Reflections & Advice FROM WOMEN OF EA
Over the past four years, our Women of EA event series has celebrated the talents and achievements of the women within the EA community. The in-person and virtual panels and breakout sessions have been full of meaningful discussion and tangible takeaways. Since our last in-person Women of EA event in January 2020, our society has changed. We’ve been faced with a global pandemic, forcing us to be nimble in our personal and professional lives. Our 2020 panelists spoke, among other topics, about the importance of finding one’s passion and work-life balance, points made even more poignant during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our third Women of EA event in May 2021, our virtual panel reflected on “networking in the new normal” and growing one’s career, even during times of uncertainty. As important as the solid advice given by the panelists was the sense of community, palpable even through Zoom. Today, some of our past panelists share insights and advice on the continuing evolution of the workplace.
Ann Madara Kraftson ’85 P ’19 ’23 WHEN WE LAST HEARD FROM ANN IN MAY 2018, SHE ENCOURAGED US TO BRING POSITIVE, HIGH ENERGY TO ALL OF OUR PROJECTS, EVEN THE ONES WE DON’T LIKE AS MUCH. Perspective on today: I still agree with that mindset. No one wants to work with someone who has a bad attitude. It’s always important for someone to tell you they want you on their team or project because of your willingness to complete the task at hand. You want to be the “go-to” team member. On practicing self-care: I need to have those 30 to 60 minutes of time away from the computer to decompress [after work]. I love walking with my dogs or husband and getting fresh air. A piece of advice: It’s always good to ask for additional checkins with your boss or direct report when you finish a project. Getting ahead of those “areas of development” will make your year-end review that much better. There should be no surprises, and your boss should appreciate you being proactive.
Caroline Waxler Levitt ’89 AMONGST OTHER PROJECTS, CAROLINE IS PROUD TO BE WORKING WITH A NEW CLIENT THAT IS FOCUSED ON FIGHTING POVERTY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. A piece of advice: Embrace where you are. This has been a weird time for everyone. Maybe you aren’t where you’d like to be, but there are many opportunities right where you are now that you may have overlooked. On practicing self-care: I take extra time after putting my son to sleep so I can essentially hide out in his room and catch up on silly stories from the New York Post and the Daily Mail. 40
Connections
