CBIZ Women's Advantage | The Advantage Summer 2016
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The document highlights the achievements of women in business, particularly focusing on Cathy Allin, CEO of Decision Insight, who advocates for women entrepreneurs and has transformed the market research industry with innovative online solutions. It also discusses the informal definition of success for women's programs within corporate structures, emphasizing the importance of proactive action over mere discussion. Additionally, it features profiles of other influential women, community involvement initiatives, and insights on navigating challenges in the professional landscape.
CBIZ Women's Advantage | The Advantage Summer 2016
- 1. the Advantage W Cathy Allin: Driven Towards a Vision Beyond Today A Message from Nancy Mellard | pg. 2 Inside This Issue Client Profile: Cathy Allin, Decision Insight ...........1 Nancy Mellard: The Definition of Success ..............2 The CWA Spotlight: Wendra Johnson ...........................3 CWA Welcomes Gina France...........3 Out & About: CWA in Our Communities ...............4 CWA Snaps ..................................4 Don’t Play Poker Without Your Heels On ......................................5 DFS & CWA: Teaming Up to Make an Impact.......6 Summer 2016 CBIZ Women Helping Women Succeed in Business Cathy Allin Cathy Allin, President and CEO, Decision Insight “Reward is equal to your comfort level of risk,” a lesson Cathy Allin of Decision Insight (DI), learned early. A self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur,” Cathy believes the consistent driver to her success has been her ability to identify and seize opportunities before they are born. A long time client of Erika Cundiff (FS, Kansas City), Cathy recently shared her story and philosophy for success. Before joining DI in 2002, Cathy co-founded an internet software and web development firm. Four years later, she and her business partner sold the firm to Harte Hanks, which has grown into a $100 million division called Harte Hanks Interactive. Cathy joined DI to help migrate the traditional marketing research firm to an internet based solution. DI quickly became one of the first research companies to successfully launch online studies for clients, and in 2003, they pioneered their virtual shopping platform, Simushop®, providing the ability to test “what if” merchandising scenarios in the context of a specific retail channel. The ability to conduct these studies online was transformational to the industry, cutting time and costs of traditional studies by more than 50% and leading the charge in measuring actual shopper behavior. Today, DI is a global leader in the market research industry, working with numerous Fortune 500 companies, and is known for providing clients actionable shopper insights. Through her participation with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Fast Trac, the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP), and her reputation in the research industry, Cathy has established a strong support system of women, entrepreneurs and leaders in the field. As an advocate for women entrepreneurs, Cathy enjoys See “Cathy Allin” on pg. 6
- 2. CBIZ Women’s Advantage: The Definition of Success the adv | Summer 2016 Nancy Mellard I was invited by a company to be a member of an advisory board for the next two years to assist in planning an annual women’s conference. One of the topics discussed at our first meeting this week was who in the professional services industry has successful women’s programs. Our board’s informal definition of “successful” went something like this ... “They can’t just talk about the development and advancement of women and sponsor a program once or twice a year that discusses these topics. They have to be taking action, creating sustainable programs and advocating on behalf of these important issues within their companies and in the corporate world.” As you can see from past issues of The Advantage, and certainly from this summer edition, CBIZ Women’s Advantage is doing just that! We continue to profile the successes of strong women who are CBIZ clients. We truly do not have enough pages in our newsletter to put a spotlight on our many accomplished CBIZ women, and we try in every edition to share with you some of our many successes in supporting our communities and actionable steps we take by sharing our talents with women in our communities. And, most importantly, CBIZ translates our words into reality by electing a second woman to our Board of Directors (note our profile of Gina France on page 3). In my last Advantage letter, I took the opportunity to thank our retiring CEO, Steve Gerard, for his many years of support of CBIZ Women’s Advantage. I am now equally as excited to welcome our new CEO and President, Jerry Grisko, and to thank him for all of his support for our goals and mission of CBIZ Women’s Advantage. Actually, as I reflect on this last sentence, I realize Jerry has been beside CBIZ Women’s Advantage for years as our President, supporting us each step of the way as we have built this strong, successful and action-filled Women’s Program. “I am proud to say,” Jerry says, “that CBIZ Women’s Advantage and the programs it sponsors and supports each year have become indelibly ingrained in our culture.” In fact, Jerry notes that the mission of CBIZ Women’s Advantage touches on every one of CBIZ’s core values: • We do the right thing. • Our people matter. • We are dedicated to the success of our clients. • We want to win. • We are One CBIZ. “I could not be more appreciative of the extraordinary value that CBIZ Women’s Advantage brings to CBIZ, our team members, our clients and the communities in which we work and live,” Jerry says. “And I’m honored to be associated with such a remarkable organization and accomplished group of women.” 22 Jerry Grisko
