Leadership advice from a few of the women at the top of William & Mary.
By Dana Armstrong
Originally published in Dog Street Journal's November 2019 issue.
Katherine Rowe - 28th President of W&M
Hometown: Boston, MA (Go Red Sox!)
Alma Maters: Carleton College ('84), Harvard University ('92)
Degrees: BA, English; PhD, English; American Literature
What does being a female leader mean to you?
I take great pride any time someone identifies me as a leader. It's important to have women in leadership roles across careers and disciples. I feel the best way to encourage that leadership is to be a good role model, encourage others to be good role models and to make every effort to identify and help talented female leaders along the way. There are many talented women out there who often are not heard. It isn't that their voice isn't strong enough, they just need a seat at the table. As activist Mary Church Terrell often said, it is the obligation of all women leaders to "lift as we climb."
What advice would you give to young women going into male-dominated workforces?
Go for it. Be curious. Speak up and stand out—your perspective is needed. And as you climb, always lift others with you.
What are three qualities you deem most important in a leader?
Curiosity, courage and a collaborative mindset.
Samantha Huge - Director of Athletics
Hometown: Williamsburg, VA
Alma Maters: Gordon College ('92), Campbell University ('97)
What advice would you give to young women going into male-dominated workforces?
Find someone who you can rely on for advice, who will tell you the truth and will invest in you.
What are three qualities you deem most important in a leader?
Courage, Humility, Empathy.
Peggy Agouris - Provost
Hometown: Athens, Greece
Alma Maters: National Technical University of Athens, Ohio State
Degrees: PhD, MS, Dipl. Eng
What was the most influential piece of advice you've received from a female role model?
I was raised by a strong, loving and forward-thinking mother who always motivated me, cultivated and supported my ambitions, and played a great role in building my self-confidence. Her advice to me was to never be afraid to demonstrate strength but always combine it with reason, humility and warmth.
Ginger Ambler - VP for Student Affairs
Hometown: Bedford, MA (though born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany & moved around a lot as an Army kid)
Alma Maters: William & Mary ('88, Ph.D. '06), Ohio State ('90)
Degrees: BA, English, Religion minor; PhD, Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership; MA, Higher Education and Student Affairs
What does being a female leader mean to you?
As a woman in a leadership position, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to other women, especially younger women who are looking for mentors or role models - such women have been so important in my own professional journey. As a university executive who earned a PhD while working full-time and raising three children with my spouse, I have experienced many of the stresses and strains that women leaders experience, often in ways their male counterparts do not (managing our own and others' expectations of us, finding harmony while juggling many tasks and life-roles, etc.). I strive to be authentic in my work and in my relationships with others, recognizing that I can lead best when I am tapping into and leveraging my own unique strengths and abilities.
What advice would you give to young women going into male-dominated workforces?
Mentors really matter. Seek out trusted women in your field who will talk with you, listen, and offer honest feedback. Watch what the successful women in your field do, and take lessons from their approach. And do all you can to support other women - one day, you should become that wise mentor for a younger colleague who is making her way in the profession
Most important quality in a leader:
Integrity
All photos courtesy of www.wm.edu