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SJBiz_Ladies Who Lead Dept0626FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 6 / 11 / 26 12 : 34 PM Page 3 W O M E N I N B I Z Ladies Who Lead me see around corners , offering perspective , encouragement and candid feedback . As a woman leader , that support is especially meaningful because it helps you navigate complexity , build confidence and stay in - tentional about how you lead and engage every day . ON IMPORTANT LESSONS LEARNED … Early in my career , I learned that how you show up truly matters . As a leader , your presence — whether in a room or on a screen — sets the tone for everyone around you . I’ve carried that with me by being in - tentional about being fully present , actively listening and engaging in a way that makes people feel heard and respected . That focus on presence and connection has been a constant guide in how I lead and build strong teams . Katie Olt - Orphanos Project Manager | RYEBREAD Architects ON IMPORTANT LESSONS LEARNED … Take time to con - sider options and choices that you can make . There are many circum - stances beyond your control , but the things you can influence are worth careful thought . You have to live with the results of those decisions . ON FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE … I have found that maintaining a perspective of sequencing phases of opportunities is more likely than a daily balance of personal life and passions . Developing skills and re - lationships when you can , to the fullest extent possible , builds depth , meaning and fulfillment over time . THE WOMAN SHE’D MOST LIKE TO HAVE COFFEE WITH … I would love to sit with Georgia O’Keeffe to get to witness her creativity and visionary craft . Her commitment and strength in artistic pursuit through her heartaches , ill - nesses and hardships inspires awe and persistence . 12 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 16 ISSUE 6 | SouthJerseyBiz.net
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SJBiz_Ladies Who Lead Dept0626FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 6 / 11 / 26 12 : 34 PM Page 4 Courtney Zaccardi Director of Marketing & Corporate Engagement | The Michaels Organization ON WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE … While a lot of great strides have been made to make work - places more inclusive , I believe there are a lot of changes that can still be made to allow for more opportunities for women . Most importantly , I think that women need to be intentionally chosen for leadership positions . Representation holds a lot of weight , and seeing women in leadership roles will encourage and empower younger generations to strive for those positions . THE WOMAN SHE’D MOST LIKE TO HAVE COFFEE WITH … Marsha P . Johnson . As a queer woman , there are so many amazing LGBTQ + leaders of the past and present that I’d love to sit down with , but Johnson is such an icon for so many underrepresented members of this community . Johnson was a complex person , and she spent much of her life dedicated to activism . … I would love to sit down with her and tell her how much of an impact she has had . Isolde ( De ) Benyo Partner | Baratz & Associates ON IMPORTANT LESSONS LEARNED … Early in my career , a CFO shared a per - spective that has stayed with me : As a finance professional , you are often consid - ered part of a cost center . Because of that , it’s essential to be customer - and user - focused with your colleagues . That advice shaped how I approach my work — I strive to be approach - able , supportive and solution - oriented , ensuring I add value by helping others succeed . ON BECOMING A STRONGER LEADER … My leadership style has evolved significantly over time — I see myself as a constant work in progress . One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to lead with empathy and grace , recognizing that everyone is navigating chal - lenges outside of work that we may not see . I strive to create a supportive environment where my team feels valued , and I focus on mentoring them while giving them the space and trust to grow , take ownership and develop their own strengths . SouthJerseyBiz.net | VOLUME 16 ISSUE 6 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | 13
