The latest class of women leaders from across Georgia Tech have begun the 2019-20 Leading Women@Tech program. Offered by Institute Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the program kicked off its fourth cohort of 20 on October 11.

Launched in 2016 with support from the Office of the President, Leading Women@Tech was established to engage women leaders who are in director-level positions, and above, at the Institute.

The program accepted nominations for its current class earlier this spring.

“Leading Women@Tech represents an investment of time and other resources by the Institute in us as leaders, and also as individuals,” said Director of Leadership Communications, and member of the fourth cohort, Patti Futrell, after the kick-off session. “I was so encouraged that women who had participated in the first three cohorts came back to join us for the launch of our class. We’re part of a network, and they’re cheering us on.”

“Over the course of the program, I want to shore up my leadership skills," added Ann Hoevel, director of communications for the College of Design. “I want to give the strongest example of leadership I can to the communicators in my College."

"Leading Women@Tech represents an investment of time and other resources by the Institute in us as leaders, and also as individuals."

Co-led by Julie Ancis, associate vice president for Institute Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Pearl Alexander, executive director of its Staff Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement unit, the program is designed to strengthen participants’ leadership abilities, enhance personal and professional growth, and support their overall career development, in addition to facilitating connections among women as an inclusive community across the campus.

“Leading Women@Tech was years in the making,” said Ancis at the opening. “From the 2013 Climate Assessment Survey and additional listening sessions, we heard your expressed interest in more mentoring and networking opportunities for women here at Tech. I am grateful that this vision came to fruition and three cohorts have since graduated from the program to build an expanded network of engaged leaders.”

Some of this year’s curriculum will focus on the topics of storytelling, self-efficacy, mindfulness, and intercultural dialogue.

 “This investment in fortifying and advancing women leaders is a visible commitment towards inclusive excellence,” said Alexander. “We must become even more intentional and expansive with such opportunities if we are to sustain our progress and live our values.”

The fourth cohort of Leading Women@Tech participants are: Angela Ayers (Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience), Shardonay Blueford (Georgia Tech Athletics), Carla Bradley (Georgia Tech Counseling Center), Suzy Briggs (Strategic Energy Institute; Corporate Relations), Pamela Buffington (Office of Information Technology), Tina Clonts (Institute Finance Support), Melanie DeMaeyer (Women’s Resource Center), Dominique Ennis (Georgia Tech Professional Education), Courtney Ferencik (Development, College of Sciences), Patti Futrell (Institute Communications), Sheree Gibson (Department of Housing), Kathleen Gosden (Office of Legal Affairs), Ann Hoevel (College of Design), Martina Hubbarth (Office of Development), Jennifer Hubert (Institute Planning and Resource Management), Marissa Jules (Architecture and Infrastructure), Tracey Reeves (Institute Communications), Tina Rousselot de Saint Ceran (International Student and Scholar Services), Myrtle Turner Harris (Innovation Institute and OSHA Training Institute Education Center), and JulieAnne Williamson (Administration and Finance).

For more information on the Leading Women@Tech program, including this year’s participant biographies and program guide, visit diversity.gatech.edu/leadingwomenattech.