I am truly honored by the confidence that the members of
EWG have shown by electing me as your President. EWG, as the
organization that speaks for senior women leaders in federal
service, is truly a power organization and so to be chosen to lead
it is a real honor. 
In her role, she provides leadership in
developing the agency’s strategic, performance, and business plans;
budget request; performance measurement system; and oversight and
evaluation activities. The performance management system she has
implemented is recognized as one of the best among all federal
natural resource agencies. In July 2002, the Department of
Agriculture recognized the Agency for outstanding leadership and
vision in creating an Integrated Accountability System that provides
information for the efficient and effective management of resources
and delivery of programs.
Executive Women in
Government
c/o Mariner Management
PO Box 1046 - Laurel, MD
20724
301-725-3540
| Fall 2006
In this issue, you'll
read: By
Lucia Homick and contributors
At an extraordinary event at the U.S. Supreme Court on October 17
attended by more than 150 guests, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
installed EWG’s new officers including Nancy Nord, Acting Chairman
for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who became the
33rd president. With her were Vice-President Katherine C.
Gugulis, Deputy Chief for Strategic Planning and Accountability for
the National Resources Conservation Service (USDA); Secretary Paula
Farrell, Director of the Office of Policy and Legislative Review at
the U.S. Department of the Treasury; and Treasurer Margaret Weir,
Manager, Internal Control Group, US Postal Service. Justice Ginsburg noted that when EWG was founded in 1974, fewer
than 100 women served in the top echelons of federal executive
service. By 2005, over 5,000 women held Senior Executive Service
positions.
“Members of this organization are following the wise counsel of
my dear colleague, Sandra Day O’Connor,” said Justice Ginsburg. “She
observed ‘For both men and women the first step in getting power is
to become visible to others and then to put on an impressive show.
As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what
women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more
women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.’”
As one of the forerunners of women’s career equality, Justice
Ginsburg provides an example of overcoming the challenges. She
attended law school at a time when it was viewed that her enrollment
could have been better used by a male. Justice Ginsburg
then went on to win 5 out of 6 gender discrimination suits she
prosecuted. She attributed her success to hard work and luck, and
commented that society is now prepared to listen – there are doors
open for women. Justice Ginsburg’s achievements and remarks were
inspirational to all.
“May you encourage, by your example, younger women to follow in
your way, to aspire and achieve in accord with their full human
potential,” said Justice Ginsburg.
Nancy Nord responded in accepting the presidency with a pledge to
“continuing the tradition set by the outstanding women who founded
EWG over thirty years ago.” She noted that the founding women are
icons for us—people like Barbara Hackman Franklin, the former
Secretary of Commerce, Senator Elizabeth Dole, and Major General
Jeanne Holm. “They were there at the beginning of EWG and still
support it today. Following these traditions, I want to work to make
the organization as useful to you as it possibly can be.”
Nord, who will serve as president for one year, began her term at
the CPCS May 2005 when nominated by President George W. Bush; she
continues through October 2012. The CPSC protects the public against
unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer
products. Maria Parisi Vickers, Deputy Director for the Office
of Solid Waste, Environmental Protection Agency, who will remain on
the board as immediate past president, acknowledged and thanked
retiring officers of the EWG Board. Noting EWG’s role of mentoring
and fostering networking relationships, she noted EWG strives,
through strong representational membership of diverse women to
increase and advance the power of women as leaders.
The Supreme Court venue was truly spectacular – in a building not only grandiose in architectural details, but also epitomizing court decisions in the struggle for diversity. An elegant tea was enjoyed by all, enhanced by the camaraderie and informal networking, characteristic of EWG events. Snapshots from the
event... Editor’s Note: See accompanying article for
Nancy Nord’s full comments. Justice Ginsburg’s are available at
http://www.execwomeningov.org/events/Ginsburg_Remarks101706.pdf.