- 3. the adv | Summer 2016 Wendra Johnson, Chief Business Development Officer, CBIZ ESO, Boca Raton, FL How long have you been with CBIZ? I joined CBIZ Payroll in February 2014. Prior to joining CBIZ, I spent 10 years in the Payroll/HR/Technology space with a privately held company. My first role at CBIZ was as the Eastern Regional Sales Manager with CBIZ Payroll. I then interviewed for the role of National Vice President Sales & Marketing for the Employee Benefits division in October 2014, and officially started in January 2015. That July we began constructing the new CBIZ Employee Services Organization (combining the Employee Benefits and Payroll divisions). In January 2016, I assumed the role of Chief Business Development Officer for CBIZ ESO, responsible for Sales/ Program Strategy and Marketing. Have you encountered struggles throughout your career and if so, how did you overcome them? The short answer is Yes! Challenges (aka opportunities) are all a part of any job, career or goal. Struggles become as big or as small as we choose to make them. Over my career I’ve come to understand that it does matter who you surround yourself with, as they can influence your perspective. Those closest to me and/or who I seek out for advice, both professionally and personally, are generally positive, solution-oriented, self-motivated individuals who also recognize that challenges are meant to be solved. Staying connected with people, having those needed difficult conversations and finding a win-win when possible, are skill sets I’ve worked on over the years. It has led me into professional coaching, where I’m in the process of finalizing my certification. I have learned how coaching, when done properly, is really about helping someone find their voice, regain their power and/or learn to deal with their specific struggles. Are you involved in community or nonprofit organizations outside of work? How has this activity affected your career? Community work has absolutely had a positive effect on my career. I’ve served as a Junior Achievement mentor working with a range of elementary- through high school-aged children on budgets/ finances, interviewing skills and basic life skills. That time was helpful in refining my presentation and preparation skills. Working with homeless shelters, the YWCA and facilitating back-to-work workshops for a women’s shelter all keep me mindful that everyone has something they’re dealing with … as well as a skill or talent that, with the right amount of encouragement and empowerment, can help them to find their path again. My years as a Rotarian improved my networking and public speaking skills. Most recently, as part The CWA Spotlight CWA is pleased to welcome Gina D. France to CBIZ, Inc.’s Board of Directors. With the resumé every young professional woman seeks from a mentor, Gina knows that “good role models are helpful, but great mentors are priceless.” One of her guiding lessons is a quote she keeps on her office wall from Thomas Edison stating, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Gina is the founder and president of France Strategic Partners, providing strategy and transaction advisory services and management consulting to public and private corporations. She has over 30 years of strategy, investment banking and corporate finance experience, and is a 15-year Wall Street veteran. She has served as a strategic advisor to over 250 companies throughout her career. Previously, Gina was a partner with Ernst & Young and led the firm’s Center for Strategic Transactions®(CST) in Cleveland. The CST provided customized, facilitated strategy sessions for CEO’s and their top executive teams. She was a Senior Vice President with Lehman Brothers in New York and San Francisco, and the International Cash Manager of Marathon Oil Company, then a Fortune 30 Company, 3 CWA Welcomes Gina France to CBIZ Board See “CWA Spotlight” on pg. 6 See “Gina France” on pg. 5
- 4. out & about: CWA in Our Communities “Relay the Way” for KC’s Urban Youth Academy by Alex Lanning, CBIZ ESO Kansas City 4 More than 2,500 fans, including a team of over 30 CBIZ & CBIZ MHM Kansas City associates, gathered with a goal to set a new record … the longest first pitch in baseball history ... and all for charity. As part of the Kansas City Royals’ Opening Day festivities, a baseball was tossed hand-to-glove for four hours, over nine miles through the streets of Kansas City. This unique fundraiser, Relay the Way, was designed as part of a larger project to raise funds for the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy and raised over $130,000. Carolyn Watley, CBIZ B&I Kansas City Business Unit President and CBIZ Women’s Advantage Executive Board Member, serves as the fundraising chair for the Urban Youth Academy. She was asked to join the committee along with Kansas City Mayor Sly James, Royals General Manager Dayton Moore, Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett, and various community leaders. In