May 2008

In this issue, you'll read:

• Fifth Annual Summit and Training Conference Delivers on its Promise
• President’s Welcome Message at 2008 Summit
• EWG Elects New Board for 2008-2009
• Pearls of Wisdom Shared: Overview of Flash Mentoring Session
• Career Corner – Overseas Opportunities
• Welcome to New Members

Fifth Annual Summit and Training Conference Delivers on its Promise to Educate, to Connect, and to Have a Great Time!

Executive Women in Government presented its flagship annual event on
March 12, 2008 - the Summit and Training Conference: Women's Vision. The
event attracted over 150 federal women executives across the federal government. For one whole day, these busy executives were able to connect with colleagues from different agencies, bond with old friends, and learn from the shared wisdom of the speakers who graced the podium and became our inspiration.

It is not often that one attends a Summit where each speaker is there to
share her passion, her intelligence, and her life's work in order to motivate and inspire other women. This is what each of the speakers contributed to the event which was launched by the incomparable Summit Chair and mentor par excellence Marylouise Uhlig, Associate Assistant Administrator for OPPTS at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

She was followed by EWG President Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, whose remarks on the qualities of leadership emphasized humility, civility, and purpose. 

Ms. Scarlett then presented past EWG president Nancy Nord, Acting Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, with a token of appreciation from the Board of EWG, and, befitting an organization of federal women executives, Ms. Nord's memento is a pin of the American Eagle.

Some Highlights of the Summit

The Chancellor
The audience was captured by the vitality, dedication, and willpower of the new and young Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools, Michelle Rhee. Anyone familiar with the problems facing major urban school districts will understand that to head such a system requires energy, stamina, and, perhaps above all, a clear vision. Chancellor Rhee demonstrated that she personifies these qualities and that she is concentrating all her energy to achieve what is best for the children of DC's public schools. Her hands-on management style, her honesty and clear mission, the children are always first, her ability to balance the challenge of such a job with her family life, and her courage in making the right decisions in the face of strong and loud disagreement, won her the respect of this audience and a standing ovation at the conclusion of her remarks.

The Poet, the Artist and the Authors

We were fortunate to hear Karren La Londe Alenier recite some of her poetry; Karren is the winner of the 2002 Towson University Prize for Literature and is the author of five collections of poetry, including, Looking for Divine Transportation.

This year's program cover featured Joie de Vivre a mixed media collage by artist Linda Durkee

Author Michealene Cristini Risley described the life experiences that led her to co-author This Is Not The Life I Ordered which underscores the value of friendship, sisterhood, and mentoring, during life changes and crises.

Author and retired US Marine Officer, Courtney Lynch has co-authored a book which draws inspiration and leadership lessons from her years in the military. Her commanding communication style reflects the title of her book, Leading From the Front: No Excuse Leadership Tactics for Women.

The Analysts and Government Experts

Dr Elaine Karmarck, author of The End of Government as We Know It, and
former White House Domestic Policy Advisor shared both her theories for what can make government work better to deliver services to its citizens as well as some practical advice as federal executives face a change in Administration: be ready with good ideas; new leaders are open to good ideas that will make their public service successful. 

Amy Walter, Editor-in-Chief of the National Journal Hotline, kept us on the edge of our seats as she provided insights and commentary on the current campaign to select Presidential candidates; however, she was wise enough not to pin herself down to a prediction!

The Secretary

Conference participants were informed, challenged and inspired by Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation. Named the first woman Secretary of Arizona's Department of Transportation and the second woman to serve as US Secretary for the Department of Transportation, Secretary Peters leads in a sector of our society that is traditionally male dominated. Yet, she asked, aren't women great users of the transportation infrastructure in our country? Aren't they the people who need better transportation, safer, more efficient transportation so that they can do all the things that they do for themselves and their families? The daughter of a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Secretary Peters benefited from women mentors and friends.  Her career choice and life reflect the rich experiences she gained from her upbringing by a strong father and good women mentors. In her remarks, Secretary Peters shared her job experiences in the meat packing industry, talked about the perceptions of women and the roles they were denied as she was growing up, and marveled at the contrast with the views of her granddaughter who says she wants to grow up to be President. Being engaged in the issues that face our society, serving the public and making a contribution to our society are the things that motivate this leader. Today's professional women possess talents, skills and opportunities; Secretary Peters pointed out that those of us serving in the federal government must seize opportunities and shape public policy. She closed her remarks by inviting all conference participants to think about the goals we want to achieve, to challenge each other, to strategize, to think deep thoughts.