We are also hosting several signature programs including the Annual Summit & Training Conference celebrating “Generations of Women Moving History Forward” on March 8 and the Annual Spring Tea honoring the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award Winning Women in May. Plans are underway for a special program at the Embassy of Poland in late Spring. To learn more and to register for any event,
visit www.ExecWomenInGov.org and click on
Events. You’ll enjoy an elegant, yet relaxed tea, mingle with
friends old and new, and help women right in our hometown get a
strong start in the new year. Bring your enthusiasm and your heart –
but we’re asking that you make your donation of clothing or
accessories to one of the 17 Crest Cleaner locations
rather than carting it with you to the Four Seasons. DFS has
partnered with Crest Cleaners to accept your donation, dry-clean it
FREE and deliver to the DFS Boutique. You can certainly make a
financial donation in lieu of clothing; please feel free to bring
that with you or donate on-line.
In 2004, DFS-DC implemented the Professional Women’s
Group program, a year-long mentoring program that helps clients
navigate their first year of employment. offered to clients who have
maintained employment for a period of time. The goal for 2007 is to
double the size of its PWG program and create a broader mentoring
program. Beginning January 2007, DFS-DC will take on a critical
program created by Dress for Success Worldwide – the Career Center.
The Career Center, which supplements the efforts of the suiting and
PWG program, will assist women who are newly employed by providing
them with computer training and job training resources. To learn
more about Dress for Success and the Washington DC affiliate, please
visit www.dressforsuccess.org/washingtondc I am proud to report that the 2005 Board of Directors leave behind an impressive body of work that I hope will sustain and grow this very valuable organization. In terms of infrastructure we have seen the revision of our by-laws to create a different membership category for retired women who were not EWG members at the time of retirement, we have chosen to make all elected Board positions available to members without a waiting period, and we have provided for a two-year term for the positions of Treasurer and Vice President to ensure organizational continuity. The net effect is a more flexible governing document which will allow us to recruit more members and to attract the best candidates for office. My warm thanks to my friend, colleague, and brilliant lawyer, Kate Perry, for chairing the By-Laws Committee and producing a document reflecting the views of the membership. In addition, thanks to Past President, Marylouise
Uhlig, EWG established in 2005 a strategic relationship with Women
Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), a national bipartisan public policy
organization that advocates for and on behalf of women and
minorities in business, which allows us to work to work together on
events and activities of mutual benefits to our
membership. Of course, the year's highlight continued to be our March Summit and Training Conference, EWG's premier networking and training program for both members and prospective members. This past March our theme was "Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams" and the stellar speakers (U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral, OMB's Comptroller and member of EWG Linda Combs, CNN commentator Torie Clark and cultural anthropologist, Dr Mary Catherine Bateson) made it a sold-out event. This enriching and stimulating program was created by Marylouise Uhlig, who through the force of her goodwill and advocacy of EWG, is able to move mountains and align the most improbable of busy schedules. Thanks are insufficient for Marylouise’s dedication and work for EWG so I add my gratitude and friendship.
As I move on to serve as a member of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Nancy Nord as our President and to see new faces on the Board. I hope that I have made a contribution to the lives of those I have met through EWG; you, my colleagues and friends, have certainly enriched my life. The next few years will bring great opportunities for leadership positions as many baby boomers, both men and women, retire from the federal government. EWG is an organization that reminds us that mentoring should be part of our professional life, both as givers and takers of advice, and that the opportunities to network are available to each of us. I encourage you to tell a friend about EWG and join us for as many events as possible. My thanks for the opportunity to represent this very fine organization, and I look forward to continuing to work with you Maria Parisi-Vickers, Past President To get more women in leadership positions, there has to be a political will, and that means women have to stand together. So said Marie C. Wilson, author of “Closing the Leadership Gap,” who addressed about 75 federal executives including U.S. Treasurer Cabral and EWG board members at the Treasury Executive Institute on Aug. 30. Wilson, founder of the White House Project and “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day,” shared findings from her research saying it is more important than ever for women to lead alongside men and not to “take over.” According to recent polls, half of American voters say they trust women in leadership positions as much as men. Interestingly, people think there are more women in leadership positions than actually are said Wilson. There are just 11 women chief executive officers in the Fortunate 500, and none in the Fortune 100. “The perception changes when there are more of us in one place—there is power in numbers,” she said. “Never assign one woman to anything.” Women bring a different type of leadership to bear, Wilson noted. In government, women are more likely to think outside the box, build consensus, work across party affiliations, and bring people affected by policy into the system. Women are often ambivalent about being ambitious, said Wilson, whereas men take it as a given. Nonetheless, she urged the group to encourage more women to step up to leadership positions by:
EWG Board members received special recognition at the
event which followed EWG’s first board meeting of the new year.