support of this important initiative, CBIZ KC hosted a fundraising lunch to gain awareness for the Academy. The rally lunch featured a silent auction, pop-up t-shirt shop and ballpark style food donated by a local vendor. All proceeds benefitted the Urban Youth Academy. The Academy will feature both indoor and outdoor baseball facilities and training centers, and will provide a safe haven for young people to grow leadership skills, as individuals and baseball players. Urban Youth Academy Fundraising Board Members (shown left to right) KC Mayor Sly James, Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett, Royals GM Dayton Moore, CBIZ B&I KC President Carolyn Watley CWA Snaps Shannon Ciesluk is a finalist for the Emerging Leader Award from the AICPA Florida, Women to Watch. Karen Grasso has been selected as one of the “Most Influential Women in Benefit Advising” by Employee Benefit Advisor magazine. Lisa Stensgard has been named the 2016 Board President for the Dallas/ Ft. Worth chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. Carolyn Watley has been listed among “Kansas City’s Power 100 of 2016” by the Kansas City Business Journal. Kim Alvarado has been nominated in the Rising Star category for the Los Angeles Business Journal, Women Making a Difference. Nancy Mellard has been named to Insurance Business America’s (IBA) list of Elite Women, compiled from a reader survey seeking out women in the industry with outstanding personal and professional achievements. Pictured in front (left to right): Sonia Chopra, Rivkie Steinman, Cindy Rosenberg, Alla Eydelman, Yan Wu, Fasika Sahlu, Diane Paoletta, Donna Palumbo, Carol Alvarez, and Rainie Cai. Pictured in back (left to right): Dilara Yuldasheva, Katelynn Aubrey, Dora Dvir, Sookyoung Lee, and Marci Ross. Christie’s Event Benefits DFS Guests from CBIZ enjoyed a preview of a collection of Joan Rivers personal items at Christie’s Auction House in NYC. The preview included jewelry from the esteemed design houses of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, costumes by Bob Mackie and decorative arts from Fabergé. the adv | Summer 2016
- 5. Don’t Play Poker Without Your Heels On by Claire Bissot, CBIZ Human Resource Services, Roanoke, VA During my college years, I loved Texas Hold ’Em and looked for every opportunity to play. It was always me and “the guys” at the table. Usually being outnumbered, I felt an internal pressure to be “one of the guys,” but also a need to differentiate myself and take pride in being a woman at the table. So, I made sure to “rock a power pump” for every tournament. Each time I would walk away as a top three winner, and proud to be a woman. At the time I am not certain I had connected the dots as to reasons for my success in the game, but that all changed one winter day when I decided to wear a pair of flat boots. I was “out” after only a few rounds. Some people might debate the impact my choice in footwear had on the outcome of the match, something I have reflected on many times. Poker is a game of strategy, luck, and skill. Any good player can start with a bad hand, but still end up winning or, conversely, have the unfortunate experience of a good hand gone bad. Much like business and our personal careers, fortunes can change in an instant and our emotions can either be a powerful ally or perilous detriment to our success. For many women, our emotions might present a challenge, and why the “poker face” is something we can struggle to acquire. Numerous studies focus on the difference of men’s and women’s emotions and responses. These studies often identify a key difference being that women have a tendency to show emotions more naturally than men. Recognizing that all emotions aren’t bad, many business cultures encourage employees, regardless of gender, to show the positive emotional traits at work – passion, excitement and happiness. However, the stresses of our world can cultivate into more negatively perceived emotions and are less-desirable in a business environment like stress, frustration and anxiety, which for many women, results in tears. How many times as a woman have you been coached not to cry at work? Due to our natural emotional responses, some women may find the career ladder a bit more difficult to climb. Often, we work to keep our emotions in check and not let anyone see them. Maybe you have employed one of the many tactics to address the emotional side like taking a walk or counting to 10. However, when that doesn’t work, we can often find ourselves so frustrated and upset that we frantically grasp for control, resulting in an emotional snowball effect (aka tears). Perhaps the secret to managing our emotions and a steely “poker face” isn’t suppressing or ignoring them. The right answer just might be to employ the uniquely designed female construct to our advantage – Don’t Play Poker Without Your Heels On. It’s not about hiding our female side to fit in with “the guys” at the table. It’s about being proud to be a woman sitting at the table, and translating the deep and powerful emotions into perspectives which can shape our businesses in great new ways. When we look at our emotional side from a more positive perspective, we may find that our emotions allow us to connect better with our employees and be compassionate leaders. Being a woman at an otherwise male-dominated table can allow us the opportunity to provide a critical alternative perspective to our businesses. Our emotions can provide necessary excitement to an organization’s culture, it can make us more aware of how changes can affect an organization, and it can further enhance the human side of our businesses. When going to the poker table of business, be proud of your femininity, stand tall, embrace the value of the female perspective and don’t forget to put your heels on. the adv | Summer 2016 5 where she was responsible for funding 26 international subsidiaries. