“The year of the woman” is again on display. More than a slogan, our evolving culture and mindset are taking center stage. In reality, women have not veered off course supporting and encouraging one another to continue blazing the trail and taking their seats at the tables of leadership. However, the slogan reminds us that while each milestone of progress is celebrated, women and men alike recognize the gap is still great.
Alice Eagly and Linda Carli, who coined the term ‘labyrinth of leadership’ in their 2007 HBR article of the same name, pointed to the notable absence of women in top leadership roles. Rather than a glass ceiling, Eagly and Carli conjured up the image of a labyrinth women must navigate and the walls they must ascent, including walls of prejudice and gender stereotypes, differences in traits and learned behaviors, and even the disproportionate investment women have historically benefitted from in areas of education, work experience and work-related opportunities.
It has only been since the 1970’s that academic research began to deeply explore gender and leadership, but the skewed representation of women to men across industries and roles makes it difficult to generalize results about what makes a successful woman leader. What we do know is that the practice of leadership has been embraced by women since the beginning of our documented history—it is only now that we are witnessing the direct impact on the health of organizations that benefit from the unwavering commitment and competence women bring to the workplace.
What is Leadership?
Successful companies realize that leadership is so much more than a static set of traits or inborn skills. The days of the great man theory of leadership are gone. Instead, companies know that leadership is a complex process, and the skills and behaviors needed to be effective can be developed by everyone through determination, self-awareness and emotional intelligence, and coaching. Women embody core capabilities that underpin the ease with which many are showcasing success at empowering others, building communities and networks that cultivate new ideas, and addressing turbulence with their keen ability for teaching and engaging others to think outside the box.
“In the past, women had to prove themselves, often trying too hard to emulate their male counterparts,” says Sharon Imperiale, President, CCI Consulting. “Today, there is more confidence in women leaders. Being authentic, open, and honest serves them well.”
As a proud women-owned business, CCI Consulting is celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day by highlighting the dynamic, courageous and successful women leaders we are fortunate to work with. We truly believe their thoughts about women leaders will inspire all of us and showcase how women are transforming the companies lucky enough to have them!
What Makes Women Great Leaders?
“As we continue to define and redefine what traits are core to strong leaders, I think it’s a positive trend that skills and traits mainly attributed to women such as empathy, collaboration, effective listening, and creative problem solving are now included in the mix! The marvelous strength that effective women leaders have is their ability to balance these needed skills with the more traditional ones normally attributed to effective leaders.”
Debbi Bromley, Ed.D. SVP, Human Resources, Genex Services
“It’s difficult to become what you cannot see. Women leadership continues to be incredibly important for the little girls growing up behind us, looking up to the women of today to decide what they want to do in life. Women are shaking up all industries by leaning in, taking a seat at the table, and innovating in a way that hasn’t been done before. We’re starting companies, taking office, and climbing ladders while keeping our families at the center. Additionally, we represent the voice of half of humanity. A voice that has been missing from boardrooms and courtrooms that impact our every day.”
Jessica L. Landis, CFP®, ChFC® Vice President, Head of Investment Solutions, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
“Today’s workforce demands a greater life-work balance. Women better understand that and value the benefits. It is not about being soft; it is about setting priorities and goals, and creating [and] embracing the best culture to achieve high-performing results.”
Sharon Imperiale President, CCI Consulting
“Women make strong leaders because, quite frankly, it is how we are made. It is in our DNA! Whether it is a struggling mother determined to raise her family or a woman who is a CEO of a large company, both embody characteristics that keep them going, keep them striving, keep them alive. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, being forward thinkers, dreamers if you will. For how does one achieve anything without a dream? Being emotionally intelligent as well as self-aware is as key as being tenacious, a collaborator, and a person who takes responsibility. These strong women embody a sense of balance, audaciousness, resiliency and, most of all, a sense of humor about self.”
Lorraine Webb VP of Human Resources, Philadelphia Gas Works
We at CCI Consulting work with dynamic, courageous and successful women like these every day. Some are our clients, some are our coaches and consultants, and all celebrate the intentional and purposeful way women leaders are hoisting themselves and others to see more clearly over the labyrinth walls. The more women take on leadership roles and serve as breadwinners in the family, the more society will increasingly accept women as both nurturer and leader.
