue
Mission Sisters Who Work
+1 630-253-8861
email us here

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”yes” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” background_color=”#dddddd” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” box_shadow=”yes” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”5″ box_shadow_spread=”5″ box_shadow_color=”#e8e8e8″ box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”40″ padding_right=”40″ padding_bottom=”40″ padding_left=”40″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_title hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”center” size=”3″ font_size=”28″ line_height=”1.5″ letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”30px” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”#424242″ style_type=”default” sep_color=””]

“The book was coming into conversations that I was having every day with other people, so that inspired me to launch a book club with How to Be a Woman in Technology as our first selection.”
— Anne Kolbo”

[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The post Book Club Inspires Women in Tech to Take Action appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.

Fewer women in tech than pre dot-com era

In 2010, a friend of mine who was an Executive VP at an emerging tech company, sat with me on the eve of one of our industry’s most important trade shows. We reflected on how there were less women in leadership roles than before the dot com bust. The percentage of women in the tech world was less than 20% and the women who were there were, frankly, aging. Why weren’t young women pushing up the ranks?

Alliance of Channel Women is born

All these questions led me to the foundation of a non-profit group for women in the technology channel. I joined forces with 2 other female leaders and we created an organization which became the Alliance of Channel Women. It was immediately embraced and grew rapidly in membership and influence. One of the main principles of the group was to mentor young women into tech and to mentor each other into leadership roles.

Women are a tech minority

Here we are in 2019 and as we look at the numbers, it’s discouraging to see not much has changed. Women are still the minority in tech. The pay gap still exists and has only budged in a few areas of the country, there has been no discernable improvement on a global scale. Although awareness has exploded in the area of gender diversity and sexual discrimination and harassment, it is still a tricky business for women, especially young women, to navigate into leadership in tech.

High profile women in tech

The good news is we do have more role models than ever before. High profile women like Sheryl Sandberg, Susan Wojcicki, and Ginni Rometty are showing us it’s not impossible to break the glass ceiling and reach the top. Most of us have women around us who are in positions of leadership. Over and over again, studies tell us that role models make the difference in whether young women ascend the ranks or languish.

The future of women in tech

My own experiences attest to this. I have been fortunate enough to mentor a number of young women. They are extraordinary in their own right, in terms of their intelligence, drive and work ethic. They have come out of college and entered high powered jobs at big enterprises like IBM and Fox. They’ve been willing to make the sacrifices necessary, including leaving friends and family to re-locate, putting their energy into their careers versus boyfriends and working the long hours it takes to pay your dues. I have every confidence in them and their ability. My continued involvement in their progress is one of the greatest satisfactions I experience in my career.

Female tech mentorship still needed

I know the need is still there. The obstacles are still there. And, the bright young women still need role models close at hand to mentor them, to sponsor them, to invest in them. My passion for mentorship only grows stronger as I see fruit from the work we’ve done in the last nine years. I continue to advocate for female leadership and look for new ways to engage women from all perspectives to join together with this common purpose. Please contact me if you share my commitment, together we continue to make progress and be the change.

“The percentage of women in the tech world was less than 20% and the women who were there were, frankly, aging. Why weren’t young women pushing up the ranks?”

The post Female Role Models Still Required appeared first on STAGE Ridge Innovative.