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Gina gives a quick laugh and shares, “There’s always a good life lesson to be learned in every situation. The key is to learn it, and move on.” She added, “You need to take some risks in your career to advance yourself. The solution is to take calculated risks, rather than foolish ones.” Gina also devotes significant time and talent to the many not-for-profit organizations she serves. She is a trustee for Baldwin Wallace University, where she chairs the Strategy Committee and serves on the Executive Committee; is a founding board member and treasurer of In Counsel with Women, an executive women’s group in Northeastern Ohio; and is trustee and treasurer of DANCECleveland, one of the nation’s oldest dance presenting organizations. Gina agrees with Sheryl Sandberg, author of Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, that one of the most important career decisions you will make is your choice of a life partner, because “without their support, the road is much more difficult.” Welcome to CBIZ, Gina! Gina France continued from pg. 3
- 6. spending her time mentoring women in business start-ups and contributes to many local and international organizations that support women in need. It should come as no surprise that Cathy’s recognition list is lengthy; including Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, Techweek 100 Kansas City, and recognized among the Kansas City Business Journal Champions of Business and Women Who Mean Business. “You need to have the vision to see beyond today, to understand and anticipate the world of tomorrow. As a leader, you have to be willing to fail, correct quickly, and try again,” commented Cathy. the adv | Summer 2016 The Advantage A publication of CBIZ Women’s Advantage Editorial & Creative Staff Alex Elliott, FS Kansas City Joellen Messerli, B&I Kansas City Andria Mitra, B&I Kansas City Pattie Stahm, RPS Phoenix Contributing Writers: Alex Lanning, B&I Kansas City Alex Elliott, FS Kansas City Claire Bissot, ESO Roanoke Ellen Wisbar, CBIZ Corporate To submit material or request additional copies, please contact Andria Mitra at amitra@cbiz.com ©Copyright2016.CBIZ,Inc.NYSEListed:CBZ.Allrightsreserved.CBIZ-171 6 Cathy Allin continued from pg. 1 of CBIZ’s national partnership with Dress for Success, I’ve had the opportunity to be a guest facilitator on career-focused topics and conduct mock interviews for young women trying to secure employment. These activities have served as a reminder that I am blessed and fortunate to be invited into these individuals’ lives, to hopefully serve as a connection or resource in a way that is meaningful to them. Do you have any advice for young women just starting out in their career? Purposefully choose your circle of influence. Write out your goals and vision for yourself, what steps you need to take and check back every 3-6 months. Choose a wardrobe carefully, and make sure it speaks to how you want to be perceived – it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does matter! Do you have a favorite quote? “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson, American spiritual teacher, lecturer and New York Times bestselling author. What are you reading right now? “Relentless” by Tim S. Grover. He has worked with athletes to really up their game, and describes what it has taken for each to get to their personal next level. CBIZ Spotlight continued from pg. 3 DFS and CWA: Teaming Up to Make an Impact Dress for Success (DFS) is a non-profit organization that provides professional attire for job interviewing to thousands of disadvantaged women each year. Career/life counseling, technology training and mentoring support are also provided to clients of DFS. Partnering with DFS since 2008, CBIZ and CBIZ Women’s Advantage have collected thousands of clothing and accessory items, and have donated over $400,000 to DFS. CBIZ will continue support of the not-for-profit with a new program designed to help the interviewing process go even smoother for DFS clients. CWA is now collecting personal hygiene items from their offices across the country, and assembling them into bags for distribution to DFS clients along with their interview suit. Included in the bag are sample-size shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush and toothpaste and similar hygiene items that have been donated by hotels, hair salons, yoga studios, and health care providers. The goal is to put 1,000 hygiene bags in the hands of DFS clients nationwide in 2016. “When you hear how important these items are to someone who really needs them … your perspective is undoubtedly going to change,” said Ellen Wisbar, CBIZ Director of Independence and CWA Executive Board member. “The impact these bags have on the lives of DFS clients is amazing.” If you or your organization is interested in participating in this program, please contact Ellen Wisbar at ewisbar@cbiz. com for more information.