The Benefit of Investing In Women Leaders
After a career in recruitment for over a decade, I had come to a fork in the road. Working in Talent Acquisition for a premier healthcare system in Illinois, the workforce I supported was being tested every day by the pandemic. Their struggles were agonizing. We all were working long hours, feeling anxious, frustrated, and for me personally, I was craving career advancement. At the precise moment when I felt burnt out, I learned about JCC Chicago’s Women inPower cohort, a free 9-month fellowship pairing local business leader mentors with ambitious women looking to advance their own professional careers and pursue senior leadership positions.
Through this fellowship, I met women from all different sectors of the business world. Together, we built new relationships, shared our experiences and obstacles, and supported one another on our journeys towards career advancement. Our group was crucial when support was deficient. This collective group was about cheering each other on and not being threatened by other women’s successes.
As women, we often are apprehensive to take a seat at the table. Through monthly meetings with other industry professionals, this impressive group of speakers motivated us and shared how they took a seat and didn’t apologize for it. They promoted being your own advocate. It was significant for my growth to listen and learn.
My mentor, Amy Galvin, helped to coach my career advancement. I felt the next direction in my career was to inspire, share, and coach other recruitment professionals on their journeys. Amy gave me the tools to help me further my career and personal goals. During our meetings, she was engaged and invested in my progression. She too had benefited from a pivot herself, becoming a life coach and a Fair Play method certified facilitator. I was grateful and privileged to have her as my mentor.
When a management position became available at my company, I jumped at the opportunity. The timing was ideal and during the interview process, I was able to convey what I wanted to achieve in the role and share some of the leadership tools and experiences that I learned from the fellowship.
This cohort gave me the ability to look at my growth and take a step towards advancing my career. I’m proud to share that I was promoted to the management position, and I am grateful that the Women inPower fellowship supported me in going after the opportunity. This cohort is all about women supporting women. After all, no one understands the struggle of a woman better than another woman.
As I complete my fellowship, I am grateful to JCC Chicago for providing an opportunity for women leaders. Advocating for other women in the workforce through mentorship is crucial to the investment of rising women. The J’s commitment to providing programs like this for women speaks volumes. Their resources stretch far beyond a community center. They invest in female leaders.
Randi Novak was born in Chicago and raised in Evanston. She is a graduate of Indiana University, with a BA in Journalism. Her connection to JCC Chicago began when she attended preschool at Bernard Horwich JCC, attended both Apachi Day Camp and Camp Chi, and later worked at both. She works at Northwestern Medicine as a Manager of Talent Acquisition. She sees value in teamwork, being a lifelong learner, and serving as a champion for positive change. Randi is a divorced mom, living in Highland Park with her two children; daughter Reese, 11, son Blake, 14, and her shadow a rescue King Charles Cavalier, Daisy.
Learn more about Women inPower and apply to be a part of the 2022 cohort by March 30. You can also nominate someone at jccchicago.org/womeninpower.