ADVANCE: Montgomery Women's Leadership Digest

January 2023

A Message from Leadership

Entering a new year is typically an exciting time. We're not sure what the year holds for us (cue the start of 2020 and then, March 2020!) While there is great promise for 2023, we will still question what's next. One way to make "what's next" more intentional is making time on a regular basis to identify what we want "next" to be, and then taking the actions needed to make "next" happen. A good portion of my December and January is spent with clients to move them from vision boards, to goals, to projects, to commitments and actions that they put on their calendars and implement. As un-sexy as planning, timelines, milestones, and accountability measures may seem, putting systems and processes in place to achieve professional and personal goals energizes me. I geek-out on this because I see the positive results for organizations, individuals, and myself.

I'm not a write-in-a-journal person. Yet, a client gifted me a "5-Minute Journal" book and has invited me to use it for 2023. It doesn't excite me to do so, yet since I challenge my clients to do things they don't necessarily want to do, I will eat some of my own pudding and begin this challenge (disguised as an invitation). The introduction at the beginning of the journal notes that I am to begin a 2-week commitment to making daily entries for five minutes a day. After two weeks, I am to assess my consistency and results. That 2-week period is also a sneaky way to have me start turning the process into a habit. Once we form a habit, we are more likely to keep doing the thing we're doing and, before we know it, we've accomplished what we set out to accomplish. Voilà!

As you enter this new year, what new habit are you going to form? I don't believe in new year's resolutions. I believe in a continuous PLAN-DO-REVIEW cycle professionally and personally. Focus is my ongoing challenge and this helps me get things done. I invite you to let me know what you plan to be, feel, or achieve in these next few months. Putting "it" out there is a concrete step to accountability. Happy New Year...together!

In solidarity,

Sylvia Henderson

President, Montgomery Women

Member Spotlights

Bonnie Casper

Realtor,

Long & Foster

Licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C, is affiliated with Long & Foster’s top-producing Bethesda Gateway Office and specializes in close-in Montgomery County and Northwest Washington, DC.

Bonnie’s extensive knowledge of local, state and national politics and their impact on the real estate business has earned her respect throughout the industry and resulted in her election to several positions in local and state Realtor associations. After serving as a director for the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR), she was elected president in 2012, and president of the state association in 2016.

Prior to becoming a Realtor, Bonnie was a legislative assistant to Congressman John LaFalce (D, NY). She then served at the Environmental Protection Agency as a policy analyst on hazardous waste and water issues. She served as a special assistant to the Assistant Administrators for Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response and the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and Development. Bonnie also was a Principal at Booz, Allen and Hamilton prior to becoming a Realtor.

Laurie-Anne Sayles

At-Large Member,

Montgomery County Council

Laurie-Anne Sayles is a change agent, a policymaker, and an advocate with over a decade of a career in public service. She has fought for expanded access to early childhood education, a $15 minimum wage, a cleaner, safer, healthier environment, equal rights, and immigration reform, just to name a few.

In 2017, Laurie-Anne made history, becoming the first African American councilmember in Gaithersburg, and she has hit the ground running ever since. She was the 2020 WIMG Leadership Award winner. Recognized for her substantial community involvement and advocacy for increased female representation in public service, Laurie-Anne was awarded the 2018 Daily Record Top 100 Women in Maryland award.

She lives in Gaithersburg with her daughter, a Montgomery County Public School graduate and a sophomore at the University of Maryland, College Park, and her two rescue dogs, Bella and Max. During her free time, she enjoys hiking the Muddy Branch trails in Gaithersburg, supporting small businesses across the county, and volunteering wherever she is needed to fulfill her passion for helping others.

Quick Tips

For the Everyday Leader

“It’s okay to admit what you don’t know. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s more than okay to listen to the people you lead – in fact, it’s essential.” - Mary Barra (CEO, General Motors)

Management teams aspiring to make their organizations future-fluent must practice purposeful leadership. They must have clarity about who the organization as a collective is, what purpose it serves, and how the business impacts the environment, society, community, customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

Authentic purpose enables employees to appreciate the connection between their work and the direction of the organization. Employees therefore are more motivated, lift their performance, and increase discretionary effort, thereby contributing to financial gains.

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Key Updates

Join the 43rd Annual Women's Legislative Briefing

The Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB) is the premier and longest-standing women’s legislative event in the state of Maryland. It is coordinated by the Montgomery County Commission for Women and brings together advocates, policy makers, and emerging leaders to empower, engage, and mobilize Marylanders around issues affecting women and girls throughout the state. Under the theme "Empowered Women Protect Democracy," this year's virtual event will take place on January 29, 2023 from 12:30 - 5:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased here.

Support Our Mission and Initiatives

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