The Link Member Highlight!

Sacha Basho
The Link Ambassador Board President

 

What is your business or what leadership roles do you hold?
Integra provides connectivity to businesses in our region including voice, data and application solutions.  My current leadership roles include Director of Sales – Government,  Go Red For Women Luncheon – Corporate Sponsorship Chair and The Link for Women Ambassador Board Chair.

What do you personally get from The Link events and community?
The Link provides connection to women business leaders in the community.  Through that connection, I find inspiration, mentorship and support.  It also allows me to give back to other young women looking to expand their support community.

What aspects of The Link have you engaged in and how have they been a benefit to you?

As a member of The Link For Women, I attend the speaker series events and member events where I am constantly inspired by the stories in the room.  The intimate setting that is provided allows for true connection with women of all walks of life and experiences.  We share the desire to commune with current and future women business leaders, as well as, stretch ourselves personally and/or professionally. 

In addition, I am a graduate of A Seat At The Table- Using It.  This program gave me insight into “why” I make the choices I do, “what” I really want from my career and life and “how” that plays out in my work place.  With this program, I received the peer and mentor support that enabled me to make the hard “asks” for myself and others in the organization.  Our organization is stronger for it and the women involved are using their voices and influence.  Bottom line, it was a life changing program and will continue to impact my personal and professional journey!  Thank you, Cindy! 

What separates The Link from other groups you belong to? 
The link is unique because it attracts women from all walks of life who have a common interest in expanding their experiences and connecting with the female leadership community.  Many of the members are in varied stages of their careers but are interested in what they can learn from each other.  The focus is not a business exchange but a knowledge exchange.  Simply put, there is no other community like The Link For Women.

Meet the members of The Link!

So that everyone can get to know the stories behind the members, we will be highlighting members of The Link. Stay tuned for our first Member Highlight -- our current Board President, Sacha Basho!!

Happy 2013!

I know, I've promised this before, but in 2013, I resolve to BLOG the 1st week of every month. I could say that it's Google's fault that I have been so inconsistent as I was locked out of the blog for some time but since Google became a client in 2012, I feel that may not be wise. Besides, I advocate for personal accountability and this action would be in conflict with that point of view.

My biggest fear with blogging is that my sentence structure and prose isn't witty and perfect. So let me say up front, it won't be. And for spelling, there is absolutely NO GUARANTEE that spellcheck or I will catch the flaws. Please bear with me.

I have been "encouraged" to blog regularly by the clients who hear me repeat the same things over and over. They seem to think others can benefit from the wisdom I have garnered over time.

Further, there is a method to the madness of our events and programs. I am looking forward to sharing the thought process of our choices in speakers and facilitators.

On January 16 we welcome Ann Schatz back to The Link. This is Ann's 3rd kick off to the new year.  I think her concept this year, The 'I's' have it: Ignite Your Power to Include, Influence, and Inspire is particularly compelling and in line with our belief that to effectively own a seat at the table and contribute with confidence, we need to have a VISION for the future in order to cultivate and influential VOICE. You can then leverage your COMMUNITY for support to reach your goals.

Ann is a powerhouse and one of the most gracious and generous people I know. We had a blast recently as guests of the Portland Trailblazers at a Bruce Springsteen concert. Ann had akways wanted to see BRUCE in action and he did not disappoint!

 

More to come...wishing you a prosperous and healthy 2013!

Women Leaders Words of Wisdom

It’s been a big month to gather with talented, fabulous women and gather words of wisdom. I have been so enlightened by 3 women leader panel discussions over the last few weeks in Portland. I moderated 2 panels and was a guest for a 3rd. Here are my take-aways. Any of them resonate for you? I sure hear these same things over and over again.

1st event: Women of Influence Awards, hosted by the Portland Business Journal. My dear friend, Brenda Meltebeke, Firm Chair of Ater Wynne LLP was honored and I was her guest for the annual awards luncheon. Lisa Sedlar, Pres./CEO of New Seasons Market, rocked the house and made it really fun! 25 women were honored and 4 were chosen as the outstanding women executives. Below are their words of wisdom:

Woman Executive of the Year (Small/Medium Company) Katherine Durant, Atlas Investments Women need to support each other. Women also need to be able to argue and not hold a grudge.
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Holly Files, Velocx Speak up ladies! Always ask "how can I help YOU!"
Woman Executive of the Year (Large Company) Lisa Sedlar, New Seasons Market If you listen deeply, there is a "kernel of truth" in everything someone has to say.

Woman Executive of the Year (Nonprofit) Merris Sumrall, The Library Foundation Be willing to be the understudy

2nd event: Innotech Innotech Women of IT Forum. I had no idea that the technology word was suffering from a significantly lower number of women executives than the norm...which is already pitiful! I moderated an hour long panel of 3 fabulous CIO's and then participated in 15 minute speed mentoring for 6 women of all ages...THAT was intense! The panelists were

Denise Coyne, CIO, Chevron Corporate Departments and Services Companies We need Sponsors as well as Mentors in our career.
Sherry Swackhamer, CIO & Dir. of County Assets, Multnomah County, Oregon Collaboration creates great change.

Nancy Cox, Services Transformation Communication Mgr, Intel - Don't talk incessantly about your kids at work. When you're at work, get the job done and leave on time.

This week, our event, at The Link For Women, Leaders' Secrets, highlighted 3 amazing women influencing the world in very different ways. They were candid, open and all very funny. Overall:

- Each speaker had a mentor or sponsor at critical parts of their careers.
- Life balance is an illusion – we make choices
- All three women had men who recognize their talent(s) and believed, as well as, invested in their development as leaders and professionals in their field.

I asked our members and their guests to send me their 3 take-aways from the event. I consolidated them to make it easy for you to absorb:

Take risks – Even when you quickly realize that this step is in the wrong direction, you learn a valuable lesson of who you are and where you want to be going.
Slow down – whether it’s to enjoy the life you’re living now, to really listen to the people around you or to mentor and guide someone else, we risk losing so much when we rush through life.
Have a support system (friends, mentors, relatives who will help you achieve your goals)
Find a mentor (or a dozen) – people often see more in us than we see in ourselves (especially in us self-deprecating women) and learning from someone else, getting their feedback, absorbing some of their wisdom can help us take chances we wouldn’t have taken otherwise.; I must choose mentors carefully so they click with my own values to make it a lasting relationship
Who are my mentors versus sponsors and know the difference.
BE a mentor! Share the knowledge that was passed on to you
Be true to the core of who you are; Keep your own identity - be yourself and you’ll be your best; Be the best you that you can be---don’t try to be someone else or morph into other’s expectations
Don’t underestimate your capabilities and contributions; Don’t limit yourself, and don’t listen to those who want to limit you
Do what you love – don’t be afraid to make a change if you aren’t happy where you are
Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith to do what you are really passionate about.
Look around corners, what is my opportunity?
Stretch – oftentimes career decisions force you to stretch – it’s a good thing
Have a sense of humor
Be flexible and ready when opportunity shows up

Enjoy and learn from the tough times

Which ones are you going to use this month??