First Lifetime EWG Membership Conferred on Marylouise Uhlig, Past
President and Summit Chair

Marylouise Uhlig, Past President (2003 Term) of EWG and the force of nature that has brought us five annual Women's Summits that have trained, inspired and motivated hundreds of federal executives over the years, is known for her meticulous planning. Her skills show in every detail: from the quality of our speakers, (cabinet members, policymakers, authors, movers and shakers on issues that matter to women in the federal government) to the women who cater our Summit and
decorate our tables with beautiful spring flowers--nothing escapes her attention and it is quite impossible to surprise her. However, at the close of the summit, the Board of Directors of EWG did just that--surprise Marylouise with a unanimous and unprecedented honor! Surrounded by the members of the Board, she was honored with EWG's First Lifetime Membership Award. The honor has been earned; Marylouise's contributions to EWG have touched many; her example as a supporter of women in all fields of work is legendary; she is a natural, wise and skilled mentor; she is a valuable colleague and dear friend. On behalf of the Board, thank you, Marylouise, and may you continue to enrich EWG with your presence.

Marylouise Uhlig presents Chancellor Rhee            

Past EWG President, Maria Vickers greets summit participants.

The Sponsors

EWG is pleased that our Summit Sponsors spent the day with us: Project Performance Corporation is a management and technology consulting firm in the business of simplifying complex problems for top government and Fortune 500 decision makers. GRA, Inc. is a fast-growing organization of former Federal HR professionals that delivers consulting and training services to government agencies.  Language Line services is the world's leading provider of over-the-phone interpretation and document translation services. Leadstar provides innovative leadership development opportunities e.g. Leadership Boot Camp.

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President’s Welcome Message at 2008 Conference

Good morning! Welcome to this annual summit of Executive Women in Government. I’d like especially to thank the EWG Board and team that made this event possible. Above all, I thank each of you here for your public service, your leadership, and your commitment to excellence.

Those gathered here are leaders of economy, culture, community, science, health, education, and governance. You need no lessons in leadership. Each of you has a personal saga of leadership and service. Each of us also recalls our own heroes—women leaders who stepped away from hearth, home, and workplaces to change the course of human events.

We think of Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, Margaret Mead, Amelia Earhardt, and so many others. The list is long and varied. We need no reminder of their courage, their leadership, and their accomplishments.

But, as we gather to contemplate leadership in the workplace, I want to remind us of a subtler kind of courage that accompanies leadership. That is the courage—in the daily workplace—to think outside the box—and the courage of humility. Both, I believe, are critical to leadership; both are critical to executive success.

At Interior, Rachel Carson, the first women biologist in the Fish and Wildlife Service, dared to think differently—and made a difference. But she was always humble along the way.

Each of you has similar tales in the workplace. Often, these tales spring from a recognition of the importance of “local knowledge,” recognizing that answers don’t always reside at headquarters. Often these tales spring from a recognition that, as poet Wallace Stevens once wrote: “Perhaps real truth depends on a walk around the lake.”

These tales of success also spring from a recognition that “no man—or woman—is an island. Leadership resides in tapping the knowledge and imagination of many.

Courage to be different; courage to be humble; courage to listen to others—leadership requires these many shades of courage. So, too, does leadership require conviction.

Success in any endeavor, it seems to me, centers on “seizing the day”—doing something you love. If love your work, you’ll never work a day in your life.

One great woman executive at the Interior Department—recently retired—left an indelible mark on my thinking. She often talked of her mother’s wisdom. I’ll borrow from the wisdom of her mother. Her mother always told her: “No deposit, no return.” That “deposit” springs from a conviction that what we are doing is important—that we are making a difference for the world around us.

A few months back, I was sworn in as President of this organization at the Mary McCleod Bethune house. As we gathered for that event, I contemplated leadership through conviction.

Bethune was the daughter of parents born into slavery. She had a passion for education. She wanted to touch the lives of African American girls.  She opened a school in 1904 in Florida. The school had no equipment. Bethune used crates for desks. Ink came from crushed elderberries. Bethune financed the school through baking pies and making ice cream.

Eventually her small school grew—and became a college. Mary McCleod Bethune was a person of conviction. She was also a person of confidence.

Conviction without confidence will yield only limited results. Leadership requires confidence. I think of the bumper sticker: “You go, girl.”

We all need confidence—the self-assurance to act. But that assurance comes from a strong sense of purpose: “What is our mission?” “What goals are we pursuing”? Success in any organization—large and small—is about knowing where you are trying to go and measuring progress.

Consider the metaphor of mankind’s quest to measure longitude. In Oct. 1707, the entire British fleet was lost, not in battle, but on the rocks of the Scilly Isles. The flagship smashed into the rocks, and every other ship in the fleet followed blindly behind to destruction. Four warships were lost 2,000 people lost their lives. Why? Mankind still had no way to measure longitude.

The British captains knew where they wanted to go, but they did not know how to measure progress.