Adena Johnston, D.Mgt. MCEC Vice President and Practice Leader, Talent Development CCI Consulting
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Lorraine S. Webb
Lorraine Webb is a human resources and organization development executive with significant experience in the energy and utility markets.
Currently, Ms. Webb is Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development for Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and is responsible for all human resources and organizational development functions including compensation, benefits, recruiting, talent management, wellness, EEO, EAP, HRIS systems, learning and development.
Ms. Webb and her team have played a pivotal role of building a talent management program and succession planning process in the face of exiting baby boomers, while effectively managing significant challenges in terms of internal and external constraints.
Recently, Ms. Webb and her team were awarded the inaugural 2019 Employer of Choice award by the Office of Workforce Development, City of Philadelphia. This award recognizes exemplary HR practices.
Further, under her leadership PGW won the HR Department of the Year Award in
2011 and has been cited on numerous occasions as a Best Places to Work for
Minorities and Women in Engineering by Diversity Magazine.
Ms. Webb was an honoree for Philadelphia Leadership Awards for Women’s E News, 2010
Adding to her experience in the energy/utility arena, Ms. Webb has worked as an HR professional in the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing and banking. Ms. Webb is passionate about coaching and enjoys helping professionals and executives reach their full potential.
Ms. Webb is a graduate of Binghamton University and is a member of SHRM.
Tom Sontag
Tom Sontag is the Executive Director, Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania. In this role, he is responsible for the Learning & Education, HR Communications, Quality of Work Life, and Tuition Benefits functions. Collectively, these provide Tom with the opportunity to pursue his passion for talent development and workforce effectiveness.
Tom has worked at Penn since October 2011 and has nearly 35 years of experience in training and organizational development with large organizations. Before joining Penn’s Division of Human Resources, Tom held training and organizational effectiveness roles for organizations such as Development Dimensions International (DDI), PNC Financial Services Group, Citizens Bank, Drexel University, NRG Energy, and Covance. He earned a BA in English literature from John Carroll University, an MBA with a focus on human resources and leadership development from Duquesne University, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Drexel University. Additionally, he has earned the SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications.
Peggy Verdi
Peggy Verdi is a dynamic Human Resources executive with nearly 35 years of experience in HR strategy, change management, organizational design, executive coaching, team effectiveness, and talent assessment, development and management.
Peggy currently holds the position of Vice President, Human Resources and Administration (CHRO) at Subaru of America, Inc., overseeing all aspects of human resources and corporate facilities & services, its practices, and operations in order to meet the needs of the constantly evolving business.
Prior to joining Subaru, Peggy served as Chief Human Resources Officer at BAYADA Home Health Care and as Executive Director, Human Resources Business Partner/Change Planning at Bristol–Myers Squibb, a leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals and biologics.
Peggy received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a focus on Labor Relations and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University.
Elizabeth Quarello
Elizabeth Quarello (SPHR, SHRM-SCP) is an energetic senior HR leader with over 16 years of diverse experience in fast-paced corporate settings across a variety of industries, including management consulting, architecture, media, and biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. She is a hands-on leader and influencer with a passion for driving organizational change to create positive working cultures that enable organizations and individuals to realize their full potential.
Elizabeth is currently the Senior Director of Human Resources and Operations for Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company. In this role, she is responsible for oversight of all HR functions, serves as a key senior leadership member, and oversees operational functions including HSE, compliance, contract administration, facilities management and administration.
Mike Higgins
Mike Higgins is a seasoned Human Resources leader with over 20 years’ experience in leadership development, employee/labor relations, performance consulting and executive coaching programs in the Retail, Financial Services and Healthcare industries.
In his current role as the Senior Director of Strategic Talent Management & Learning at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Mike leads enterprise-wide talent management activities, including leadership, professional skills, career and organizational development, succession planning, performance management and employee engagement for the Hospital’s 15,000 employees.
Mike holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from LaSalle University, and a Master’s degree in Education (Corporate Education/Instructional Systems Design) from Pennsylvania State University.
