Women's Day: Women Leaders on Building Successful Careers

You Got This!

Dr. Ricki J Koinig, CIO, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:

A global technology executive with 25 years of IT leadership experience, specializing in cybersecurity, data management, operational excellence, and leading cross-cultural teams worldwide.

Guidance for Aspiring Women Leaders on Navigating Challenges & Overcoming Systemic Barriers in Their Career Journeys:

I often use the hashtag #yougotthis, and it’s not just a catch phrase.  If you’re feeling like professional barriers have been hindering your way forward, look how far you’ve already come!  You may feel like you’re only navigating barriers on a challenging path, but you’re also growing, learning, connecting, networking and exchanging ideas with others. You are helping strengthen a bigger movement on a common road for women professionals. Your challenges are setting direction and act as insightful warning signs to others, and your successes are helping smooth that road so we can all gain traction together.

Women’s Day Message for Emerging Women Leaders About Leading with Impact & Confidence:

Revisit your own professional growth often- reflect on times you’re comfortable and times you’ve had concerns and why. Gut feelings can save or stop progress, so utilize and cultivate both your superpowers as well as your instincts. Confidence comes through bravery, asking questions, knowing the facts, celebrating wins, and growing from what you’ve learned.  Impact comes from thinking tactically as well as strategically, prioritizing the organization’s mission in your decisions, and being a role model for those around you.