following your own lead. “The heart and the head have to be there” without one overpowering the other, Pfeffer said about what goes into being a leader. Massad agrees: “If I get a little bit excited, everyone else gets the same way. Everyone takes their cue from who’s leading them.” That’s where Massad says the strength comes in. “You have to be a strong leader because you’re leading everyone else,” she said. Leading by example is a business tip to which Bailey adheres; do as you say and say as you do. “I have had wonderful mentors in my career who have helped me move to the next level,” Bailey said, adding that she’s at a point in her career where it’s her turn to teach. “I like to make them believe in themselves,.”
JO Bailey “I think it’s important to connect and give back,” Bailey said. “It’s important to make a difference in people’s lives.” Shannon Gullickson, who nominated Bailey, said “the first thing that comes to mind” about Bailey is her involvement in the community. “I don’t think about how much time it takes, I think about the difference it will make,” Bailey said. Massad also said she wants to see the place she’s made her home continue to grow. She is the vice chair of the City of Mankato Planning and Zoning Commission, a chairperson of the MultiModel and Transportation Committee and was the first-ever female chairperson of the St. John’s Catholic Church Finance Committee. Karla Njoku, Massad’s daughter and nominator, said in an email: “We have had many opportunities to expand our businesses elsewhere, but my mother’s commitment to the town that let her build her dreams is astonishing.”
Strong leadership
There are many different kinds of leaders, but these three women boil leadership down to three key characteristics: passion, strength and
Career pursuit
Massad’s managerial staff and most of her employees are women. Njoku said her mother not only impacted her and her sister’s life, but the lives of other women, too: “I know this because they introduce themselves to me and tell me how she has made them who they are today. These are women in their 30s, 40s and 50s who worked for my mother when they were in high school or college.” Massad’s career is moving forward as she and her family are working on franchising their restaurant. Massad, along with her husband John, own Massad’s in the River Hills Mall and Olives in downtown Mankato. She is also the exclusive caterer for the Mankato Verizon Wireless Center through Najwa’s Catering. Kelly Olson, the YWCA development director, said through “perseverance and tenacity (Massad) has become a successful
businesswoman.” Pfeffer also works with about 95 percent female employees, which she said partially has to do with her career. Pfeffer has helped the non-profit Pathstone Living grow to be able to offer more programs such as assisted living, a memory care program, transportation and others. “I think care-giving is a women’s issue, especially when you talk about aging,” Pfeffer said. Olson said Jennifer is an incredible leader and Beth Colway, the development director at Pathstone Living, agrees. “She’s been a mentor to all her employees,” Colway said.
Distinctive Difference Award
New this year at the YWCA is the Distinctive Difference Award. This award is given “to honor and recognize a business or organization from the Greater Mankato Area that’s achievements have made a significant contribution to advancing women and/or people of color into upper management and leadership positions.” HickoryTech is the first recipient of the Distinctive Difference Award. The company has about 50 percent female supervisors and managers and more than 50 percent were promoted from other positions at HickoryTech. All employees receive training on diversity and equal treatment for all. HickoryTech’s employees also volunteer with United Way, South Central Workforce Council, Special Olympics, CADA House and others. M
If You Go WHAT 2012 Women of Distinction event WHEN 5 p.m. Thursday, March 22 WHERE Verizon Wireless Center TICKETS $50 per person, $500 for a table of eight MANKATO MAGAZINE • MARCH 2012 • 21