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Women's Workshop

UNC Kenan-Flagler Women's Workshop

November 15 – 19, 2021

This virtual experience is hosted by Full-Time MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment in partnership with Carolina Women in Business (CWIB) and the 100 Women movement. This event is an engaging, online version of our traditional in-person event to provide prospective Full-Time MBA students the opportunity to network with each other and learn more about the incredible community, support and resources for women at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

What to expect at UNC Kenan-Flagler Women’s Workshop:

  • You will build personal connections with CWIB members in small group sessions and interactive events, and learn why they chose UNC Kenan-Flagler.
  • Get insight into our values-driven culture and the resources you’ll tap into as you pursue your MBA, including our 100 Women movement.
  • Expert presenters will lead discussions on overcoming personal and professional obstacles, and how women can empower each other to lead with purpose.
  • Networking events built for prospective students to connect with peers, current MBA students, and members of our admissions team.


Registration for Women’s Workshop 2021 is now closed. We encourage you to check out our events calendar for other opportunities to connect with our admissions team and UNC Kenan-Flagler community.

2021 Keynote Speaker
Phaedra Boinodiris (MBA ’08)

Phaedra Boinodiris (MBA '08)Phaedra Boinodiris is the business transformation leader for IBM’s Responsible AI consulting group and serves on the leadership team of IBM’s Academy of Technology. She is also the co-founder of WomenGamers.com, a popular women’s gaming portal. There, she subsequently started the first scholarship for women to pursue degrees in game design and development in the United States. Currently, Phaedra is pursuing her Ph.D. in AI and Ethics at University College Dublin’s Smart Lab. In 2013, Phaedra was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from UNC Kenan-Flagler.


Women's Workshop 2021 Agenda

Can’t attend every session? No problem. We invite you to participate in as many sessions as you are interested in or are able to attend.

We will provide closed captioning for all sessions. All times are in EST.

Monday, November 15

7:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Welcome to Women's Workshop
Presenters:

Anna Millar, Interim Senior Associate Dean of Business and Operations
Danielle Richie, Senior Associate Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment
7:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Keynote Address – +10 Health: Gaming, AI, Ethics – a UNC Journey
Introduction: Gabriella Kostrzewa (MBA ‘22), Carolina Women in Business President
Keynote Speaker: Phaedra Boinodiris (MBA ‘08), Trust in AI Business Transformation Leader at IBM
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Kickoff with Carolina Women in Business
Presenter: Gabriella Kostrzewa (MBA ‘22), Carolina Women in Business President

Hosts:
Vanya Agarwal (MBA ‘23)
Claire Barnett (MBA ‘23)
Darby Casey (MBA ‘23)
Annie Cassel (MBA ‘23)
Abby Crotteau (MBA ‘23)
Gabriella Ferrari (MBA ‘22)
Lindsay Hall (MBA ‘23)
Taylor Jackson (MBA ‘23)
Neelam Kadam (MBA ‘23)
Mollie Kelly (MBA ‘23)
Lauren Milazzo (MBA ‘23)
Radhika Murali (MBA ‘23)
Mayur Patel (MBA '23)
Anmol Saxena (MBA ‘23)
Paige Smith (MBA ‘22)

Join this session to learn more about CWIB and connect with current students. You will meet with CWIB members for casual conversations in breakout rooms. They will share more about their involvement in the organization, experience at UNC Kenan-Flagler and much more! There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

Tuesday, November 16

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Investing in the Success of Women at Work
Moderator: Sandra Chandler, Associate Director of Employer Engagement & Recruiting

Panelists:
Dana Dhaliwal, Head of CIB Credit Delivery at Truist Securities
Jane Gasdaska, General Manager, Business Transformation, Phillips 66
Kate Kryder, University Programs Recruiter, The Clorox Company
Alicia Petross, Chief Diversity Officer, The Hershey Company

Explore how companies are investing in the success of women in the workplace, and how these initiatives are creating a more equitable and inclusive corporate culture. An increasing number of employers are implementing new programs, growing resources, and ensuring women have access to leadership development as they progress in their careers.