This is an apt metaphor for our workplaces—and for leadership. Great courage, conviction, and confidence are imperative. But we must also center on a strong sense of purpose, mission, and clearly articulated goals.

There is one other important element of leadership. That is the imperative of civility. Civility is, perhaps, the greatest civic virtue. Our interactions in the workplace are not about “winning debates.” Conversation is about communicating. Communication requires civility.

I am always struck by the wisdom of author William Isaacs who describes dialogue as conversation with a center not sides. I believe truly great leaders must nurture such conversations.

This summit will nurture conversations that we may excel in our work and our communities and that we may help nurture a universe of women leaders.

I want to take moment to give special thanks to one woman leader here, my predecessor as president of this organization—Nancy Nord. I have a small token of appreciation for her leadership. As I hand her this pin, let us all give her a round of applause.

Thank you.

Lynn Scarlett

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EWG Elects New Board for 2008-09

The EWG has unanimously elected the new board for the 2008-09 year. They are:

President (1-year term): Katherine C. Gugulis, Deputy Chief for Management at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Vice President (2-year term): Elizabeth Cotsworth, Director of the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Environmental Protection Agency

Secretary (1-year term): Mary Josie Blanchard Deputy Director, Environmental Policy & Compliance, Office of the Secretary, The Department of the Interior

Carolyn Cole will continue as Treasurer which is a 2-year term expiring July, 2009 and Lynn Scarlett will continue as Past President.

The new board will officially begin its term on July 1, 2008. The Swearing-In will take place in June (details to come).

For bios on the incoming board, visit http://www.execwomeningov.org/our_people/SlateAnnouncement2008.pdf

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Pearls of Wisdom Shared: Overview of Flash Mentoring Session

On February 27, 2008, Executive Women in Government (EWG) partnered with the Treasury Executive Institute to host a Flash Mentoring Exercise-- an adaptation of “speed dating” transported to the world of mentoring and busy federal executive women!  So many of us think we are too busy to commit to formal mentoring programs, either as mentors or mentees. But most of us can find the time to participate in mentoring events which require an investment of only a few hours and provide an opportunity to exchange ideas with more than one mentor/mentee.  Recognizing these needs and wants, EWG and the Treasury Executive Institute brought together ten Senior Executives with forty-five women who wanted to talk to a mentor in a flash.  The two and a half hour session began with a mentor and several mentees at each table addressing one question to generate discussion.  After thirty minutes, the mentees moved to a second table of their choice to address the second question with a different mentor.  The process continued for three rounds, but the concept can be extended to more rounds as time permits. Recorders at each table captured the advice provided by mentors during the conversation. We received so much feedback from participants, noted so many exchanges of business cards and were so impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the participants that we hope to make this session a staple in EWG's programming. We are very grateful to the generous spirit of our mentors, each a successful Senior Executive, who gave of their time and wisdom.  We are pleased that so many women came together to share their concern and trusted each other to speak with candor and care.

Our distinguished panel of members included:

·         Patricia Sanders, Executive Director, U.S. Missile Defense Agency

·         Phyllis Scheinberg, Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs/Chief Financial Office , U.S. Department of Transportation

·         Claudia Erland, Arete Fellow and former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence

·         Margie Carpenter, Former Chief Financial Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission  

·         Barbara Sherupski, President, Sher Associates, Inc. formerly with the Office of Personnel Management and responsible for first automation of Federal jobs (USAJOBS.GOV)

·         Pamela Gardiner, Deputy Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U.S. Department of the Treasury

·         Nancy Fleetwood, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Public Debt, Department of the Treasury

·         Glenda Owens, Deputy Director, Office of Surface Mining, Department of the Interior

·         Maria Parisi Vickers, Deputy Director, Office of Solid Waste, Environmental Protection Agency

·         Paula Farrell, Director of Policy and Legislative Review, Department of the Treasury.

For a complete recap of the Words of Wisdom shared at the Mentoring Program, go to http://www.execwomeningov.org/career_resources/FlashMentoring2-08.pdf
 

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Career Corner - Overseas Opportunities
Looking for Your Next Job? Ever considered looking outside the US? Maybe you should. The Department of State's Bureau of International Organization Affairs provides a central job listing service that lists a myriad of opportunities outside the US. The International Vacancy Announcements (IVA) list is updated every two weeks and includes vacancies from over 50 United Nation agencies and other international organizations.

Generally, the most competitive candidates have international work experience, skills in a second language, and a graduate’s degree in the required area of expertise. However, there are many other considerations.

For a complete list of current opening and additional information, visit http://www.state.gov/p/io/rls/iva/104416.htm

For other employment opportunities within the United States Federal Government, go to www.usajobs.opm.gov.

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Welcome to New Members