Special thanks to past president Lori Santamorena for securing the
invitation.
She has extensive management and operations experience. From March 1997 to February 1998, Gugulis served as USDA’s Acting Associate Assistant Secretary during which time she oversaw implementation of the 92 recommendations contained in the Secretary’s civil rights action team report. She began her career as public affairs officer at the
Maryland State Office of NRCS’s predecessor agency, the Soil
Conservation Service in 1974. A native of Maryland, Gugulis earned a
bachelors of science degree in journalism from the University of
Maryland with minors in economics and English. She has received
several national awards for performance management, civil rights
leadership, and communications, held various leadership positions in
professional associations, and has been recognized by the agency for
outstanding and superior service consistently throughout her career.
In 2006, she received the Chief’s Circle of Excellence Award for
strategic planning. She was accepted into the Senior Executive
Service in 1995 and lives in Gaithersburg, Md., with her
husband. Confirmed speakers thus far include: Dr. Anita Jones, Lawrence R. Quarles Professor of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia; Dr. Kathie Olsen, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, National Science Foundation; and Dawn Meyerriecks, Former Chief Technology Officer, Defense Information Systems Agency, and Former Senior Vice-President, AOL Corporation. This workshop is by invitation only and will be
limited to a maximum of 60 participants. To receive a personal
invitation, contact Caroline Simard (carolines@anitaborg.org;
650-857-2451). EWG made the list! What list? “9 Groups That
Help Leaders Lead” featured in an article “Groups That Can Make A
Difference” in September 4, 2006 Federal Computer Week. Aliya
Sternstein wrote that smart IT managers join one or two leadership
organizations that offer vocational and personal benefits.
Sternstein noted that managers should seek groups that help
establish support networks inside and outside their niches.
It is our job, our privilege, to support and defend this great Constitution. Few ever really know how it feels. I am reminded of this feeling every time I hear the National Anthem or when the bugle sounds Reveille, To the Colors, Retreat, and especially Taps. It is the Army that compels us to be more than we are, to learn more than we ever thought possible, and to do more when no one else could. This Army, my Army, has taught me to learn, to lead, to achieve, and to become. As I shed this uniform that is so familiar, I
look back… how did the time pass so quickly? I look back with a
sense of pride, of camaraderie of that bond that will endure. In the
shadows of others, I am humble. I honor all of them and all of you
who taught me so much. Thank you all for what you have done to light
my way. To Dream, to Learn, to Do, to Become…I stand much taller
because I am, and will always be, a "Soldier." Donna Barbisch - Global Deterrence
Alternatives Jada
Breegle - Defense Information Systems Agency Pamela
Clay - Defense Information Systems Agency Avis
Dickey - Center for Disease Control Page
Faulk - Consumer Product Safety Commission Wendy
Fite - Administration Office of the
Patricia
Kelly - Natural Resource Consrevation Service Elisa
Krobot - Department of State Jan
Lane - United States Coast Guard Brenda
Mendoza - Department of Homeland Security Lauren
Mical - Environmental Protection Agency Rebecca
Minton – Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Christine
O'Donnell - Department of Agriculture Maryann
Petrole - Financial Management & Planning Branch Patricia
Popovich - Access Systems Inc. Gloria
Potocek - United State Coast Guard Sandra
Schraibman - Department of Justice Cynthia
Sego - Department of Health and Human Services Patricia
Semple - Consumer Product Safety Commission Vicki
Simons - Environmental Protection Agency Marie
Stephens - Department of State Mary
Stickney - Administrative Office of the
Suzanne
Strohl - Unites States Coast Guard |