The new ASUA club Aspiring Women Professionals hosted a panel called “Women in Business” on Monday evening in the Student Union Memorial Center, where Eller College of Management graduates discussed how they achieved their goals.
Aspiring Women Professionals was started by communication senior Chloé Cavelier d’Esclavelles and business administration senior Cassandra Ott so women could have a place to come together and learn from professionals in the field. Ott said one of her main reasons for starting the club was because of the inequalities she saw in the workplace.
“It was horrifying to see women making less money,” Ott said. “Women were promoted based on things they had already accomplished and men were promoted based on their potential.”
Cavelier d’Esclavelles and Ott plan on bringing in speakers from the community once a month.
The panel featured Kristel Johnson, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Isabella’s Ice Cream, Nicollette Daly, a certified public accountant and chief financial officer of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Karen Mattull, a senior professional in human resources and director of human resources at Beach Fleischman PC.
The speakers talked about being professional women in male-dominated fields, and how their femininity should not be an excuse.
“I think we’re at an advantage to be female,” Johnson said. “If you absolutely know that and believe that … then it’s never going to be a challenge.”
Having the right mindset is the most important part in overcoming discrimination, said Daly.
Mattull said she doesn’t allow her gender to define her. The women stressed the importance of remaining true to yourself in the workplace.
“I think it’s very important that whatever you do, you follow who you are,” Daly said. “Don’t let the professional world steal your soul.”
The speakers advised starting internships soon and finding a mentor for support to help progress careers.
“I’ve had great luck with strong females in the workplace to help guide me,” Mattull said. “Do an internship and find a mentor who will help guide you.”
Elaine Liu, a pre-business freshman, said the panel gave her hope in the American dream.
“I wanted to know more information on the business world from the woman’s perspective,” Liu said. “This is my motivation to help people and achieve the American dream.”