Wednesday, November 17

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Women of Color Roundtable
Facilitator: Kelsie Carter (MBA ‘22), Co-President of Black Business Student Association

Speakers:
Mabel Acosta (MBA ‘20), General Management LDP, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Jermisha Dodson, Associate Director, Full-Time MBA program
Ebony D. Thomas (MBA ‘09), Senior Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton

Guest speakers will share their experiences navigating careers in business as women of color and discuss the importance of advocacy, mentorship and allyship in the workplace.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Partnering with CWIB, Consortium, Forte, ROMBA, & Veterans
Moderator: Gabriella Ferrari (MBA '22), The Consortium at UNC President

Panelists:
Elana Borinsky (MBA ‘23)
Katelyn Leal (MBA ‘23)
Daisy Nguyen-Le (MBA ‘22)
Nita Noq (MBA '23)
Christine Pham (MBA ‘23)
Yoona Shin (MBA/MSPH ‘23)

Current students will share their experience as members of Carolina Women in Business (CWIB), The Consortium, Forté Foundation, Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), and MBA Veterans Network to empower women at UNC Kenan-Flagler. Learn how they are maximizing their MBA experience through involvement with these organizations and blazing new trails as leaders in the UNC Kenan-Flagler community.
8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Networking Breakout Sessions
Join current MBA students for our networking breakout sessions to informally ask questions and learn more about our Full-Time MBA program. Each breakout room will be hosted by student representatives and organized by topic:

  • Career Recruiting: Sanam Chakraborty (MBA ‘22) and Nimish Paripatyadar (MBA ‘22)
  • Why an MBA: Shaurya Misra (MBA ‘23) and Vanya Agarwal (MBA ‘23)
  • Academics: Shivam Shah (MBA ‘23) and Vanessa Rodriguez (MBA ‘23)
  • Experiential Learning: Lizzy Pellicane (MBA ‘22) and Shannon Chen (MBA '22)
  • Life as an MBA student: Anmol Saxena (MBA ‘23) and Sanjana Shedbale (MBA ‘23)

Thursday, November 18

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 100 Women Movement at UNC Kenan-Flagler: Women Supporting Women
Moderator: Sherry Wallace (UNC ’82, MBA ’87), Co- Founder 100 Women Movement and Executive Director of Engagement and Inclusion

Presenters:
Beth Struckell (MBA ’82), Co-Founder 100 Women Movement
Kit Bredrup (UNC ’89, MBA ’93), Co-Founder 100 Women Movement

Hear from the co-founders of the 100 Women Movement about the conversation that sparked it and where it is today. This initiative harnesses the network power of 12,000+ UNC Kenan-Flagler alumni to attract prospective women MBA students and mentor them throughout their journey to becoming strong, ambitious, and collaborative female leaders.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Alumni Panel: The Return on Investment of a UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA
Moderator: Tammy Samuels, Executive Director of Career and Leadership for MBA and Alumni 

Panelists:
Harmonie Jacobson (MBA ‘20), Program Manager, Customer Experience, Google
Jessie Owens (MBA '21), Private Wealth Associate, Goldman Sachs
Je’nique Whitney Harewood (MBA ‘21), Digital Marketing Manager, Verizon Business Group, Verizon Communications Inc.
Becca Jordan Wright (MBA ‘21), Founder and CEO, Piedmont Pennies LLC

Choosing to pursue an MBA is a decision to invest in your future. At UNC Kenan-Flagler, you will find a supportive community of women and allies, and have access to a wealth of resources as you prepare for the next step in your career. Hear from recent alumnae as they reflect on the value of an MBA, the networks that had an impact on their MBA journey and how they continue to utilize these connections today.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Gender Wage Advocacy and Salary Negotiation Skills Workshop
Facilitator: Alison Fragale, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Mary Farley Ames Lee Distinguished Scholar

The bad news: An overwhelming body of evidence suggests that, relative to men, women are disadvantaged at every stage of the negotiation process. This is one explanation for the persistent salary gap between men and women.
The good news: None of these disadvantages are rooted in biology or personality. Women can negotiate as effectively as men, they just need to employ different strategies. In this workshop, Alison Fragale discusses the science of gender at the bargaining table – the false assumptions women make about advocating for themselves, and research-based strategies for correcting these assumptions and being a confident advocate for one’s self interest.

Friday, November 19

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. MBA Admissions Information Session
Presenter: Rickita Worrell, Associate Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment

Get an inside look into our Full-Time MBA program. You will learn more about our curriculum and admissions process, discover the ROI of an MBA, and have opportunities to ask questions about the program.
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Application Interview Workshop: Mock Interviews
Facilitator: Danielle Richie, Senior Associate Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment 

This interactive session will provide you with a general overview of how to ace your MBA admissions interview. Join a small group session with an admissions officer to practice common interview questions in a safe, risk-free environment. Our admissions staff will provide feedback and tips so that you can feel confident ahead of your admissions interview.
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Closing Remarks
Presenter: Rickita Worrell, Associate Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions & Student Recruitment

 

Registration for Women's Workshop 2021 is now closed. We encourage you to check out our events calendar for other opportunities to connect with our admissions team and UNC Kenan-Flagler community.