A Note to Female CEOs in International Development for International Women’s Day

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Last fall when my mother was turning 97, I wrote a note of appreciation to three amazing international development CEOs. I would like to share it to appreciate and perhaps, to inspire you too.

When [my Mom] was born, U.S. women’s right to vote was only two years old. She’s lived through her first husband’s plane gone Missing in Action when she was six months’ pregnant. She started an investment club in the early 1960s … , has laid brick, poured concrete—all while wearing lipstick and with coiffed hair, and worked unpaid in my father’s office, etc. She navigated the loss of the love of her life and mine too, my Dad, living and caring for herself until 94.

She is a role model for me but it took me many, many years to fully appreciate it.

You may or may not want to be distinguished as a female CEO. It’ll be wonderful we don’t have to talk about it or gender equity. Until that time, let me share something I’ve observed based on many years’ experience across industries and organizations.

You have a profound influence on people–women and men, and everyone on the gender spectrum in between. We see a more equal world because of you. We see role models in your courage, willingness to take on a leadership role, its rewards and costs. So, when you have that crappy day, remember that you have already and are making a positive difference greater than you can know.

Like my mom, you are to be celebrated.

Warmly,

Beth

Driving back yesterday from seeing my Mom, I had plenty of time to think about the number of women CEOs in international development–those I know, and a few I don’t but look forward to meeting. It’s a long list that should make our hearts sing!

There was an unexpected benefit.

I realized there is never a reason for me to feel alone or unsupported—something to which I can fall prey. There is always someone to reach out to who has stood in my shoes or who will stand beside me.

Joyfully celebrating each of you.

Let’s start… Ann Hudock #Counterpart, Neelima Grover #QEDGroup, Susan Chodakewitz #Nathan, Charito Kruvant #Creative, Elizabeth Vazquez #WeConnect, Katherine Raphaelson #SIDW, Anne Simmons-Benton #ASU, Roopa Dhatt #WIGH, Fiona Macaulay #WILDNetwork

More! Liz Cullen Whitehead #12PointFive, @BetsyBassan #Panagora, @MeaghanSmith, #BanyanGlobal, @TessieCasambas #EncompassWorld, @SherryRockey, #EncompassWorld, @Ruta Aidis, #ACG, Kathryn Kaufman#OPIC, Seema Patel, #GlobalKnowledgeInstitute, Anne-Marie Grey #UNHCR, Wendy Chamberlin #MiddleEastInstitute

And still more! Sonia Harter Patterson #ImpactWisdom, Jacqueline Novogratz #Acumen, Brigit Helms #Helmshart, Elizabeth Littlefield #OPIC, Linda Rottenberg #Endeavor, Daniela Ligiero #TogetherforGirls, Aarti Naik #SAKHI, Shad Begum #ABKT, Laurie Adams #Womenforwomen, Susan Markham, Smash Strategies, Mary Ellen Iskenderian #WomensWorldBanking

#gender #internationalwomensday #internationaldevelopment

My Mistake Reveals a Beautiful Sight: Deep Respect Between Two Diplomats

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Ambassador Mabel Gómez Oliver has a quiet intensity, and a warmth that invites you in. We met when she was on a panel on international trade and women’s economic empowerment. We followed up with conversations and introductions to others to help “extend the conversation about Mexican women entrepreneurs” across the North American continent.

Do you know that feeling when you get great news about someone and a second later you feel sad—it means they are leaving? That’s what I felt when she shared exciting news. She was chosen as the Mexican ambassador to Guatemala! She would be leaving her post in Washington, D.C. as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Mexico in the United States.

So there we were at the magnificent Mexican Cultural Institute for her farewell party. I’d just climbed a grand, commanding staircase and started through the receiving line to speak to her.

A man standing at the head of the line greeted me congenially. He looked at the number of people clustered waiting to speak to her then said with a smile, “She’s much more popular than I.”

I greeted Ambassador Gomez and returned a few minutes later when there was no one left in line. The same man was now standing beside her. There was something between the two.

“Is this your husband?” (But I’d met her husband and should have known better! I know a little about protocol and should have realized, too, that those with the senior-most rank are at the head of the line!)

They both laughed—a laugh that included me, too, and wasn’t at my expense. He made a respectful joke about being her work husband as she said, “This is the Ambassador.” Ambassador Eduardo Medina Mora—Ambassador Gomez’s boss.

My face was flushing bright red with embarrassment. But I didn’t withdraw—there was something I couldn’t put my finger on…

Until they spoke to all of us gathered in the magnificent ballroom.

There was such deep respect and appreciation in his remarks about her, and hers about him. As we stood looking at them on the low rise at the end of the room, you could see the rapport. It was an alignment that wasn’t just in intellect but in values, too.

Can you imagine how those qualities must affect their senior leadership team and the organization? We hear it all the time—it starts at the top. From many years of providing executive coaching and leadership development programs, I can tell you that nothing is more poisonous in an organization or between cultures than a lack of respect. And there is nothing that can surpass the presence of respect for sowing seeds of transformation and possibility.

Because of my mistake, I had a peek into something that can be so rare in organizational life. Deep respect and alignment.

I know, too, that quality people always attract quality people. Wherever either of these ambassadors finds themselves, their qualities will sow the seeds of transformation and possibility. Yes, I feel that twinge of sadness as Ambassador Gomez leaves. But the U.S.’s loss is Guatemala’s gain.

U.S. Library of Congress ISSN 2164-7240

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