ADVANCE: Montgomery Women's Leadership Digest

September 2023

A Message from Leadership

Happy New Year! Not yet? Well, it feels that way as new school, County Council, and Montgomery Women program years begin. Post-Labor Day seems like a time for new beginnings similar to January 1, even in our professional lives.

I hope you took opportunities to slow down a bit over the summer and recharge for the next few months. Take this month to leverage your leadership journeys with:

Realigned goals
Renewed commitments
Refocused mindsets
Responsive attitudes
Recurring inquisitiveness and humor
Revised calendars and schedules that allow you to focus on what's important in your life

We invite you to return often to Montgomery Women's calendar of events to connect, learn, share, laugh, eat & drink, move around, get involved, and embrace our - your - community of supportive leaders. I'll be looking for you!

Until then,

Sylvia Henderson

President, Montgomery Women

Member Spotlights

Shannon Babe-Thomas

Executive Director,

Community Bridges, Inc.

Since 2016, Shannon has served as the Executive Director of Community Bridges, a nonprofit organization that provides multicultural empowerment and leadership programs to girls from diverse backgrounds in Montgomery County. Shannon is an incredibly loyal nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience in the sector. She is also a civic leader and believes in being involved in her community. Prior to joining Community Bridges, Shannon led the Membership Initiatives Department at the largest Girl Scout council in the country and was responsible for several of GSCNC’s strategic funding and programmatic partnerships.

Brenda Wolff

Member, Montgomery County Board of Education

Brenda is a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education, representing District 5. She was elected to her second four-year term in 2022. Brenda has served two years as the president of the Board of Education and prior to that, one year as vice president. She currently serves as chair of the Board's Strategic Planning Committee and as a member of the Policy Management Committee. She also serves as the Board’s representative to the Maryland Association of Boards of Education’s (MABE) Federal Relations Network Committee and is the vice chair of MABE's Legislative Committee.

Quick Tips

For the Everyday Leader

Renewal is the heartbeat of effective leadership, breathing new life into teams and organizations. As leaders, we must embrace change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat to stability. Just as nature undergoes cycles of rejuvenation, so too must our leadership approach.

Encourage continuous learning by fostering an environment where curiosity and innovation thrive. Embrace feedback openly, using it to refine your strategies and evolve as a leader. Show appreciation for your team's efforts and celebrate milestones, infusing a sense of accomplishment into the journey. Lead with authenticity, sharing your personal stories of transformation to inspire others.

By championing a culture of renewal, you not only propel your team forward but also create a legacy of adaptability and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on those you lead.

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Key Updates

Save the Date: Fall Kick-off Event

Montgomery Women invites you to join us on October 15th from 1:30 - 3:30 PM for our annual Fall Kick-off Event. Catch up with colleagues and find out what Montgomery Women has in store for the year. Bring a potential member to learn more about who we are and what we do. Stay tuned for further details and registration for this members-only event.

Launch a Future Leader

Since 2008, Montgomery Women members have contributed more than $100,000 to help 81 women complete their education through scholarships and other financial support. This is the first step in helping women launch their careers and advance as leaders, Montgomery Women’s mission.

Join the Montgomery Women Board of Directors* in donating to the Montgomery Women Scholarship and help a woman unlock her potential. (*100% board support)

A gift of any amount makes a difference. Learn more about donating on our website.